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Dawson’s hand closed over Piper’s, making her skin prickle. “I had no idea Margaret did all this.”
“Me either.”
A few moments later, they learned why, as the compere told them that until her death, Margaret Smith had kept her involvement private as she hadn’t wanted the publicity.
Apparently, she’d left enough investment that the work could continue for the next fifty years.
“Wow,” said Dawson. “That’s a long time.”
The presentation finished, and the music started. Drinks were replenished and the lights dimmed even lower.
Dawson held out his hand to her, as a slower Christmas tune was played. “Do you want to dance?”
“I didn’t wear this dress to hide it at a table.” She smiled as she took his hand.
With one hand on his shoulder and the other clasped in his, Piper was delighted to find that Dawson McLeod knew how to dance. He glided her around the floor easily, making her feel lighter than air.
Christmas lights twinkled on the trees around the room. Dawson seemed as relaxed as she was. “Why do you think we were sent here tonight?” she asked as they continued around the floor.
“I have no idea,” he admitted. “But I’m liking it.”
“Me, too.”
His eyes were shining as he looked at her. He twirled her under his arm and picked her up, spinning around as the music slowed and came to a stop.
Their faces were only inches apart. Literally only a breath between them. She was conscious of her fingers now intertwined with his, the feel of his other hand at the small of her back. The way his bright green eyes were looking at her in this light.
Everything seemed perfect.
But they still had another clue to solve. How would Dawson feel about her if they couldn’t solve the next clue? She hadn’t even allowed herself to think about it today. At first glance, nothing had sprung to mind. But even though everything in this ballroom was festive and jolly, the pressure of solving the clues still hung over both of their heads.
She wanted to do it. She wanted to get it right. She wanted to expand her business into those greenhouses and teach children about horticulture. She wanted the gardens to be free space for people to use and enjoy. It could be a real community place.
She knew that Dawson wanted this every bit as much as she did. She knew a lot of kids in the neighborhood who would love a training pitch. A safe place to hang out with their friends and play sports together. Both of their ideas could work hand in hand together, for all generations who lived in the area.
Maybe she was mixing things up. Maybe she was misinterpreting things. Maybe her feelings for the clues and the potential prize, was getting mixed up with how she was feeling about Dawson.
But tell that to her heart that was thudding in her chest right now. And tell it to her lips that were tingling, wishing that she would rise up on her toes, and connect with Dawson’s. His manner was so easy around her. They just seemed like a great fit.
The first meeting now in the attorneys’ office seemed like a distant memory.
Dawson bent down, his lips brushing against her ear. “Do you want to dance again?”
It was tempting. But something else was tempting her more. “How about we go outside to the gardens?”
If he was surprised, he didn’t show it, so Piper collected her coat and they walked through the glass doors and out to the garden. The change in temperature from the warm ballroom to the icy garden was brisk and it seemed like no other guests had decided to venture outside.
Dawson had his arm around her back and they moved over next to one of the patio heaters, which was giving off some heat. The whole garden was strung with multi-colored lights. They looped from the wooden trellis and through the tree branches and across the topiary bushes, making the place look like some kind of magical playground.
“It’s beautiful out here,” said Dawson in appreciation.
“Let’s take a walk,” she agreed, leading him down a series of terraced paths that wound their way around the garden, passing flower beds and more topiary pieces.
“Any excuse to scope out the competition,” joked Dawson.
“Talk for yourself. I noticed you sweet-talking some sports people in there tonight. Are you trying to get into the dressing rooms before the games and listen to the team talks?” she teased.
“Now that’s one idea,” said Dawson. “But I’d actually prefer to get in there after the games to hear either the joy and happiness at the win, or the fights and squabbles after a team lost. Viewers like drama. They like excitement, and that can come from either side of the game.”
