Chapter 6
Wyatt helped his mother down from her buggy, still surprised that she had decided she and Royce would join him.
He moved to the back of the vehicle and handed the picnic basket, filled with sandwiches and shortbread cookies, to Royce.
They’d even packed a bottle of brandy, which would be needed to stave off the cold.
Lastly, he grabbed the blankets and a few pairs of skates that could easily slip over one’s shoes.
The promised bonfires were already lit, the crackling flames lighting up the night.
Torches dotted the perimeter of the pond, and several bales of hay had been set out close to the edge, so people could sit and put on their skates or just take a break.
Mrs. Donlevy had set up her booth and was selling hot cider, as well as hot chocolate, and doing a raving business, by the looks of it.
Mr. Palmer’s popcorn cart was right beside her booth, and the smell of popcorn and freshly roasted peanuts permeated the air.
His focus shifted to the pond and all the couples already on the ice.
He did not see Sheridan, but he did see several acquaintances, including Merrill and Polly.
Rafael, one of Serenity’s other deputies, was there with his wife, Ventura.
There were other couples as well, and quite a few children, either skating or getting ready to.
He moved his gaze from the pond and glanced at the hay bale closest to him where Tresia watched as Marshal Goodrich clamped a pair of simple skates on their daughter’s shoes. Avery was so excited, she could barely sit still, which made him smile. They exchanged a nod of greeting.
There were more people on the other side of the pond, and he waved to those he knew as he put everything down on the bale of hay he’d chosen. “Do you need help with your skates, Mama?”
She shook her head and chuckled, since Royce knelt in front of her.
“I’ve been doing this longer than you’ve been alive, dear boy.
Besides, I have a handsome husband to help me.
” She laid her hand on the side of Royce’s face, smiled broadly, then lifted her foot a little as the husband in question slipped the skate over her shoe.
Royce shook his head, as if to say once again, that Delilah Cabot was incorrigible, but he was fine with that.
Wyatt smiled. He couldn’t help himself. He couldn’t be any happier for his mother, who’d managed to find love again, after being a widow for quite a few years. If his mother could find love, then so could he.
He sat and put on his own skates while he watched Royce and his mother step onto the ice. Apparently, Royce knew how to skate rather well, and he heard his mother’s laughter as they glided around the pond.
He looked up at a group of new arrivals. Sheridan. She’d decided to come after all, accompanied by Josie’s girls. They chattered together as they made themselves comfortable on several bales of hay closer to the popcorn cart. It didn’t take long before they were all on the ice, except for her.
He picked up the extra pair of skates and approached her carefully, the blades of his own skates barely making an impression on the frozen ground.
“I’m so glad you decided to come.”
She jumped, a little startled, then looked up at him. “Oh, Mr. Mac—”
He gave her a look, and she quickly corrected herself.
“Wyatt. Yes, the girls convinced me that I should. They said I needed practice having fun.”
“And do you?”
“I suppose I do.” She smiled.
It was the first time he saw her smile and he’d been right. That smile lit up her face. Her eyes reflected the glow of the torches even as pink patches, either from the cold or embarrassment, colored her cheeks.
“Are you planning to skate?”
“As I mentioned before, I don’t know how, but I am content to just sit and watch the others.”
“Nonsense.” He held up the skates in his hand. “I did say I had an extra pair. I’ll be more than happy to teach you. In fact, it would be my pleasure.” And he meant that. Just the opportunity to touch her, perhaps even hold her, made him happy.
Before she could say no or even shake her head, he knelt in front of her and just waited. “May I?”
With a great deal of hesitancy, she finally lifted the hem of her skirt, just a little, and raised her foot. He grasped her foot lightly and laughed softly to himself when he heard her indrawn breath. He had shocked her by touching her. It was almost as if no one had ever done that before.
He slipped the skate over her shoe and buckled the leather strap to keep it in place, then did the same with her other foot. When he was finished, he rose and held out his hands. “Skates don’t do any good if you’re just sitting here.”
She looked at his outstretched hands but still hesitated, indecision clear on her face, then she looked up at him.
It took a moment or two longer before she placed her hands in his and allowed him to lead her to the ice.
He didn’t let go of her once they reached the edge of the pond.
Instead, he tightened his hold on her hands and began pulling her toward him, even as he skated backward.
