A Snow Country Christmas

“Second date.” Her smile was tremulous and he doubted that happened often with her. “I never wanted to sell it in the first place, but taxes are expensive. And though Daisy and I come up here for a picnic now and then, as ridiculous as this sounds, I think the cabin is starting to get depressed about being abandoned. I want someone who appreciates the history and doesn’t just see a dilapidated wreck. If you didn’t have vision, you and Slater wouldn’t get along.”

He needed to set the record straight. “If he wasn’t a brilliant filmmaker we wouldn’t get along on a business level, but he is, and as a person I like him very much. It has nothing to do with me except I help other people believe in what he has in mind.”

Her breath was frosty as she blew out a laugh. “He’d so disagree. I believe he calls you ‘the driving force.’”

“Maybe I am, of the funding of the production. He’s the inspired one. It’s collaboration, a sum of the parts.”

“Slater Carson doesn’t collaborate with just anyone Take my word for it. I’ve known him for a while.” She suddenly put those fluffy mittens on his shoulders and rose up to give him a light kiss that was very nice but not nearly all he wanted. Her lips were warm and smooth. She whispered, “I’m glad you’re here. Merry Christmas.”

At that moment a breeze brushed by, ruffling a stack of old, yellowed papers still sitting on the cluttered desk. Startled, he looked around, but the door was firmly shut and so were the windows. She said blithely, “I told you it was haunted. I think he likes you. Let’s head back.”

One of the pages had floated to the floor and she bent to pick it up.

* * *

Well, there was no question she was an idiot.

A sentimental idiot, but so it went. The minute Raine heard Mick Branson was looking for property in Wyoming, she thought about her family legacy. That he knew her grandfather’s name blew her away. That he’d read his books made it even more special.

Fate, plain and simple.

She was a great believer in spiritual signs, no matter if it was labeled fate or attributed to some divine power. If Mick bought the property, maybe he would leave the cabin standing. She’d resigned herself to saying goodbye to it someday, and Blythe had kindly offered to have the Carson Ranch pay the taxes, but Raine wanted someone to use the land, to enjoy the breathtaking views, to appreciate and find joy in it like her grandfather had his whole life. She’d thought about someday building a house on it, but it would have to be after Daisy was out of school. Their modest little house suited them perfectly for now.