in the sun. In that way, he reminded me of Aunt Emmy.
“Hello. I’m Lyle, your guide for the next hour. And this good girl here is Lucy,” he said, patting the horse on her rump. Though he didn’t smile, his voice was cordial. “I’ll be dropping you off at the restaurant, and then a car will pick you up at that end to bring you back here. Any questions?”
When no one said anything, he nodded. “Then climb on in, and we’ll get going.” He offered his hand to me, but Hayle moved to my other side and extended one of his. “Allow me.”
Feeling a little like Elizabeth Bennet, I accepted the help as I climbed into the back of the sleigh. Hayle got in next and chose the seat across from me, while Leo and Tristin squeezed in on either side of me.
Hayle rolled his eyes at his brothers. “Pretty sure these seats are made for two.”
“You’re just mad you didn’t think of it,” Leo replied, sounding smug. He slung an arm around my shoulder, giving me more room and pulling me into his side. “See? Nice and cozy.”
“You okay?” I asked Tristin. It really wasn’t that squishy, but I wanted to make sure he wasn’t uncomfortable.
“Are you kidding?” He placed a kiss on my cheek, his lips already cool. “I’m never going to complain about sitting this close to you.”
Lyle offered us two plaid flannel blankets and then climbed into the front of the sleigh and made a clicking noise to get the horse moving. She immediately obeyed, and we took off with a short jerk, the bells attached to her harness jingling in the otherwise quiet night.
Tristin covered the two of us with a blanket, leaving Leo out in the cold. Literally. I couldn’t help but laugh at Leo’s offended expression before tugging the fabric his way enough to cover at least his lap.
“Thank you, babe.” He kissed the top of my head. “I can always count on you.”
Smiling, just because, I relaxed into the seat and took a sip of my hot cocoa. Though sunset was quickly approaching, we had enough light to appreciate our surroundings. It was why I had selected this time for our tour, after discussing the options with a representative on the phone. The sun set early in the mountains, and I wanted to experience the full effect before it got too dark.
Within a few minutes, we made it past the clearing and into the forest. A wide path of snow stretched out before us, tall pine trees on either side, and the sky awash in soft oranges and pinks. Unable to resist, I took my phone out and snapped pictures of the scenery before Leo snatched it for a series of selfies. I was grateful, honestly. I’d never been good at taking photos, especially of and with other people, and I wanted more than my memories to help me recall this night.
For once, I wished I was more proficient with a brush, because this particular scene deserved the kind of treatment only watercolors could provide.
“It’s so peaceful out here,” I said quietly once the phone was once again tucked safely away.
Beyond Lucy’s footfalls, the light jingle of her bells, and the swish of the sleigh against the snow, the world was silent. Still. There was nothing to distract me from existing in this moment for as long as it lasted.
After so many years of allowing my life to pass me by, I was wholly and blissfully present. My body was aware of the hard thighs pressing into mine. Of Leo’s thumb brushing the back of my neck and Tristin’s hand stroking a leisurely path along my leg underneath the blanket. Of Hayle’s magnetic gaze as it zeroed in on me rather than the beauty surrounding us.
More than any of that, my heart was fully engaged. Hell, it was damn near overflowing. Six months ago, I lost my house, my only remaining relative, and the last of my hope. And, now, I found myself enveloped in warmth and safety and devotion. I may have helped the Sharpe brothers heal, but they’d done more than that for me. They’d restored my faith in life and love and everything in between.
Leo adjusted his position so that he was leaning slightly forward, looking me in the eye. “I have to say, this is pretty damn perfect.” He tugged gently on a strand of my hair. “You did good.”