Page 19 of Ice Melts

Signs of Travis everywhere felt a bit too much like home. But no sign of the actual man.

She left her skates next to his on the dock and slipped into her Birks.

A trip to the ladies’ room and some mascara might give her a bit of courage.

CHAPTER NINE

Travis raced around the house warming it up and setting things to right. He’d picked up a ready-made soup that was on the stove warming. And his mom’s special recipe hot cocoa was piping hot in the thermos. Music played softly over the speakers.

Too much? He turned a critical eye to see if anything looked overly romantic. He shrugged. It just looked like home.

His smile grew. The lake house was everyone’s home. Their parents had purchased it together and their families used it at will. Everyone truly viewed it as their place. And that’s how it felt. He didn’t have a single memory there that didn’t include Sarah and her family, but particularly Sarah. She’d been the one to work with him when he was trying out for the high school team. She’d been there to work on his drills. She stood in as goalie to practice his shootouts. That was mostly why he was so distracted at the last shot Tatum called him out for missing. Shootouts belonged to Sarah.

He sighed.

Too bad she had picked up this vendetta against hockey players. He hadn’t dared ask her much about it besides theteases and the jabs. She didn’t know how much it hurt him. He wanted to know how much of it was personal. And if not personal, it should be. He was a hockey player after all. Could she not at least consider his feelings, focus on baseball or something? He shook his head.

But tonight wasn’t about that. Tonight was about reconnecting, having fun and skating. He checked the position of the sun. He had time to get out on the ice. He turned the soup off, grabbed his coat and gloves and rushed out the door.

And straight into Sarah.

He didn’t just bump her. He barreled into her. He slammed her like he might while playing defense on the ice.

She called out and luckily he instinctively wrapped his arms around her back, cradling her while he rolled over midair onto his side.

He took the brunt of the fall onto a snow-covered frozen lawn.

“Oof.” He grimaced. Then spoke down through her hair. “Are you okay?”

She felt glorious in his arms, soft in all the right places, snugly fitting right where she should. He did not want to move, didn’t want to lose her right where she was, trying to memorize the feel of her molded against him.

She nodded into his chest. “I think I’m Okay. You caught me so well.” She sniffed.

He tilted his head back a little so that he could try and see her face but she looked away.

“Are you crying?” He dipped his head further but she turned from him. “Oh no. Are you hurt?”

She shook her head. “I’m not hurt. This is just so nice. It’s been a long time since…” Her soft gasp warmed him and he wondered where that comment was going. “I’m fine. It was just a shock.”

He lifted her with him as he stood and then smoothed the hair from her face. “Good as new.” He chuckled. “I’m so sorry about that. Mom woulda grounded me good.”

Sarah snorted. “Yeah she would have and told you for the bazillionth time not to go tearing out fo the house.”

He hung his head. “And you are so right. But I was trying to get out on the ice before the sun goes down…maybe you can forgive me?” He opened his eyes as wide as he possibly good, looking as pathetic as ever.

But she swatted him. “Of course. Now get out there. I’m coming right back.”

“Grab the thermos. I’m already shivering in my boots.”

She shook her head. “I’m not sure how that’s possible. You live in freezing temperatures all the time.”

“Not like these.” He rubbed his arms through his coat. “Brr. I gotta get moving. You sure you’re okay?”

“I’ll be fine. I didn’t even hit the ground.” She held a hand up to her mouth. “You did. Are you hurt?”

He shook his head. “Nothing wrong here.” He stepped backwards a few steps, looking toward the water.

“Oh go. I’ll see you in a sec.”

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