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“But they’re breakable.”
“If my boys haven’t broken them yet, then they’ll be fine. I don’t mind if she enjoys them. That’s what they’re here for. Besides, Ember plays with them, too. How can you resist?”
Addy carefully righted the people. “They’re playing chess.”
“If you look closely, there are a number of little scenes like that. A family decorating a tree. One doing a puzzle, and even one playing with a toy train. I love the details. I think I’ve collected everything they’ve released in this series.”
“Can we get a Christmas village?” Addy asked me.
“It would be a nice thing to start. I love your traditions.” I had a feeling it was an expensive collection. One I didn’t want to start until I felt a little more financially secure. I was never sure when that would be. I made enough to get by, and I knew if I was ever in a bind, I could ask my parents. But I didn’t want to. I wanted to make it on my own.
We heard bells outside and the clip-clopping of horses. “I didn’t realize you had horses on the property.”
Addy’s eyes widened as she raced toward the windows.
“We don’t, usually,” Lori said, with a glimmer in her eyes.
“It’s a carriage,” Addy said, looking outside.
“Let’s go onto the porch so we can get a better look,” Lori suggested. “Don’t forget your hats and gloves.”
We hadn’t taken our jackets and boots off, so we stepped onto the porch, seeing a white carriage with red velvet seats sitting in front and two horses at the end of the reins.
“Your carriage awaits, miladies,” Knox said with a little bow.
“Is this for us?” Addy asked the question that was on my mind.
Knox grinned. “It’s yours for the night.”
“You didn’t want to take a ride?” I asked Lori, who was beaming by the door.
She waved us away. “Oh, no. This is for you. Enjoy your time.”
Knox held out his hand and helped me step onto the carriage, and then he lifted Addy to sit next to me.
“There’s a blanket you can pull onto your lap,” Knox said as he climbed in next to us and took the reins. “Where to?”
“I have no idea,” I said, a little shell-shocked. I’d never been in a carriage before. I wasn’t even sure I’d seen one.
“Can we go to the pond?” Addy asked shyly.
He tapped her nose. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
“You don’t need to work any more tonight?” I asked, seeing the people still milling around the red barn.
“Not tonight. I’m all yours.”
“Have you offered carriage rides here before?” I asked, wanting to know more about the operations on the farm and the Monroe family.
“We’ve hosted a night just for carriage rides, and those were successful. Tonight, it’s just for you.” He veered onto the private lane that went past a cabin. I’d never been farther than the little waterfall and the gazebo before.
“This is a nice way to see the property.” Here, it was quiet; there weren’t any people hiking the grounds. The guys kept the customers in the few fields where cutting was permitted. It felt like we were alone. The only sounds were the clip-clopping of the horses’ feet and the occasional snort.
Addy asked questions about the carriage and the horses, and I listened with half an ear while I took in the farm. The twinkling lights made the ride even more romantic.
He pointed out Emmett’s cabin, which was smaller than his, and another barn he said was used for family events and even Ireland’s failed wedding reception. When the trees thinned, we saw the pond.
“I had no idea this was even here,” I said to him as Addy sat up taller to get a good look.
