Page 41 of Mine For The Winter

“For how long?”

“Until the end of August.”

Her face lit up. “Well in that case, you’re forgiven. And I have two months to teach you how to use a phone.”

12

Kris pulled into the parking lot at the hockey rink at the same time as Kelly and Cole arrived. She was driving Amber’s car and Cole leaned forward and kissed her before jumping out of the back seat, his eyes lighting up when he saw Kris getting out of his own car.

“You came!” Cole shouted, grinning as he walked over. Kris couldn’t help but smile back at his enthusiasm.

Kelly got out of the driver’s seat, shooting him a wary look. “Hi.” She was a little dressed up, in jeans and a pair of furry boots, and a short jacket that did nothing to hide the curve of her hips. She had lipstick slicked across her bow-shaped lips and it made him swallow hard.

“Hi.” He nodded at her. “You sure you don’t want me to bring Cole home after?”

“He’s got a ride,” she said, her voice tight. “But thank you for coming to watch him.”

This woman was going to kill him with faint praise. “It’s a pleasure.”

One of Cole’s friends shouted his name and he ran over, leaving the two of them alone.

“I told him not to get used to it. That you’re a busy man,” Kelly said. “So you don’t have to worry that this’ll be a regular thing.”

He looked at her carefully. Wanted to ask her who hurt her but he already knew. He had. Lyle had. The whole damn town had.

They’d hurt her but she’d come back punching.

“I’m happy to watch him play whenever he wants.”

“That’s what I was afraid of,” she said, though there was no rancor there. Just an honesty that touched his heart.

“That’s not what you’re afraid of.” He shook his head and she frowned.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re not afraid of me. You never have been,” he told her.

“Then who am I supposed to be afraid of?”

“Yourself.” His lip quirked. “And you shouldn’t be.”

“What makes you think I’m scared of myself?” she asked, her tone torn between curiosity and annoyance.

“Because if you weren’t, you’d agree to talk to me about the past.”

She laughed. “What is this? Reverse psychology?”

He smiled at her. “Something like that. Is it working?”

“Nope. Now go in and watch some hockey.” The smile still lingered on her lips. He liked it because it felt like he’d had to fight to see it. “And I have to go to work.”

“Have a good day, Kel.”

Her eyes met his. “You, too. Shout for Cole like I used to shout for you.”

He grinned. “I will.”

Cole ran back, and gave his mom a quick hug. “Can we go in now?” he asked Kris.

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