Chapter 20
KENNEDY
"Ithink Colorado will always have a special place in my heart, specifically Hart Inn and the property."
He bowed slightly. "Then I've done my job."
I smiled. "Your job was to make me fall in love with this place?"
"I'm sure that's what my parents wanted."
"And what did you want?" I couldn't help but ask. His energy was so much lighter than it usually was.
"To make you see our family and this place. Really see it for what it was. It's not just a business. We've created a life here."
"I can see that." And so much more. How he was at home here in the mountains. That he'd never be happy anywhere else. It made me sad, but I couldn't ignore the truth. Boone belonged here, and I didn't.
He set our glasses on a nearby table. "We can dance out here by ourselves."
My heart skipped a beat as he drew me into his arms again. This time, my wrists hooked around his neck, and my body was flush against his. He lowered his head so that the moment felt intimate. His large hands drifted down my back and to the curve of my ass.
I was hyper aware of every inch of him. I wanted to take him upstairs and have my way with him in the privacy of my room, but at the same time, I wasn't ready to call it a night yet.
"I want you all to myself."
"There's nothing wrong with that." I was having a hard time catching my breath. This moment felt so much bigger. As if we were on the cusp of something that we couldn't come back from.
He pulled back slightly to see my face, and then he cupped my cheek, kissing me softly. It was tender and sweet. Our bodies stopped swaying to the music that filtered through the windows.
"I'll never get enough of you," he said softly when he pulled away. "But I shouldn't occupy you all night. We need to mingle and be seen."
"I'm surprised to hear you say that," I said as he led me toward the door to go inside.
"I prefer to stay in my woodshop, but on nights like this, Harts need to be seen, helping out and enjoying the festivities."
I'd seen him jump in to help at the brewery or the restaurant when it was busy. He had a strong sense of commitment to his family. He'd never let them down, and he certainly wouldn't move away. This place was in his blood.
The entire evening was bittersweet, a realization that Boone belonged here and that I'd fallen for him.
Judy and Raymond approached us. "Are you enjoying the evening?"
"So far, I've only danced and drank a little champagne. But I'm hoping to grab some dinner and see the brewery before the night is over," I said.
"I believe Malcolm reserved a table for family in the restaurant. You can go over there at any time and eat," Raymond said graciously.
"That's wonderful. I wanted to thank you for showing me everything while I was here. I really felt welcomed," I said to them.
Boone's hand that had been on my lower back shifted.
He was probably thinking about how upset he was when I first arrived.
But we'd gotten to know each other, and there were no hard feelings anymore.
Everything was going to work out for him.
He'd get the recognition he longed for, and he was building his business.
That part had nothing to do with me. It was all him, and I hoped that he realized that.
"It's been wonderful having you here. I'm just happy that you've enjoyed your stay. I assume that your time is coming to an end soon," Judy said.
"I'll have the rest of the recommendations to you soon, and then I'll be heading home. I'm always available if you have any questions. I can't wait to see the results."
"Yes, we'd better go mingle," Judy added with a wink in our direction.
"Thank you so much, Kennedy. Enjoy the rest of your night," Raymond said.
We watched them walk away and immediately talk to another couple. "They love to socialize on nights like this. Are you hungry?" I asked Boone.
"I'm used to being alone at events like this, but it would be nice to have a date for once."
"I said I'd be your date for the night."
He guided me toward the restaurant, nodding and saying hello to various people as we walked.
He was cordial with everyone, not the growly, grumpy man I'd initially met. He preferred to spend time by himself, but he could socialize when he had to. Or at least that's how it seemed.
At the hostess stand, the woman smiled. "I have a table for you."
The restaurant was fully booked for the evening, every table filled.
As we walked through the maze of tables, Boone said, "It's reservation only on nights like this, but Malcolm always reserves a large table for family to stop and eat. We need our energy."
Except the hostess stopped at a table for two in front of the windows. "I hope this is okay. Malcolm said I should reserve this for you."
"This is perfect," Boone said as he pulled my chair out.
I smiled as I sat, and he pushed my chair in.
A candle flickered in the middle of the table, making the evening feel intimate. "I promise I didn't plan a romantic night for two."
"It is Valentine's Day. Why not?" I asked, more than a little curious.
"I was supposed to be working tonight, and we eat dinner when we can."
