Page 18 of No Time for Traditions

A little after five, Brittany pulled up to the parking area in town square. A good number of people had already taken to the ice, especially for a Monday night in a small town.

“Old Blue!” Scott called out from beside the rink and started walking toward her as soon as she got out of the truck.

Brittany hugged him when they met halfway. She’d always been close to both her parents and her other family members. But Scott was her favorite. He was the big brother everyone wished they had. Smart and funny, he’d never acted ashamed to have her around when they were growing up. He’d always taken up for her and eased her shyness in new situations.

Once they let go, Scott stepped back. He squinted his eyes, comically looking her up and down. “It’s been so long, I’d forgotten what you look like.”

Brittany rolled her eyes. “Ha ha. I had to save every vacation day left to come for the week.”

“Understand.”

Even though they texted almost every week, Scott teased her for not coming home enough. Brittany hoped one day, she could. But for now, she worked in New York and had limited vacation time. Two days of which she’d already taken this year for Grandpa Barnes’s funeral. Brittany shuddered at the thought of that unexpected trip.

“Are you cold?”

“Something like that.” Brittany buttoned her coat so that Scott would believe the weather was the issue.

“Amber’s helping Scotty with his skates. It’ll be his first time trying.”

Brittany grinned. “That’s always fun. I can take photos of you guys all on the ice.”

“Thanks.” Scott looped his arm around Brittany. “I’m sure they’ll be as excited as I am that you came.”

“Amber, maybe.” Brittany let out a huff of air. “When Scotty came to the house Saturday, he barely acknowledged I was there. He ran straight to Daddy and then straight outside.”

“Well, even I can’t compete with Paw Paw.”

“True.” Brittany shook her head.

She walked up to the counter and rented a pair of skates. Nobody in Hillside owned ice skates. It wasn’t practical. When they handed her a pair of brown lace-ups that looked like something a character in a vintage Christmas card would wear, she smiled. Last year, they’d gone on a Friday, and all that was left in her size were bulky black and blue skates with rollerblade snaps.

“Hey, Brittany.” Amber stood from helping Scotty and hugged her.

“Hey, Amber. How’s it been lately?”

“Busy.” Amber let out a stressed laugh.

She worked at the local hospital as an RN. Sometimes, she got Christmas Day off, and sometimes, she didn’t. Even though Brittany worked long hours, she was thankful for a job that could go on hold when she needed a break. At least for a few days.

“Hey, Scotty.”

“Hey.” Scotty kept his gaze on his skates.

“You want to skate with me?”

“Maybe. I need Daddy to teach me how first.” He crossed his arms and looked up at her.

Brittany smiled. She shouldn’t expect him to act excited to see her. They saw one another once, maybe twice a year for short amounts of time. Plus, he was four.

Scott and Brittany put on their skates, and everyone took to the ice. Brittany hung back at first, taking pictures of Scotty’s first time ice-skating. Scott and Amber stood on either side of him, holding his small hands. They more or less pulled him around a few minutes until he decided to try and scoot his own feet.

Brittany steadied her stance and leaned up against the wall of the rink for more support. When she did, she bumped into someone behind her and whipped around.

Greg.

Brittany’s eyes grew wide, and she rocked backward, letting go of the wall. Her feet slipped from under her, and she fell hard on her backside. Before she could start to lift herself, Greg hopped over the wall and lifted her by her waist.

She stood slowly, noting the positioning of his grip. Even with a sweater and peacoat, she could feel the heat from his large hands. He steadied her, and they locked eyes. Her mouth went dry.

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