Page 47 of The Runaway Bride of Blitzen Bay (Blitzen Bay)

Chapter Twenty-Two

ELLE

December 23

Blitzen Bay, California

“Do you need anything from your room before we go?”

Nash has agreed to take me sledding. I’m way too excited about it. Something inside me tells me it’s more about spending the day with Nash than the actual sledding.

“Nope. I’m all good.” I should probably get my phone, but I need a break from it.

He throws two twenties on the table and puts his hand up to stop my protest. “No! You promised to stay quiet about paying for stuff.”

“I did not promise to stay quiet about anything. I’m not even sure that’s possible.”

“I’m beginning to realize that,” he says, smiling.

He grabs my coat and holds it open for me. As he pulls it up on my shoulders, his hands lightly touch my neck. I breathe in quickly as a chill goes all the way through my body.

“Are you still cold?” he says, putting his arm around me. “You sure you want to go sledding? You don’t seem like you’re built for this weather.”

“I’m sure.” I grab my mittens out of my pocket. “I definitely want to go.”

“Wait, what happened to the ski gloves I picked out for you? Mittens are worthless.”

“These match my hat.” I hold the mittens up to my hat to show him.

“And if they get wet, they’re worthless—”

“But I like my fingers to all be together so they can keep each other warm.” He’s shaking his head. “And they have snowflakes on them. See?”

“I can’t argue with that logic. I don’t even know where I’d start.”

He puts his hand in the small of my back and pushes me toward Sam’s table. Another chill shoots through my body. I shake my head to try to get the tingly feeling to go away. It doesn’t help.

“Hey, Sam, did I see a sled on your back porch?” Nash says. “Elle wants to try some of the hills around here.”

“Yes! I have a bunch. I haven’t used them since my grandkids grew up. You’re welcome to them.”

“Why don’t you come with us?” I say, walking around Nash and putting my hand on Sam’s arm.

His eyes twinkle at me underneath his bushy eyebrows. “My dear, as much as I would love to spend my day with you, I think I’m too old for sledding. Will you let me make it up to you?”

“Of course.” I sit down next to him and put my hand on top of his. “What did you have in mind?”

“My kids can’t make it in for Christmas this year. Gabi and Izzy are coming to my house for Christmas dinner. Would you like to come, too?”

“Only if I get to be your date.”

“It would be my honor.” He looks at me and winks. His lips curl into a rosy arc in the middle of his bushy white mustache and beard. “Do you think we should invite Nash, too? So he won’t feel left out.”

“He can be our third wheel,” I say, squeezing Sam’s hand.

“It’s settled then. Nash, you’re in charge of making sure my date gets to me safely. Around six o’clock would be perfect. Dress is casual but festive.”

“I’ve got you covered, Sam,” Nash says as he grabs me under my arms and pulls me to my feet.

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