Page 27 of Ice Melts

Travis chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Guilty. But it’s not too bad.”

Sarah blew into her mug, eyeing him over the rim. “Let’s hear it.”

His grin widened. “I want to go outside.”

She groaned dramatically. “Travis. It’s like negative a billion degrees out there. Like freeze your nose hairs cold.”

“But it’s perfect!” He gestured toward the window, where a fresh layer of snow covered everything, untouched and pristine. “We are completely snowed in. Flights cancelled. Roads closed. When’s the last time we had a real snow day? No work, no responsibilities—just us, out in the world, doing nothing?”

Sarah took a long sip of the warm brew, pretending to consider. “And what exactly would we be doing in this ‘perfect’ winter wonderland?”

Travis’s eyes gleamed. “Oh, you know. Classic activities.”

Sarah couldn’t keep up her suspicion much longer. “Define ‘classic.’”

He shrugged, far too nonchalant. “Snowball fights. Sledding. Maybe checking out the ice huts on the lake.”

She snorted. “You just want an excuse to throw snow at me, don’t you?”

He grinned. “Absolutely.”

Sarah sighed, setting down her mug. “Fine. But if I freeze to death,I’m haunting you.”

“Deal.”

They bundled up in thick coats, scarves, and gloves, stepping outside into a world transformed. The snow-covered trees sparkled in the morning light, the entire lake house property blanketed in untouched white.

Sarah took a deep breath, letting the cold air wake her up fully.

Travis turned to her. “Alright, ground rules.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, we need rules?”

He smirked. “Of course. One, no throwing snowballs at my face.”

She immediately scooped up a handful of snow. “Got it. Face only.”

He dodged as she lobbed it at him, laughing. “Two, no teaming up with imaginary forces to win the battle.”

Sarah gasped. “How dare you? That was one time!”

“Once was enough,” Travis said, brushing snow off his sleeve. “You literally convinced me the trees were on your side.”

Sarah smirked. “What can I say? I’m persuasive.”

He rolled his eyes. “Alright, last rule: winner gets hot cocoa first.”

She grinned. “Oh, you’re going down, Jenkins.”

And with that, she launched the first attack.

Snowballs flew back and forth, laughing, dodging, and ridiculous battle cries filling the air. Travis tried to sneak up on her, but Sarah was too quick, pelting him before he could get close.

“You’re evil!” he shouted, ducking behind a tree.

Sarah cackled. “And undefeated!”

But then Travis tackled her.

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