Page 62 of Christmas at the Ranch
“Actually, I’d rather we talk in the village,” he replied. “You do look pale. Why don’t we sit by the fireplace in Grand Teton Lodge? It will be quiet, and we can order hot tea with honey.”
The lobby of Grand Teton Lodge seemed straight out of a postcard. Moose heads hung on the walls and there were black-and-white photos of the Old West. Tall columns were made from giant tree trunks and a Christmas tree reached all the way to the ceiling.
“I was with my father all morning,” Drew said when the waiter brought their tea. “He’s very grateful to you.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Samantha said. “Bruno put out the fire.”
“You alerted Bruno and soothed the horses,” Drew insisted. “I told you that you’re braver than you think.”
Samantha wanted to tell Drew about the arrowhead pendant. How it made her feel so confident. Now it was gone and she didn’t know what to do. But this wasn’t the time, Drew obviously had something on his mind.
“I just took Beatrix to the airport.” Samantha changed the subject. “She’s going back to New York.”
Drew looked up from his teacup. “She told you?”
Samantha told him everything that Beatrix said at breakfast.
Drew fiddled with his cup. He placed it on the saucer.
“I’m glad that Beatrix is happy,” he ventured. “It wasn’t quite like that.”
“What do you mean?” Samantha inquired.
Drew stretched his legs in front of him.
“Beatrix is like the lights on the Christmas tree. She’s bright and sparkly and fun. When we met, it was impossible not to fall in love with her. After a while I stopped thinking about our love. There was so much else to concentrate on: having enough medicine for the children, making sure the workers got decent meals. Love was something that was there, like a familiar pair of shoes you wear every day.” He stopped to think. “Then life changed and I thought about our love all over again. All week, I’ve debated whether I love Beatrix enough. Do I love her enough to give up my work, do I love her enough to stay in New York?” He rubbed his hands together. “Love isn’t like that. You either love someone or you don’t.”
“But you said you’re in love with Beatrix,” Samantha reminded him. “And your father is counting on you to join the publishing house.”
“I might join him, we haven’t discussed it,” Drew reflected. “Just considering it made me realize my feelings for Beatrix. I don’t love her enough to make that decision.”
“So, canceling the wedding wasn’t Beatrix’s idea?” Samantha asked.
“Perhaps we were both trying too hard and realized it at the same time,” Drew offered. “I’d been wanting to say something to her for a few days.” He gazed at Samantha steadily. “Ever since the gondola got stuck on the mountain.”
Samantha’s pulse quickened. She glanced down at her hands.
“I don’t understand,” she cut in.
There was something about the way Drew was gazing at her that made her flustered.
“I wanted to talk to you. Things got in the way, and we didn’t have a moment together.”
“You said you wanted to talk about the wedding.”
“I did. I wanted to say I couldn’t go through with it because—” Drew stopped. He looked at Samantha and his eyes were the most brilliant shade of blue. “Because no matter how much I tried to fight them, I was developing feelings for you.”
Samantha felt like she was swimming underwater. Her eyes were misty and a chill ran down her spine.
“That’s what you wanted to say?” she gasped.
“It started the moment I met you on the plane,” he ruminated. “You asked me to tell you a story, and I told you about Kaman and the school in Thailand. Even then, I could see that you understood. Then we shared waffles at the Bunnery and strolled around the village. There was something about you that made me feel like I’d known you forever.”
Samantha was completely still. She had felt exactly the same way.
“And you were so nice to Beatrix. Many women are jealous of Beatrix. You saw her good sides.” He grinned. “Beatrix said this week hasn’t been a disaster—at least she got you as a friend.
“I kept telling myself that none of it mattered. Beatrix and I were engaged.” Drew kept talking. “Then the gondola got stuck. You were so lovely with your dark hair and those big brown eyes. I could have looked at you forever. I knew that if I never had anything in the world except you beside me, I’d be completely happy.”
