Snow is Falling, Cocoa is Calling! (The Coffee Loft Series: Fall Collection)

16. Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

MARCUS

T he gardens were shoveled and swept of snow, as were the front porches and open-air vestibule that graced the entrance of the Hearst mansion before the imposing double front doors.

He’d helped Logan dry the chairs, and they’d set them up for the ceremony. In the dining room, he could hear Caitey, Jenna, both mothers, and Mr. Hearst talking.

Jenna slipped past, bounding for her room. At least Logan hadn’t spotted her when he dropped a load of firewood into a box by the fireplace.

When Jenna spied Marcus, her eyes grew large and panicky. She motioned to Marcus to stay quiet, then put a hand to her throat and sliced across it in a simulated fatal gesture. She didn’t want him blurting out her name, so Logan spun around to see her .

Her soft footsteps turned into tiptoes while the bride disappeared to the second floor, and Marcus kept her secret.

Marcus desperately wanted a shower, but he refrained for now. He had two more errands to run. Secret errands. He left a note for Logan and hauled on his coat, hat, heavy gloves, and boots—thankful he’d packed a pair of long johns, too.

He had a trip down the mountain to make and a deadline of only five hours.

He couldn’t wait to see Caitey’s face upon his return.