Christmas In Delight: Delight Book Four Read online

  “Do you think they’re time travelers?” Cassie asked.

  “They might be,” Amy replied. “I mean, look at them.”

  “And why else would they be camping up there?” Avery asked.

  “Good question.” Cassie pulled out three more mugs. One for Ross and two for their guests.

  The door opened and it was obvious there was a full-blown blizzard happening outside. “Quite the storm, isn’t it?” Cassie observed.

  “Aye. We could get more than a few feet of snow.” Ross stomped the snow from his boots on the mat by the door.

  “Come in.” Cassie motioned to Gavin and Conall. “Sit here and have some tea. It’ll warm you up.”

  Avery couldn’t help but notice the deer-in-the-headlights expressions on both their faces as they looked around the house. It was becoming clear to her that they had to be time travelers like the Fletchers. She exchanged a look with Amy who seemed to be noticing the same thing.

  “You’re drenched,” Cassie said, as water dripped from their clothing. “Ross, do you have anything they could change into until their clothes dry?”

  Ross nodded and headed upstairs.

  “Thank ye,” Gavin said, sitting down beside Amy at the counter.

  “What are your names?” Cassie asked.

  “I be Gavin MacLure. And this is me brother Conall.”

  “I’m Cassie. Conall, take a seat.” She motioned to a spot at the counter.

  “Yer husband told us yer name before we came in,” Gavin explained.

  Conall hesitantly seated himself next to Avery. She smiled warmly, hoping that in some small way she could help him feel more comfortable in what must be a very strange situation for him.

  Cassie placed two cups of hot tea in front of them. Gavin took an immediate sip, while Conall did exactly as Avery was doing. He used the mug to warm his hands.

  “’Tis verra good.” Gavin took another sip and then another.

  “I’m glad you like it. It’s a blend I always have on hand. I get it from a shop on the east coast.”

  Ross reappeared with two robes. “Ye can wear these for now,” he said. “Ye can change in here.” He stood by the doorway to the ranch office.

  Avery was enjoying Amy’s response to these strangers as she watched them each take a robe and head into the office before the door was closed behind them.

  “’Tis as I thought,” Ross said. “More time travelers.”

  “Oh, wow! I thought so,” Amy said.

  “How did they get here?” Avery asked, although she had a pretty good idea based on the spot where they’d first seen them.

  “The cave,” Ross explained. “They wandered in to get out of a storm and as they were exploring it found that there was another entrance. The one we’re familiar with. They’ve been up there for days, taking shelter in the cave and watching the goings-on beneath them.”

  “I’m glad they were,” Cassie said. “We might have had two frozen friends otherwise.”

  Ross joined Cassie as she stood opposite Amy and Avery.

  “Should we offer them a place to stay?” Cassie wondered.

  “Aye,” Ross replied. “I’m no’ sure they’ll accept.”

  “Why not?” Amy asked.

  The door to the office opened and Conall and Gavin came out, each wearing a heavy terrycloth robe. They returned to their seats.

  “’Tis a fine home ye have here,” Gavin stated.

  “Thank you. We’re very happy here,” Cassie replied.

  “You know, we’ve got some empty cabins available right now. We were wondering if you’d like to stay here with us for a while.” She looked from Conall to Gavin.

  “‘Twould be a blessing.” Gavin smiled brightly for a moment, but Avery noticed that when he glanced Conall’s way the smile disappeared.

  “We’ll stay where we are,” Conall said. “At the cave.”

  “Oh, are you sure?” Cassie asked. “Because the cabins are very private. They’re warm, dry and have comfy beds. We’d love to have you.”

  “Conall, please,” Gavin pleaded.

  Just like a little brother, Avery thought. How on earth could Conall say no?

  “I’ll think on it,” Conall said.

  “You’ll stay for dinner then.” Cassie gave them one of her warm, welcoming smiles before turning to Avery. “I’ll drive you two home after dinner.”

