Bayou Christmas (Cypress Cove #2) - Suzanne Jenkins Page 0,31
right? Well, in that case, what if I told you that we could have a Christmas tree down here on the dock, too. You know that big spruce? It would look grand covered with a thousand lights. You’d be able to see if from the porch when you sat out there at night.”
A sound like a horse blowing raspberries interrupted the conversation, and they looked around to the opening in the woods to see that they had company. The band of wild horses had crept closer for their nightly ritual. They were curious and wanted to see more.
“Ha! I guess we’re not alone.”
“They’ll settle down,” Justin said, looking down into her eyes.
Taking the blanket from her, he spread it out on the ground on the other side of the dock, away from the prying eyes of the horses. He wasn’t going to let them interfere with their night of love.
***
After Justin and Maggie had left the rescue with the dogs, Ted and Kelly went back to her place, walking across the street in silence, but holding hands.
“By the way, where’s Danny?” Ted asked, looking around the living room.
“He’s with his father until tomorrow night.”
“Can I stay here tonight, then?”
“Yes, Ted, you can stay here.”
“Do you want to get married?”
She spun around, frowning. “Ted, no, for god’s sake, I don’t want to get married. What’s wrong with you?”
“I think we should get married, that is, if you love me. I love you. You’re good for me. You stabilize me.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good enough reason to get married to someone, Ted. Let’s just take it slow, okay? We don’t have to make any decisions tonight. Tonight, we’re free to party. We can stay up all night or go to bed right now. Whatever you want.”
“Can we do something in between?”
“Of course.”
He rubbed his hands together. “I’d like to cook your dinner.”
“You cook?” she asked, grimacing. What could Ted cook that she’d eat?
“Oh yes, next to veterinarian medicine, cooking is my avocation. You’ll see.”
“I’m so happy,” she said, doubtful. “I hate to cook.”
“We have to get to Spencer’s before it closes,” he said. “Grab a sweater. It’s getting cold out there already.”
“I love the winter here,” she said. “Bring it on!”
They walked two blocks to the grocery store, hand in hand.
“This reminds me of what winter must be like up north,” Kelly said. “You can smell the smoke from people’s fireplaces. Look, at the water! Someone’s out fishing after dark.”
“I love watching the boats,” Ted said. “I wish I lived on the water.”
“If you did, you wouldn’t be living in that big house. You’d be in a shack on stilts.”
“Maggie Angel’s cottage is up on stilts. Or really, concrete pilings. Did you know that?”
“She’s back in the marsh,” Kelly said, a little defensively. “And this is a good time to tell you that we’re going into business with each other.”
“You and Maggie Angel?”
“Yep, she and me. We’re moving the rescue over to her property. There’s a dry, high spot, and my dad is giving us his old hunting lodge for the building.”
“Wow, you’re serious, then.”
“Oh yes, we’re serious. Try not to annoy her if you can help it.”
“I won’t, I promise.”
“Do you want to tell me what prompted you to come to my house tonight?”
“Not really,” he said, glancing at her. “Is that okay?”
“It’s okay. But whatever it is, don’t do it again, okay?”
“I won’t,” Ted said, his fingers crossed behind his back, just in case.
***
Once she was safe at home in her apartment, Amber Greely locked the door and closed the drapes across the front. Ted had really scared her for some reason. She never had gotten that vibe from him in the time they’d worked together, but having him show up like that on her day off really spooked her. Just to be safe, she was going to call the sheriff. There was a little unpleasant history with Justin’s brother, Dave Chastain, and he was the sheriff for her jurisdiction.
She had his private cell phone number somewhere in the mess on her desk, but she put her hands to it fast, on a pink Post-it. He answered on the second ring.
“Amber, what’s up?”
“I’m sorry to bother you, Dave. This is business, okay. I’m not calling you to party.”
“Ha! I figured that, Amber. What’s wrong?”
She told him the story, about fixing fences with the wild horse group and then having Ted LeBlanc show up just as they were going to start their social hour.
“It just threw me. He wasn’t his