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“I think you’re right. I’m going to do just that.”
The man smiled his approval. “Good luck. She doesn’t date much. The last guy she was with up and moved away.”
Wes didn’t let on that Kate had already confided in him. If she wouldn’t follow Wes to New York, how would they ever maintain a relationship? It wasn’t like he could just up and quit his job…but of course, she probably felt the same way.
It was just a date—a dance. It wasn’t like they would be embarking on a serious relationship. Right?
“I’m sure things will work out for Kate,” Wes said. “Any guy would be lucky to have her in his life.” And then deciding he didn’t want to dissect his relationship with Kate, he said, “I should go. We have just enough time for another practice run before the race.”
“I guess we should do that too.”
Wes hadn’t known Sam before this evening, but the man had certainly given him a lot to think about. If circumstances were different, he imagined they’d be good friends. What would his life look like if he moved to Bayberry? Would Kate want to start something with him?
Moving to Bayberry would mean giving up everything he’d spent his adult life working toward. And if he didn’t, could he walk away from Kate? Her smile filled his thoughts at all hours of the day. When he closed his eyes at night, she filled his dreams. And when he woke up in the morning, he was eager to see her again.
But there was something big standing between him and having to make those decisions—the candle company. He knew that if the business went under, Kate would blame him. Sure, she said she wouldn’t, but things would be different if it became a reality. He just couldn’t let that happen.
He’d been giving the problem a lot of thought. He had an idea of how to save the candle company, but there would be a lot of details to iron out. And he’d need Penney’s blessing. Would she approve of his unorthodox solution?
It was the most amazing evening.
Mel’s Grille was hopping with people from the toboggan race. Every table was occupied. Each stool at the counter was taken. And every waitress in her fifties-style uniform with a red apron was rushing from table to table.
And Kate couldn’t be happier. She knew she should be at the office with Aunt Penney considering more cost-cutting measures or building up the company’s online presence, but there was something about being with Wes during this magical time of the year that was irresistible. Somehow, some way, she’d make time for both work and Wes. Because the more time she spent with him, the more time she wanted to spend with him.
He made her smile. He made her want to believe in happily-ever-afters. He made her want to take a chance with her heart.
He made her believe that anything was possible. He made her want to think she was capable of far more than she’d done so far.
Kate beamed across the table at Wes. “That was awesome.”
“Is that what you call that wipeout at the bottom of the hill? Awesome?” His eyes twinkled with merriment.
“It was pretty spectacular when you had all that snow on your head.” A big grin pulled at her lips.
Wes returned her smile. “No funnier than you wiping the snow from your face.”
“I guess you’ve got me there. But before we wiped out, we did win the snowball trophy.” She placed it on the table between them. “Can you believe it?”
“No. I’ve never seen a trophy with a tennis ball painted to look like a snowball.”
Kate’s mouth dropped open. “It’s not a tennis ball.”
“It’s not?” He leaned in closer and squinted. “Sure looks like it.”
She looked at the trophy. Maybe he had a point, but it was too much fun to banter with him to stop now. “It does not.”
He shrugged. “Okay. Maybe it doesn’t. But I sure had you wondering for a while.”
“Oh, you.” She smiled, realizing he’d been teasing her all along.
Carrie delivered their cheeseburgers and fries. With all of that trudging through the snow, they’d really worked up their appetites. They made short work of the meal, and then leaned back in the booth.
“How about dessert?” Kate asked. “After all, we have to celebrate.”
“Celebrate, huh?” When she nodded, he asked, “What did you have in mind?”
“Hot chocolate with marshmallows.” Her mouth watered just thinking about it. “Theirs is so creamy and rich. It’s like chocolate heaven.”
