Page 9 of Snowed in with the Grump

“You all right? You seem on edge,” he says, breaking the charged silence.

“Y-yeah, fine!” I plaster on a bright smile. “Just hoping Sarah gets back soon. It's getting late.”

Carter's gaze dips to my mouth. “No rush. I'm enjoying the company.”

My throat goes dry. “So, a Combat Engineer—that sounds intense. What was that like?”

Carter's motions still for a beat before he resumes chopping onions with renewed vigor.

“It had its challenges.”

As Carter reaches across me for a wooden spoon, I notice his left hand trembling slightly. He’s struggling to grip the spoon. Frowning, he sets it down and flexes his fingers.

“Are you okay? Your hand—” I blurt before catching myself.

Carter's jaw tightens. “Just a little banged up. Shrapnel in my shoulder.”

His tone makes it clear that he doesn't wish to elaborate. Concern floods me. Sarah never mentioned Carter's injury, so it catches me off guard. Now, things make sense.

“Does it cause you much pain?” I ask gently.

Carter shrugs, but his eyes darken. “Some days are worse than others.”

I sense he's left so much unsaid, and I can't imagine the trauma he’s carrying. My heart aches for the wounds damaging more than just his body.

“I'm sorry it meant you had to retire early.”

“Could've been worse,” Carter says roughly, turning away. His broad shoulders are taut, his movements rigid.

I send up a silent prayer of thanks. I wish I could comfort him, but he dislikes showing vulnerability.

I quickly change the subject. He only touched on the renovations to the cabin, but I want to know more.

“About the renovations. You’re not selling the cabin, are you?”

Resting against the counter, Carter rubs his shoulder absently as he glances around the worn but cozy space.

“I’m getting the place ready to live permanently now I've left the army. It needs work–new floors, updated kitchen.”

The earnestness in his voice catches me off guard. I pause my chopping, intrigued.

I try to picture Carter in a modern apartment complex and fail. “I can see you living here. It suits you.”

A small smile plays on his lips. “I'm looking for a fresh start, and this place always felt like home.”

I understand the appeal, which I only felt with his family. I didn’t think he needed it as much as I did, but I guess I was wrong.

“I never took you for the settling type.”

Carter shrugs. “People change, Ava.”

He seems different now. After a life filled with combat missions and endless drills, I imagine living in a peaceful cabin deep in the mountains is a stark but welcome contrast.

Carter looks up from the carrots he's chopping, his eyes meeting mine.

“What made you come here for the holidays? Don't you usually spend them in the city?”

I give a slight shrug, shifting on my feet as I debate how much to reveal. “I wanted a change of scenery.”

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