She was clearly afraid, but after a minute, relaxed. “Is this how it’s done?”
“For your first time? Yes.”
“What if I fall?”
“Trust me. I won’t let you fall, though falling is part of learning.
I can’t tell you how many times I ended up on my…
the ice. Eventually, you spend more time standing.
” He tightened his hold on her. “Let me lead you around like this for a while.” He smiled at her, immensely enjoying the feel of her gloved hands in his.
“Just until you get the feel of the ice beneath your feet.”
She did as he instructed, though she was a bit wobbly and awkward. It didn’t take long before she started to feel more comfortable as they took a turn around the pond.
“You’re a natural.”
“No, I am not.” She laughed, and his heart skipped a beat.
He’d been right about that, too. Her laugh was deep and rich, almost magical, and touched him deeply.
“I can barely keep my balance.”
He pulled her closer, almost like they were dancing, and the subtle perfume she wore tickled his nose, though he still couldn’t figure out what it was.
Hyacinth? Jasmine? Whatever it was, it made him inhale and want to get closer.
“Just relax. You’re doing fine. Let yourself glide.
Feel the smoothness of the ice under you. ”
They took another turn around the pond, carefully avoiding the other skaters, and though he was loathe to do it, he loosened his hold on her and slowly let go.
Panic flared on her face, and she started to flail, the glide she had perfected while he held her completely deserting her. “I’m not ready to do this by myself.”
“No, I guess you’re not.” He laughed and reached for her once more, enfolding her smaller hands in his large ones, helping her keep her balance. The advantage of his position allowed him to gaze upon her face.
He enjoyed that much more than he cared to admit.
She looked beautiful with the flames of the torches glowing on her smooth skin, highlighting her rosy cheeks and her eyes, wide with uncertainty and unexpected happiness.
Her lips were parted in a half smile and, all at once, he wanted to kiss her.
He pulled her closer, intending to do just that, but her attention was drawn away.
“Who is that lady spinning like a top? Won’t she get dizzy?”
He turned his head to glance behind him and chuckled. “That would be my mother, and, no, she won’t get dizzy.”
“Your mother?” There was incredulity in her voice, but the smile he liked seeing began to grow as her gaze stayed on Delilah.
“Would you like to meet her?”
“Oh, no. I don’t think I should.”
“Why not?”
“Because of who I am. Or rather, who my mother was.”
“What do you think will happen?”
She didn’t answer, but her hands squeezed his tighter.
“I can assure you, my mother is the most understanding of women. After all, she raised three rather rambunctious boys. She won’t look down upon you because of who you are.
Or who your mother was.” He searched her features, her hesitation clear.
He saw fear, too, and that shouldn’t be.
He didn’t know her well, but she seemed like a genuinely nice person, albeit a little stiff and reserved.
“You haven’t realized yet, despite Josie’s profession, your mother was well liked in this town.
Have you met anyone who disparaged her? Ridiculed her? Or yourself for that matter?”
“No, not really. There was one woman at Sullivan’s. I think Tresia called her Samantha, who looked at me with what I can only assume was disgust. For the most part, though, everyone I’ve met has been friendly.”
“Come on then. Come meet my mother. You’ll like her.”
He didn’t give her a choice. With his hands still grasping hers, he guided her toward his mother, who had stopped spinning, and was now skating with Royce toward the edge of the pond and the bales of hay, where their belongings were.
Royce helped her cross over the frozen ground so she could rest on the hay, then moved off toward Mr. Palmer’s peanut and popcorn cart.
“Mama, I’d like you to meet Sheridan DuBois. Sheridan, this is my mother, Delilah Cabot.”
Delilah’s face lit with pleasure, as he knew it would, and she held out her hand.
His mother had always been kind and accepting of others.
Well, with the exception of the woman who’d left him at the altar.
For Katie, Delilah held a great deal of disappointment and contempt, for breaking his heart. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss DuBois.”
“You as well. You skate beautifully.”
“Thank you.” His mother gave a small laugh. “You’re doing wonderfully, too. Is it your first time?”
“Yes, it is.” Sheridan smiled, which he noticed was becoming more and more frequent—and that was fine with him. “I’m finding it enjoyable, if a little frightening.”
“Frightening? What are you afraid of, dear?”
“That I’ll fall and make a complete fool of myself.”