Jackson reached for his wine, an excellent sauvignon blanc provided by Sean. “I don’t have too many people on my side at the moment. I can’t afford to fire you.”
They talked for the rest of the evening, mostly about the ski program and how they could expand it. And all the time he was aware of Kayla at the far end of the table, chatting with Sean about the differences between New York and London. It didn’t surprise him they were getting on well. What surprised him was how much he minded.
They lingered over the meal and then finally Kayla stood up, thanked his mother and walked across the room to get her coat.
Clearly she thought the evening was over. Right now she was probably congratulating herself on having avoided intimacy.
Then she tilted her head as she heard a noise outside. “What’s that?”
Jackson rose to his feet, hoping this was going to play out the way he wanted it to. “That,” he said, “is your lift home.”
“I can walk.”
So far, so predictable.
“I’ve arranged an alternative mode of transport.”
Frowning at him, she wrapped her scarf around her neck and tugged open the door. Her gasp interrupted conversation. “Dogs?”
“Dogsledding by moonlight. This is one of the oldest forms of winter transportation.”
“Jackson—”
“It’s a tourist favorite,” Elizabeth said happily, walking to the door to wave at Dana. “You can’t go home without trying it, dear. I guarantee you won’t regret it.”
Jackson noticed that this time Kayla didn’t recoil from the dear or from his mother, who now had her arm around her. She stared at the sled and then finally, finally looked at him.
“A sled ride.” Her voice was croaky. “You don’t give up, do you?”
“I don’t know what you mean. This is all part of the Snow Crystal experience.”
* * *
THEY MOVED THROUGH the magical midnight landscape, weaving and winding along well-groomed snowy trails, the peace broken only by the clink of the harness, the panting of the dogs and the soft crunch of the sled running over packed snow.
Stars sparkled in the velvet black sky and the full moon reflected off the snow, spreading silvery light across the silent forest.
The outside temperature was below freezing but Kayla was warm, snuggled inside a large sleeping bag with Jackson.
She was a coward. She knew she was a coward, because she’d dodged conversation about the night before. In her head she’d tried to dismiss it as a one-night stand, but she knew it was more than that and knowing scared her. She knew what to do after a one-night stand. Walk away. This was different.
She’d avoided it, but there was no avoiding it now as he wrapped his arm around her and hauled her close. Whether that was to add to the warmth, the feeling of security or just because of what they’d shared the night before, she didn’t know. And there was no opportunity to explore it, because Dana was behind them, driving the dog team. They surged forward with enthusiasm and excitement. Occasionally she’d call out a command, but otherwise they glided through the moonlight in silence, part of the wilderness, absorbing the unique atmosphere of the forest at night.
It was the most relaxing, magical experience of her life, a million miles away from her job, New York and all the small irritations that punctuated her working day. Here in this snow-covered wonderland there were no complications, no pressures, no decisions to be made. Her whole world was the forest, the silence and the man next to her. It was all about the moment, and she knew it was yet another moment she’d never forget.
The cold stung her cheeks, and she was grateful for the goggles that protected her eyes from snow kicked up by the dogs’ paws.
She sat snuggled against Jackson, until Dana brought the dog team to a halt. The lamp on her head showed they were at the junction with another trail leading deep into the forest.
Jackson levered himself out of their cozy cocoon, spoke to Dana and came back moments later holding snowshoes. “I want to show you the forest at night.”
Kayla wished she could just stay in the sleeping bag pressed against the warmth of him, but that wasn’t an option so she forced herself to wriggle out of the comfort, shivering as the freezing air bit through the warmth of her jacket.
He took a rucksack from Dana. “We’ll be half an hour.”
Dana walked around to tend to the dogs. “No hurry.”
“Half an hour?” Kayla’s teeth were chattering. “How long does it take to freeze out here?”