Page 25 of Stuck With My Christmas Crush

I open the stove and, quietly as possible, I place a couple of logs on the glowing embers, then close the door which squeaks on its hinges. The logs take a minute before they burst into flame. I watch with satisfaction as they begin to roar.

Charlie stirs but I don’t think I woke her. I stand and walk to the bedroom as quietly as possible. And there, sure enough, is Rocko stretched out diagonally on the bed with a ridiculously happy face.

“Good morning, you scallywag.”

Rocko doesn’t move his head but gently beats his tail on the bed cover in response to my greeting.

“Come on. Your bladder must be fit to burst,” I say at the bedroom door.

“Well, yes. You’re right. Excuse me, please.” It’s Charlie. She stops and pokes her head in. “Look at that dog! Someone had a good sleep.” She peers at Rocko and then at mewith half-closed eyes, then shimmies past on her way to the bathroom. “Good morning, everyone.”

“Good morning. How are you?”

“Sleepy,” Charlie says from behind the closed bathroom door.

I haul Rocko off the bed and usher him to the front door. Luckily it opens inwards without a struggle, and I look out onto a magical wonderland of white sparkling snow. Rocko bounds out and leaps onto clean and even drifts where the driveway used to be. The cars are shapeless white mounds. I listen to the silence that is disturbed by a spatter and splat of dislodged snow that slides from a branch and onto the ground with a final plop. My breath billows and I rub my hands together to warm them.

Rocko is clearly delighted by the winter scene, so I leave him to roam around outside while I find my jacket and boots. The snow looks beautiful but all I see is a day of shoveling.

Chapter 12

Charlie

“It’s so beautiful!” I squeal, barely containing my excitement, as I rush to the open door. “I can’t wait to get out there and make snow angels.”

“Wait a minute,” Jason says, looking confused. “Don’t you mean, ‘I can’t wait to get home’?” He checks his phone.

“Yeah. Yes, I do. But how many times do you get this kind of fabulous deep snow?”

“Too often.” He scrolls down his screen not looking at me. “It’s inconvenient and potentially dangerous.”

“Ah, yes. You’re right.” My mind switches back to trudging down the road in the freezing sideways rain only the day before; the drama of being stranded at the roadside in my broken car; the relief of being rescued by a handsome, although reserved ex-army guy with all sorts of practical survival skills. “But I had a nice time last night.” I beam enthusiastically. “It’s been fun getting to know you, Jason. And Rocko.”

Jason’s eyes shyly flick up from the screen to meet mine. He clears his throat. “We have phone connection. The internet is back on and the weather looks good for the next couple of days. The storms moved on, and reports say, ‘don’t travel unless absolutely necessary. Emergency services and volunteers are clearing roads. Stay tuned for updates’.”

“Well. That’s super. We have time for snow angels. The conditions are just right. Come on.”

“Um. Snow what?” Jason’s brow is furrowed, his head on one side. “And, um.” Jason breathes as if he’s addressing a simpleton. “What exactly is a snow angel?”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“No. No, I’m not.”

“Well, come on. I’ll show you.” I take Jason’s hand and lead him to the front door.

“Wait. If we’re going outside, I think we need to dress appropriately, don’t you?”

“Yes. You’re right. I’ll put my fairy dress back on.” I say with seriousness. Jason stares hard at me but doesn’t say anything. “Jeez. I’m joking! Jason. I am joking.” I lean on the wall and indulge in some belly-holding mock laughter. “Yes. We should dress appropriately. Can I please borrow your coat again, and some boots?”

“Yes. Coat and boots coming up.”

Jason reaches up and unhooks a thick padded oilskin coat. I climb into it and roll up the sleeves a bit. Then I pull on Jason’s hiking boots and lace them up.

“They should be waterproof, but they’re old so, don’t complain if your feet get wet.” Jason puts on a padded jacket and pulls on another pair of hiking boots.

“I’m not going to complain at all. This is going to be so much fun. You’re going to love it.”

We head out into the frosty air closing the door behind us, so the house stays warm. Rocko barks when he sees that we’ve come out to play as well. He jumps around unaffected by the cold.

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