Page 16 of Mine For The Winter

“Keep back,” Kelly called out to him, running over to where he was jumping up and down. Their car had stopped smoking but there was still a danger that this approaching driver wouldn’t see them. Reluctantly, Cole took a couple of steps back, and Kelly walked firmly in front of him. If anybody was going to get hit it would be her.

As it got close she saw the car was sleek and dark, the windows tinted in the way only an expensive car would be. Cole was still shouting, and she started to wave her arms.

The car slowed to a stop. And she finally allowed relief to wash over her.

“He stopped!” Cole shouted, his cheeks pink with excitement.

“It could be a she,” she pointed out.Again.

“I don’t care if it’s a dog. They stopped!” Cole sounded so excited she hated to dampen his fervour. But Kelly grabbed her phone because she’d seen enough true crime shows to know that a woman and a boy on the edge of the road were vulnerable.

The car door opened and two long, muscled legs climbed out.

Not a she, then.

Then her heart almost stopped because she recognized who those legs belonged to.

“Hey!” Cole called out. “Our car is on fire.”

Kris’ eyes caught hers and she swallowed hard.

Of all the damn people who could be here to help, it had to be him. Although he was the one who’d showed her this shortcut, back when they’d been little more than kids with their drivers’ licences so fresh the ink would still smudge.

“You need some help?” He was wearing a dark leather jacket and a beanie, his jeans clinging to his thighs like they were in love with them.

She swallowed hard. “It’s okay, Charlie should be here soon to tow us back to town.”

“You said he’d be at least an hour,” Cole said, frowning. Damn the honesty of kids. “I’ve got a game to get to.”

“What kind of game?” Kris asked.

“I play hockey,” Cole told him, looking proud. “I’m the center.”

Kris smiled at Cole and it made her feel weird. “I used to play center, too.”

“You play hockey?” Cole’s face lit up.

“Yeah. Used to play with your dad in high school.”

Cole’s mouth dropped open. “You know my dad?” He turned to look at Kelly, his eyes shining. “Mom, this guy knows Dad.”

Kris’ eyes darted from Cole to Kelly. “You’re Cole, right?”

“Yeah.”

All those lectures about not talking to strangers had clearly not worked. Kelly put her hand on her son’s shoulder. “Honey, go back to the trees.”

“Why?” Cole shook her hand off. “He knows Dad. He’s a friend. He’s here to help. Can you get our car going Mister…”

“Winter.”

Cole blinked. “Your last name’s Winter?”

“Yep.” Kris nodded.

“Like Auntie Amber and Uncle North?”

Kelly felt like she was going to throw up.

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