12. Anna
Anna
B undled in no less than five layers of winter weather gear, Anna wrapped her arms around Beau’s torso from behind.
“Ready?” he shouted to be heard through the helmets and screaming wind.
She’d trusted Beau when he whisked her away from her wedding disaster on his motorcycle. Why were her thighs shaking against his now?
“We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” he reminded her.
It wasn’t that. She wanted to ride a snowmobile, but her central nervous system was sending out all kinds of danger signals. “I’m ready.”
“You sure?” he asked.
Bless his soul. He really wanted her to be comfortable, but he was giving her way too many chances to back out. If he didn’t step on it soon, she’d get cold feet.
“No,” she shouted above the engine noise.
“Hang on,” Beau said as he turned to face ahead.
Anna tightened her hold as Beau took off. Closing her eyes and pressing the front of her helmet against his back was the most she could do at first. After a few minutes of steady riding, her tight muscles loosened.
What did it say about her that her fear faded in dangerous situations simply because Beau was around?
What did it say about him?
She’d promised he could choose what they did today, but even after he told her about the snowmobile idea, he’d asked if she wanted to do it.
That tiny freedom had made her think twice about doing something that had initially sounded terrifying. Beau wouldn’t have suggested it if he thought it was unsafe.
It wasn’t long before she could lift her head and look around. The terrain was unreal. Mountains surrounded them on all sides topped with beautiful, white snow. A blanket of blue spread across the cloudless sky.
Now that she wasn’t breathing like a runner, the ride was actually nice. They weren’t going as fast as she initially thought .
They drove along trails through wooded areas and open spaces that were breathtakingly beautiful.
Beau tapped her hands linked around his chest and pointed toward the woods. A moose stood in the forest chewing on what looked like leaves, seeming unbothered that she and Beau were passing through.
Beau gradually increased their speed until Anna’s heart began to race for a new and exciting reason—freedom.
That’s what this was. It’s what she’d been missing all along. Now that she’d experienced it, would she ever be able to go back?
She didn’t want to, but life and all of its pressures would slowly creep back in once they returned to Blackwater. She’d always loved her home, but lately, it had all of the makings of a prison in disguise.
The sun burned a warm orange as it touched the mountain peaks to the west, and she rested the side of her helmet against Beau’s back. Everything about the day had been perfect.
Eventually, Beau turned to look over his shoulder. “You tired?”
She wasn’t finished with her newfound freedom, but the muscles in her arms and thighs were starting to ache. The adrenaline hadn’t allowed her to fully relax for hours. “Yeah.”
Beau drove them back to the rental headquarters where they returned their gear and walked out into the twilight. The smile on his face was brighter than she’d ever seen it.
“See? Maybe that should have been on your bucket list,” Beau said as he opened the passenger door for her.
“It definitely should have. I loved it!”
Beau rounded the car and settled behind the wheel. The casual air he carried with him was something she desperately wanted. He was so sure of himself and content in his own skin.
But there was something she wanted more than his confidence.
She wanted her arms around him again. Pressed against him, she’d found comfort like she’d never known.
That was the source of the freedom that she’d been reveling in all afternoon.
He’d broken down walls and torn off locks she’d used to protect herself for years.
She didn’t want that cage anymore. This liberation was spreading within her, and it all started with Beau Lawrence.
He turned and looked over his shoulder to back out, but he paused when he caught her staring at him.
“What?” he asked softly.
“Nothing. Just… thanks for making me do that.”
It was more than the push. It was his solid belief that she would feel better if she broke free of some of the bonds that held her down .
“I didn’t make you do anything,” he corrected.
“I know. I guess I meant to say thanks for showing me something new.”
A slow smile bloomed on his lips as he backed the car out of the parking spot. “I knew you’d like it.”
Anna hummed low in her throat. “How did you know?”
“Because I suspect you need to get off the beaten path more often.”
A wild and unruly flock of butterflies swirled in her middle. His response sounded like a cop-out even to her.
Beau knew her. He watched and listened, and he knew things about her that she was afraid to admit. Maybe if she followed his lead, she’d figure out how to tap into that happiness he kept mentioning.