  “Thank you. Amy, you should call Walt. Maybe he can take care of your car in the morning.” Avery knew that without her prodding, Amy might forget to make that phone call because she was caught up in the excitement of discovering these two men.

  Amy hopped up from her stool. “I’ll go do that now. Do you have a charger, Cassie? My phone is dead.”

  “Sure. There’s one plugged in by the hearth in the living room.”

  “Okay. I’ll be right back.”

  Avery watched as Amy walked away. She and Amy had become good friends over the past few years. They were, in many ways, opposites. Amy was thirty-two and Avery was going on forty. Amy had an athletic build and was always up for any outdoor activity, whether summer or winter. Avery stayed in shape with relaxing walks on any of the trails that surrounded Delight and a good book was always nearby no matter the weather. She wasn’t as adventurous as Amy, but somehow, they complimented each other. Being good friends meant they had each other’s backs, especially when it came to men. So she’d keep an eye on Amy’s enthusiasm for Gavin because if she fell hard for the handsome man it would be devastating if the two brothers weren’t planning to stay in Delight.

  Chapter 2

  It was now completely dark outside with the exception of the light from the sliding glass door leading from the kitchen to the back deck. The faerie lights strung across the deck railing still twinkled and gave off enough light to show the howling wind blowing the heavily falling snow into great drifts along the fence line of the ranch.

  “I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be here in this warm cozy house ready to enjoy another one of Cassie’s amazing meals,” Avery said, smiling at Conall, but unable to break through his stony expression.

  Cassie raised her wooden spoon in a salute.

  “What is that she has?” Conall whispered in Avery’s ear, catching her by surprise. He pointed to Amy who stood by the fireplace.

  “Her phone,” Avery answered.

  “Phone? What does it do?” he asked.

  “She’s talking to her mechanic Walt.” Avery sipped her tea now that it had cooled down enough that she wouldn’t burn her tongue.

  Conall narrowed his eyes and in all seriousness asked, “Is Walt in the phone?”

  Avery giggled at that. “No. He’s in town at his shop or maybe at home.”

  “’Tis magic then,” he said, sounding awestruck.

  Avery stifled another giggle. He was dead serious. “No. Not magic. Her phone, or my phone, allows us speak to anyone almost anywhere if they have a phone, too.” She placed her phone on the counter.

  One eyebrow popped up in a very enticing way as he picked up Avery’s phone and held it in his hand to examine it. He put it down, nodding his head slowly, and continued to watch Amy.

  “Okay. Thanks.” Amy put the phone in her pocket and joined them again. “He’ll take his tow truck out tomorrow to pick it up.”

  “Hopefully he’ll bring a shovel. He might have to dig it out,” Cassie said.

  “More like he’ll definitely have to dig it out,” Amy replied.

  Gavin patted the seat next to him and Amy sat down and immediately faced him, elbows on the island and her head tipped and resting on the palm of her hand. Avery couldn’t help but notice that Amy seemed quite taken with him based on her friend’s total focus on the man.

  “Can I help?” Avery asked Cassie. She couldn’t possibly sit there and watch Cassie do all the work.

  “Sure. Could you set the table?” Cassie stirred the pot bubbling away on the stove.

  “Will do.” Avery knew where Cassie kept everything. I
t came from having dinner here at least once a week. She grabbed plates, silverware and napkins, placing them on the table. “Glasses?” she asked.

  “Wine, I think,” Cassie replied.

  “Red or white?”

  “Red, of course.”

  “I knew that.” Avery placed a wine glass by each plate and opened a bottle of wine.

  Walking back into the kitchen, she stood beside Cassie who was just putting a lid on a large pot of tomato sauce.

  “Mmm…you should bottle this and sell it.” Avery inhaled the delicious scent of garlic, tomatoes and spices.

  “I’ve been thinking about it,” Cassie admitted. “I could sell it at the Farmer’s Market in town.”

  “I’d do more than think about it if I were you,” Avery said. “I’d even buy some for the inn. I could put some in the guest’s gift baskets. You know how I like to promote other businesses in town.”

  Cassie looked up from the stove. “You’d do that for me?”

