“Point taken,” she said.
“It’s got an amazing view,” he said, leading her toward the windows where a single door stood. “Want to see?”
“Definitely.”
A rush of freezing air set her teeth on edge the instant he opened the door. At the same time, a gasp escaped. The Snake River canyon yawned wide, not far from where they stood. Though it was dark, she could make out just how deep it dropped. Locals joked that it was Idaho’s version of the Grand Canyon, 500 feet deep at least.
“I like to go running here,” Cole said, leaning an elbow on the barrier’s edge. “On that path that circles the canyon’s rim.”
“I’ve taken Parker there,” Saylor said. “We heard about Evel Knievel’s attempted jump across it, and he wanted to see. The hill he launched from is still there.”
“Incredible, isn’t it?” said Cole. “You couldn’t pay me to jump off that thing.”
Saylor thought of the men and women she occasionally saw geared up and ready to leap as she drove across the Perrine Bridge that crossed the canyon’s wide gape. She only ever drove across it when she was heading to Rexburg, which hadn’t been in a year, at least. Unwittingly, she thought of her brother and turned away.
“You’re not one of those bridge-jumping types?” she asked.
Cole shrugged and glanced up to the stars, one hand on the balcony’s edge. “I like being alive.”
“I completely agree.” She took another sip of cider, appreciating the warmth more so now out here in the cold.
Something sparked in Cole’s eyes. He moved in closer. His hands found their way around her waist. She suddenly wished she didn’t have this drink in her hand. His hair was tousled just enough, and that smile, the clean-shaven face...
“Have I mentioned you look amazing tonight?”
Heat tinged her insides. “You did.”
“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you and your mistletoe,” he said, low and enthralling, drawing his face nearer.
“I’ve been having the same problem.”
Her heart was a ready prisoner, pounding against its cage, harder and harder the closer Cole’s face tilted toward hers. His lips parted when the door behind him opened.
A portly man in a blue, button-up shirt and tie joined them, holding a drink in one hand. Music snuck through until the door closed once more behind him.
“Jack,” Cole said in greeting. He stepped aside and offered a hand, which the said Jack took.
“It’s freezing out here,” Jack said. “Though it looks like you two are staying warm enough.” He winked at Saylor, chuckling enough that his belly jiggled in reply. She couldn’t help but smile at their interaction. It was clear Jack was a close friend.
“Jack, this is Saylor. I met her the night I filled in for you.”
Her mouth dropped in pleasant surprise, and she pressed Jack’s free hand with her own. “So, this is the regular Santa? What a great job you’ve got, bringing hope to children.” He fit the part too, with his huggable stature, wrinkled smile, and welcoming face.
“I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love it. Just like working for Cole here,” Jack said. “Though my grandkids like me around for them Christmas Eve. Good thing I had Cole to step in for me.”
“I was glad to do it,” said Cole.
“We wouldn’t have met if he hadn’t,” she added.
Jack’s graying brows lifted in pleasant surprise. “Oh ho, now! What’s that they say about good turns receiving another?”
“It was definitely a good turn,” said Cole, sliding his gaze to her.
“I’ll leave you to it, then. You two have a nice evening,” said Jack, heading back inside. “Nice to meet you, Saylor.”
She waved goodbye, grateful when Cole’s warm hands found their way back around her. He dipped his head, inhaling at her temple. “I should head back inside and say a few words, and then I’m yours for the evening.”
“Oh, you are?”
His nose was cold against her cheek, and he spoke softly. “Yes. I’ve made my appearance, and once we get things like games going, I’ll be able to leave whenever I’d like. So you’d better think about what we should do next.”
She was stunned for several seconds. “You mean you don’t have everything planned?” she said senselessly.
He winked before following her back inside.
“Time to fire up the evening,” Cole said, approaching the microphone near the piano. The small clusters of people stopped and faced him, their conversations fading. Several gathered near the balconies above as well. The woman dabbling at the piano ended her song, and Cole gave her a grateful nod.
“Thanks for coming tonight and for another great year,” Cole said. People applauded politely. He delivered a brief speech about how he couldn’t do this without them and how a good crew was indispensable. More applause followed, and someone shouted out, “So’s a good boss!”
Cole saluted the man with a grateful smirk. The man tipped his glass in his direction.
“Happy New Year,” Cole finished, and the rest of them echoed the sentiment. “Enjoy yourselves until midnight! We’ve got karaoke and dancing. Refreshments are being served just outside the arboretum, and the ball drop will be displayed on screens in the cafeteria.”
More of the gatherers whooped and cat-called. Saylor smiled, satisfaction and pleasure sinking in warmer than her cider. These people respected him. He was a good boss, a good man. How did she ever get lucky enough to find him? She definitely needed to not mess anything up this time around. If only there was some way to guarantee as much.
Chapter Fourteen
Cole and Saylor made their way through the various games and events at the party, strolled through the botanical display in the arboretum, and even sang a few rounds of karaoke with the others. The festivity went on for a few more hours, until Cole left his foreman to usher their guests from the building and lock things up. Together, he and Saylor stepped back out into the starry, glacial night.
“So?” he said, taking Saylor’s hand. She wove her fingers with his. “What
