Page 39 of Healing Hearts at the Christmas Inn
"If we do that, the whole thing will tip over," Logan countered.
"Not if we?—"
A glob of artificial snow hit her shoulder.
Charlie froze, then slowly turned to look at Logan. He stood there, trying and failing to look innocent, artificial snow still dusting his hands.
"You did not just?—"
Another snowball, this one hitting her arm.
Oh, it was on.
She scooped up snow and fired back, catching him square in the chest. Logan laughed and dodged her next throw, retaliating with one that got her in the hip. Around them, other teams were building their snowmen, but Charlie and Logan were too busy pelting each other with snow to care.
Finally, breathless and laughing, they called a truce.
"We should probably actually build the snowman," Logan said, brushing snow from his hair.
"Probably," Charlie agreed, trying to catch her breath.
They started over, and this time they worked together. Really together. Charlie handled the structural elements while Logan focused on creative details. Their snowman came together quickly, personality emerging with each addition. They gave him a lopsided smile and a jaunty hat, and Logan insisted on a scarf that made him look like he was ready for adventure.
It wasn't perfect. But it was charming.
When judging happened, Trinity and Maddy's snowman won second place. Charlie and Logan didn't place at all, but neither of them cared. They were laughing too hard, covered in artificial snow, looking at their creation with ridiculous pride.
"Ice cream time!" Maddy announced, dragging them all toward Mrs. Rosedale’s cart.
Logan bought rounds for everyone, true to his word. They stood in a loose circle, eating ice cream and talking, and Charlie feltsomething settle in her chest. Something warm and unfamiliar and maybe a little bit dangerous.
"One more competition?" Trinity asked hopefully, ice cream smudging her upper lip.
Charlie opened her mouth to say yes, but Logan glanced at his watch and winced. "I actually need to get back. Jack's probably wondering where I disappeared to."
Disappointment flickered through Charlie, which was absurd. She barely knew this man.
"Thanks for being my partner," Logan said, his eyes meeting hers.
"Thanks for buying ice cream," Charlie replied, and managed a smile that felt almost normal.
He left with a wave, and Charlie watched him go a little longer than she should have.
When she turned back, Holly was watching her with that knowing big-sister expression that made Charlie want to sink into the ground.
"Don't," Charlie warned.
"I didn't say anything," Holly said, but she was smiling.
They spent the rest of the afternoon exploring, trying their hand at a Christmas carol scavenger hunt and a tree decorating relay. They got hot dogs for a late lunch from a vendor and sat on a bench watching people pass by, soaking in the holiday atmosphere.
Through it all, Charlie kept thinking about Logan. About the way he'd laughed when snow hit his chest. About how easy it hadbeen to work with him once they'd stopped competing. About the warmth in his eyes when he'd looked at her.
This was a problem. A big problem.
By the time they headed back to the inn, the sun was starting its descent toward the horizon. Maddy chattered in the backseat with Trinity, the two of them making plans to hang out again soon.
"This was a good day," Holly said quietly, her head resting against the window.
