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Which reminded me that I still had not yet been successful in taking Tenley on that first date. I honestly hadn’t even thought of my next plan because of how insane everything was yesterday. She deserved better than staying over at my house on a whim, practically by herself for much of the evening.
Maybe instead of staying for the entire party tomorrow, we could sneak away, and I would fix her a delicious meal, and we could snuggle while watching a romantic Christmas movie. It wasn’t as romantic as I was hoping for, but it would check that first date box off.
No. I shook my head, throwing the Razor into park below my house. This wasn’t something to just check off. It needed to be perfect, and I had to go back to square one. A home cooked meal wasn’t going to cut it with a movie.
You know what would, taking her out for stargazing in the back of my truck. I’d drive us to this secluded grove with a small iced-over pond I knew of, lay down a whole bunch of blankets in the bed of the truck with some pillows, and we’d escape for the evening. Watching stars, snuggling, I’d even pack a basket full of warm foods and snacks, and turn on some soft Christmas music. From the playlist I’d made for our previously failed date.
Yes, that would be perfect.
Quickly pulling out my phone from my pocket, I typed in my notes a list of things to gather for the date. The only thing that had me worried was how we would escape once the sun went down. When that happened, the guests left, and we would have our traditional family-only Christmas Eve celebration.
I usually played the guitar with Cassidy, eventually accompanying everyone in some carols. We could disappear with everyone else? Using the flood of guests leaving as our cover. Which would keep us from getting caught and having to stay back.
Except I hadn’t bothered to ask her at any point so far if she had her own family plans for Christmas Eve. She might want to return with them to spend the evening with her dad, especially since it was probably their last altogether.
No, this date could be saved for later. I needed something else. A different plan for during the day.
I snapped my fingers. She’d asked to learn how to ride a horse, so I could take her on a short trail ride. Just the two of us. And on a path that was especially beautiful in the middle of winter. Thick snow glistening on the pine needles with bushes trickling at the base. The sun managed to pierce through the tall trees along this trail, which made everything sparkle. I would pack some of the cookies she’d made and a thermos of hot cider. Just a couple hours away, on a perfectly romantic first date.
Sighing, it wasn’t the best it could be, but it was fulfilling something she’d asked for and allowed us to finally have that time alone. Everything had to go perfectly, though. Disappearing for just a bit, the entire ride, and I really hoped that at the end where I was planning to stop, that we’d be able to catch a couple rabbits or deer milling about.
There was this beautiful, small brook that bubbled through the middle of the grove. It never fully iced over, no matter how cold it became, because of how quickly the water would move. Animals flocked to this area during the winter for a refreshing drink every once in a while.
Yes, okay, it was perfect enough. We could leave around noon tomorrow, be back by three or four, and no one would really notice. That would work.
I shoved my phone in my pocket, locking away my plans, and exited the Razor. Time to go get my beautiful girl and help begin decorating, all while making sure to avoid raising suspicions with my mom.
Chapter 16
Icouldn’t help it. Propping a boot up on the fence, I crossed my arms against the top rail and leaned forward, forgetting about the work I was doing. Tenley laughed, helping Millie place another string of tinsel around the fence that ran toward the house in front of me.
She looked so blissful and happy. Her cheeks as rosy as Millie’s, her ears tucked tightly beneath her beanie. Tenley adjusted the zipper on her coat, oblivious to my stare. My fingers followed suit, mindlessly tugging at the wild rag around my neck.
I smiled.
She danced in a circle, singing loudly, and rather off-tune, a popular Christmas song. Millie didn’t mind, joining in and swirling around. Her boots slipped out from under her, and Millie fell, taking Tenley down with her.
I chuckled.
Tenley exhaled and began making a snow angel. Millie watched her for a moment and then started swinging her arms back and forth, mimicking my darling. Her sweet laugh filled the crisp air, adding magic back to the air. It was truly a magical winter wonderland out here.
Tenley gasped and sat up as bells jingled and Cash rode by, driving a team of horses pulling the red sleigh. The two girls watched for a moment longer, then they returned to their work, Tenley’s bright green eyes sparkling.
A hand suddenly slapped around my shoulder, and I glanced to my left, startled. “You seem unusually happy today despite the incident with Eugene,” Remington began, suspicion coating his voice. My eyes drifted back to Tenley as she smiled at the newly joining companion. Annie approached the two girls.
“It’s that time of year,” I replied, unable to peel my gaze away, and ignoring the fact that Cassidy had told everyone about the incident with Eugene this morning. He was fixing my door right now, the pile of crap already cleaned out, and for a moment, everything felt like it was perfectly back in order.
“Righhhttt. So, how long?” he bluntly asked.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” deflecting his question.
“Oh, come on. You’re absolutely in love with that girl.” Remington shook me lightly.
I raised a brow, tucking my face beneath my hat, as my stomach lurched. It felt strange hearing that out loud, but I also couldn’t deny it.
Remington laughed. “You’re not going to be able to hide it, even by doing that.”
“That obvious?” I replied through gritted teeth.
