Travis spent the day helping Dani, rolling over what he’d heard the night before between assignments. First thing in the morning, they rode the course a few times to make sure it was as they’d left it, and it was in fine shape.

Someone named Elf dropped by a trailer full of torches, and Dani explained that some of the races were in the dark and they needed torches to light the course, so after lunch, they ran the course yet another time, setting torches at equal distances along the route. He didn’t mind, though—he could ride that course forever and not get tired of it. In fact, all day long, he’d been itching to do just that—race it at high speed, and he hoped he’d get a chance sometime. After he was done helping Dani.

When the course had been readied, she set him at a table for sign-ups, and he took names of individual racers and couples, and some parents with kids for the first run of the day, the kids’ run. Parents would drive, apparently, and their kids—if they were tall enough—would ride behind them. Everybody seemed really excited and he realized why when he saw the nice trophies that were set on a table of the lobby in the Main House. Who could resist a trophy? He knew he couldn’t.

As the races wound down, he spotted Dani hunched over the lists of times, chewing on her pencil occasionally. Her hair tumbled over her forehead a bit, and her ice blue eyes were intent on her task. He stood aside and watched as she announced the winners, the joy among the crowd palpable as each winner was applauded and clutched their trophies tightly, some holding them high in the air to cheers.

“Whew,” she said, smiling contentedly as she plopped into her chair under the tent and people wandered back toward the Old West town. “Another year done and over.”

He sat beside her and leaned back in the chair. She really was beautiful—and talented, and brave and funny.

“I bet you’re wiped out,” he said finally as she stacked the papers and tucked them in a box for next year.

She pulled her hat down over her ears and eyed the snowmobiles and looked up at the sky. “Actually, I’m not. I feel a little—I don’t know. Antsy?”

He laughed and grabbed her hand. “I know the feeling. Every time I finish a race, it takes me hours to settle down.”

He pulled her up and led her over to the snowmobiles, stopping in front of a bigger one with two seats—the one she usually rode and he presumed was hers. He reached for a helmet and handed it to her and winked as she gazed up at him.

“Well, the torches are still lit.”

“You’re right. I guess I should put them out,” she said as she reached for the helmet and pulled on her gloves. “Care to join me?” She threw her leg over her snowmobile and he pulled on his helmet.

“Why don’t you scoot back and join me?” he asked and stood waiting with his arms folded over his chest.

She snapped her head up, and it took her a moment to realize what he was asking. “I always drive. I never ride in back.”

“Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me. But I’m a professional. Let’s see what this baby can do,” he said as he held out his hand to help her scoot back, not at all sure she’d take it.

She hesitated, and he could see the wheels spinning behind those ice blue eyes—and he let out his breath when she took his hand and did, indeed, scoot back.

He hopped on, and warmth spread through him as she reached her arms around him and squeezed tightly. He revved the engine and started down the course, the torches blazing in the darkness, lighting their way. It was all he could do not to go full-throttle, but he didn’t want to scare her. He was a pro, after all, and just the fact that she’d trusted him to let him drive was enough for now.

They sped along the track they’d made together—the first half, anyway. When he reached the small knoll where they’d seen the deer, he pulled off the course and climbed it, stopping short of the boulders where they’d had lunch.

He cut the engine and turned off the headlight, and they were drowned in darkness, with only the white sparkles of the stars shining on the snow to guide them. He helped her off the snowmobile and unclipped her helmet, hanging it on the back of the snowmobile next to his own as he handed her her knit cap, pulling it down for her and tucking some of her stray hair behind her ears.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the top of the knoll, and they stood in silence for a bit, looking back down on River’s End Ranch.

“It’s really beautiful, isn’t it?” she asked as she gazed down at her home.

“Yes, it is,” he said before he turned to her. “And so are you. I meant what I said yesterday.”

She looked up at him and frowned, and the light of the stars were reflected in her eyes. “Please don’t say that. You can’t mean it.”

He hadn’t meant to hurt her—he only spoke the truth. He reached for another strand of hair that had escaped her cap and as he tucked it behind her other ear, he leaned forward. Her breath hitched, and he wondered if he was making a mistake—but he couldn’t help himself. He didn’t know what was going to happen when he went back on tour, but the only thing that mattered to him was right now, and he leaned in, and right before his lips brushed hers, he said, “I absolutely can mean it and I do.”

She didn’t push him away, but leaned against him, her lips warm and sweet.

“Travis, I—”

“Please don’t say anything, and thank you for that.”

He didn’t want her to say anything because he didn’t know what to say, either. And while he didn’t exactly want the moment to end, he thought maybe it should.

“How about a real ride?” he asked her as he reached for her hand. “That snowmobile will go a lot faster than I’ve seen it go yet.”

She laughed and looked at the snowmobile. “You sure? It’s dark, and—”

“One more lap,” he said as he reached for her hand. “Let me show you how fun it is. We can put the torches out after.”

He pulled her down the knoll and they grabbed their helmets, and before he took off, he said, “Hang on!”

She held on even tighter than she had before as he careened through the course, expertly handling the curves they’d planned and taking the corners as fast as he could. She squealed once, and he frowned, hoping she was having as much fun as he was.

He breathed a sigh of relief as they stopped back by the tent, and she laughed until she had to wipe away tears.

“Wow, that was a rush,” she said as she bent over, her hands on her knees. “Where’d you learn to ride like that?”

“Ah, so glad you liked it.” He leaned against the bike, his heart swelling that she’d had so much fun. “It’s my job, remember?”

“With a job like that, everything else in the world must be boring.” She caught her breath and stepped forward. “Thank you. Perfect end to a fun day.”

He reached out and pulled her close again until their noses touched. “Oops, you must be cold. Your nose is freezing.”

She lowered her eyes, and the light of the torches they’d yet to extinguish flickered on her eyelashes. She looked up at him and searched his eyes before she took a step back.

“Yes, it is cold. We’d probably better close up shop. We can get the snowmobiles back first thing in the morning,” she said as she looked back toward the Old West town.

“Thanks for your help, Travis. It sure made it a lot better. For me and for the guests.”

He was disappointed that she’d raised her guard again, but glad he’d gotten a glimpse inside, even if it was only for a moment. And it had been a really fun time.

“No problem. It was a great time. You put together a great experience for the guests. Top notch.”

“Thank you,” she said. “Couldn’t have done it without you.”

He reached for her hand and they headed back to the Main House. He wasn’t sure what to say. He wanted to kiss her again, but he couldn’t in good conscience without telling her that he’d be leaving soon. And he needed to tell her soon.

“What do you have planned for tomorrow?” she asked as they reached the steps of the porch.

“Wyatt mentioned tomorrow would be a good day for a trail ride. What have you got going on?” is what came out of his mouth, but what he’d really wanted to say was, “I want to do whatever it is you’re doing.”

She looked up at a stained glass window high atop the Main House. “I’ve been putting off dealing with that letter you delivered from my parents. I need to talk to Kelsi and deal with it, and she won’t be available until after two or so. I’ll just work until then. You and Wyatt will have fun. It’ll be a nice day for a ride,” she said, looking back up at the stars.

He screwed up his courage and leaned toward her, brushing his lips against her cheek. “Okay. I’ll see you maybe tomorrow night?”

“Maybe,” she said quietly. “And thank you again for all your help.”

He tipped his ball cap as he backed away, even though leaving was the last thing he wanted to do. “No, thank you. For everything,” he said and he turned back toward the cabin, glad he’d fed Kitty before he’d left and looking forward to hearing her purr.