Page 103 of Snowballed

“Need any help?”

I smile awkwardly. “Just finished the milking.”

“Perfect timing then,” he says.

How can he even joke about being lazy? He’s done more for me in the past week than anyone has done in years. No, correction: than I’ve allowed anyone to do in years.

I motion to the banner. “Did you do all this?”

He laughs. “Rocky helped me paint the banner. I did the rest.”

He steps closer. We are close enough to touch, but I can’t reach out. I lost that privilege when I broke up with him—also known as the dumbest day of my life.

“Noah, thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me in the past week. No, ever since we met. Not only all the hard work you’ve done on the farm, but the way you’ve opened my mind to… life.” Life isn’t quite the right word, it’s more like possibilities.

His smile is teasing. “You’re welcome. So I heard a rumor that you may be making some changes around here.”

“Has Derek been gossiping?” I wonder how much Noah knows. Because he’s exactly the person I’d like to discuss everything with. “Well, we’re going to sell the farm in the spring.”

“How do you feel about that?” he asks.

“I’m sad, of course. But I’m excited too. There are lots of options.”

Did Noah roll his eyes? I reach out and shove him, and he feels so solid under my hand. “Yes, I know you said all of this before.”

“I think you meant to insert some compliments there, about how wise and wonderful I am,” Noah says.

I growl at him. “If not for that enormous ego, you would be the perfect guy.”

He flexes his fingers. “That’s what all the ladies say now that I’ve added goat milking to my repertoire.”

I can’t help but laugh. The way we’re talking now reminds me of our early days. But I can’t assume anything, can I? Noah is so desirable that he may have already been scooped up by someone. “And how many ladies have experienced those new and magical fingers?”

“Sadly, just the females in here.” Right on cue, Fran lets out a loud bleat, and we both laugh.

“I love all the hearts. But Rayme ate her message, so I never got to read it,” I say.

“Damn. And that one was the most sentimental.”

“What did it say?” I ask.

Noah smirks. “That’s between me and Rayme now.”

Damn. What if that was the message asking me to give him a second chance? But I was the one who wanted to break up. So it’s up to me to ask him. I’m terrified because it’s so important to me.

I stand in front of him, nervous and hopeful. I push my hair back from my face. If only I’d known Noah was going to show up, I would have brushed my hair and washed my face. It doesn’t matter though. Noah cares less about appearance than anyone I’ve ever known.

“I heard what you were saying last week. I told the counselor—everything. And it’s been really good for me. I’m uncovering why I’ve been so angry, and I’m learning how to deal with my anger appropriately.”

Noah waits and listens. I can barely manage to look at him because I’m terrified of what his answer will be.

“I fixed things in my life. My mother and I are getting along a lot better. As, I said, we’re moving, and I’m looking forward to my future. I’m thinking about traveling or having some kind of adventure when I graduate.”

I take a deep breath and go for it.

“Noah, I know I’ve totally messed up, but I really regret our split. I regretted it pretty much from the moment it happened. I’m over all that jealousy and envy, I’m a better person now—really. Is there still a chance for us?”

“A chance for us to what?” I hate the smug expression on his face. He’s going to make me spell this out.

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