Page 84 of Snowballed

“Noah, I’m so sorry I was horrible to you yesterday.”

His face brightens. “No problem. Your holidays weren’t as good as mine.”

I nod. “Did you want to carpool in today?”

He shakes his head. “I have to run a few errands this morning. But I’d like to take you out for dinner this week. When are you free?”

I shake my head. “I’m the one who should be doing something nice for you.”

“It’s not an apology, Zoe. I’ve never taken you out for a proper date. And I got some Christmas money from my grandmother.”

He doesn’t have to impress me, but it would be wonderful to have some time alone. “Well, I guess Thursday would work for both of us.”

“Okay. The Biscuit or maybe pizza?” he asks.

“Either is good.”

As long as I’m with Noah, I’ll have a good time.

On Wednesday, I tell my mom that we won’t be home for dinner the next day. I can see her considering the possibilities.

“So, you can go out with Carl.” As if she hasn’t considered that already.

“Good idea.” She hesitates, then plunges in. “Did you like him, Zoe?”

“Well, I don’t really know him well yet. But he seems like a nice guy.” The way she keeps forcing this makes me feel like a kid who has to approve her new stepdad. Besides, it’s not like she’ll dump him if I don’t like him.

“Oh, I’m so glad.” She wants to say more, and I suspect it’s about selling the farm, but she doesn’t push her luck.

After dinner, Noah and I do the animals together, herding the chickens in and then the goats.

“You can see that they’re pregnant now.” Noah strokes Rayme’s side.

“Yes, they’re going to start drying up soon. They need all the milk for their babies. We’ll be milking less in January, and then not at all in February and March.”

“Just when I’m good at milking, it’s over. Does this mean we get to sleep in?”

“Actually, yes. The goats don’t even want to go outside while it’s still cold and dark. So you could sleep in until 7:30 or 8:00.”

“Eight o’clock! Be still my heart.” Noah puts a hand on his chest. He’s so ridiculously cute. Then I remember with a guilty start how late he slept in when he was home. Is that what he prefers?

He’s wearing the dark gray beanie I knit for him. I did an awful job; the stitches are uneven, and the hem is jagged. But of course on Noah, it looks like the latest in boho chic.

“Everything looks good on you,” I say.

Noah waggles his eyebrows at me. “Or nothing.” He’s been in the best mood since he got back.

I giggle, then sigh. “Are we going to have to go back to having sex in the barn?”

“We may need more options. It’s a bit chilly. I’m worried that cold shrinkage means you’re not as impressed with me as you should be.”

“I could not be more impressed with you or any of your manly parts,” I say with a giggle. Sex with Noah is something I fantasized about the whole time he was gone, even while I was upset at him. “Hey, did you decide where we’re going for dinner tomorrow?”

“I want it to be a surprise. It’s the perfect place.” Noah looks very pleased with himself.

I’m intrigued. “Well, at least tell me what to wear.”

“Get dressed up.”

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