"Not that you owe me a date or anything." There was one red rose in a vase on the table.
"I did ask for you to be mine for the evening."
I smiled. "That is romantic."
"I didn't plan any of this, but I hope you know that there's nowhere else I want to be right now."
"I believe you." It was the same for me. I never really got into Valentine's Day. In fact, I usually spent it with Jodi. But I had a feeling I'd remember tonight for a long time.
The server stopped by with a bottle of wine that Malcolm sent.
"Is Malcolm setting us up?" I asked after she poured two glasses and left.
"I think he wants you to give his restaurant a glowing review. It probably doesn't have anything to do with me."
I sipped the wine. "She didn't give us a menu."
"I have a feeling that Malcolm will send out an array of food for us to try, and it will be all for you. He wants to impress you."
"Mmm. That sounds lovely." It was already the perfect night with dancing and our kiss on the patio. My time here was winding down, but I wanted to soak up every moment I could with Boone.
He leaned in. "I think we should end the night at my place or maybe yours."
"If the brewery is our last stop for the evening, your place is more convenient." I preferred his place because it was more private. Other than Beck stopping by that one night, no one else ever visited, especially late at night. It was private and far away from the guests.
"I do love your hot tub though."
"It would be nice to enjoy that tonight."
"We could order chocolate-covered strawberries and a dessert wine from the kitchen."
"Won't Malcolm find out that I'm sharing that with someone?"
"Not necessarily. He might think you just want to enjoy Valentine's Day in your room."
"Speaking of Valentine's Day, thank you for the red roses you delivered to my room. They're absolutely lovely."
"I wasn't sure what to send, but the florist assured me that you can't go wrong with red roses on Valentine's Day."
"No. You can't." Not that I'd ever received roses on this holiday before. I was pleasantly surprised by the delivery. "They smell wonderful."
"I'm glad you like them." He lifted his glass. "To Hart Inn. May your suggestions sustain the inn for years to come."
I raised my glass and clinked it against his. "To Hart Inn."
We sipped our wine as Beck and Clara paused at the end of the table. "Are you having a romantic evening for two?"
Boone sighed. "Malcolm set this up. I think he's trying to impress Kennedy."
"Consider me impressed," I said with a smile.
"It's one of my favorite nights here," Clara agreed.
"We'll let you enjoy your dinner," Beck said, guiding Clara away from the table.
"Maybe we'll see you later at the brewery," Clara said over her shoulder.
I nodded. "We'll have to stop by."
The courses started arriving, and we sampled a little of everything. When the dessert came out, I almost couldn't consider it. "I don't think I can eat this."
Boone waved the server back. "Can you wrap this and deliver it to her room?"
"Absolutely, sir." The waitress took the plates of cake away.
"Will you be enjoying dessert with me?" I asked him.
"I intend to."
I grinned. "I can't wait."
"But first, we have a carriage ride to the brewery to take."
I raised my brows. "You're joking."
"The server mentioned it to me when you went to the bathroom. Apparently, Malcolm wants to ensure that your evening is perfect from start to finish."
"I'm sure it will be." I started the evening in Boone's arms, and I fully intended to end it that way too. The only difference was that we might make use of my hot tub if we ended up at my place later.
He stood and held his hand out to me. I placed my hand in his, and he led the way through the restaurant and the lobby.
He grabbed our jackets from the coat check and helped put mine on. Outside, the carriage was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
Boone bowed. "Your carriage awaits, my lady."
I couldn't help but giggle at his antics. This was the most carefree that I'd ever seen him. I wondered if it was the holiday or the fact that he knew what my advice was going to be, and he'd taken steps to grow his business regardless of that decision.
Either way, I was happy that he seemed light tonight. He wasn't weighed down by the usual concerns and worries. Tonight, our only assignment was to enjoy ourselves. I wasn't judging anything or calculating what would work for a future renovation. It was just us.
He helped me into the carriage, and I pulled the soft blanket over our laps. He put his arm across the back of the seat.
"You normally offer carriage rides?"
"Just on special occasions, like the Holiday Illuminary. We have a festival that night where we light the holiday lights on the property. It's a good time, and everyone enjoys the carriage rides."
"This place really is magical."
He squeezed my shoulder. "You sure you're not missing the sand and salt air?"