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He’d begun to nod slowly while she spoke.“It wasn’t our time then.”Adam swallowed hard and took her other hand in his.“But I believe that it might just finally be our time now, Maureen.”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”His hand cupped her cheek and when his lips touched hers, the room around them disappeared.
Maureen was floating on air the next morning as she made her way down to the lobby of the inn.The night before, after they shared what had to be the very best kiss of her entire life, dancing was forgotten as they made their way back to the main building, and up to Maureen’s room.
It had been so long since Maureen had been with a man that she should have been nervous but with Adam, everything felt natural andright.It was as if no time had passed between them at all.
She’d fallen asleep in his arms, knowing that she was exactly where she belonged.
The storm had settled overnight, and the sun shined through the windows as she descended the steps into the busy lobby.Now that the storm had stopped, Maureen assumed many people were trying to make arrangements to get home for the holidays.She bypassed the chaos and headed straight for the beverage station, to get a coffee while she waited for Adam to finish his shower.
She’d just poured herself a cup and was heading toward a bench by a window when Lucy Gibbons caught up with her.
“Mrs.McCormick.”The woman wrung her hands and looked as if she might cry.“I’m so sorry about last night.I meant to find you and Mr.Lancaster to sort out the room situation.I looked for you in the restaurant and—”
“It’s fine.”Maureen gave the woman the most reassuring smile she could.“Mr.Lancaster…ended up…well…” She shook her head and laughed a little at her ridiculous embarrassment.She was a grown woman, after all.“Well, he stayed with me last night.”
“Oh.I…”
“It’s fine, Lucy.But thank you for your concern.I do appreciate the attention to detail you all have.”
The woman pulled back her shoulders and beamed with pride.“I’m glad it all worked out, Mrs.McCormick.Thank you for being so understanding.”She glanced behind her toward the desk.“It’s a bit chaotic here this morning, and along with the roads being closed for the next few days, we’ve had a bit of a situation come up.Please excuse me if I—”
“A few days?”
Lucy nodded seriously.“Oh yes.When a storm like this comes along, the roads are always closed for a few days as the plows get mobilized and…” Something across the room caught her attention, and she looked away.
“You’re busy,” Maureen said.“I don’t want to keep you.”
“I will let you know just as soon as the roads get cleared.I am sorry.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.You can’t do anything about the weather.”Maureen waved her away.“Don’t worry about me at all.I’ve enjoyed my stay here very much.Go.Take care of whatever you need to.”
Lucy made a few more apologies before finally leaving Maureen and returning to the desk and no doubt a growing to-do list.
For a few minutes, Maureen sipped her coffee in peace as she gazed out at the snowy landscape.The mountains of North Carolina were beautiful.Very different from the Rocky Mountains she was used to back home, but equally stunning.With everything outside covered in snow, she felt cozy and warm inside the inn.
Maybe a few more days trapped in the inn with Adam wouldn’t be so bad.Her face flushed with the memory of the night before.
Oh no.It wouldn’t be bad at all.
Eventually, she’d have to go home, and to the real world.With the road closure, she’d be cutting it close for Cal’s wedding, and Clara’s first Christmas.But she’d make it.
And maybe she wouldn’t have to go alone?
The thought was so unexpected that it shocked her momentarily.But only for a second, as she let herself think about what it would mean if she asked Adam to accompany her back to Cedar Springs and how perfect it would be.
“Excuse me.”
Pulled out of her thoughts, Maureen turned to see a woman with red-rimmed, puffy eyes standing behind her.
“I don’t mean to interrupt,” the woman said.“I’m sorry.I just—”
It was then that Maureen noticed the bag in the woman’s hands.The same bag she’d returned to the front desk the night before.“Susan?”
The woman nodded.
