Page 18 of Christmas for Keeps

“No trouble. I always cook breakfast. Besides, it’s not like we’re in a hurry to go anywhere. Have you looked outside?”

I turned my head to look out the window. Blinking, I tried to process an endless expanse of white. “Is that all snow?”

He gave me a deadpan look. “No, Santa Claus came early and sprinkled powdered sugar all over New England.”

“Yeah, yeah. This is unbelievable. We used to think it snowed a lot in Syracuse.”

“When I moved here, I discovered a whole new level of winter.”

I started turning the bacon. “Think they’ll go get my car soon? I’d really like to get it off the side of the road.”

“I don’t think they’ll be able to get it today at all.”

“Why not?” I snapped. “What are you talking about?”

He flipped a waffle onto a plate and pointed at the TV. “Right before you came in, they were saying this is the worst blizzard since 1943. The roads are still closed, and they’re warning everyone to stay inside.”

I glanced out the window again. “But it’s stopped snowing!”

Stepping closer, he put a hand on my arm. “Only for a little while. They’re calling for another foot this afternoon.”

Tears sprang to my eyes, and my cheeks were wet before I could say, “I can’t believe this is happening. I’m sorry to be putting you out.”

“Oh, babe.” He let my arm go and hugged me. “Everything’s okay. Your car will be fine, and you’re welcome here for as long as you need to stay. I’m so glad to be spending time with you.”

I wrapped my arms around him and buried my face against his shoulder. Leaning against his firm body, I tried to control my emotions, but the stress of the last day had been too much. I cried while he smoothed his hands across my back and said, “Let it out, baby. I’ve got you.”

His sweet words made me cry harder. He was Zach, My Rock, just like he used to be. His still-familiar morning smell comforted me, and when I stopped sobbing, he pulled back enough to kiss my forehead.

I looked into his glimmering eyes. “Thank you. You must think I’m a pathetic mess.”

“Not at all. You’re allowed to have feelings.”

Backing out of his arms, I noticed the wet spots on his T-shirt and dabbed at them with a paper towel. “Sorry I got you all wet.”

“If it helped, I’ll take one for the team.” He winked, then turned back to the waffle iron.

“What are your plans for the day? I have my e-reader if you need to paint or something.”

“I’d like to hang out with you if you’re up for it. It’s been too long.”

“Maybe we could play in the snow?”

He stared into the waffle batter, his silence almost tangible. Thinking maybe he didn’t want to go outside, I had another idea. “You could show me your studio, then we could have an old movie marathon.”

He continued stirring the waffle batter, his silence unbroken.

“Is something bothering you, Zach?”

Finally, he turned to face me. “Can we talk about what happened?”

Did he mean what happened last night or the unresolved past? Or perhaps both? I forced myself to hold his gaze. “We have to, but can we please do it later? I’ll think better with some food in my belly.”

Zach went pale, and then he shuddered. It wasn’t a mere shiver; it was a visceral tremor that made me wonder if he was about to faint. I didn’t need to be a genius to recognize that I’d echoed the words I used years ago when I wouldn’t discuss things, leading to our separation. Stepping closer to him, I placed a hand on his chest. “I’m not kicking this down the road. I’m sorry for walking away last night and for making you uncomfortable now. We’ll talk about everything, I promise. I want to fix things between us.”

After a moment’s hesitation, he nodded. “I’ll count on that. Let me finish these waffles.” Nodding at the skillet, he added, “I think the bacon’s done.”

He’s trusting me despite everything that happened. He truly is the most incredible man I’ve ever known.

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