Page 39 of Christmas in the Shadows

Tex raised his eyebrows. Patrick’s words were strong. He’d obviously thought a lot about this.

“He does seem a bit more friendly now that he’s dating Anna.”

“Yes, tell me about Anna. Do you know her well?”

“Well? No. But she seems nice enough. Moved here about a year ago to work at the school.”

As much as he’d like to engage in small talk, he needed to get to the heart of the matter.

He shifted with his ceramic coffee mug in front of him before meeting Patrick’s gaze. “You seem like you’ve got it all together. But why do I feel like you’re not happy? You know I’ve always felt like you were a brother to me. If you need to talk, I’m here.”

Something flickered in Patrick’s gaze as if he were considering Tex’s words. But an edge of caution remained. “I’m fine. Just tired.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Back in school, Patrick had never been one of the cool kids. No, he’d been one of the smart ones. A mathlete, as they were now called.

Tex had become accustomed to taking up for him when other kids got rough with him. Tex wasn’t exactly one of the “in crowd,” but he’d been on the football team, and that had given him some social status.

“If you ever need to talk, I’m here,” Tex finally said.

Patrick still hesitated but finally nodded. “I appreciate that. Everything hasn’t been totally rosy.”

“Is there anything I can help you with? I know I’ve been largely absent, but I’m trying to change that. I’m trying to do better. I’m now working here in the States, and I don’t travel as much as I did.”

Patrick still hesitated. Finally, he licked his lips and said, “Maybe you could give me some advice.”

Tex’s breath hitched, but he was careful to hide his excitement. “Sure. What do you need?”

Patrick leaned closer as if about to share a secret. “The truth is, there have been some things happening lately that?—”

Before he could finish the statement, his phone rang.

Disappointment ripped through Tex.

What had Patrick been about to say?

As much as Chelsea might want to stay inside with the doors locked where she could know she was safe, that wasn’t an option. Whatever was going on wouldn’t disappear on its own. She needed to figure out some answers if she ever wanted to live in peace again.

She gathered up all the courage she had inside her and opened her front door.

But everything outside was peaceful. The sky was cloudy. There were rumors around town that they might even get some snow. It would be the first for the year.

A memory of one particular snowfall hit her. It had taken place probably thirteen years ago.

It was after Tex had kissed her. When they’d been “dating,” even though she wasn’t officially allowed to date.

Tex had come over and they’d built a snowman together. Afterward, they’d had a snowball fight.

The day had ended with hot cocoa in front of the fireplace and making sugar cookies.

The sweet memory filled her with warmth.

Back then, she’d been sure that she and Tex would be together forever.

She’d been wrong.

Chelsea launched herself from the door toward her car, looking for any signs of trouble as she did. Reaching her VW, she quickly scanned the back seat before scrambling inside and locking the doors.

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