Page 25 of Knot what I want for Christmas
“I’ve got nothing to wear on my feet,” I tell my friend.
“That’s okay,” she says. “We have a billion pairs of snow boots. I’ll find something that’ll work – and probably an old jacket as well – that would be better than that stupid red one you brought with you.”
“Hey,” I say.
“Hollie, if you were caught out in a snowstorm wearing that red coat, you’d perish in about a minute flat.”
“Fair enough,” I say. “But the winter coat choices in Rockview weren’t exactly vast.”
She nods in understanding. Annie spent the first year of college in Rockview sweltering in the heat, complaining about it non-stop. She really missed the cold weather of Colorado.
We go fumbling through the cupboard with all the spare winter gear and, after a while, find me a suitable pair of boots, some waterproof trousers, and an extra-warm coat. We also pull out a woolly hat and matching mittens.
We wrap ourselves up warm and then head out into the cold, taking a detour to the stables first to say good morning to all the horses and to feed them some carrot-y treats. Then we take a walk around the yard, Annie pointing out the different fields, the different machinery, and the different mountains in the distance.
It’s a bright, sunny day, and I have to admit, I like the contrast of the sunshine and the cold – my breath forming little white clouds in front of my face, and my coat warm and snuggly,even though the end of my nose is cold. The bright sunshine reflects off the snow, and it’s so beautiful it makes my chest ache.
I wonder how Annie ever had the strength to leave Big Sky Ranch. I know she comes back as often as she can, but I think if I lived here, I’d never want to leave. I don’t think I’d even miss the beach. Who needs sand and sea when you can have mountains and snow?
Annie is also right about the fresh air. I can feel my headache melting away, as well as all the embarrassing memories from last night. We link arms like an old married couple, and Annie continues her long description of the events from last night as we walk across the snowy fields.
“I’m telling you, Hollie, the man has such hard abs you could chop wood on them – and possibly the most beautiful dick I’ve ever seen in my entire life.” She sighs dramatically. “In fact, the whole man is just completely, spectacularly, jaw-droppingly beautiful.”
I make a little face, and my best friend catches me do it from the corner of her eye.
“What?” she says, obviously a little insulted. “You don’t think he’s hot?”
“Oh no,” I say, “completely, totally hot – and totally your type.”
Annie’s always gone for the bad-boy types with all the tattoos and piercings in strange places.
“Then what was with your face?” she says, not letting it go.
“It’s just,” I pause, “I can appreciate a fine set of abs and even a beautiful cock.” Annie nods in agreement. “But you have to admit, there are certain parts of a man’s anatomy that aren’t so pleasant to look at.”
Annie tilts her head to one side. “Go on,” she says.
“Well,” I say, “the asshole, for starters.”
Annie laughs. “You don’t find an asshole attractive?”
“No,” I shake my head. “I know that’s some people’s thing, but for me, it’s always looked a bit – well, puckered.”
Annie laughs even harder. “Is that it? Or are there any other parts?”
“Toes,” I say. “I can’t stand strangely long toes. And also, balls.”
Annie gasps. “Balls? I love a pair of balls!”
I pull another face. “They’re just so funny-looking,” I say. “Some especially so – they look like ... wrinkled old walnuts.”
Annie laughs even harder, so hard she’s forced to stop walking and bend over, clutching her stomach.
“Oh my goodness. I’m done with you, Hollie,” she says. “I’m never going to be able to crack a set of nuts again.”
“What kind of nuts are we talking about here?” I ask her as she roars even louder.
“The kind you eat!”
