Chapter 11
Grady couldn’t help smiling as he guided his Pathfinder onto the freeway, Chelsea at his side. It was close to five now, and they were on their way to a Christmas festival in Prescott, which was set to start at six in the evening.
“I haven’t been to a Christmas festival in years.” She peered out the passenger side window at the desert as it slid by. “I’ve heard that Prescott is called ‘Arizona’s Christmas City.’”
Grady met her gaze before turning his attention back to the road. “I’m glad Archer suggested it. He knows the McBrides—he said their clan is so big they own most of the land in the area.”
Chelsea nodded. “I’ve seen some of Ella McBride’s cowboy sculptures in a Scottsdale gallery. That’s the extent of my knowledge of the family.”
“Thursday and Friday evenings were relaxing.” He glanced at her again, then back to the highway. “It’s been great having you all to myself.”
She sighed. “It’s hard to believe our week is almost at an end.”
He smiled at her. “I’d sure like to spend more time with you after the bet is over.”
“I’ll be paid up tomorrow.” When she looked at him, she had a teasing grin on her face. “We’ll see about making an appointment next week.”
He chuckled. “Appointment, huh?”
She giggled. It was so damned cute when she giggled. “Of course.”
“The two weeks I’ve known you seem more like two months.” He shook his head. “In the past, I’ve gone out a night or two a week. We’ve covered a lot of ground in this short time.”
“It has been different, but it’s been terrific.” She smiled. “I was worried we’d get tired of each other, but that never happened.”
He reached over the console and took her hand in his. “We’ve slid right into a great relationship.”
She turned her palm up and linked their fingers. “I’ll have withdrawals next week.”
He spoke quietly. “It’ll be hard to do my job at the firehouse, because I’m going to be thinking about you.”
“Same here.” She squeezed his hand, then their fingers slid apart as he took the steering wheel in both hands again.
They drove into Prescott as it neared, and Chelsea’s eyes widened at the countless decorations. “It’s all so beautiful.”
“Very nice.” Grady nodded. “It gets prettier the farther we get into Downtown Prescott.”
Grady found a place to park, and once they were out of the SUV, he helped Chelsea into her jacket and slipped on his own.
It was much colder in Prescott, located in Northern Arizona, and Chelsea wrapped a scarf around her neck and tucked it into the opening of her jacket.
She had a pair of knit gloves in her pockets.
He smiled as he looked at her. She looked so cute in the knit hat that she pulled on. He couldn’t resist kissing her before they left the Nissan behind.
They made their way to find a spot to watch the Christmas parade on Cortez Street, which was lined with countless people. They didn’t have to wait long.
Santa led the parade to countless cheers. It was still light enough to see him in his sleigh, on a float, with his elves in the background. A high school marching band followed, playing, Here Comes Santa Claus,
Chelsea looked adorable as she bounced on her toes and joined the crowd that oohed and aahed while close to forty floats passed by. As it grew darker, the floats’ countless Christmas lights glowed and glittered.
Lights up and down the street grew bright in the dark, adding to the magical feel of the night.
Grady cheered with her, and they applauded so much that his cold hands grew numb. He noticed Chelsea slipping on her gloves as the last float went by.
He felt the need to have her closer to him and slid his arm around her waist. “That was terrific.”
“This is all simply beautiful.” She tilted her face to look up at him. “I’m so glad you discovered this festival.
Grady studied her. “I’m looking at the most beautiful sight right now.”
Even though it was difficult to see her features clearly, he thought he saw a flush to her cheeks that had nothing to do with the cold.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
He smiled and slid his mouth over hers. She kissed him with such sensuality that an arrow of need shot straight through him from head to toe.
His body responded, and he wanted to press her close, let her feel what she did to him.
But he didn’t want to scare her. They’d known each other for two amazing weeks, and he didn’t want to push things.
Grady turned her toward the courthouse, and Chelsea said, “Oh, my gosh.”
Oh, my gosh, was right. The view was stunning, the trunk of every tree wrapped with dense Christmas lights. Not white—each tree was a different color. One trunk in all purple, another in red, and yet another in blue. Others were in green, red, or orange. It was an incredible sight.
“It’s like being in a fairyland.” Chelsea took his hand and led him toward the massive building at the head of the plaza.
The courthouse was lit with a brilliant array of Christmas lights from top to bottom, spotlights in all the different holiday colors.
