Page 25 of The Jellybean Dilemma

Mandy said, “Yeah, that’s what we natives call ourselves here in the Upper Peninsula or the U.P.” She used a funny accent for the last part. “But you forgot the ‘eh’.” They both snickered at some joke I didn’t get.

I chewed another bite of my omelet before admitting, “I’ve never been sledding before.”

Both their jaws dropped. Mandy was the first to respond with, “Never?”

I shook my head.

“Well, then you have to come!” Her smile was genuine, and she turned to Greg, waiting for him to agree.

He smiled too, identical to hers except for his adorable dimple. “Yes, we will.”

A thrill went through my abdomen when he turned back to me, lit up with excitement. Sledding sounded fun, though hours outdoors was not my usual thing. I’d put up with it if it meant more time with Greg.

After we’d finished breakfast, we went upstairs to get ready. Mandy dropped off some of her warmer clothes that she thought I might be able to use. Even if they’d be on the tall side. I bit my lip, glancing from the pile of clothes to the closed bathroom door where Greg was changing. I didn’t have a clue about how to begin.

The bathroom door opened, Greg frowning when he saw me still standing there. “Aren’t you going to get dressed?”

My cheeks grew hot as I studied the floor, feeling dumber by the second. “I’m not sure where to start.”

“Oh.” A wealth of emotion laced that one syllable, but not judgment.

Thank goodness. I heard him cross the room, felt his body heat as he stood next to me.

His tone was incredulous as he asked, “You never went out and played in the snow?”

I frowned. “Yeah, sure. But it’s been years, and it’s so much colder up here. I want to make sure I do it right.”

He flipped through the pile Mandy had brought, handing me a soft, thin pair of pants. “Start with these, then put the pants I bought you yesterday over them.” Next he gave me a shirt of similar material. “Wear this under your sweater. And I’ll find you some socks. You said the boots were a little big, right?” When I nodded, he grinned. “Good.”

I hesitated, preferring to change in the bedroom than the bathroom.

“Change wherever you’re most comfortable, Rhonda.” One hand settled on my shoulder for the briefest of caresses.

I had goosebumps as I walked away. When I came out, I already felt toasty. The under layers seemed to insulate me, holding in my heat. I couldn’t imagine being cold in them.

“Think fast!”

Something flew through the air at me, and I barely managed to catch the thick pair of socks.

“Nice.” The dimple made another appearance. “Put those on over a pair of your regular socks and meet me downstairs.” He paused. “Might want to pull your hair back. And use the bathroom now. There aren’t any close by, and I doubt you’ll want to go in the woods.”

I balked at the thought, doing as he suggested, then met him and Mandy downstairs. They both had on nylon insulated overalls and were stuffing their feet into boots.

Greg tossed me a similar pair of the overalls. “These are the shortest snow pants we have, but we’ll make them work.”

Mandy was already done, bundled up in her coat with a cute hat complete with a pompom on top of her head. She carried mittens under one arm. “I’ll go load up the sleds.”

I shoved my legs into the too long pants, pulling the straps up over my shoulders, then zipping up the middle section. I felt pathetic. My feet weren’t even visible, and the straps wouldn’t stay up.

Greg chuckled. “C’mere, Jellybean.”

I shuffled over. His touch was gentle as he adjusted first one strap, then the other, tightening them as far as they would go. My stomach flipped as his arm brushed my chest. My toes were visible by the time he stepped back, and the straps stayed put. I grinned.

“That’s better.” He tapped my chin. “You’ll have fun, you’ll see.”

Next came a cute stocking cap like Mandy’s, this one in a bright purple with two braids hanging down. Once I’d put on my boots, I reached for my coat.

But he shook his head. “That’s not going to cut it.” He handed me a heavy, thick thing that said Carhartt on one side, helping me get my arms through. Once I was zipped, he gave me a pair of gloves. “And I have mittens for when we get there.”

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