Page 58 of Wild Nights

Oliver nodded solemnly as if he could read my mind. "Well, today we're going to have fun. We'll go sledding, build a snowman, then drink hot chocolate in front of the fire."

"I can't think of a better way to spend a snow day."

Arthur's plan to read the day away was nice too. But I didn't want to miss out on a second of this extra time I was getting with Oliver and Joey.

Chapter Seventeen

OLIVER

At the top, we set our sleds next to each other and pushed off at the same time. Joey reached the bottom first, probably because he was the lightest. But neither of us had the heart to tell him that was the reason. We let him cheer his victory, then trudged up the hill again.

After one of our runs down the hill, Joey declared that he was done sledding and started rolling snow into a ball.

I clapped my hands together. "It's time to make a snowman."

Carolina's cheeks were pink from the cold, but her eyes were bright. I couldn't imagine Tina spending the day with us in the snow. She would have complained the whole time that she was bored while we played outside. She wouldn't have gotten joy from just being in our presence, which was the vibe I was getting from Carolina. She wanted to be here.

I helped Joey pack the snow tight. Then we rolled it to make it bigger.

"That looks good. I think we can make it our base," Carolina said from where she was attempting to roll a second one but it wasn’t compacted enough.

I moved closer. "Here. You have to pack it as you go. That way it's a tight ball."

"Oh," Carolina said, and I realized how close we were. If I closed the distance, I'd easily be able to kiss her. But Joey was here, watching our every move.

I backed away, watching her as she continued to roll the snow, taking my advice and carefully patting the snow as she went. When she was done, she stood up with a frown on her face. "It doesn't look as good as yours."

"Here, let me," I moved in front of her, rolling the snow back in the other direction, packing it as I went. I'd done this so many times with my brothers and now Joey, I guessed I was a bit of an expert. When I had the second one ready, I carefully placed it on top of the largest ball. Joey had the head ready to go. I helped him place it on top.

"That's a fine-looking snowman," Carolina said appraisingly.

Joey scrounged around digging for any sticks he could find for the arms and rocks for the buttons, eyes, and mouth.

"Let's raid the kitchen for a carrot," I said to Joey, knowing that Marcus would pretend to be irritated with us, but then insist on finding the best one.

Joey took off toward the lodge.

"That was fun," Carolina said as I gathered the sleds. She took one, and I took mine and Joey's, walking at a more leisurely pace.

"I'm glad you could be here for this." I was glad even if it meant her conference ended early, and Joey interrupted our night together. I'd always wanted to share moments like this with someone. I enjoyed being with Joey, but it seemed like we were missing someone. As if we were meant to be three, not two. But Tina never fit the bill.

"I am too."

I held the door for her, and we dropped the sleds inside to dry. I knew we'd be out again. Joey adored night sledding.

Inside, Marcus had already made us hot chocolate, and I took Joey outside to place the carrot as the snowman's nose. Then I took a picture and sent it to Carolina. This moment was meant to be remembered. Even if she went to Maine and I never saw her again.

My heart constricted at the idea of her leaving. I hated it, but it was inevitable. We kicked off the snow again, then went inside to take off our boots.

"That was fun. Can we go sledding later?" Joey shrugged off his jacket and dropped it to the floor.

"Of course." Instead of reminding him to pick up his stuff, I hung it up for him. For once, I was going to relax about the other details. We had a service that removed snow from the lots. I'd ask if they could do the sidewalks too. I wanted to spend today with my son and Carolina. Who knew if I'd ever get the chance again?

In the kitchen, Carolina stood talking to Marcus. The fixings for the hot chocolates were on the counter between them.

"Marshmallows," Joey said as he climbed onto the stool next to Carolina. He reached for the bowl of minimarshmallows, and Carolina slid it closer to him, watching carefully while he scooped a few on top. Then she moved the bowl away again. "Whipped cream?"

"Uh-huh. Then chocolate syrup."

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