Fir trees lined the base of the courthouse, each lit up in brilliant white lights.
White lights outlining Santa in a sleigh with three reindeer looked like they were flying across the front of the courthouse.
Wreaths lined the walls beneath the building, and in the front, colorful lights were wrapped around the handrails leading down the steps to the plaza.
“I’ve never seen anything like it.” Chelsea turned to take in everything, and Grady moved with her. “I could never describe this beauty.”
Grady nodded. Beyond the plaza, the lightshow continued along the surrounding streets.
She grasped his hand. “Let’s go for a walk. I’d like to see Whiskey Row.”
They started in that direction. “Why don’t we have dinner in one of the saloon restaurants?”
Her brilliant smile made him feel like he was the luckiest man in the world to have this beautiful, intelligent, sensual woman at his side.
“Sounds terrific.” She leaned against him as he held her close. “Are your hands cold?”
He gave her his best evil look. “Why don’t I put them on your neck, pretty lady, and you can tell me?”
“Nooo.” She laughed and slightly drew away. “Except for my face, I’m nice and toasty, and I want to stay that way.”
They walked down Whiskey Row, imagining what it must have been like in the 1800s.
Gunslingers, cowboys, ranchers, miners, gamblers, and outlaws walked down this street when it was hard-packed dirt.
Ladies in calico dresses, bonnets, and shawls, not to mention saloon girls, were a part of the hustle and bustle.
They chose the Palace Restaurant and Saloon, the oldest frontier saloon in Arizona, established in 1877. It was hard to imagine, but Doc Holliday, the Earps, and Big Nose Kate were among those who stopped by the saloon to whet their thirst.
Chelsea’s eyes sparkled as she took in the place that probably looked much like the original bar. Grady enjoyed watching her excitement and enthusiasm.
They each enjoyed a steak dinner with the establishment’s popular non-alcoholic cooler made of orange, cranberry, and pineapple with Sprite.
They didn’t talk much during dinner because the place was so loud and noisy. Between the excellent live performance of a local talent and the chattering crowd, they could barely hear each other when they did try to say something.
Chelsea leaned close, her breath warm against his ear. “It’s probably extra noisy due to the holiday festival.”
“I think you’re right.” He brushed a loose strand behind her ear, one of her favorite diamond earrings sparkling on her earlobe. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “I’d like to check out the activities and the craft stalls.”
Grady paid and helped her into her jacket before putting on his own. He liked touching her whenever he could, which wasn’t nearly enough.
They made their way through the crowded saloon and back into the cold night.
Chelsea enjoyed the light displays as they made their way to the location of the activities and craft stalls. It would be terrific to find a handmade ornament or two for her tree. She added at least one special ornament to her collection every year.
Grady’s grip was comfortable as he held her gloved hand. They walked through the wonderland of lights and displays and soon reached their destination.
They entered the milling crowd as the voices of Christmas carolers added to the lovely feeling of the holiday season. Smells of cinnamon and spice, chocolate, and candy apples filled the air.
Craft stalls and vendors lined each side of a wide pathway. A fudge and hot chocolate vendor had the first stall on the right.
Chelsea pointed. “I know what I want first.”
Grady smiled, and they moved to the fudge display.
“So many choices.” She searched the glass case and looked up at the women who moved to greet her.
“What would you like, sweetie?” The rosy-cheeked, kindly-looking lady with her white hair in a bun and a red apron could have been Mrs. Claus.
Chelsea gestured at fudge sprinkled with pieces of candy cane. “I’d love some peppermint chocolate fudge and a cup of hot cocoa.”
The woman looked over Chelsea’s shoulder to Grady and asked him what he would like.
Chelsea glanced at him. “You can share my fudge if you like peppermint.”
He gave a nod. “I do.” He smiled at the lady. “A cup of hot chocolate, thank you.”
She nodded and, in a few moments, returned with steaming cups and a wrapped piece of peppermint fudge.
Grady paid before Chelsea could and they walked away from the booth. Grady held her hot chocolate while she unwrapped the nice-sized treat.
She broke off a piece and held it up to his lips. “Open wide.”
He did, and she slid the fudge into his mouth before taking her own bite. She closed her eyes and savored it.
When she opened her eyes, she sighed. “This is wonderful.”
“It is.” He handed her the cup of hot chocolate he was holding for her. “This is great, too.”