Page 26 of Stuck With My Christmas Crush

“Is this Rocko’s first experience of snow?” I ask.

“No. But he loves it. He’s just like a puppy.”

“Alright. Well, if you hold onto Rocko, just in case he wants to jump on me, I’ll demonstrate.” Jason holds onto Rocko’s collar as I make my way to the flat area that is probably the front lawn of the hotel. “Now, as far as snow angel excellence goes, I don’t believe there is a national certificate or anything formal. But I am the best. So, please. Watch and learn.” I sit back in the middle of the crisp, crunchy snowy blanket, then lie down with my arms by my side. “This is the start position,” I shout to the sky.

I have no idea if Jason is watching or listening but, simultaneously, I raise each arm, stretched away from my body, marking the snow, incrementally, until my arms are straight above my head. At the same time, I open and close my legs like a pair of scissors. When I’m confident I have created the most beautiful snow angel in history, I carefully roll up into a standing position, give myself a shake, then bow theatrically as if I have just won gold at the Olympics. I wave at the imaginary judges who have all given me a standing ovation and are holding up scorecards displaying straight 10s.

“Now it’s your turn,” I say with a big smile.

“You know what? I’ll pass.” Jason releases Rocko. “Thanks, though, for the informative demonstration. I’m going to get a shovel. Maybe I can dig us out of here today.” He walks off. “And get you home.”

My jovial mood falls flat. I look at my perfect snow angel and see how pathetic it is. Of course, we have more important things to do than playing in the wonderful, magical snow. I feel like crying although I’m not sure why.

“Pull yourself together,” I mutter under my breath as I stomp behind Jason back into the tiny gatehouse. I shake off my childish silliness and bravely say, “Okay, partner. Tool me up.”

Jason hands me a small spade from a stack of tools beside the door. He takes a big one.

“Here you go. I guess we’ll start from the cars and make a trail to the gate. See how that goes.”

“Gotcha, boss.”

I don’t know why, but I want to pummel Jason with snowballs and squish his face into my snow angel until he relents and promises to make one himself. But I don’t. Although the image of Jason’s stern expression squashed into a snowdrift does make me smile. Then I’m ashamed of my malicious thought. How could I even think of being mean to the man who saved my life? This thought makes me smile even more. And then, my smiles all disappear because I’m a little sad our time together is coming to an end.

The weak winter sunshine bounces off the dazzling snow. Rocko bounds around playfully billowing steamy breath.

I’ve cleared the snow from the cars. It slid off easily in satisfying chunks. I’m pleased with my progress and turn to see if Jason has noticed my excellent effort, but he’s too busy clearing the snow from the driveway. I can’t help but watch him. He’s like a machine. He has taken off his jacket and attacks each shovelful with energy and physicality which is truly admirable. I’m breathless just watching his manly shoulders and arms flex with rhythmic effort. I feel redundant but I take off my jacket, hang it on the gate too, and get stuck into the job at hand with my little shovel.

After a few minutes of shoveling snow from the driveway, I’m exhausted. I stop for a breather and allow myself to be distracted by Rocko who has dropped a stick at my feet.

“You just want to play, huh?”

I pick up the stick and throw it as far as I can. Jason stops shoveling snow to watch. I smile at him, but he looks away and keeps shoveling. The bright sunshine is turning the white crispy snow to mush. I notice that my snow angel has all but disappeared.

“See.” I point to the angel shape where dark grass is poking through. “It’s too late for you to make your snow angel now.”

“What?” Jason says, but he doesn’t look up.

“Oh, nothing.” I keep shoveling.

Chapter 13

Jason

I’m annoyed. The physical exertion of shoveling snow is helping but still, I’m annoyed. I’m annoyed at the snow. And irritated by Charlie. Well, that may be a little unfair. I’m just embarrassed because she overheard me telling Rocko that I like her. And it’s true. I do like her. But there’s no way I want her to know that. Not now, in the cold light of day, that shows up all our differences in stark contrast like snow on dark branches. She’s all shiny and glittery and I’m all practical and serious. But last night,in the warmth of the fire and candlelight, I stupidly let my guard down. And that’s why I’m annoyed. Somehow, she has broken through what I thought were my impenetrable defenses. And so easily. With her laugh, and her sparkly blue eyes, and her lips that I just want to kiss all the time. And with all that pink glitter that’s still everywhere.

I scoop another shovelful of snow. The metal scrapes the asphalt sending juddering vibrations up my arms. I’m getting too warm in my jacket, so I take it off and hang it on the gate.

But mostly, I’m annoyed at myself. I mean, she only wanted me to join in her game. And I couldn’t even do that. Yes. Making snow angels looked like fun. And, yes, part of me wanted to jump around in the snow like we’re starring in our own cute Christmas romcom. But…

I stop shoveling and watch Charlie throw a stick for Rocko. She’s so pretty. And alive. Watching her hopeless stick-throwing skills warms my heart and makes me laugh. What is happening to me?

For a minute, I picture us living here. Happily. Together. Where did that come from, soldier?

I shake the thought away and shovel some more snow that is turning to mush by the minute as the day warms up. And I remind myself that I’m a lone wolf. That’s it. Me, myself, and I. And Rocko, of course. And, besides, there’sno room for anyone else here in the gatehouse. We would end up tearing each other to pieces in such a small space.

Or we could be the happiest people in the world. I gulp. The shovel drops from my hand and clangs on the hard wet driveway.

Charlie looks over and laughs. Then she throws the stick for Rocko again.

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