Page 29 of Ice Melts

“Travis Jenkins, is that you?” the man chuckled.

Travis grinned. “Hey, Mr. Avery. I’ve got Sarah here with me too.”

Mr. Avery nodded approvingly. “Heard you’re finally dating this one.” He gestured at Sarah. “Took you long enough.”

Sarah nearly choked on air.

Travis coughed. “Uh—well?—”

“See?” Mr. Avery continued. “Told your mother years ago you two would end up together.”

Sarah widened her eyes at Travis, who just shrugged helplessly. But he noticed she didn’t deny him.

“Welp,” Mr. Avery said, handing them a fishing rod. “Better catch something, or she might change her mind.”

Sarah covered her face with her scarf to hide her blush.

Travis chuckled, leaning close. “Guess it’s official, then?”

She elbowed him, but she was smiling.

By the time they returned inside, exhausted but happy, they were ready for some warmth. Travis immediately got the fire roaring again.

Sarah curled up on the couch, her body pleasantly sore from the day’s adventures.

Travis sat beside her, stretching his arm along the back of the couch.

She let herself lean into him.

It felt…right.

Like something she hadn’t realized she was missing.

“Best snow day ever?” Travis murmured.

She smiled, closing her eyes. “Easily.”

He pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head.

Sarah’s heart skipped.

She didn’t say anything.

But she didn’t move away, either.

And in the warmth of the cabin, wrapped in blankets and Travis’s quiet presence, she let herself think—maybe, just maybe, they were exactly where they were meant to be.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

After a few minutes of cozy silence, Sarah turned to face him. “Did we?” She looked away, her face turning a charming pink. “Did I…”

Travis pulled her back up against him. “Did you beg me to sleep with you? Absolutely that happened.”

She turned around, her mouth open in pretend horror.

He held up his hands. “But that secret stays with us. I swear.”

Her eyes twinkled with a kissable horrified delight. And he wouldn’t be able to resist for long, he knew it.

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