Page 74 of Just One Chance

He stood and held his hand out to me. I placed my hand in his, and he led the way through the restaurant and the lobby.

He grabbed our jackets from the coat check and helped put mine on. Outside, the carriage was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

Boone bowed. "Your carriage awaits, my lady."

I couldn't help but giggle at his antics. This was the most carefree that I'd ever seen him. I wondered if it was the holiday or the fact that he knew what my advice was going to be, and he'd taken steps to grow his business regardless of that decision.

Either way, I was happy that he seemed light tonight. He wasn't weighed down by the usual concerns and worries. Tonight, our only assignment was to enjoy ourselves. I wasn't judging anything or calculating what would work for a future renovation. It was just us.

He helped me into the carriage, and I pulled the soft blanket over our laps. He put his arm across the back of the seat.

"You normally offer carriage rides?"

"Just on special occasions, like the Holiday Illuminary. We have a festival that night where we light the holiday lights on the property. It's a good time, and everyone enjoys the carriage rides."

"This place really is magical."

He squeezed my shoulder. "You sure you're not missing the sand and salt air?"

"You know, it's getting farther away every day." I was starting to feel like I could live here as long as I was with Boone. But I had no idea where his head was at.

He winked at me. "I knew we'd make you a convert."

I laughed. "You seemed pretty worried in the beginning."

"I was concerned you wouldn't see how special this place is, and you'd come at everything with the city lens."

"I tried not to do that. I like to get to know each place I visit." And in this case, I got to know the entire family and one person in particular, who'd never leave my heart. I'd always remember my time here.

But I was worried it would be hard to come back and see Boone building a life with someone else. A woman who was from the area, who'd be all too happy to settle down with him and start a family. We didn't make sense. And I couldn't change to be with a man, could I?

That would be exactly what I'd fought against my entire life. I vowed I'd never put myself in a similar position again. I'd be a strong, independent woman who based her decisions on what she wanted, not on what a guy wanted. But at the same time, he hadn't told me what he wanted.

We were having a lovely night, and every minute we were together, I fell harder for him. I just wished I knew how he felt.

I shifted so that I was facing him. "Could you see yourself traveling more, seeing things away from here?"

He chuckled. "Why would I ever leave? This place has everything I could ever need. The businesses, my family, and the terrain I love so much."

Colorado didn't have me, and that was the problem.

I didn't have to worry about making a drastic change when he hadn't asked for me to make any. He hadn't told me how he felt in words. When we made love, I felt something. But was that love? Was it lust? Something else?

Was it a good time for him, or was it something more? My brain was starting to ache, and I wanted to enjoy myself.

The carriage stopped in front of the brewery. The lot was already full, and there were pink lights over the front porch.

"I love the lights."

Boone blinked at the sudden change in conversation. "I'm sure that was more Hattie and Clara's doing than Rowan or Beck's."

He got out of the carriage and helped me down. Inside, it was loud and boisterous. There were couples and large groups of women and men who'd come to enjoy the evening whether they were seeing someone or not. It was different than the vibe at the inn and restaurant, but I loved it here too.

He leaned down to say into my ear, "Let's hold out for the hot tub on your balcony, okay?"

I smiled. "Sounds good."

"We'll sip some brews, socialize and be seen, then continue the celebration in private."