Page 29 of Snowed in with the Single Dad

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“I’m just thinking.”

“About anything in particular?”

“Just about…today I guess.”

“What about today?”

“It was a good day. I don’t think I have smiled or laughed that much in years.”

“Laila told me it was the best day ever.”

“She did?” she asked with a grin. “That’s adorable. And she’s right. It was great for a lot of reasons.”

“I agree.”

She looked back up towards the sky, her face lit with the light from the moon. I could have stood there and watched her all night long, but I got the sense that she wanted her privacy.

“Have a good night, Skye,” I said, turning back towards the door.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Well, I was going to take a shower and then eat some dinner.”

“You haven’t showered yet? You must be freezing! You shouldn’t be out here.”

“I think this may be the coldest I have ever been in my life,” I admitted.

My teeth were chattering, my fingers were entirely numb, and I could barely open and close my mouth enough to speak.

“Get inside, Owen! Go get warm, and don’t let me see you again until you do.”

“Wow, you’re bossy,” I said, hoping she would sense my sarcasm.

She stuck her tongue out at me, just like she used to when we were kids. I retreated back inside and immediately jumped into the hottest shower I could handle. The steam filled the small bathroom, and I couldn’t keep my thoughts from wandering to Skye.

Knowing that she was sitting just a few yards away while I was standing here, naked, was almost more than I could handle. I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about the way her lips felt on mine. Warm, plump, sweet.

It was the first time I had kissed anyone since Rachel, but I didn’t feel guilty about it. In fact, I knew this was what Rachel wanted. She wanted me to be happy. Everything about kissing Skye had made me happy. Well, except for the fact that it had to end. Why, oh why, did it have to end?

I wanted to take her into my arms and hold her all night long. I wanted to feel her skin pressed against mine and hear her moan my name. I should have told her to come over. We could have stayed quiet, right?

I wasn’t even sure if that’s what she wanted, but she seemed like she was enjoying the kiss just as much as I was. I prayed there would be more kisses to come, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up either. If all I ever got with Skye was that one, perfect moment, I would have to figure out a way to be okay with that.

As I attemptedto sleep that night, all of my thoughts were on her. The way she was so attentive and caring with the kids was so sweet to watch, and her genuine interest in each of them was something I had never seen in another adult. Especially an adult without their own children.

She was one in a million. She was brilliant and beautiful, but there was so much more to her than that. Her gentle nature mixed with her confidence and drive was a combination that I was certain no one else in the world had. I longed to see her again. I didn’t think I could wait until the next day to talk to her. Was she feeling the same way, too?

I sat up and glanced out the window to look at her room. The lights were off, which meant she was probably asleep. Why wasn’t she sleeping next to me?

As I laid there, I knew I was in trouble. Not only were my teenage feelings for her still present, they were only getting stronger and stronger with each moment that I spent with her.

11

SKYE

On the morning of Christmas Eve, I woke up to a fresh blanket of snow on the ground, a fire roaring in the fireplace, and the smell of fresh baked cinnamon rolls wafting through the air. I didn’t think there was any better feeling in the world.

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