Finn: How are things going? Have you proposed yet?
Levi: Ha. Ha. Ha.
????
Finn: Oh, don’t be like that. You know you like her.
Levi: Can’t have feelings for someone who will never reciprocate them.
Finn: Yeah, I can understand that. But I saw the sparks flying between you two. And so did Oakley.
Levi: Then I guess you’re both delusional.
Finn: Whatever you say. Anyway, we should get together soon and grab a beer.
Levi: Yeah, that sounds like a plan but after Christmas.
Finn: Sounds good. Have fun with your girlfriend.
I send him two middle-finger emojis and then lock my phone. After I’ve fed Dasher, I pull two large thermoses from the cabinet and prepare my favorite hot chocolate recipe. I grab the small bottle of Irish liquor that I keep in my fridge and put it in a bag.
I make sure to pack the heating blanket I borrowed from my mom and grab the portable power tank from my shed. After I’ve double-checked that I’ve got everything, I shoot my sister a text and let her know I’m on my way there.
Lucy: Your timing is impeccable. We just finished eating.
Levi: Perfect.
I look at Dasher. “Wanna go on a sleigh ride?”
His tail wags.
“I didn’t hear you? Sleigh ride?” I ask again.
He barks several times. “Okay, let’s go impress Little Miss Seattle.”
Before we make our way to the gift shop, I park at the barn. When I get out, I see Darrell has secured the harnesses on the horses. I go inside to let him know we’re here, and he helps me hook them to the sleigh. Dasher jumps onto the front bench seat, and I load everything I brought for our trip.
“This for a date?” Darrell asks with a knowing grin.
I shrug, not wanting to say either way.
He lifts a brow and nods as if he knows better.
“Thanks for everything. Probably be back in a couple of hours.” I step up, plug in the heating blanket, and set our thermoses in the cup holders.
“Sounds good. I’ll be here,” he says.
I wave, then grab the reins, and we take off.
The horses jolt forward, the sleigh sliding across the blanket of white as Dasher sits upright next to me, looking around for rabbits. I pet him as we continue forward.
When I see the gift shop in the distance, I text my sister, letting her know I’m close. Five minutes later, I come to a halt beside the building and Fallon walks out. Her eyes meet mine and I smile, but she looks shocked.
“Hop on,” I say, patting the seat next to me.
She glances at the horses and then meets my gaze again. “You went through all this trouble for me?”
“Trouble?” I chuckle. “It was nothing.”