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“I should've insisted she leave earlier.” But the audacious thought made him laugh low and deep.
If there was one thing Sidney Parker knew about his wife, there was no insisting she do anything if she didn't have the notion, and he was sure she would have simply reminded him of her responsibilities for Sanditon House's Holiday Gala and left no room for further argument.
And he would have known she was right. She had poured all of her efforts the last several months into the benefit for Sanditon's less fortunate community. There would be no way she would leave anything undone. Snowstorm or not.
The hour was late and the snow had started sticking as soon as the sun had set. So despite the fact that he knew Charlotte was probably more experienced in driving in it than even he was, having come from a village considerably further north, he still couldn't help the anxious feeling in his chest.
To keep himself from pacing, he busied himself around the house. Their girls were fast asleep. He had checked. Three times. The fire was stoked, dinner kept to warm in the oven. He read. He worked on end of year financials for their consultancy business. Then, finally, he heard boots stomp outside. He met her at the door.
“Hi.”
“Hey,” she whispered back.
Even wind swept and snow blown, she was beautiful. Pink cheeks, eyes bright, if a bit tired.
“How'd it go?”
Charlotte kicked off her boots. “Good. Perfect, actually. It was a long day, but I feel really good about it. Aside from deliveries the day of, everything is ready.” She looked around. “Are the girls already down?”
“Bathed, brushed, read to, checked on.” He nuzzled into his wife's hair. “So go get your comfy clothes and slippers on and meet me in front of the fire.”
“Oh?”
“I'll bring dinner to you.”
“You're amazing,” she murmured and pressed her cold lips to his before tiptoeing down the hall.
By the time he had set out their plates of food and poured two glasses of wine, Charlotte came shuffling into the den, slippered feet sticking out from beneath the large blanket she had wrapped around herself.
They sat and ate. Talked some more about the Gala. It had been such a busy season and between his frequent business trips to London, her Sanditon management, and school performances for the girls, they had not had a lot of time for the two of them. It was a relief to have just an hour for each other.
It was near midnight by the time they finished eating and cleaning up. Sidney heard the soft sounds of music float into the air as he added one more log to the fire and when he turned, there was Charlotte, inviting him in with her arms and blanket open, and he went, sliding the blanket around so that it draped around his larger frame and allowed him the benefit of holding her to him.
They danced, swaying back and forth slowly. They kissed, lips warmed by the fire, sweetened by the wine. Until they settled on the sofa together and she fell asleep in his arms.