Page 103 of Mine For The Winter

He was shouting down to somebody. And then her heart did a little dance in her chest when she saw Kris standing at the bottom of the tree, wearing jeans and a hoodie, with a sleeveless padded jacket over the top, shouting back at his brother.

She hadn’t spoken to him since last night. And she wouldn’t be able to see him tonight either, since it was Friday and they were short staffed. She’d be stuck at the tavern until the early hours of tomorrow.

He was nodding at something North was saying, then he crouched down to get something out of the box in front of him. Her stomach did a little flip as she watched him languorously stand up, then clip something onto his belt.

He was climbing up with North. Oh.

“That family knows how to make fine men,” Carmen whispered. Kelly swallowed, watching Kris as he easily climbed from branch to branch, before he reached up to where North was, handing him something she couldn’t see.

What she could see was North saying something that made Kris grin. And then he was laughing, and so was North.

God, he was handsome. Especially when he smiled. She felt herself yearning for him, shocked by her attraction toward this man.

If he leaves this time it will kill me.

She wasn’t sure where that thought came from. It hit her straight in the chest though, like a cannon ball, making her feel winded.

She inhaled raggedly.Stop it.She didn’t need to be thinking like that.

A minute later, Kris was climbing back down again. He jumped the last six feet or so, and she felt her cheeks heat up. And then he looked over toward the tavern, his gaze falling on her car.

He knew she was here. It made her skin tingle.

Then he turned away and she couldn’t see him any more. She should probably get some work done now. But then her phone buzzed in her pocket.

You back? Cole okay? Would you like a coffee? – Kris.

She smiled, because he was sexy and sweet in equal measure.

I am. And he is. And no – I drank a vat of it before we went to the dentist. You okay, Monkey Man? I was starting to wonder if you were auditioning for the circus. – Kelly.

You been watching me? – Kris

Might have been. – Kelly.

Excellent. I’m here for your entertainment. And the only circus I plan to be joining is the one in my bed. With you. – Kris.

Yeah, that doesn’t work. As a pun I mean. As an image I’m all good with it. – Kelly.

It doesn’t, does it? Still planning on getting you back in my bed soon. – Kris.

Looking forward to it. – Kelly x

* * *

“Mom, is he here yet?” Cole asked, his face flushed with excitement as he stuffed his change of clothes for after the game in his bag.

“Not yet. It’s still early.” She glanced out of the window, but all she could see was the soft white of the snow that had fallen overnight.

Thank goodness Charlie Shaw had been around in his plow to clear the roads before the sun had even risen over the mountains. Today and tomorrow were the busiest days of the year for Winterville.

Cole joined her next to the window, and she realized he’d grown again. His head was past her shoulders, and when she looked at the sleeves of his hoodie she could see they ended right where his bony wrist jutted out.

Thank God she’d planned ahead and bought him some clothes a size up for Christmas. In only a year or two he’d almost certainly be taller than her.

“There he is.” Cole’s eyes lit up as Kris’ car pulled into the driveway. “I’ll see you later, Mom!”

“Wait up.” She reached for his hand. “Give me a hug before you go.”

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