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“Where to, angel? I’m following your lead.”
I scan the grassy areas. Food trucks edge the basketball courts, which are covered with plastic picnic tables surrounded by heat lamps. Booths with wreaths, ornaments, porch signs, and other homemade items fill the center in front of the playground. Stages are set up behind them and to the right for the bands that start at noon.
But it’s the horse drawn carriage by the entrance to the petting zoo that catches my eye. Two honey mares with caramel tails and manes are hitched to an old-fashioned wooden sleigh with a red leather bench seat behind the driver.
The sign by the gate advertises thirty-five dollars per ride. But for only two dollars you can buy a carrot to feed them, and all the proceeds go to charity. That is definitely worth the money. “Let’s check this out.”
I drag Balthazar in that direction, laughing from his shock. I dig in my pocket for the ones I tucked inside earlier and whip them out to the lady running the activity. “One carrot please.”
“Of course, dear.”
She exchanges the cash for the vegetable, which I promptly snap in half and hand the thicker end to Balthazar. “You can feed one, and I’ll feed the other.”
The vendor smiles and nods to us. “Hold your hand flat and they’ll gobble it right up.”
I eagerly comply while Balthazar watches with a deep frown.
Not at the horse.
But at me.
Fire burns my face despite the chilly air. The realization of my error hits me hard. This is childish. London would never feed animals.
I pet the stallion’s muzzle while she crunches. She’s a sweetie, and it’s not her fault I’m a dork. Once she’s finished, I step back and look up to Balthazar. I don’t want the other girl to feel left out. “If you don’t want to feed her, it’s okay. I can do it.”
Silent and impassive, he hands me the carrot. Humiliation swirls in my chest. Fully aware I’m all wrong for him. The proof of our differences smacks me in the face when I least expect it. I offer the mare the treat and suppress my giggle from her eager lips tickling my palm. I rub her smooth coat and whisper to both of them how beautiful they are.
Steeling myself to the embarrassment of facing Balthazar, I roll back my shoulders and offer the strongest smile I can manage. I refuse to look foolish when I suggest he take me back home. We can accept this didn’t work out and part ways as friends. Or at least professional employee and boss.
Hopefully.
Instead of meeting my gaze, he focuses on the woman and draws out his wallet. He hands her five hundred-dollar bills. Oh my god!
“We’d like to ride for as long as she wants.”
With a possessive touch, his hand wraps around the back of my neck, and he kisses my temple. The flames scorching my skin are very different than before.
The lady’s eyes widen, and she stares at him, then the cash, then him again. “Certainly sir.”
She rushes over to the driver and converses with him in hushed tones, while I shake my head. “What are you doing? That’s too much money. You don’t have to do that.”
Balthazar chuckles and presses his lips to me again. “I know I don’t. But I want to. You’re worth it.”
I’mworth it.
Wow!
The man motions us forward, and Balthazar gives me a slight push when I don’t react. Despite my shock, I force one foot in front of the other until we’re at the sled and he’s supporting me as I climb up. After he joins me, the woman hands us a thick red, black, and white plaid blanket.
With shaking hands, I help Balthazar drape the cover over our legs and up to our waists. Once we’re finished, he wraps his fingers around mine.
The driver clicks his tongue and we’re off. One of the horses whinnies and stamps her feet but they both amble forward with a smooth gait. We glide across the snowy grass and a few people turn in our direction as we pass by.
I used to be one of those people. Always watching but never getting to do something this incredible. I feel like a magical princess in a Christmas fairy tale.
Balthazar cups my cheek. “Your smile is breathtaking.”
His generosity is what’s breathtaking. “Thank you so much for this. I absolutely love it.”
