it extra big. Though she knew they wouldn’t be going on a hike, Lauren had even put a boot on Ivy’s uninjured leg.
For herself, Lauren had been forced to improvise. Because her coat was lightweight, she’d tried to layer. At least she had warm boots.
Seth’s gaze swept over his daughter, and he nodded his approval. But when he turned to Lauren, his brows pulled together. “That coat doesn’t look like it would keep you warm on a day that was fifty and sunny.”
‘It’s all I have.” Lauren lifted her chin, wishing she’d gone for substance, rather than style, when choosing a coat to wear to Seth’s house. “I put a long-sleeved tee under my sweater, so I should be good.”
“I don’t think so.” With a determined expression, Seth reached past her and opened the closet door. He rummaged around, finally pulling out a thick dark gray coat with a hood. It reminded Lauren of one you’d wear in Maine on a moose hunt. Or in Montana doing...something. “You can borrow this one.”
Seth held the coat out to her. After hanging up her jacket, Lauren slipped her arms into the sleeves and Seth pulled the coat around her and zipped it up. A faint woodsy scent of cologne clung to the lining and teased her nostrils.
“This will keep you warm.” He flipped up the hood over the pastel-striped stocking cap Anna had given to her and tied it securely under her chin. Then he grabbed a scarf from the closet and looped it loosely around her neck. “Now you’re ready to go.”
“Where are we headed?” Lauren chuckled. “The North Pole?”
Ivy, looking like a little Eskimo on the settee, giggled. “I want to go to there and see the elves.”
Seth smiled mysteriously and opened the front door with a flourish. “Ladies, your carriage awaits.”
Lauren stepped onto the front porch. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of the old-fashioned sleigh. Small and compact with tufted upholstery, the wood body was the same rich burgundy as the seats. Several cream-colored stripes painted on the glossy side accentuated the deep color. Lauren was so enamored with the sleigh that it took her a couple seconds to notice the beautiful horse hitched to the front.
Held tightly in her father’s arms, Ivy clapped her hands, the sound muffled by her mittens. “Hooray! We get to go on a sleigh ride!”
Lauren turned to Seth. “I’ve seen these in old movies, but I never thought they still existed.”
Seth smiled. “Are you up for a ride?”
“Are you kidding? Of course I am.” Lauren started toward the steps, but was stopped by Seth’s hand on her arm.
“Wait here. I’ll get Ivy settled and then I’ll help you. The steps are icier than they look.”
Though the air was brisk, warmth flowed through Lauren. She’d grown up in an egalitarian household where her father wouldn’t presume to take care of her mother. Still, Lauren had to admit that Seth’s solicitude made her feel special. She understood this behavior was just the Montana way. Men here were taught from a young age to take care of women. It wasn’t anything personal. Yet somehow Seth’s chivalrous behavior felt very personal.
“Ready to go?”
Lauren lifted her gaze. When Seth held out a hand, she realized with a surge of pleasure that he was wearing the gloves she’d given him for Christmas. She placed her hand in his and smiled. “Let the adventure begin.”
Chapter Six
Seth slowed the sleigh to a stop in front of the Nordstrom ranch house and his Christmas spirit took a dip. This year there was no lighted star at the top of the stable. Because there was no one left who cared enough to put it there. His neighbor and friend Lars Nordstrom had passed away shortly before Thanksgiving. The home was now occupied by the rancher’s son, Adam, who had arrived last week to settle the estate.
Though they hadn’t run with the same crowd, Seth remembered the math genius from high school. Back then Seth had been into rodeo, sports and girls, not necessarily in that order. Adam had been more of an intellectual who’d made no secret of his hatred for all things Montana. It hadn’t surprised anyone that once Adam had left Sweet River for college, he’d rarely returned.
The barking of Old Ben, Lars’s golden retriever, must have alerted Adam he had visitors because the light flipped on before Seth had even gotten out of the sleigh.
A man dressed in khakis, a navy sweater and an open ski