Page 55 of A Bright Winter Season

“I’ve been thinking about how much of an emotional rollercoaster I’ve been on for most of my life when it comes to men. My marriage didn’t work out, and every time I’ve tried to date someone it hasn’t gone well at all. It’s hard for me to know when to stop giving, because I want to give to the people in my life, but then I end up giving too much to someone who doesn’t return that amount of love. I figured that staying focused on my own needs and my self-confidence would fix that. Because I wouldn’t want to date you and have it not work out, Jacob. That would make me even sadder than not getting to date you at all.”

His heart stirred with sympathy as he listened to her. It sounded to him as though she needed someone who would give back to her, and stop her when she was giving too much. Someone who would look out for her in the same way she was trying to learn to look out for herself.

“I understand what you’re saying. And I’m sorry you’ve had to experience that. But I think that as long as you’re dating someone who’s looking out for you, you’ll be able to have a healthy relationship and still take care of yourself.”

Hazel nodded, looking up at him with slightly wide eyes, as if she was excited but nervous at the same time. “That’s what my mom and Alexis have been saying to me. They keep telling me that I don’t need to abandon my own feelings and needs in order to be in a relationship. I can still continue my journey of growth and self-discovery even if I’m dating someone. I have grown alot these past few months, and I can trust that opening my heart up to you would be a different experience from how it’s been to open my heart up in the past.”

His heart started to beat faster, and he had to stop himself from taking her hand in his. “I couldn’t agree more. I think it would be a very different experience.” He swallowed, feeling an ache of hopefulness in his chest. “Would you go out on a date with me, Hazel Owens?”

She stepped closer to him and took his hand. His stomach did a somersault, because it felt as if she’d read his mind. He held his breath for a moment as she smiled up at him.

“I would love that, Jacob Dorsey.”

A massive grin leapt onto his face. “Yeah? You’re sure? I’ll take really good care of you, Hazel. I’ll make sure I’m taking care of you?—”

She laughed, holding up a finger. “Slow down there, mister. We’ll take everything one step at a time.”

“Okay.” He took a deep breath, unable to stop smiling. He felt excited enough to run around the block. “Can the first step be coffee?”

“Perfect. Maybe coffee and doughnuts?”

“I love doughnuts.”

“I know.”

A gust of wind rushed against the porch, causing something that was hanging over their heads to sway and rustle faintly. He looked up and saw that it was a bundle of mistletoe.

“May I?” he asked softly.

“Yes,” she whispered, squeezing his hand, and he leaned forward to kiss her.

The kiss was wonderful, and he felt incredibly happy—but all at once he and Hazel both pulled away from the kiss hurriedly as they heard an unexpected sound. They turned like a couple of startled deer toward the open front door of the pub, where theycould see the Owens family watching them with huge grins on their faces. They had all just uttered a joyous cheer, and some of them were still clapping.

“Yay, Mom just kissed Jacob!” Samantha shouted.

Hazel covered her face with her mittens for a moment, blushing and laughing. Jacob grinned good-naturedly. He didn’t mind if all of Rosewood Beach knew that he and Hazel were going out. He felt more than confident that everything was going to work out amazingly between them.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

“Come on, Samantha, your ride is here!” Hazel stood at the bottom of the staircase in her home, calling up to her daughter. “You don’t want to be late for school.”

“Coming!” Samantha shouted. “I can’t find my mittens—oh, there they are!”

Chuckling, Hazel went over to the coat rack and lifted her thick, comfortable coat off it. Her own mittens were still tucked inside the pockets of her coat, and she was already wearing a warm knitted hat that Julia had made her.

Samantha thundered down the stairs a moment later, already wearing her coat, mittens, and pink earmuffs. Her backpack was slung over one shoulder, and she wiggled the other strap around her arm as she headed toward the front door.

“Bye, Mom! Love you. I’ll see you later.”

“Bye, sweetheart! I love you too. You have a good day at school, okay?”

“I will!” Samantha scampered out of the house and hurried across the sidewalk toward the car that was waiting on the side of the road for her. Hazel and Samantha’s friends’ parents had a carpool schedule, and it was Samantha’s friend Willow’s mom’s turn that day.

Hazel stood on the front step of her house and waved to Willow’s mom, who was driving the car, and then waved goodbye to Samantha.

Gosh, I love that kid, she thought, feeling the familiar surge of affection for her daughter. Samantha never failed to brighten Hazel’s day, even on days when life was tough.

She paused before locking her front door, making sure she had everything that she needed with her.

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