It became evident that Amber was on a fact-finding mission to determine her options for winning back Josiah, and she wasn't going to be subtle about either.

"How did you two meet, and how long have you been together?" she asked as she picked up her glass of wine and took a sip. Watching them both closely.

"We met at the hotel a little over a month ago," Josiah answered truthfully as he looked at Tessa with a smile, suggesting it was the best day of his life. Tessa nodded her agreement as she ate another bite of pasta, trying not to let the look affect her.

"This is delicious, Darling," Tessa said, smiling back, more for something to say and to get the focus off her and onto the food.

"I'm glad you like it, Love," Josiah answered. "I thought you might."

"That's not a very long relationship?" Amber mused aloud.

"When you know, you know," Josiah responded before he took another bite of pasta, obviously saying all he was going to on the subject.

Unable to get traction with the new relationship conversation, Amber changed direction.

"How is your mother, Constance, Josiah?" Amber leaned forward and grabbed Josiah's free hand where it lay on the table. "I remember when she would visit you at school, and she would take all of us out for dinner. She was so beautiful and charming." Now she was trying to relive shared memories. "Such good times."

Tessa didn't know much about Josiah's mother, but the one time she had come up in conversation, he hadn't been happy about it, and he wasn't now because Tessa felt his body tense next to hers in response to Amber's question.

Josiah didn't answer, and Tessa felt the need to soothe the awkward silence.

"She's passed, Amber," Tessa softly said, nudging Josiah in the ribs with her elbow.

"Yes, cancer," Josiah cleared his throat, withdrew his hand from under Amber's, and sipped his drink.

"I'm so sorry to hear that. She was a fabulous woman," Amber looked forlorn at the news. It was a little too fake for Tessa to stomach.

"Did you ever meet her, Tessa? Oh no, what am I saying, of course you didn't. Not if you've only known Josiah for a month." And there it was, Amber had come full circle. It was expertly done.

"No, I never had the pleasure." Tessa shook her head as she popped the last bite of food in her mouth and stood to serve herself a second serving.

"Two plates, full. My you have a healthy appetite." Amber said with a charming giggle as she filled her glass with more wine.

Tessa's jaw clenched in response, but she kept her voice as sweet as possible. "And you have a healthy thirst or a hollow leg. I'm not sure which." Tessa commented in return as she plopped back into her chair and prepared another bite of food. "I'm also still young enough to have a strong metabolism." Tessa popped the bite of food in her mouth.

Amber pursed her lips at the double insult and turned her attention back toward Josiah, who had regained his composure.

"I thought I would stay a few more days. I'd love to tour your ranch. Do you think we could do that tomorrow?" Amber smiled sweetly, expecting him to drop everything and agree.

"It's not my ranch, it's my father's, and tomorrow is not a good day. I have meetings all day, and Levi, Trinity, and I have to fly to Denver on business the day after. I'm afraid I won't be around for the next few days, but you're welcome to stay. I'm sure Tessa will make you feel right at home at the hotel." Josiah leaned back in his chair.

Tessa was please by his rebuff, but not by the fact that she didn't know he was going out of town. Then she reminded herself that he had no reason to tell her since they weren't in a real relationship. How could a pretend relationship of one hour feel so real?

"Oh, no! This is really the only time I have free. I have to be back in New York by Thursday. Are you sure you can't change your plans for an old college friend?" Amber asked suggestively, trying to work every ounce of charm she possessed.

"I'm sure." Josiah nodded.

Amber tried again with the familiarity tactic. "I had forgotten that you called your father by his first name, but then he's really your stepfather, right?"

In addition to learning all kinds of new, important tidbits from Amber, Tessa found the woman's constant digging of her own hole fascinating. It was like dinner and a show. Tessa's eyes swiveled to Josiah to watch his reaction, only to find him staring at her with his eyebrow raised in question.

He was asking without asking if she was enjoying the show. Tessa grinned and shrugged as she chewed. He might be upset, but she wasn't. "This really is delicious."

Josiah took a deep breath before he turned his attention back to Amber. "No, Levi is my father. He adopted me when I was a boy after he married my mother. For the record, I do call him Dad, but not when it comes to business." Josiah sat forward again to sip his drink, giving Tessa a clear view out the front window.

She dropped her fork and slapped Josiah on the arm repeatedly, causing him to spill his drink.

"What?" he asked with a frown, looking at her, probably excepting her to be choking on the food she was wolfing down at the very least.

"IT'S SNOWING!" she squealed as she jumped out of her chair and raced to the door.

"STOP!" Josiah ordered, and Tessa turned around with shocked eyes. "Go put on some boots, or your feet will freeze."

"I don't own boots. The store didn't have my size." Tessa reminded him, looking out the window longingly then down at her feet in slippers.

Josiah shook his head. "I think there's an old pair of mine in the coat closet," he offered.

Tessa grinned again and raced to the closet. She found the boots easily enough and almost fell over in her attempt to put them on. When she closed the closet door, it was to see Josiah waiting by the front door, holding her coat for her.

"Don't forget this, Grace," he shook her head.

"Snow!" she chortled, ignoring the teasing insult, as she hurriedly slammed one of her arms into the coat, lost the other arm, and spun until Josiah caught the coat with a grin and held it for her. "Do you think it will stick?" she asked in a breathless voice.

"Stick, why wouldn't it stick?" he asked, confused.

"It never sticks in Texas. It just melts and then refreezes." She jumped from foot to foot as Josiah tried to hand her some gloves.

"You'll probably touch it, so you'll need these," he offered.

"No, I want to feeeeeel it!" She threw open the door and ran into the yard. There was already a decent layer on the ground, and everything was so quiet, almost muffled. It wasn't like rain, you couldn't hear it, which felt surreal to her. It was like a fairyland.

She held her arms out and spun as the cold fat flakes hit her, trying to catch some with her tongue.

Josiah and Amber followed Tessa outside and stood on the porch watching her antics.

"Josiah!" Tessa squealed as she ran up to the porch, grabbed his arms, and shook him in excitement. Then, she ran back out into the yard.

"Wait until you see a real snowfall!" he called.

"I can't wait!" she called back.

Josiah was grinning, and Amber was watching Josiah watch Tessa.

"I'm going to go," Amber said, looking from Josiah to Tessa.

Josiah didn't take his eyes off Tessa. "I think that would be best."

Amber slipped back into the house to gather her things as Josiah continued to watch Tessa with an indulgent smile.