  Avery gave her an are-you-kidding-me look. “Of course!”

  “Can you hand me the spaghetti?” Cassie said, pointing to the pantry. “Middle shelf on the right.”

  Avery walked into the pantry and found what she was looking for. “Got it.”

  As she placed it beside Cassie, she noticed that Conall had been watching her, but when she looked at him his eyes shifted to Amy and his brother.

  “Another ten minutes and we’ll be ready,” Cassie said. “Avery, can you get the salad out of the fridge?”

  She peeked into the refrigerator and spied the salad, which was already prepared and in a serving bowl. Cassie was nothing if not organized and always expecting a crowd. “Does it need dressing?”

  “It does. I’ll make it in a minute.” Cassie stirred the spaghetti into a pot of boiling water on the front burner.

  “I’ll make it,” Avery said. She grabbed the oil, vinegar, some mustard, herbs and a little honey and placed them in a mason jar with salt and pepper. Covering the jar, she shook it well before pouring the dressing over the salad and tossing it.

  Out of the corner of her eye she could see that Conall was fascinated with everything she was doing. She smiled to herself. It had been a long time since a man followed her with his eyes. She was enjoying the warm sensation manifesting in her core because of it.

  “Ross!” Cassie called. “What is he doing?”

  “I’m here, love,” he popped his head out of his office. “Ordering hay and grain for the horses.”

  “Dinner’s ready,” she said. “Conall, Gavin, have a seat at the table.”

  They all took their seats as Cassie placed the food on the table and did a last-minute check of the kitchen. “I think I’ve got everything.”

  Ross joined them and sat at the head of the table. “It smells delicious as usual. Ye lads are in for a treat,” he said to Gavin and Conall.

  Both men watched as Amy and Avery helped themselves and when it was their turn, they followed, imitating what they’d just seen.

  Conall exchanged a look with Gavin as he tried to pick the spaghetti up with his fork and watched it slip right off.

  “Like this,” Avery said, showing him how to twirl the spaghetti.

  He copied her example and a wide smile appeared on his face. It was the first one she’d seen and it only enhanced his good looks as his eyes crinkled, but only for a moment. As the forkful of pasta made its way into his mouth, Conall’s eyes grew wide as he chewed.

  “What do you think?” Avery asked.

  He was already digging in for more and could only say, “Mmm…” as another perfectly twirled forkful disappeared and was followed by another.

  “What is this?” Gavin asked, pointing to the salad.

  “Salad,” Amy replied. “It’s good. You’ll like it.”

  He took a forkful, eyeing it with suspicion.

  “It doesn’t bite.” Amy laughed.

  “’Tis good, lad. Try it,” Ross said.

  Skepticism written all over his face, he did as he was instructed. As he chewed, his facial expression became more and more amusing. It was apparent he didn’t care for it.

  “It’s good for you,” Amy said.

  “I do no’ believe so,” he replied, finally swallowing the mouthful of salad he’d taken.

  “It’s okay. You don’t have to eat it,” Cassie said.

  Conall, on the other hand, had already finished everything, including the salad, a roll and butter, and a glass of wine. “Thank ye for the meal,” he said to Cassie. “’Twas verra good.”

  “I’m happy you liked it. More wine?” she asked.

  “I’ve got it,” Avery said, pouring him another glass.

  “Thank ye, lass.” His eyes lingered on her face.

  “You’re welcome.” Avery quickly looked down at her plate, acutely aware that he was still gazing at her.

  “I really wish you would take us up on the cabin offer,” Cassie said.

  “We’d be happy to have ye,” Ross added.

  Gavin turned to his brother. “Conall, it would be good for the horses. ’Tis been a long time since Laddie’s been rested in a warm, dry barn.”

  Conall seemed to be considering what Gavin had just said. He raised his eyes toward Ross. “We accept.”

  “When we’re done here, Ross will show you to the cabin.”

  “Thank ye, Ross. ’Twill be good for all of us,” Gavin said before turning to Cassie. “And thank ye for the fine food and a place to stay.”

