Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 111400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
“Are you sure?” I asked. “Blair just texted and said she and Griffin are down there with some other people.”
“Positive. You go ahead. I’m pooped, and tomorrow is going to be a long day.”
“Okay, get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Night, honey.”
“‘Night.” I grabbed my purse, tucking my room keycard inside it, and headed down to the bar.
The inn was only two stories, and although there was an elevator at the end of the hall, I chose to use the lobby’s grand staircase, which was decorated for the holidays with fragrant evergreen boughs and white lights. As I descended the steps, I looked around and thought it was no wonder Blair wanted to get married here—the whole place radiated elegance, warmth, and romance. At one end of the room was a huge stone fireplace with logs ablaze inside it. In the corner stood a gigantic Christmas tree hung with white lights and colorful ornaments. In the air was the scent of woodsmoke and apples and cinnamon. From the bar came the cheerful sound of clinking glasses, the hum of conversation punctuated by bursts of laughter, and beneath it all, joyful holiday music.
I couldn’t help smiling as I entered the cozy, low-lit bar, which was styled like an English pub, with lots of dark wood paneling, a leather banquette and small tables along one wall, and a crackling fire in the fireplace. Right away I spotted Blair and Griffin at the long wooden bar opposite the banquette and headed their way—then stopped in my tracks when I noticed Cole was with them.
Shit!
I touched the ribbed knit cap on my head, wishing I’d washed my hair today. What was he doing here? Hadn’t Blair said he wasn’t coming up until tomorrow morning?
I looked down in dismay at my traveling outfit, which had clearly been chosen for comfort, not for style. I still had my North Face boots on, for fuck’s sake. And giant slouchy socks. My black leggings were okay, but my rust-colored sweater was a giant baggy thing with a turtleneck and sleeves that were too long. Cozy, but not terribly cute, and a far cry from sexy or alluring.
I was considering sneaking back up to my room to change, or maybe even order room service, when Blair caught sight of me. “Cheyenne’s here!” she cried out, loudly enough that everyone around her turned to look at me.
No backing out now. Embarrassed, I lifted a hand, which was hidden inside my floppy sleeve. “Hi.”
Blair came rushing toward me, grabbing me in a hug. “Sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t know he was coming early. He just showed up a little bit ago.”
“Why didn’t you text me?” I whispered back.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t come down.”
I let her go and gave her a dirty look. “That was a mean trick. Look at me—I look like I just crawled out of bed. Through a blizzard.”
“You look adorable,” she said, taking my hand and tugging me toward the bar. “Come on. Frannie’s here, and she can’t wait to see you.”
“Oh, good! I’m excited to see her too.”
Frannie was also one of Blair’s bridesmaids. She was an old friend of mine from when I’d student taught in this area, and her family owned Cloverleigh Farms. I’d actually introduced Blair to her, and for a while—before Griffin had finally figured out that he was in love with Blair and begged her to come back to Bellamy Creek—she had lived at Cloverleigh and worked as a pastry chef at Frannie’s coffee shop. Carefully avoiding Cole’s eye, I let Blair pull me over to where Frannie stood with two other women, a blonde I didn’t recognize and an auburn-haired beauty who looked vaguely familiar.
“Hey, you!” Frannie said, giving me a huge hug. “Long time, no see!”
“How are you, Frannie?”
“I’m fine. Life is crazy with five girls at home—I’m amazed Mack hasn’t lost his mind yet—but everything is good.”
I laughed. Mack, her husband, had three daughters from his first marriage, and Frannie had given birth to their twins the year before. “Is he here?” I asked.
“Yes, he’s over there with the guys.” She nodded in the direction of Griffin and Cole and laughed. “Soaking up the testosterone.”
I looked over there too, accidentally locking eyes with Cole. He gave me a half-smile, which I returned before looking away, my heart tripping over its next few beats.
“How was the drive?” Frannie asked. “Did you get caught in the storm?”
“It was a little rough,” I said. “That snow is coming down hard.”
Blair closed her eyes a second. “Don’t talk about it. Let’s get you a drink.”
“Sounds good,” I said. “I could use some food as well. Is the kitchen still open?”
“Yes,” answered the redhead, who held out her hand with a smile. “Hi, I’m Frannie’s sister April. I think we’ve met, but it was a long time ago.”