Page 60 of Just Home for the Holidays
One nurse went back to the party to share the news. “Natalie has arrived and the doc says she’s perfect.” There was a cheer from the guests.
“We don’t have to do this again,” Damon said quietly but Haley laughed.
“Oh, I think we do,” she said, her eyes dancing. “You get to choose the next one’s name. It’s only fair.”
Chloe almost laughed out loud at Damon’s expression, then she turned at the sound of champagne corks popping in the kitchen.
She congratulated Haley then left the bedroom, only to find Hunter on the threshold of the house. His gaze flew to hers and she sensed that he was uncertain, then someone shoved a glass of champagne into his hand.
“Merry Christmas,” someone cried and the call was taken up by the other guests. “And welcome Natalie!” Glasses were clinked and smiles exchanged as they drank to the health of the baby, Damon and Haley.
It wasn’t easy to cross the room to Hunter, but Chloe saw that he was working his way toward her, too. They met in the middle with glasses of champagne and he tapped the rim of his glass to hers.
“How was dinner?”
“Great. Good place. Jacinda brought her new boyfriend.”
“You okay with that?”
“Of course.” He held her gaze. “She’s moving forward. Told me that I should do the same.”
“Are you going to take her advice instead of mine?”
Hunter’s smile flashed. “No, it counts as your advice because you gave it first.” He paused and she gave him time to choose his words, guessing that whatever he was going to say wouldn’t be easy for him. “I was thinking...”
“Always the better option,” she said, just to make him smile.
He did, briefly, then his gaze sought hers. “You said the other day that your nieces wanted to see the horses.”
“Oh, they wanted to run down in their jammies and ride in that carriage.”
“I’m going up to Reg’s family stables tomorrow. Want to come along?”
“Why?”
“I could use the moral support.”
“You?”
“I’m going to see Duchess for the first time in ten years.” He shrugged and she saw that he was fighting his emotions. “Horses live longer than dogs, but they don’t live forever.” He took a breath. “I think I should go.”
“You think you should take a chance on something that actually matters.”
He met her gaze and his eyes were vividly blue. “Someone recommended that to me recently. It’s good advice. Jacinda was totally on board with it.”
“I’d really like to come with you,” Chloe said. “But let’s leave the girls out of it. Can we be back in time for me to make my flight at four?”
“I’ll make sure of it,” Hunter vowed.
* * *
It was exactly rightto be visiting Duchess with Chloe. Hunter felt like he had a friend at his back, and for this, he needed it. He was nervous as he seldom was and fidgety on the train. Chloe was dressed up a bit, her hair twisted up, wearing her glasses. It would have been easier to feel a connection with her if she’d been dressed down a bit, but he respected that she had her travel plans and was doing him a favor. She checked her bags at Grand Central Terminal before they got the train to Westchester County.
“Wish I still had my boots,” he confessed. “Reg is going to lend me a pair, but borrowed ones never fit as well.”
“What happened to yours?”
“I sold all my gear. I didn’t need it any more.”
