Page 58 of Just for Forever

Chapter 19

My annual performance review says I lack passion andintensity. I guess management hasn’t seen me alone with a bar of chocolate.

Cole

Iinhale deeply through my nose before I lose my shit. Ellery is five months pregnant with a growing baby bump. Yet she somehow thinks she’s going to shovel the snow from the porch and steps at the inn. I predict a hell of a lot of frustration in my life for the next four months plus eighteen years.

“Please let me shovel the snow.” I’m literally begging to do work for her.

Ellery glares at me for a few seconds before throwing the shovel at me. “If you’re this intent on shoveling snow, have at it.”

“Thank you.”

It galls me to thank the woman who’s carrying my baby for allowing me to shovel her steps and sidewalk, but I keep a pleasant demeanor on my face. The woman is the very definition of stubborn. I’m not getting anywhere with her by pushing and prodding her.

When Ellery goes back inside, I begin shoveling snow from the porch as Ashlyn wraps holly around the banister.

“Isn’t it late to put up Christmas decorations?”

“We don’t put up Christmas decorations in Winter Falls until after Yule.”

“Is Yule always around the Winter Solstice?” I ask since I didn’t know Yule existed except as a lyric in Deck the Halls until a few days ago. I always assumed it was one of those archaic terms no longer applicable to modern society. Like good King Wenceslas and the Feast of Stephen.

“Yep.”

She climbs onto the banister, and I drop my shovel to rush to her. I grab her legs before lifting her and placing her on solid ground again.

“Are you trying to kill yourself?”

“Why does everyone keep asking me that?”

“Maybe because your actions are reckless,” I suggest.

She rolls her eyes at me. “You break one ankle—”

“Did you forget about the time you broke your arm climbing in a tree?” Ellery asks as she steps onto the porch carrying a tray.

Ashlyn giggles. “How could I forget? Lyric burst out of the treehouse with his pants around his ankles. He was terrified I’d hurt myself.” She snorts. “But Aspen was pissed I’d interrupted them.”

“You’re a terror,” I tell her.

She bows. “Thank you.”

Ellery hands me a mug of hot chocolate. “My dad says the same thing about baby cakes.” My heart clutches at the idea of being compared to her father. A man she loves with all her heart and considers a wonderful parent.

“Where’s my drink?” Ashlyn asks Ellery while I try not to hyperventilate.

Ellery hands her a mug, but when Ashlyn sips on her drink she makes a face. “What the hell? This is hot chocolate.”

“What did you expect? Whiskey?”

“Is a peppermint patty too much to ask for?”

Ellery cocks her brow. “I thought you were trying to get pregnant.”

Ashlyn grins. “Oh yeah. Thanks for the kiddie drink. I’m going to put the lights on the shrubs now.” She winks at me before sauntering off.

I sip on my drink as I study Ellery. There are smudges under her eyes and brackets of strain around her mouth. She’s stressed and working too hard. She needs to rest, but I have no idea how to persuade her to slow down. Especially as the inn is fully booked for the holidays.

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