Page 29 of Christmas In Love

She nodded, then immediately set down the street. Belatedly, Cade realized she didn’t even know what Aiden looked like. “Hey, Nat!”

From her place partially down the block, she turned, her hair blowing out behind her, and Cade abruptly realized something—something that would have to wait. He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, “You don’t even know what he looks like! Just come help me instead?”

Cade started walking the second she reached his side. “He’s five years old, about yay high, and has light hair like Abby’s.” He paused to look through the windows of a small diner. Aiden wasn’t there. “And he’ll probably be laughing, the little hellion.”

“I take it this is a common occurrence?”

“Unfortunately.”

They walked silently, stepping into stores and stopping people to see if they’d seen a little boy around. After nearly an entire block, Cade’s heart rate was starting to get out of control again. What if Aiden hadn’t run off? What if someone had taken him? Should they call the police? Abby! She was going to kill them!

A buzzing in his pocket stopped his spiraling thoughts. ‘Mom’ flashed across the screen.

“Did you find him?” Cade asked the moment he answered.

“Yes. Silly boy was hiding in the bathroom. It took a while to find him because he was sitting ontopof a toilet so your dad couldn’t see his feet beneath the stall.” His mom sighed, and Cade slowed his steps. “I swear, next time I’m bringing those leashes, cool Grandma or not.”

“Next time? I’m thinking I don’t want to be in charge of those kids again until they're in college. Actually, never mind, I don’t want them then either.”

Nat laughed beside him as his mom’s laughter sounded through the phone.

“Well, don’t bother hurrying back. We’ve got the kids covered for now.” His mom’s voice had taken on a sly sound, and Cade grinned.

“Thanks, mom.”

He hung up and turned to Nat. “Thanks for helping, but I guess our services are no longer needed.”

She smiled. “I’m so glad they found him.”

“Me too.” Cade suddenly remembered his earlier realization. “Hey, Nat, the day I checked into the bed and breakfast, did some guy almost run you over in the street?”

Her eyebrows raised and then pulled together. “Yes… Wait, was that you?” She spun toward him on the snowy sidewalk. But the movement was too abrupt, and she slid.

Without thinking, Cade grabbed her arm. Once she was steady, he found it hard to let go. Forcing his fingers to release her, he shoved the hand into his pocket and looked away. Snow was falling softly, and the street was almost deserted, except for a pair of teenagers who were heading into a store a few doors down from them. “It was. I’m so sorry—I was such an idiot. First to nearly kill you, then to not even get out of the car and check on you.”

Nat waved him off. “It’s fine. I was fine, just surprised. What made you realize it was me, though? I was bundled up tighter than an Eskimo.”

“Your hair.” His unruly hand escaped the confines of his pocket and lightly grabbed a piece of it. They still hadn’t moved. Cade didn’t want to. “When you looked back at me on the sidewalk outside the ice cream place. The way the wind pushed it back was the same as the day I nearly killed you.”

A surprised laugh bubbled from her mouth. “I must have made quite the impression.”

“You always do.”

Her eyes caught his and didn’t leave.

He knew those eyes better even than his own. He’d imagined waking up to those eyes every day. Despite the many years that should have made him forget how those eyes could make him feel, he loved them just the same. Maybe even more now that he knew what life was like without Nat. Unable to help himself, he took a step closer.

Except he’d forgotten about the icy walk. So, instead of smoothly cupping her jaw and coaxing her into kissing him as he’d planned, his feet slipped out from beneath him. She tried to grab his arms—at least, that’s what he thought she was trying to do—but he had a lot more mass behind him, which meant she just came down with him.

His butt hit first, jolting up his spine. Then the weight of Nat, plus a few poorly placed elbows and knees of hers, knocked into him, pushing them both flat onto the ice. The air whooshed out of him.

“Oh my gosh, I amsosorry! Are you okay?” She scrambled to get off him but only slipped again, falling almost as hard as the first time.

“Oof.” The air he’d only barely pulled into his lungs was sent packing again. “Maybe don’t move for a second.”

She immediately froze, and when the sharp stabs of pain lessened to dull throbs, he opened his eyes.

There were two of her—until he blinked, and they merged into one. He stared for several seconds before fully realizing the position they were in. She was lying almost completely on top of him, with a forearm on his chest, and a gloved hand flat against the icy ground beside him. As he watched, that hand slipped marginally, and she fell a fraction of an inch closer. Without thinking, he slipped an arm around her waist. Just to steady her.

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