  “It’s our pleasure.” Cassie raised her glass. “Shall we toast to new friends?”

  “To new friends,” Ross said as they all lifted their glasses.

  “We should probably get going soon, but first I want to help with the dishes,” Avery said.

  “I think you two should spend the night as well. That snow is really coming down. Driving is going to be treacherous and I’d rather not take any chances.”

  “You know, you’re right,” Amy said, turning to Avery. “But what about the inn?”

  “I’ve been gone all day so I’ve got to check in and make sure there aren’t any emergencies with my guests.” It wasn’t ideal for the owner of the inn to be away overnight, but this was an unforeseen circumstance and she couldn’t possibly ask Cassie to risk life and limb to drive her back to town.

  “Can you call Billie?” Cassie asked. Billie was the newest addition to the town of Delight, having moved here from Los Angeles to pursue her writing career. She was now the owner of the town pub.

  “Good idea. She’ll probably be okay with going over for a little while. Payton and Kade can man the bar. How busy can it be on a night like this?”

  “Not very, I imagine,” Cassie said.

  Avery got her phone out of her pocket and excused herself. Conall and Gavin seemed to be having a glaring match. She briefly wondered what was wrong before Billie picked up.

  “Hey, it’s me. I’m out at Cassie’s. Amy’s Jeep broke down and since it’s snowing so hard, we thought we’d stay here tonight.”

  “Sounds like a good idea,” Billie replied. “Do you need me to look in across the street?”

  “Could you? We’ll try to get out of here early in the morning. The plows should be out by then. If not, it might be a little later.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure everyone is good for the night and if I need to, I’ll head back over in the morning.”

  “Thank you so much. You’re a lifesaver.” Relief swept over Avery. This town and the people in it were a blessing to her. They’d been there for her when her husband, Jim, passed away ten years ago and they were still there for her today. She loved every single one of them and would drop whatever she was doing if they were the ones who needed help.

  “You’re welcome. Good night.”

  “’Night.” Avery put the phone away and headed back to the table. “We’re all set. Billie will take care of anything that comes up.”

  “Let’s get those dishes done then.” Amy started stacking di
shes while Avery took the leftover food into the kitchen.

  “Are ye ready to go to the cabin?” Ross asked Conall.

  “Aye. We’ll be needing to change back into our clothes.”

  “They should be dry by now.” Cassie had put them in the dryer while they were eating. “I’ll get them.”

  In no time at all, Avery and Amy had the kitchen all cleaned up. They waited in the living room for Ross to join them with Conall and Gavin.

  “What do you think?” Amy asked. “Gavin is so my type.” She fanned herself and pretended to faint.

  Avery laughed at her antics, which was Amy’s goal. Her friend was always the cautious one and Amy was sure that it was stressing Avery out that she was so smitten with Gavin.

  “I can see that,” Avery replied. “He’s quite handsome, but what else do you like about him?”

  Amy knew that would be her next question and she was actually surprisingly prepared with an answer. “You know how I’ve always had a special relationship with Kade, right?”

  “I do,” Avery said.

  “Well, he’s a lot like him, in some ways, and very different in others. He’s lighthearted, fun to talk to, and unlike Kade, he’s my age.”

  “So you’ve established that?”

  “I asked, yes. Also, he’s super sexy. I never felt that way about Kade.”

  “So, there’s a physical attraction.”

  “Definitely!”

  “You know there’s more to a relationship than just sex. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that.”

  “What about Conall?” Amy asked, trying to avoid Avery’s motherly concern.

  Before Avery could answer, the door to the office opened and the men all emerged and headed for the door.

  “Ladies,” Ross said, holding the door for them.

  “Good night, Cassie,” Amy said.

  A muffled, “Good night,” came from the laundry room.

  They hurried down the pathway and Ross opened up the first cabin they came to for Avery and Amy.

  “Good night, ladies. See you in the morning.” He gave them a slight bow as he moved out of the way so they could pass.

  “Thanks, Ross,” Avery said.