Page 76 of Noble Neighbor
Seemed tobogganing was popular in this neck of the woods and the perfect way to welcome the first snowfall of winter.
“Your farm is perfect for this,” Bella mentioned as she sidled up to Sunny where she manned the hot chocolate table. “That slope” — Bella nudged her head to the left — “just gently enough to be safe for the younger kids, and the more experienced ones get the steeper and longer one by starting behind the house. I can see this becoming an annual event, my friend.”
Sunny flashed a smile. “The day is perfect. I could’ve cried with happiness when I woke to the snow.”
“I bet. Don’t suppose you woke beside your dishy neighbor as well?”
“No! Whatever gave you …” Her voice trailed off as Bella’s grin widened.
“I heard this rumor … boyfriend?”
Sunny cursed the heat rising up her neck as she was about to deny Bella’s implied question. But she couldn’t get the words out, and she found herself nodding. “He asked me this morning,” she admitted, watching her friend from beneath her lashes.
“I knew it.” Bella returned her coy look. “And I knew there was a sleepover involved.”
“Sadly, no sleepover, but I did wake to Oliver blowing my snow.”
Bella blinked. “And ‘blowing snow’ is a euphemism for …”
It took Sunny a moment to catch on, and she burst into a fit of laughter. “You havesucha dirty mind.” She stepped back a few paces and bent to scoop a handful of the fluffy white stuff. Straightening, she shoved it toward her friend. “Snow. Blow.”
A few flakes drifted from between her fingers to the ground, and she and Bella followed the movement before looking at each other. They both burst into laughter and couldn’t stop. Honestly, they tried, but each time one stopped, the other started up again, until they were in a heap on the ground, tears streaming.
“Do I want to know?” Nate crouched beside his wife, and she collapsed into his arms, almost sobbing as he wrestled her upright.
Sunny slapped her thigh with one hand and shoved the other across her mouth. She staggered to her feet, doubled at the waist. “Keep your wife away from me, Nate,” she managed between hiccups. “She’s killing me.”
Hic. “Blast. That hurt.” She pushed herself just as Bella glanced past her shoulder, fresh laughter bubbling up. “Bella.”Hic. “Enough,” Sunny scolded, trying to inject pique into her voice. Unsuccessful, it seemed, as Bella was still snickering as she turned to go, pushing Nate ahead of her.
Hic. Suspicious now, Sunny spun around and lost her balance.
And fell into Oliver’s arms. “Hey.” She wrapped her arms around him and lifted her face to his.Hic.
“Hey,” he returned her greeting, his voice low and sexy and—
Oliver’s mouth descended, putting paid to rational thought. All that mattered was his lips on hers, his tongue exploring her mouth, and his hands burning a path across her back, despite layers of winter clothing.
“Seriously? You gonna kissallthe time now?”
The words penetrated her addled mind, and Sunny pressed her hands to Oliver’s chest, gaining a few inches of space. Heaving, she looked down into Molly’s impatient blue eyes while Oliver released her.
Her daughter swung her gaze to Oliver. “Did you even ask her?”
And Sunny swung her gaze to Oliver. “Ask me?”
Oliver rubbed a hand across his chin, a sheepish look on his face. “Sorry, Miss Molly. I got distracted.”
“I noticed.” Disdain dripped from the five-year-old.
“Mommy was hiccupping. Kissing’s the best way to cure hiccups.” At Molly’s disbelieving look, he turned to Sunny. “Are your hiccups gone?”
Sunny gave his question careful consideration. “They’re gone.” She grinned at him. “So, what did you want to ask me?”
“Molly wants to go on the steeper slope.” He threw a thumb over his shoulder. “And I said I’d ride with her, but we had to ask you first. You cool with that?”
“Only if I can watch.”
And her heart swelled with love as Oliver, with Molly snug and secure before him, whizzed down the hill. Over and over again, because once was not enough for her girl.
