Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I can just imagine what it looks like in the summer. Is the lake completely frozen?”
“Oh yeah. It’s not that deep, but it’s fed from the mountains, and on the other side, it runs into the river. In the summer, it’s freezing cold. Emeline and Ensley learned how to ice skate on this little lake.”
I smiled as I took it in, then turned to look at him. He was staring out at the lake.
“Caden…why did you bring me here?”
He didn’t speak or even look at me for a few moments. Then he smiled and glanced down at the horse. “This place has always been my spot, and my spot alone. I’ve never been here with anyone…except, of course, for my family.”
My brows drew together in confusion. I wanted desperately to ask if Rachel had been here. I didn’t have to. It was as if Caden had read my mind.
Turning his gaze to mine, he said, “I never brought Rachel here. Not once. I wasn’t sure why,” he said with a shrug. “I guess I never wanted to share this place with her. At the time, I had a suspicion she wouldn’t appreciate it like I did. Now, looking back…I think I didn’t bring her here because I knew deep down that we weren’t going to last.”
I wasn’t entirely sure which emotion I was feeling, but my entire body warmed. “And why did you bring me here?”
“Honestly? I’m not sure of that, either. I just knew I had the deepest urge to show it to you. I think I knew you’d find it just as beautiful as I do.”
I bit my lip and looked back over the snow-covered field and lake. If you looked up “winter wonderland” in a dictionary, you’d see a picture of this spot. It was like a blanket of pure innocence. Untouched by everything except for Mother Nature herself.
“The sunlight hitting the snow makes it glow almost,” I said softly.
Before Caden could reply, movement caught both of our attention as a moose suddenly appeared from the tree line and made its way toward the lake.
“He won’t walk out on the ice, will he?” I whispered.
“No, he won’t,” Caden replied in a quiet voice. “Come on, let’s head on out.”
We carefully turned the horses and started to head back into the tree line. Right before we were swallowed up by pine trees, I turned and looked back at the moose. He was standing at the edge of the lake, looking directly at us. Before I faced forward again, I saw another moose walking out of the woods…with a calf following behind her. They were making their way toward the bull moose.
“Caden,” I whispered. “Look.”
He stopped, turned his horse slightly, and smiled at the sight. “It’s a little family.”
My entire body shivered with the excitement of seeing them. Nothing would ever top this day now.
“Come on, let’s get you back before you get too cold.”
It was almost time to leave for my date with Caden, and I couldn’t contain my nerves. I was excited yet still a little in shock. Today had been a whirlwind of emotions, and a part of me couldn’t believe the change in Caden. I was, of course, beyond happy for the change, but I could admit I’d pinched myself a few times during the course of the day.
I took one last look in the mirror and blew out a breath. I really needed to go and buy some maternity clothes. Practically nothing fit already, so I opted for a stretchy sweater dress that would accommodate my tiny baby bump. I paired it with my favorite cowboy boots and wore my hair down. I curled it just a bit and put on light makeup. Caden hadn’t told me where we were going, so I wasn’t sure if I was overdressed or underdressed.
Reaching for my purse, I grabbed a shawl, just in case I’d need something to keep me warm inside wherever we were going.
I walked down the steps and called out Caden’s name.
“I’m in my office!” he answered from down the hall. I set my purse and shawl down on a chair and made my way toward him.
Caden was sitting behind his desk, and the sight of him nearly made my legs go out from under me. He wore a black cowboy hat, a black, long-sleeved button-up shirt, and a tie. My God, if he wasn’t the most handsome man I’d ever laid eyes on.
He looked up—and stilled at the sight of me.
My cheeks instantly heated. “I wasn’t sure how to dress, since you didn’t tell me what we were doing. Should I go change? Although, I will admit that I’m quickly running out of clothes to change into.”
Standing, Caden slowly made his way around his desk. He stalked toward me like a predator, and my insides clenched with desire.