Page 31 of When It Snows

We start toward the town hall where the Masquerade Dance is held. It’s also where bootleggers stored their stash during Prohibition, which is the reason the island is named Smuggler’s Hideaway.

“You know,” Dad says and I bite my tongue before I groan. He doesn’t give lectures often but when he does, they’re usually long and painful. “Your mother and I fell in love very quickly.”

“I know, Dad.” Their story is the stuff of legends.

“But did you know I took one glance at your mother and decided I was going to marry her?”

My brow wrinkles. “But you didn’t know her.”

“I knew she was beautiful, smart as a whip, and funny. What else did I need to know?”

I think about the girlfriends I had in my twenties. The ones who couldn’t deal with my job as a police officer. “If you were compatible.”

“I’d think a weekend stuck in a log cabin during a snowstorm would be a good test as to whether a couple is compatible.”

Apparently, everyone on the island knows about the time I spent with Scarlett.

“Why are you pushing me?”

He squeezes my shoulders. “I want you to be happy.”

“I am happy.”

He meets my gaze. “You are?”

Damnit. He’s right. I’ve been going through the motions for a while now. And when Flynn fell in love with my sister, I started to feel an ache in my heart. An emptiness that won’t go away. Except I didn’t feel it the last few days with Scarlett.

We reach the town hall where Mom is waiting for us on the steps. “Just think about what I said,” Dad says before joining her.

Anticipation fills my veins as I enter the ballroom for the Smuggler’s Hideaway Masquerade Dance. Everyone is wearing masks, but I don’t worry about spotting Scarlett. I’d recognize her pink, pouty lips anywhere.

I weave my way through the crowd as I search for her. I ignore the women who paw at me. I’m not interested in what they’re offering. There’s only one woman I’m interested in. Where is she?

I plant myself near the bar where I can watch as people enter.

“Here.” Flynn shoves a glass of Buccaneer’s Whisky into my hand.

“She’s not here,” I grumble.

“Who?”

I frown at him. “Are we going to play games?”

He holds up his hands. “Sorry. I’m confused since I thought you didn’t want a woman.”

“You weren’t keen on settling down until recently.”

“Wrong. I didn’t realize I could have the woman I wanted until recently.”

I grin. “Good thing I stepped in to help.”

“And now it’s my turn to step in and help.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You better not fuck with the plumbing at her cabin.”

“Nope. I’m going to tell you what an idiot you’re being.”

“I’m not an idiot.” The door opens and I glance over to make sure I don’t miss Scarlett’s entrance.

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