He shook the reins and started the horses moving. “How are you finding Serenity?”
“It’s nice here. Everyone I’ve met has been so kind. Well, almost everyone.”
“I’m not surprised. We pride ourselves on that.”
He drove them past the town square. There was no one there relaxing on blankets or playing in the sunshine, though several people rushed along the twisting paths. It was simply too cold. He stopped the buckboard in front of Goldwater’s, which was next to the town hall, not far from where they started.
Before she could climb down from the buckboard, he jumped down, then helped her, taking her hand in his. She felt the warmth of that brief touch and again, that funny little tickle started low in her belly. “Thank you. I’ll just be a moment.”
“I’ll just wait for you out here.” He grinned and she couldn’t stop staring at the dimple in his cheek. “Don’t want anyone to take our desserts.”
“Would that happen?”
He laughed. “No, not really. Serenity is a good place. That’s not to say we don’t have our troublemakers, because we do, butfor the most part, we’re a safe town. Marshal Goodrich and his deputies see to that.”
She nodded, unsure what to say, especially because his hand held hers and she just couldn’t seem to think clearly. “I’ll just be a minute,” she said finally before she rushed into the store, anxious to get out of the cold…and get back to him.
As promised, she wasn’t long, and it was only moments before she was back outside, after dropping her letter in the outgoing mail bin, as Gemma directed her to.
“Sullivan’s?”
“Yes, please.” Once again, he helped her climb up to the buckboard’s seat, then ran around to the other side, climbed in himself and flicked the reins to get the horses moving.
It didn’t take long to get to Sullivan’s, either. It was truly just down the street, so close they could have walked, and probably should have. He stopped the buckboard in front of the store’s front door then repeated his steps, helping her to alight. Such a gentleman, so different than what her grandmother had described men to be.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time. I have nowhere I need to be.”
She gave him a quick nod, grateful for his kindness.
“Hello, Tresia.” Sheridan greeted the owner as soon as she opened the door, the little bell chiming overhead.
Tresia smiled as her eyes opened wider. “What a lovely cape! Did you get it from Leslie Carmichael?”
Sheridan looked down. “I did. She said she made it for my mother.”
“It looks wonderful on you. The color really brings out your eyes.”
“I’m looking for a pair of gloves, something warmer than these.” She snaked her hands out through the slit in the cape andheld them up, showing the flimsy gloves. “Leslie said you would have some.”
“I do.” Tresia slid off the stool behind the counter and extended her hand toward a display of knit hats, scarves, and gloves in all the colors of the rainbow tucked into a corner. “Mrs. Cudahy knits them. They’ve been very popular this year.”
It didn’t take long to choose a pair of gloves or a matching scarf that came close to the color of the cape. She brought them to the counter. “I’ll take these.”
“Good choice.” Tresia rang up the sale. “Do you want them in a bag or are you going to wear them now?”
Sheridan paid for them. “Wear them now.” She tugged off her gloves, then draped the scarf over her head and twisted it until it covered her ears and throat, throwing the loose ends over her shoulders. She tucked her old gloves into her drawstring purse, then pulled on the new gloves and immediately felt the warmth they provided. “Oh, so much better. Thank you!”
“Is that Wyatt MacLean pacing in front of my store?”
Sheridan turned to look out the window and a small thrill skittered through her. “Yes, it is. We ran into each other at Sweet Somethings. He said he’d take me home—insisted, actually.”
“Well, isn’t that kind of him?”
Sheridan had to agree. It was truly kind of him and, again, that little tickle started in her belly. She turned toward Tresia, feeling the corners of her mouth lifting, something that wouldn’t have happened a week ago. “Yes, it is. Have a wonderful day.” She quickly left the store, the little bell overhead signaling her exit.
Wyatt’s eyes lit up as she met him on the sidewalk. “Nice scarf. Did you get gloves, too?”
