Page 32 of Snowed In

We cook breakfast together. Edries’ hand finds its way to my ass many more times than is strictly necessary, but I don’t complain at all. When we’re done, I drag him to my brown paper parcels and make him choose another. I kind of wish I could spend all my days like this—my activities determined by a surprise package.

He chooses a strangely wrapped one that suggests it’s a weird size and the wrapping procedure was hard won. I watch as he tearsthrough the paper and hands me the clear plastic container that leaves him looking confused.

“It’s a snowman building kit,” I say, grinning. My gaze focuses outside. “Want to build a snowman?”

His smile spreads across his face. “Absolutely.”

I didn’t bring ski gear exactly but I have several pairs of sweats that I layer, boots, a thick jacket, and I dig out the set of super soft and probably expensive mittens and hat from the pile of presents we opened yesterday.

Edries doesn’t fit in my sweats and he doesn’t have snow pants, so I make him put on two layers of his slacks, which makes him give me a very dubious look. We’ll warm up after. Thankfully, the rest of his outdoor clothing is more in line with what’s necessary.

The snow is fluffy and doesn’t easily stick together, but we spend more time laughing and tossing snow at each other than we do building the snowman, anyway. It’s a little lopsided and armless since we couldn’t find any sticks. The scarf and hat and nose from the kit are a little small, so our guy is far out of proportion. Something I can’t stop giggling about.

We make snow angels and dig a tunnel where we lay and stare up at the cloudy sky for a while until Edries can’t hide the chattering of his teeth any longer.

Then we make our way through the hilly snowscape to the cabin, stomp off on the porch, and peel our layers off right inside the door. I laugh when we step into the living room because our off kilter snowman is smack in the middle of the view.

Edries wraps around me. His skin is chilly and I need to get him warm. But for just a minute, we stare outside at the perfect winter morning we spent together in the cold, crisp air.

I turn and kiss him, leading him to the fire, where I wrap one of the freshly laundered blankets around him. “Be right back,” I say, smacking another kiss on his lips.

In the kitchen, I prepare him some hot cocoa and bring him a mug. Just as I hand it to him, a ringing fills the air. It startles me andI’m thankful I’d already handed him the hot beverage or he might have ended up wearing it.

It takes me a minute to find the source. I forgot about the damn phone.

Picking it up, I say, “Hello?”

“Mr. Zanderman?” the man on the other end asks.

“Yes.”

“This is Dennis with the front desk. There’s been a break between storms, and I have crews currently digging a path toward you. We’ll be able to reach you within the hour to bring you or Mr. Franklin to another room within the small window between storms. We’re still so terribly sorry about the mix-up and any inconvenience it caused you.”

My heart drops and I can’t speak. I can’t take a breath. Tears sting my eyes and I just stand there, unsure what to do or say.

“What’s wrong?” Edries asks.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I look at him. Edries sets the mug on the mantle and comes toward me. Probably reacting to the distress on my face that I can’t seem to get under control. I don’t want this to end yet. I’m not ready.

“The desk says that they’ll be able to reach us in an hour and can bring one of us to a separate room now,” I say. At least I think I get the words out.

Edries takes the phone from me. “Hello? Thank you for keeping our situation in mind, but that won’t be necessary.”

My eyes go wide as I stare. My heart races for a different reason.

Edries meets my eyes. “Yes, I’m completely sure,” he insists. Pause. “Thank you.” He hangs up, and I still can’t move.

“I might have just taken the liberty of making that decision for us,” he says.

I nod mutely.

“Is that okay?”

Licking my lips, my hands tremble. “Yes,” I whisper.

Edries grips my hips and pulls me to him. He brings the blanket around my shoulders and presses his lips to mine.

“Gabe, I’m going to be honest. I want this. I want you. I know it’s only been a few days, but this is exactly what I’ve been wanting my entire life. I’ve never imagined fitting with someone so perfectly—our wants and needs, our dreams and goals and personalities. Please tell me you feel it too.”

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