Page 66 of Wolf's Whisper

I let out an awkward chuckle. "That I fell in horse poop. And that I got my head stuck in a pumpkin."

The corner of Aspen's mouth twitched in amusement. "Really? How?"

"Well, I wasn't really looking where I was running, so I slipped on a pile of poop."

He shook his head, his eyes a hue lighter than before. "I meant the pumpkin."

"Hehe... Sooo, I was hallowing out this pumpkin because my mammy wanted to make soup from it. You know, just regular stuff."

"And?"

"My sister said my head wouldn't fit in the pumpkin's cavity."

"So you tried it on?"

I threw my hands up in the air. "Hey, I needed to know!"

Finally, I managed to draw a chuckle from Aspen. "That is so you," he smiled, lightly shaking his head.

I frowned. "How is that me? What, do I seem like a girl who'd run around with a pumpkin on her head?"

"Well... Yes!"

Not as offended as I should've been, I gave him a gentle nudge. "Well, screw you," I defended myself, mostly just happy that his dark, broody mood seemed to be lifting.

"Maybe another time. Pumpkin."

I groaned. "Oh no, you're not going to start with the nicknames again, are you?" I facepalmed my forehead, but secretly, I was glad some of our old banter seemed to have returned. This was good. I could work with that.

"Have to make you smile somehow, don't I?"

My left eye twitched in amusement as I tried to give him a stern look, but got distracted by the golden flecks swirling in his eyes. Without his broody mood, he looked much younger and more playful. More like the man I’d met in the beginning.

"We're here."

Reluctantly, I tore my eyes away from Aspen and focused on my surroundings. In front of me, a beautiful scene unfolded. The sapphire lake reflected the faint rays of the winter sun and made blue glints dance across the trees and bushes, illuminating the small valley. It was magical.

"Woah... That is..."

"Amazing, right?"

I glanced at Aspen, happy he was talking without me having to drag the words out of him. But then again, with such a breathtaking sight in front of us, it was hard not to.

"It's perfect."

He smiled and softly mumbled: "It really is."

The ground was surprisingly soft underneath my feet and for a moment, I could almost forget it was winter. The little canyon felt like spring.

"Do you think the water’s too cold for a real swim? Or should I just splash in the shallows?" I asked, wondering if I'd have to be happy with a quick cat wash. The idea of swimming had seemed much more appealing before I realised how cold the water would be. Discreetly, I tried to sniff my armpits, but Aspen caught me.

"What are you doing?"

Blushing red in shame, I played it off as stretching. "Nothing. Just, you know. Waving my arms."

"Okay then?"

"So, will I freeze if I take a quick splash?"

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