Page 80 of Christmas at the Ranch
Marigold’s eyes twinkled and she smiled.
“I haven’t danced in twenty-five years and I’ve missed it so much.” She glanced up at Arthur. Her face was bright and expectant. “Would you dance with me?”
Arthur’s expression changed. Samantha recognized that look. It was the way her parents sometimes looked at each other when no one else was in the room. It was the way Drew had looked at Samantha in the barn before he kissed her.
Arthur tucked Marigold’s arms into his. He led her to the dance floor.
“I’d be delighted.”
Chapter Nineteen
It was midmorning the next day, and Samantha stood in the ranch’s kitchen. After the party, she and Drew stayed up talking for hours. This morning, Drew went for a run and Samantha was desperate for a cup of coffee.
Everything about last night had been magical. They danced and drank champagne and ate plates of quail eggs and king crab legs. Every now and then, they slipped away and stole kisses in the pantry.
At midnight, Arthur had arranged for a surprise fireworks display. The guests stood at the window while pink and silver-pink lights soared across the sky. Samantha had never felt so lucky. She was with Drew on New Year’s Eve in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
This afternoon they were booked on the same flight to New York. Before they left, Samantha had to send some e-mails and finish packing.
Arthur stood at the kitchen door. He wore jogging sweats and a towel was draped around his neck.
“Samantha, good morning.” He joined her at the espresso machine. “Would you like help with that?”
“Yes, please,” she answered. “I’m still not sure how to use it. I’d have to stay an extra month to figure out all the buttons.”
“It’s not just you.” Arthur placed two cups on the metal grill. “When they delivered it, they sent a guy whose only job is teach customers how to make a cappuccino.”
Arthur waited for the milk to foam. He added it to the espresso and brought the cups to the table.
“I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to talk to you.” He sat down. “Drew and I went for a run this morning. We talked about everything. He’s not ready to settle down and work at the publishing house. I don’t mind at all.” Arthur’s eyes twinkled and he smiled. “It might be the fresh mountain air, but I’m feeling quite young myself. I’m not ready to turn it over to someone else.”
“I’m glad.” Samantha nodded. “The authors are lucky to have you.”
“He also told me the wedding was canceled, he and Beatrix broke up. They were going to tell me together, but he couldn’t wait. He called Beatrix this morning and got her approval.” Arthur stirred a sugar cube into his coffee. “I suspected something like that. No bride leaves town one day before her wedding without a good reason.”
Samantha concentrated on her cup. She was afraid to look at Arthur.
“Then he told me about you,” Arthur continued. “He didn’t have to say much, I already knew.”
Samantha’s eyes flew up to meet Arthur’s.
“You knew?”
“Anyone could tell there was something between you,” he chuckled. “You both have that certain glow.” His voice became serious. “He’s very taken with you, Samantha. I’ve never seen him like that before.”
“I feel the same,” Samantha said. “It’s as if we’ve known each other forever.”
“Feeling like that only happens once. When you find it, it’s the best thing in the world. The problem is that everyday life gets in the way, and you forget what you have.” He ran his fingers over the rim of his cup. “Then it can slip away before you realize what you lost.”
Samantha’s mind went to Diana. Arthur and Diana danced for hours last night, but Samantha hadn’t seen Diana this morning.
“Of course, in some ways, life is easier these days,” he reflected. “There are so many opportunities and many people work remotely.” He gazed out the window. “I’ve been thinking of spending more time in Jackson Hole. I bought this ranch; I should enjoy it.” He paused. “I wanted to talk to you about something else too. I didn’t know that Diana was still in Jackson Hole until last night. I never answered the letters she wrote twenty-five years ago, and I didn’t think she’d stay here forever. But perhaps subconsciously I thought it was possible. Why else would I have picked Jackson Hole rather than somewhere else?” he admitted, almost to himself. “I wanted to thank you.”
“To thank me?” Samantha questioned.
“For bringing Diana to the party. Her journals must have sat on the bookshelf in New York for years. I never knew they were there, and everything was boxed and brought to Jackson Hole. Diana and I sat up all night and read them together.” He looked at Samantha. “I learned more about her in a few hours than I did during our entire marriage, and it’s thanks to you.”
Samantha shook her head guiltily. “I should never have read them in the first place. I already apologized to Drew and Marigold.”
