Seventeen #2
Since she still hadn’t taken her eyes off what was in front of her, I stepped around Natalia and took a few strides in that direction. Placing my hand on top of the container, I offered her a sheepish grin. “I was kind of hoping you’d help me decorate for Christmas.”
Though disbelief still marred her features, something else was happening with Natalia. Tears filled her eyes, and I watched as her throat bobbed with a deep swallow.
“Well, that wasn’t the reaction I was hoping for.”
In an instant, the tension eased out of Natalia’s body. “I’m sorry, Reid. I’m not upset. This is so unexpected. You really want to decorate?”
What I really wanted was uninterrupted time with her.
This just happened to be the only way I could come up with that wouldn’t make it seem so obvious.
“You’re the one who told me that this was the best time of the year at Sandstone Heart.
I’m just doing what I can to take full advantage of the season. ”
“I see. And you just happened to stumble upon all the decorations?”
“Of course, I didn’t.” My eyes darted briefly to the containers before settling on her again. “Despite all the places you showed me when you gave me the tour the other day, the location of these items was not part of it. So, I went to the one person I knew who’d be able to help me out.”
Natalia considered my response. “Danielle.”
I nodded. “Yep. I got them from her this morning and mentioned I was going to coax you into helping me. I’m surprised she didn’t mention it when you two had lunch.”
She squinted at me, as though she was recalling the conversation she and Danielle did have at lunch. “Danielle didn’t mention it.”
“Really? She was rather exuberant when she learned what I’d planned to do,” I shared.
Natalia huffed. “Oh, I don’t doubt that.”
“You’re not upset, are you?” I stepped away from the containers and closed the distance between us. “I thought this would be fun.”
“I’m not upset. Not at all. I’m just very, very surprised.”
I cocked a brow. “Surprised and willing to help though, right?”
Laughter spilled out of her. “Of course. This is my favorite thing to do.”
Relief swept through me. “Alright. Where should we start?”
“I don’t know. Are you going to allow more than just a wreath on your door?”
I wanted whatever was going to keep her here the longest. “I was thinking we shouldn’t hold back at all. Maybe do quite the opposite of what was here following the last decorating session.”
Her eyes sparkled with happiness. “Oh, Reid, I’m so sorry, but you don’t have any idea what you just agreed to.”
The thing was, I did know. It was impossible not to imagine what Natalia would do if given free rein over this.
With such a boisterous personality, I expected she’d go over the top.
But I didn’t care. I wanted this time with her, and I wanted to do something that was going to have her looking at me like she was right now.
“I’m willing to suffer through whatever it is if this is the best-looking cabin by the lake. ”
Natalia’s gorgeous mouth curved into a beautiful smile. “It’s going to be the best one on the whole property.”
“Sounds to me like we better get started.”
So, that’s what we did.
For the next two hours, I got unfettered access to Natalia.
She laughed so much… God, the sound of her laughter was something I didn’t think I’d ever tire of hearing.
But as much fun as she had throughout, Natalia took the decorating business seriously.
She didn’t cut corners or just throw things up haphazardly.
There was a method to her madness, and even when I teased her about just throwing a decoration up without much thought, she refused to let it happen.
Natalia strived for excellence in everything she did.
“Alright, I think this is going to be the last thing.”
I stood back and watched as Natalia walked up to the door to hang the Christmas wreath. She positioned it perfectly before slowly stepping back to take it all in.
Since she wasn’t paying attention to what was behind her, I put myself between her and the stairs, so she wouldn’t go tumbling down them. Natalia backed right into me, startling herself, and my hands came to rest on the outer caps of her shoulders to steady her.
She spun around. “Oh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.”
My lips twitched. “I know.”
Her hand came to rest lightly on my chest as she turned to look back at the cabin and all the work we’d done. “I think it looks fantastic. Don’t you?”
My eyes didn’t leave her gorgeous face. “Stunning.”
Natalia returned her attention to me. “This was wonderful, Reid. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you invited me to do this with you today. I had so much fun.”
“Yeah, I did, too. That was the plan, though, so I’m glad it worked out.
” I didn’t want this to be the last time I saw her until Monday.
“You know, it’ll be too dark to do it tonight, but if you don’t have any plans for this weekend, I’d be willing to help you with decorations on your place tomorrow afternoon. ”
Her brows shot up. “Yeah?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I mean, look at this place. It’s clear we’ve got a talent for this.”
She beamed at me, her eyes dancing with happiness. “I’d love that.”
“Perfect. Then it’s a date.”
Whether she sensed any additional meaning behind that word, she didn’t let on. Then again, she was nearly always happy, so I wasn’t sure I’d know unless it upset her.
“I should probably head back to my cabin,” she murmured.
“I’ll walk you back.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know.” I turned toward the stairs and reached for her hand. “I want to.”
Natalia’s cheeks turned pink, the blush the only indication I was having an effect on her.
She didn’t hesitate nearly as long as she had when I’d attempted to lead her up the stairs.
Placing her hand in mine, Natalia allowed me to guide her down the stairs.
And when I didn’t let go as I led her back to her cabin, I knew one thing for certain.
Things were definitely getting more complicated, and I was loving every minute of it.