Page 108 of Mine For The Winter

“It was. We missed a rare Pokemon because he was too busy being sad.”

“You missed a Pokemon for your friend?” Kris asked.

“Yeah. I couldn’t go get it without him. We play that game together, you know?”

“I know.” Kris nodded. He could remember the way he and Lyle were the same. Best buddies. His chest felt tight. Because that felt like a hundred years ago yet it had completely changed his life.

They’d made an agreement and only one of them had kept it. But he didn’t blame Lyle anymore. He owned his decisions. Even the bad ones.

It took another ten minutes to finally get into Marshall’s Gap, and Cole kept up a steady monologue about the game, Christmas, and friends. By the time they pulled into a space at the diner, he was so excited he’d opened the door before Kris had even cut the engine.

“Thank you for driving me.”

“Anytime, kid. Go on in and have fun. I’ll just check if your mom’s messaged back.”

“Sure. Tell her I love her.” All thoughts of talking to her seemed forgotten, just like Cole had predicted. “Oh, and she told me that I have to leave when you want to. So just tell me when.”

He was a good kid. Kelly had made sure of that. “I’m happy to be here as long as you want,” he told Cole. “Now go enjoy yourself. You deserve it.”

28

Winterville was dark and silent as she drove home from the tavern, turning off her headlamps as she pulled onto the driveway so they didn’t shine into the house. Snow still lay on the ground – it was too cold for any thaw – and it seemed to deaden all the noises she made as she climbed out of the car and softly closed the door.

“Hey.”

She jumped at the sound of his voice. And then she smiled because it washim. Sure, she was exhausted and every muscle in her body felt like it was on fire after running around the tavern all day, but seeing him made everything feel better.

“How long have you been waiting outside?” she whispered.

“Not long. I brought Cole home around ten and then sat with your dad for a while. I just wanted to see you before I head back to the cabin and crash.”

She lifted her head up to look at him. “I’m glad you did.”

“Me, too.” There was a half-smile on his face. The only light came from the porch lamp outside her house, but it was enough for her to see the sharp line of his jaw and the warmth of his gaze.

“Thank you for taking Cole today.”

“It was my pleasure. Seriously. He’s a good kid, and I’m glad I got to play against him.”

“Even if you lost.”

His smile widened. “It kind of felt like winning.” He shrugged. “Anyway, he’s absolutely exhausted, so he should sleep well tonight. Although I think he ate a little too much. He was complaining of a stomach ache.”

“How much did he eat?” she asked, grimacing.

“A lot. They all did. And a lot of sodas were drunk. I think your dad gave him some Pepto Bismol or something. He went straight to sleep after that.”

“Thank God for dad. And being able to sleep in.” She tipped her head to the side. “So are you going to kiss me or not?”

“I don’t know.” He gave her a teasing smile. “Am I?”

“You’d better, buddy.”

He laughed and pulled her close, smelling of cold air and the pine shampoo he used. Up close she could see the shadow of his evening beard growth against the sharpness of his jaw as he lowered his head to brush his lips against hers.

Though she felt the tug inside of her, the need to press her body to his, it was secondary to the hammer of her heart against her chest. What was it that Amber had said to her when she and North had gotten engaged.

“I thought I knew what love was, until I watched him fall for a child that wasn’t his. If somebody loves your baby that hard, it’s impossible not to love him back.”

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