I laugh to myself as I pull her into me tighter and breathe her in. “Merry Christmas, Kat.”
She pulls away, and I can’t miss the look in her eyes. The adoration with absolute desire burning through her stare.
“Shall we go for a ride?” I ask her as I gesture to the carriage.
She nods her head in disbelief. “Yes, please.”
I wave to my family, who is smiling with giddiness and pride. They wave back and walk to the car.
“After you,” I say.
She steps forward and hops up into the carriage.
I hand her the basket and the blanket before joining her on the red velvet bench seat. She lays the blanket over our laps and scoots tightly against me.
The cool air is worth it when the fluffiest snowflake falls on Kat’s cheek as the coachman leads the carriage away.
“How did you do this?” she asks as she tries to take in the lights, the snow, and the moment as much as she can.
“I have my ways, Kit Kat,” I murmur as I take her hand in mine beneath the blanket.
“Noelle, this is amazing. I can’t even get the words out right.Youare amazing. You’re just …” She sighs, her eyes dropping to my lips.
As much as I want to continue this path, I want her to enjoy the ride and kiss me later.
“I packed us candy, and it’s probably frozen. Now that I’m thinking about it, I shouldn’t have packed it last night,” I ramble.
Kat laughs and smiles. “Frozen candy is better anyway.”
Opening the basket, I show her the options. Gummy worms, M&M’s, Reese’s cups, Dove Chocolate hearts, suckers, and Skittles.
She grabs the M&M’s and tears the wrapper open, grinning ear to ear. “Thank you.”
I nod, feeling light and happy, being here. All because of her.
She stares at the lights as we continue to tour the city streets, working our way back to the house. She doesn’t seem to blink much, not wanting to miss a thing. The thick snowflakes add to the magical setting, only elevating the experience. The horses’ shoes click on the pavement.
We’re less than a few blocks from the long driveway to my parents’ house when my phone buzzes in my pocket.
I quickly check it before tucking it back away.
Mom: Abby, Ben, Dad, and I are grabbing some dinner. Enjoy your time with Kat, Elle. We’ll be home in a few hours.
That wasn’t even part of my plan. But I am very excited about it. I wish these horses would start to pick up the pace.
My legs are jittering by the time we roll into the driveway, and the carriage stops in front of the house.
“Thank you so much for driving us. And give Penny and Bud extra treats, please!” Kat tells the man as he turns to us.
I wrap the blanket up and shove it in the basket with the candy, tossing it to the ground beside us.
He laughs a full belly laugh, and his white eyebrows furrow. “You got it.”
How in the hell does she know their names?
But as I lower myself from the carriage, I catch a glimmer from the name tags on their bridles. Ahh, got it.
Stepping to the side, I offer Kat my hand as she approaches the edge. “My lady.”
