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Remembering herself, Maureen shook her head.“You must be freezing.Let me get you a tea or a hot chocolate.It’s absolutely delicious here.And maybe we should see about your room.”It occurred to Maureen that earlier she’d been told that all the rooms at the inn were full because of the storm, and Lucy Gibbons mentioned there being a situation with the accommodations, too.“I think they might have given away your—”
“Maureen?”Adam caught her hand in his and held her back from heading to the front desk.
Her breath caught in her throat, and she had to remind herself to breathe as he slowly tugged until she turned around to face him.
“Would it be too forward if I hugged you right now?”
The smile split her face and warmth rushed through her.“Not at all.”
The moment she was in his arms, her body and her heart remembered, and the years melted away.She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting herself relax into his embrace.
The hug was unhurried and everything about it feltright.Adam pulled away too soon for Maureen’s liking, but she was mollified when he took her hand and squeezed.“Now, what was this about a hot chocolate?”
With his hand still in hers, Maureen turned to lead Adam toward the fireplace to introduce him to Elise.“She is just the sweetest woman with such an amazing story,” she told Adam.“We spent the evening talking, and I think she’d really like to meet you.”
But when Maureen got close enough, she could see that Elise was gone.Her crochet bag with the unfinished blanket she’d been working on sat on the floor.“She must have…” Maureen turned in a circle, but there was no trace of the older woman.“I’ll take her bag to the front desk and be right back with some hot chocolate.”
Adam tugged her hand a little to keep her from going right away.“I’ll be waiting right here.”
He looked directly into her eyes, and her heart flipped.She didn’t think it was possible to feel such a reaction from a man at her age.But then again, it wasn’t just any man making her feel this way.It was Adam.
HerAdam.
She smiled broadly.“I’ll be right back.”
Maureen hurried to the front desk with the crochet bag.
“Mrs.McCormick,” Lucy, who was already back behind the desk, greeted her with a smile.“It’s quite remarkable that your friend made it after all.”She shook her head in disbelief.“I am trying my best to work out a solution to the room shortage,” she continued.“I’m afraid we really weren’t expecting anyone to make it up the road and since we had to extend some stays, I’m really not sure what we can do.But please rest assured that we are working on it.”
“I’m sure you are.”Maureen handed the bag across the counter.“The older woman I was sitting with…in all the commotion, I didn’t realize she’d excused herself.”
“Oh yes, Elise.She retired to her room for the evening.”
Maureen felt a twinge of guilt for not saying goodnight after the lovely evening they’d shared.But somehow she was sure that Elise would approve of her distraction.“She must have left her crochet bag when she left,” Maureen said.“I wouldn’t want it to get lost.”
“Of course.”Lucy smiled with a nod.“I’ll be sure she gets it.And I will be sure to let you know when I have a solution to the room situation.In the meantime, please feel free to have a late dinner on the house.Just charge it to your room, and I’ll be sure to take care of it.”
“Thank you.That’s very generous.”
“It’s the least we can do under the circumstances.”
It was clear from the concerned look on the innkeeper’s face that the room situation might be a little harder to solve than she was letting on.But Maureen wasn’t worried.Adam was here.He’d made it.He hadn’t stood her up.For the moment, that was all that mattered.They’d figure out the rest later.
“Thank you.I’m sure a hot meal would be appreciated after his journey.And you’ll make sure Elise gets her crocheting back?I know she wanted to finish the blanket.”
“Of course, Mrs.McCormick.”The young woman’s smile was friendly.“Please let us know if there’s anything else we can help you with.”
Maureen turned and looked at Adam, who was warming his hands by the fire.“I think I have everything I need now.”
ChapterNine
Present
A few minutes later,Adam decided to forgo the hot chocolate and opt for a warm dinner instead.They were seated in the hotel restaurant that was decorated for the holiday season just as nicely as the rest of the inn.
With the snowstorm still raging outside, candles on the table and the smell of pine mingling with the delicious aromas coming from the kitchen, and Adam sitting across from her, Maureen was very cozy.
“I still can’t believe you’re here.”She shook her head and sipped at the glass of wine she’d ordered.She rarely indulged these days, but reuniting with Adam was the most special occasion she could imagine.
