Page 5 of A Very Grumpy New Year

THREE

Cora

It’s been a few days,and I finally feel like I’ve settled in. The house is beautiful, and I love my room with a view of the mountains and forest. Plus, it’s just nice not to have to worry about something breaking or the floorboards giving out under me.

It also helps that Huxley has been away so much. He had a big tour come into town and has been working like crazy. Something that he curiously didn’t seem happy about. You’d think that he would be thrilled since that meant that business was going well, but he just grumbled before he left each morning.

Then, there was a storm that hit a little further north of Wolf Valley, and he and Kip volunteered to help search the nearby ski resort for anyone who was injured or in need of help. So, for having lived with him for three days, I haven’t actually seen that much of him.

That looks like it’s about to change,I think as I hear his truck pull into the driveway.

“You’re home early,” I say from the couch as he walks in.

His dark green eyes find me, and I fight not to squirm under his gaze.

“Weather is getting bad, so all flights have been canceled for the rest of that day.”

I nod and watch as he toes off his boots. I’m not sure if I’m hoping that he will come and join me in the living room or leave me alone.

He turns and heads over to the couch, and I swallow as I watch him drop down onto the cushioned seat next to me.

“What are you doing?” He asks me, his voice rough and deep.

“Nothing. I’m bored.”

“No work today?”

“No, we’re all off until after the holidays.”

He nods and I roll my eyes at his lack of conversation skills.

“I love Christmas and New Years,” I tell him, “But sometimes this time of year can be so boring. It feels like time seems to rush all of the way up until Christmas, and then it just grinds to a standstill for a few days.”

“You don’t like the break?”

“I do, I just wish that I had more to do sometimes.”

He nods, and I sigh, sitting up more.

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

“What’s your favorite holiday?”

“Um, Christmas, I guess.”

“What did you do for Christmas when you were younger?” I ask him, settling back against the pillows as I turn to face him.

He does the same, getting comfortable on the other end of the couch and watching me right back.

“We went to visit family most years. We would spend Christmas Eve and Christmas with my mom’s side of the family and then make the drive to my dad’s side and spend New Years with them.”

“Where are you from again?” I ask him.

“Destiny Falls. It’s this tiny town in Michigan.”

“You didn’t want to go back there when you left the Marines?”

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