Emma wished she could bottle him and take him home with her. If only it were that simple. She kept a close eye on Simone to make sure she wasn’t underfoot or in danger of further injury, but she needn’t have worried. Grayson kept an even closer eye on her and let her do as much as she could to help.

When they’d fed and watered the horses and stashed the sleigh inside the barn, Lucas said, “I was thinking about building a snowman, Simone. You want to help me?”

“Can I, Mom?”

“If you’re careful of your sore arm.”

“She can do the decorating,” Lucas said. “I’ll do the rolling.” To Simone, he said, “Run into the office over there and grab the snowman kit on the bookshelf.”

She took off toward the office.

“You and Emma want to take the snowmobile for a ride?” Lucas asked Grayson.

Was Lucas trying to give them some time alone? Was he really that perceptive, or were they really that obvious?

“What do you think, Em?” Grayson asked. “Want to go for a ride?” He waggled his brows and made her laugh.

“Um, sure. That sounds fun.”

Simone returned with the brightly painted box that she opened to show her mother the orange wooden carrot, the black buttons, red scarf and black felt hat contained within. “It’s everything we need to make a snowman,” Simone said. “How cool is that?”

“Very cool. Grayson was going to take me for a ride on the snowmobile. Is that okay with you?”

“Yep. I’ve got to help Lucas with the snowman.”

“Take your time,” Lucas said. “We’ll go upstairs to make hot chocolate when we’re done.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Emma asked him.

“I’m sure. I’m on vacation this week. Nothing but time.”

“Okay, then. You guys have fun.” She kissed Simone’s cold, rosy cheek. “We’ll be back soon.” To Grayson, she said, “Do we need helmets?”

“We’ll go slow.”

Since she trusted him implicitly, she got on behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Hold on nice and tight,” he said suggestively.

Emma laughed and squeezed her thighs until they were snug against his backside.

He let out a low groan that made her giggle as he fired up the powerful machine and propelled them into a wide circular turn.

Emma waved to Simone, who was supervising Lucas as he rolled the first big ball of snow for the snowman.

“You’re not holding on tight enough,” Grayson said. “I wouldn’t want you to fall off.”

Emma smiled and rested her face and body against his back, holding on to him as tight as she could.