Page 17 of Hidden Shadows
As they crossed the bridge, Nixon fought like hell to not look at the place where they’d fallen yesterday. It was a damn effort.
“What’s the plan today?” he asked gruffly.
“Snowman building.” She lifted a shoulder. “It’s a fun, easy first activity with little chance of injury.”
He nodded and took the marked path. When two girls approached, their eyes only for Finley, he angled his body in front of hers.
The taller girl’s brows flickered, and she took a small step back. “Sorry. I just wanted to see if I could get a photo with Finley.” Her gaze shifted to Finley. “We’ve been following you on your channels for a while and love your content!”
Finley touched his arm, stepping up beside him. “Of course. I’m sure myassistanthere wouldn’t mind taking the photo.” She narrowed her eyes, clarifying with a single look what she thought of his protective move. There was also the hint of a threat there in case he said no.
Hewantedto say no. He didn’t. He slipped the phone from the girl’s hand and took a quick photo of the three of them before handing it back to her.
The girl’s lips parted. “Oh, could you take a couple in case—”
“No.”
If looks could kill, Finley’s would be slashing into his chest right now. She shifted her attention back to the girl, her smile easy. “Sorry. He hasn’t had his morning coffee. If the photo isn’t great, just come find me for another.”
Both girls smiled and nodded before heading off.
Finley grabbed his arm and tugged him close. “You need to be nice.”
“I told you I’m not your assistant, and I’m certainly not your photographer.”
She shook her head. “I know you’re really good at this I-hate-Christmas thing, but try to loosen up. Don’t all these smiling, happy people makeyouhappy?”
“No.”Crowdswhile he was protecting someone meant multiple threats.
She sighed as she moved to the snowman-making area of the fair. She grabbed a shovel from one of several barrels full of them, then all but jammed it into his hands. Then she lifted a bucket of supplies that contained a carrot, sticks and rocks, and a beanie.
An ache started behind his temple. Christmas…it fucking surrounded him.
Finley led him to a mound of snow near the edge of the area and dropped the bucket. “Are you at least going to help me make a snowman?”
He wanted to say no, but then he’d feel like a total asshole, and it would take her twice as long to finish. The quicker she was done, the quicker they could leave. “I’ll help you. But if you’re gonna film, make sure I’m not in it.”
Excitement lit her eyes. “Deal.”
Damn, just the sight of her smile made him want to do more to get another one.
She set up her tripod, angling the phone so it was just her in the shot, then they started building the snowman.
It didn’t take him long to realize how bad he was at it. He mostly shoveled more snow onto the mound, but that was because anytime he tried to shape the body, Finley grimaced and redid his work.
She talked the entire time. About her life in Redwood. About the Hunter family and everything they’d done for her. He noticed she barely mentioned her own mother and father. In fact, she seemed very careful to avoid mentioning her family at all.
Nate had given him the CliffsNotes. Her father had died when she was young. She’d lived with her mother, but they didn’t get along so she’d moved out the second she turned eighteen. Before that, she’d spent large chunks of her time at the Hunters’ home.
When the snowman’s body was formed, Finley grabbed the carrot and rocks and pushed them into the snowman to build a face. Then she passed him the beanie.
“Last part’s yours.”
He slipped the hat from her fingers and set it on the snowman’s head.
Finished. Good.
He turned back to look at Finley, and his chest squeezed. She beamed at him, her smile so radiant, every part of her lit up. “We did it!”
