She held up her hands and wiggled her fingers. “I did, and they’re so much warmer than what I had. Thank you.”
“Are you ready? Any other stops you need to make? Perhaps a cup of coffee at the Wagon Wheel?”
“No other stops and, truly, I don’t want to take up any more of your time. If you’ll just bring me home, I would appreciate it.”
“You’re not taking up my time.”
There was something about the way he said those words that made her take notice, like they held a melancholy edge to them. Her gaze roamed over him, but there was nothing in his expression that spoke of sadness. Indeed, his smile seemed to widen, revealing those dimples she was becoming enamored with.
Probably just my imagination.
It didn’t take long before he stopped in front of her house. Again, he jumped down from his seat and helped her to descend, then handed her the box with her cake, his fingers lingering over hers for a moment longer than necessary. Even though she wore heavier gloves now, she could still feel the warmth of his touch. “Thank you, Mr.—Wyatt.”
“My pleasure, Sherry.”
She didn’t recall giving him permission to shorten her name, but she wasn’t angry. Or upset. A few weeks ago, she would have corrected him, or anyone else, who dared to take such liberties. Now? She wasn’t so inclined to do so. Not only did she find that odd, she also couldn’t deny the thrill it gave her hearing him call her that.
“I hope you’ll join us at Larson’s Pond. It’s close enough to walk from here.”
She gave a quick nod, though she didn’t commit. “Thank you again.”
He climbed back up to the buckboard’s seat, shook the reins and drove off. Sheridan watched him until she couldn’t see him anymore. Finally, she turned and entered the house to findmayhem and excitement, the girls laughing as Lily pulled ice skates from the hall closet. “What’s going on here?”
Lily looked up from her position on the floor in front of the open closet door. “Nice cape. One of Leslie’s creations?” She didn’t give Sheridan a chance to answer. Instead, she said, “Since it’s Monday and our day off, we’re going skating. I heard Larson’s Pond is frozen over.” She pulled a pair of skates from the pile on the floor. “Barrie, I think these are yours.”
Barrie took the skates and held them against her chest, then looked at her. “You should come.”
Sheridan shook her head. “I don’t know how to skate.”
“You don’t have to know how to skate. You should still come. I’m sure someone will be willing to teach you. It’ll be fun.” Barrie cocked her head at her and lost her smile. “You don’t know how to have fun, do you?”
The question rambled around in her head, and the truth hit her hard. No, she didn’t know how to have fun. Odette and Aunt Estelle had never promoted any kind of joy, which was a horrible way to live. Neither did Bouchard’s. The students were there to learn, and the teachers were there to teach. There was no levity. “I…no.”
Susannah, her skates hanging from her fingertips by their laces, smiled and lightly touched her arm. “Well, then, I think it’s about time you learn.”
“After dinner, ladies!” Mrs. Gallagher yelled from behind the kitchen door.
“After dinner,” Susannah conceded.
CHAPTER 6
Wyatt helped his mother down from her buggy, still surprised that she had decided she and Royce would join him. He moved to the back of the vehicle and handed the picnic basket, filled with sandwiches and shortbread cookies, to Royce. They’d even packed a bottle of brandy, which would be needed to stave off the cold. Lastly, he grabbed the blankets and a few pairs of skates that could easily slip over one’s shoes.
The promised bonfires were already lit, the crackling flames lighting up the night. Torches dotted the perimeter of the pond, and several bales of hay had been set out close to the edge, so people could sit and put on their skates or just take a break. Mrs. Donlevy had set up her booth and was selling hot cider, as well as hot chocolate, and doing a raving business, by the looks of it. Mr. Palmer’s popcorn cart was right beside her booth, and the smell of popcorn and freshly roasted peanuts permeated the air.
His focus shifted to the pond and all the couples already on the ice. He did not see Sheridan, but he did see several acquaintances, including Merrill and Polly. Rafael, one of Serenity’s other deputies, was there with his wife, Ventura.There were other couples as well, and quite a few children, either skating or getting ready to.
He moved his gaze from the pond and glanced at the hay bale closest to him where Tresia watched as Marshal Goodrich clamped a pair of simple skates on their daughter’s shoes. Avery was so excited, she could barely sit still, which made him smile. They exchanged a nod of greeting.
There were more people on the other side of the pond, and he waved to those he knew as he put everything down on the bale of hay he’d chosen. “Do you need help with your skates, Mama?”
She shook her head and chuckled, since Royce knelt in front of her. “I’ve been doing this longer than you’ve been alive, dear boy. Besides, I have a handsome husband to help me.” She laid her hand on the side of Royce’s face, smiled broadly, then lifted her foot a little as the husband in question slipped the skate over her shoe. Royce shook his head, as if to say once again, that Delilah Cabot was incorrigible, but he was fine with that.
Wyatt smiled. He couldn’t help himself. He couldn’t be any happier for his mother, who’d managed to find love again, after being a widow for quite a few years. If his mother could find love, then so could he.
He sat and put on his own skates while he watched Royce and his mother step onto the ice. Apparently, Royce knew how to skate rather well, and he heard his mother’s laughter as they glided around the pond.
He looked up at a group of new arrivals. Sheridan. She’d decided to come after all, accompanied by Josie’s girls. They chattered together as they made themselves comfortable on several bales of hay closer to the popcorn cart. It didn’t take long before they were all on the ice, except for her.
