Page 7 of Mine For The Winter

“You could say that. I hear there was a huge rumpus at the Inn when he walked in. The whole family rushed there, even though they’re all crazy busy at this time of year.”

That was true. North ran the Christmas Tree Farm, and Gabe ran the ski resort that had opened recently thanks to their first layer of snow. Kris’ cousins were also immersed in the family business – Everley ran the Jingle Bell Theater, Alaska headed up the Inn, and Holly was the business woman who kept an eye on the whole town.

The door to the Tavern opened again, and this time it was Amber, Kelly’s best friend and North Winter’s wife. Amber looked at Dolores, her brow crinkling. She was huffing, as though she’d run from wherever she’d managed to park her car.

And when her eyes caught Kelly’s, Kelly knew her friend was there for only one reason.

To warn her that Kris was back. But she was too late.

“Dolores,” Amber said, walking over and putting a winter cooled hand on the older woman’s arm. “There’s a huge line forming at the café.”

Dolores’ mouth fell open. “Oh my. I should get back.” She flashed a smile at Kelly. “Sorry, honey, gotta go.”

As soon as she’d bustled out, Amber leaned on the counter, cupping her swollen stomach with her palm. She was pregnant with her second child, her stomach as round as a basketball.

“You okay?” Kelly asked her, concerned for her friend. She and Amber had become close friends over the past few years.

“I wanted to be the first to tell you.” Amber’s eyes met Kelly’s. “Damn Dolores.”

“It’s okay,” Kelly said, keeping her voice light. “We all know Dolores would run a four minute mile to spread some gossip.”

Amber laughed softly. “North said he turned up this morning. Just walked into the Inn like he hadn’t been away for over a decade. Alaska threw a fit, of course, and then called everybody and told us all to get there ASAP. North’s kind of annoyed with him for not giving us notice, but he can’t say anything because he’s so happy to see Kris.”

Kelly nodded and took a deep breath.

“Did he say how long he’s here for?” Kelly asked her.

Amber shook her head. “No. I think everybody was too afraid to ask him. I never thought he’d come back.” Amber hadn’t known Kris well before he left. She knew he and Kelly used to be friends, but that was it.

“I guess we’ll find out at some point,” Kelly said. And she had no idea how to feel about that. He’d once told her he would never come back. Promised it, even.

Although back then it had felt more like a threat than a promise. And now? It just felt a little sad.

The door to the tavern opened for a third time, and for a second Kelly’s heart rate shot up. But this time it was Cole, his backpack slung over his shoulder, his jacket nowhere to be seen.

“Hey sweetheart,” Kelly said, lifting a brow at the way he wasn’t wearing a jacket despite it being freezing outside. When had kids stopped wearing coats in the depth of winter? She’d never left home without being warm when she was younger, but now they walked around like it was the middle of summer in December. “How was school?”

“Boring.” Cole shrugged his backpack off and put it on the stool next to Amber. “Hey Auntie Amber.”

“Hey Cole.” Amber ruffled his hair the way that Kelly had this morning. This time his cheeks pinked up. He was too polite to protest when Amber did it, unlike when Kelly annoyed him.

“I’m gonna have to love you and leave you,” Amber said, shooting Kelly a look. “I’ll call you later.” She ruffled Cole’s hair again and this time he wrinkled his nose. “Be good for your mom.”

“I will.”

Kelly watched her friend leave, then looked back at her son. “You got homework?”

“Yep.” He wrinkled his nose. “Math and English.”

“Grab the table in the office,” she told him, lifting the counter for him to walk behind the bar. “You can start working, and I’ll bring you some dinner. Grandpa’s expecting you home at six.”

“Thanks Mom.” He smiled at her, and she felt herself relax. Cole was the important one here. Nothing else mattered. Not her memories, not her emotions.

And definitely not Kris Winter. Any feelings she had for him were in the past. If she saw him around town she’d nod and walk on by.

She was certain he wouldn’t want to talk to her anyway.

3

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