Page 45 of Cold Winter Nights

Stone shouldn’t have expected someone like him to stay in Windeville. Royal was larger than this small-town living.

People left.

His grandfather had left, his parents had left. Ben had left him in the worst way—taken in a single moment. Death, grief was the kind of pain that left scars that couldn’t be healed, not even by time. But he’d found peace in Royal. The man had come into his life like a bright, bold, burst of sunshine, melting the ice over his heart. It’d felt so genuine that before he knew it, Stone had let his guard down. He’d allowed himself to believe life could be good again.

I should’ve known better.

Royal’s words and affirmations played on a loop in his mind.

I only want to make you feel good, Bo.

Stone had to forget the warmth of Royal’s arms around him, the way he’d felt on top of him, his soft lips on his throat and how his gentle fingers stroked his beard.

Stone squeezed his eyes closed and let out a pained groan before he heaved himself off the couch, his movements slow and stiff.

He was overwhelmed with betrayal, confusion and hopelessness mixing into a potent cocktail that was poisoning him.

He went to the window and stared out at the frozen world, which was like a reflection of how he felt inside—cold and barren. He didn’t know how long he had stood there staring at an endless stretch of nothing before he trudged down the hall to his bedroom and got in his bed. The sheets were freezing as he inched to the edge furthest from the drafty window and pulled the comforter up to his neck.

You promised me…come back Royal…come back to me, please.

Stone

Royal sat in the private jet staring at passing clouds that resembled white cotton candy. He was anxious and uncomfortable despite being surrounded by opulence and luxury. He’d rather be in his quaint mismatched room at Mrs. Pearl’s bed and breakfast.

The check had been cut. The town was saved. The money was secured and he’d done what he’d promised Jojo. So how come he was so scared?

He gripped the armrests of the seat as if it could stop the pounding in his chest.

Bo.

His countless phone calls had gone unanswered, and Jojo’s updates had filled him with an unease that gave him a persistent migraine.

No one’s heard from him, Royal, not since you left.

Her words echoed through his mind and crept towards his heart.

Royal had thought he was doing a good thing. Mrs. Pearl wouldn’t have to cry anymore or go to work elsewhere. And Windeville was going to survive the rest of the year. They could even rebuild the winter festival and have it on New Years Eve, or New Years day, bigger and better than ever.

The first day of winter had passed, and there wasn’t enough time to get everything up and going before Christmas day, but they could advertise bringing in the New Year as a new tradition and attract even more tourists.

Royal had worked sleepless nights and made a gold-star deal with Global Crown’s biggest client, so why did he feel like he was being punished. Why wouldn’t Stone talk to him? Maybe he hadn’t wanted Royal to save the town, he’d just needed him to be there for him like he said he would. And Royal had failed. He’d left Stone in the middle of a storm, physically and emotionally.

Royal’s stomach churned. What if Stone had decided he wasn’t willing to trusting him anymore? What if the night they’d spent together and the tender moments hadn’t meant as much to Stone as it’d meant to him?

He was about to find out.

The plane descended and touched down on the icy runway with the smoothness of a Maserati. Royal unhooked his seatbelt and was waiting at the doors before the plane could come to a full stop.

He jogged down the few stairs with his duffle bag slung over his shoulder and raced to his rented SUV still sitting in the airport’s parking lot.

He prayed the entire way to the bed and breakfast that he hadn’t been gone too long.

Jojo was behind the counter reading a thick novel. When she glanced up at the sound of the bell ringing over the door and saw it was him, she dropped her book and ran around the counter, not stopping until she’d slammed into him.

“Oh thank heavens.”

Royal wrapped his arms around her and returned her hug. This was the reception he’d always wanted.

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