Page 88 of Mine For The Winter

“You never told me about that,” Amber said, turning to look at him. “Seriously?”

“Yes.” North looked pained. “But can we never speak of it again?”

Kris watched them, amused, because for once they weren’t grilling him. “Well, I’ve gotta go. It’s been a good time.”

“Wait.” Amber tore her gaze from North’s. “What are you going to do?”

“Nothing I’m willing to tell either of you about.”

“He’s worried about Cole,” North said. “That he’s getting attached.”

“I didn’t say that. I said Kelly’s worried about it,” Kris corrected.

“I know.” Amber nodded. “But she shouldn’t be.”

“Why not?” Kris wasn’t expecting that. Of all people he thought Amber would be the one to agree with Kelly. They were friends. She’d known Kelly for years.

“Because you’re a Winter,” she said. “And if there’s something I know about you and your brothers, it’s that you fall hard. And if you’re willing to step up for Cole, that means you’ve fallen for him too.” She reached out to squeeze North’s hand. “A father isn’t the one who created a kid. He’s the one who’d do anything for him.”

Kris’ stomach twisted. Because he’d had a chance at this before and he’d messed it up. But that time Cole wasn’t born. Now he was a kid with real feelings, hopes, and dreams.

He nodded at Amber and she smiled back.

“Good night, Kris.”

“Yeah. I hope it is.”

* * *

Kelly, Age 22

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Lyle was weeping as she tried to carry him upstairs. His legs were wobbling and his whole weight was on her, making her shoulder muscles scream as they made it to the top rung.

“Come on, just a few more steps,” she muttered. It was getting worse. So much worse. And this time he’d been arrested. A huge fight at a bar in Marshall’s Gap – because everybody in the Winterville Tavern knew not to serve him. She stumbled across the landing and into the bedroom, her arms wrapped around his waist because he kept trying to slide down to the floor.

When she managed to get him onto the bed she let out a long sigh.

“I love you, Kel.”

“I know.”

“I’m going to stop. I’m sorry. You don’t deserve this.”

She pulled his shoes off, putting them neatly on the floor, then unbuttoned his shirt. “You need some sleep.”

“I’d be dead without you. You know that? You’ve saved my life.”

“Sit up, let me take your shirt off.”

He was asleep before she’d put his clothes into the laundry basket. And for a moment she stared at him. Taking in the familiar flop of his brown hair over his face. His lips were pressed together, his arms splayed out. He looked so young.

They were young. Too young to be dealing with this. In the morning he wouldn’t remember anything. He never did.

When his breaths were coming evenly, she tiptoed out of the bedroom, pulling the door closed gently. And when she made it to the small living room Kris was still there.

“He’s asleep.”

“I could have carried him up for you,” Kris said. “You didn’t have to do it on your own.”

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