An hour later, Anna brushed a hand down the side of her jeans as she stepped out of the bathroom. Beau lay on his back, sprawled across the short couch. With one knee up and one arm draped over his eyes, he was the perfect illustration of relaxation.
“Are you ready to see some Christmas lights?” she asked.
Beau lifted the arm from over his eyes and looked her up and down. “If you are.”
What was it about his appraisals that set her skin on fire? His casual looks made her want to shed a layer of clothing to get rid of some of the heat.
“I’ve heard this is a huge deal here. They turn on the lights to all of the trees throughout the town square at the same time.”
Beau didn’t say anything as he pulled on his boots. There was a good chance he didn’t care one bit about Christmas lights, but she’d been excited about the ceremony since finding out it would be happening while she was in town.
Freedom, Colorado was known for its small town charm and Christmas celebrations. Tourists flocked to the ski town from all over the world, but the place still had a peaceful air about it.
Before they’d even reached the square, big signs started popping up for event parking. When the lots they passed started to look crowded, Beau pulled into one that sported a vacancy sign.
Thick darkness covered everything as they followed directions from the lot’s attendant toward the square. After walking only a few blocks, more and more people filled the sidewalks.
The square itself was bright and lively. Colorful shop signs lined the perimeter, cottage-like vendor stations were set up at intervals, and a temporary stage sat on one side of the open area.
Beau leaned closer to be heard above the chatter. “This place is packed.”
“I told you it was a big deal.” Anna checked her watch. “The lighting doesn’t begin for an hour or so. Want to check out some shops first?”
“If that’s what you want,” Beau said, scanning the crowd warily as if a monster might jump out at any moment.
Anna pointed to a sign on the far side of the square. “Stories and Scones sounds good. The sign says they have the best coffee around.”
Beau glanced down and grabbed her hand in his. “Stay with me.”
Her grip tightened around his hand instantly, and Beau led the way, creating a path through the hoard of people with ease.
Anna pulled her coat tight around her neck. Holding hands was practical. It had a purpose. Why did her entire arm tingle with the contact?
As soon as they reached Stories and Scones, Beau dropped her hand and opened the door for her to enter. Even after he released the link holding them together, the warmth in her chest lingered as she stepped into the shop.
A cheery bell above the door chimed as the warm scent of cinnamon and spices greeted her.
Shelves of used books lined one wall, and small tables were dotted to the right of the entrance.
Across from the bookshelves, a pastry case was filled with everything from croissants and muffins to cupcakes and pies.
An older couple worked at the counter, but a few younger girls filed out of the back room to refill the desserts in the case. Two men zipped around the espresso machine constantly making specialty drinks.
They stepped into the line, and she leaned close to Beau. “What are you getting?”
“Coffee,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“That’s it? What kind of coffee?”
Beau shrugged. “Black.”
Anna chuckled and pointed to a sign. “Their specialty drink is snickerdoodle latte.”
Beau scrunched his nose. “Sounds complicated.”
“I’m going to try it. I’ll let you know how complicated it is.”
She stepped closer, brushing her arm against his. “Wow. You’re so warm.”
He glanced at her with a smirk that lifted one side of his mouth. “I run hot.”
Whoa. Her stomach did an intricate flip that stole her breath.
Yep. Hot was the correct way to describe Beau.
How had she never noticed? The dark hair and copper eyes shadowed his masculine features, and the beard covering the lower half of his face gave him a mysterious air.
Aside from his physical appearance, he walked and stood with a commanding presence that radiated power.
Maybe it was the grin. Had she ever seen him happy before this trip? He always just kind of existed, going through the motions and occasionally reminding everyone about how little he cared about everything.
When they reached the counter, Beau placed a hand gently on her back, moving so she could stand almost in front of him. He turned to her, waiting for her to order first.
Couldn’t she get a minute to catch her breath from Beau’s seemingly innocent touch?
When she didn’t speak, Beau cleared his throat. “Um, can I get a snickerdoodle latte and a blueberry scone?” He asked the middle-aged woman at the register.
“Sure! That’s a crowd favorite.”
“What else?” Beau asked.
Anna tilted her head, looking up at him as if she were seeing him for the first time. “Is that not enough?”
“You might want something later.” He pointed to the pastry case. “Get another dessert.”