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“I didn’t know you had a sleigh,” Kent said as he reached for his coat and gloves. His scarf, Beth noticed, was one she’d knit him years earlier for Christmas. It warmed her to know that he still wore it. Did he think of her every time he put it on?

“The sleigh, which is pretty old, is in one of the out-buildings,” she said. “It came with the property. We don’t use it much.”

“A sleigh ride is perfect after a snowfall, though. Right, Mom?” Sophie asked.

Perfect wasn’t exactly the word she’d use.

“You don’t have any horses.” Kent seemed to be looking for excuses to get out of this. Beth didn’t blame him; she’d rather avoid a cozy ride herself. She’d had about all the togetherness she could handle.

“Mom’s neighbors. The Nelsons,” Bailey explained. “They have horses and said we can borrow them any time we want.” Without waiting for the go-ahead, Bailey picked up the phone and grabbed the personal directory Beth kept in a kitchen drawer.

“We’ll have a great time,” Sophie told Kent.

“The Nelsons said no problem.” Bailey replaced the receiver, her eyes shining with glee.

“I’ll go get a few blankets,” Beth muttered, eager to make an escape. She rushed up the stairs and into her bedroom. Slumping on the edge of her bed, she brought her hands to her heated face. She wasn’t sure how much longer she’d be able to pull this off.

“Get a grip,” she ordered herself. She walked into the master bath and splashed cold water on her cheeks. Her reflection in the mirror revealed that her face was flushed. She looked feverish. This wasn’t due to illness, though, but acute embarrassment.

“Mom,” Sophie called her from the foot of the stairs. “The Nelsons said they’d bring over the horses.”

Beth came out of her bedroom. “Okay,” she called down. “I’ll be there in a minute.” Collecting warm blankets from the hall closet, she returned to the main floor.

By the time she got her hat, coat and gloves, Kent and the girls had opened the doors to the storage shed where the sleigh was kept. The large white uncovered sleigh had two red velvet benches, one of them for the driver.

John Nelson, who lived next door, walked over, leading two large geldings. Kent introduced himself. Danielle was still in the house, refreshing her makeup or so Beth assumed.

“When you’re finished, would you mind if we took the sleigh out for a ride?” John asked.

“Of course not,” Beth told him. She glanced up at the sky. “I can’t imagine we’ll be out long. When we’re finished, I’ll take the sleigh over to your place.”

“I appreciate it, Beth. You’re a good neighbor.”

“So are you.”

The harnesses were in the storage shed, and John helped Beth hitch the two horses to the sleigh.

Danielle had come out of the house but remained on the porch until that was done. John left, and the girls climbed on board the sleigh to arrange the blankets.

Danielle looked uncertain, as if she wasn’t sure a sleigh ride was something she wanted, after all. “It’s cold out here.” She squinted at the sky. “And it looks like it’s going to snow. Plus, I’m expecting a phone call.”

“Snow! Isn’t that wonderful?” Bailey sounded as if snow was the most magical thing that could possibly happen.

“I’m not used to the cold.”

“Then you need to sit between us,” Sophie said. “Bailey and I will keep you snug and warm.”

Kent helped Danielle into the sleigh, and Bailey and Sophie immediately covered her lap with blankets and wrapped an extra one about her shoulders. By the time they’d finished, all that showed was Danielle’s pinched face.

Not until Beth climbed into the worn front seat did she realize that the only place left for Kent to sit was next to her. He seemed to realize that at the same time she did. They stared at each other until Kent got into the sleigh. They sat as far apart on the bench as humanly possible.

“Would you like me to take the reins?” he asked, refusing to look at her.

“If you’d like.” She handed them over, knowing he was capable of managing the horses and sleigh.

They started off with a jolt and Danielle let out a cry of alarm. After the initial jerk, the ride went smoothly.