Page 30 of Christmas In Love

Or maybe to maintain their current position a little longer.

“I am so sorry,” she murmured. “Is it okay if I try and get up now?”

His eyes flicked to her lips. “No.” It was definitely not okay for her to go anywhere.

“Cade?” She sounded concerned.

He pulled his gaze back to her eyes. Warmth that was certainly not thanks to the block of ice beneath him, spread from every place that her body touched his. It was a lot of warmth. “Uh… yeah, let me help you.” Reluctantly, he steadied her waist until she was able to inch off him to a kneeling position. Then, carefully, she got to her feet.

As soon as she was standing, she reached a hand out to help him up.

He shook his head, they didn't need a repeat fall. “I’m okay, thanks.” Sitting up gingerly, he took stock of his limbs. He would have a bad headache in the morning, and probably more than a few bruises, but nothing major.

“You sure you’re okay?” She was eying him with concern. The attention wasn’t so bad.

“Yeah. Just bruised my pride.”

“And your backside, I’d guess.” The corners of her lips twitched. “That was probably a lot more ice than you thought you were getting today.” Her eyes went wide, and her gloved hand covered her mouth. “Oh my gosh, I completely forgot the ice cream!”

All the warmth still lingering slipped away.

Her date. Of course. She was supposed to be with another guy right now.

He got to his feet. “Ditch the guy. He lives with his mother, after all.” He grinned to show he was joking. He wasn’t joking.

She rolled her eyes but smiled. “I can’t, even if it’s tempting. It would be rude after he drove back here. His mother lives outside Woodcastle. Plus, April’s waiting for me.” She started back down the sidewalk; he followed.

The walk back to the ice cream shop took less than five minutes. The heat when they stepped through the door was welcome, but knowing Nat would be spending the rest of the evening with someone who wasn’t him had him wanting to pull her back out into the cold. He’d even take another elbow to the gut if it meant he could keep her for himself.

A quick perusal showed his parents in the back corner booth with all the kids between them. April and her date were sitting about three booths closer. She looked up when they walked in. Her expression went from happy to see them, to sympathetic in an instant.

“Natalie, Kyle called Carter. He got partially back here then his car got stuck in the snow. He’s got to wait for a tow and said he’s really sorry.”

“Oh.” Nat stopped a few feet from April’s table. She glanced at Cade, then back to her friend. “That’s fine. I don’t want to be a third wheel for you guys though… I’ll just walk home. It’s not far.”

“No, you should stay with us!”

April’s date didn’t seem to like that idea much. Neither did Nat.

“Hey, why don’t you come join me and my family?” The words were out of Cade’s mouth before he could pull them back and tell them to back off on the enthusiasm.

Nat didn’t look convinced. That made him want to convince her.

“We’ll only be here a bit longer; it looks like the kids are almost done with their ice cream. We could get some cones and head out. I have Noah and Gregory in the car with me, but if you don’t mind running them back, I’ll drive us to the Bed and Breakfast after. It’s too cold to walk.”

Nat still didn’t look entirely convinced, but April was on his side.

“That sounds like a great idea!” She winked at him when Nat looked away for a second. He grinned.

Natalie looked between April and her date, and Cade. Then nodded. “Okay, thanks, Cade. If you’re sure you don’t mind?” She didn’t sound thrilled, but he’d take it.

“Not at all. See you guys later.” He grabbed Nat’s wrist and pulled her to the counter to order. “Too bad Kyle didn’t have you to help dig his car out,” he said as he perused the menu.

Her eyes widened. “Is it terrible if I’m extra glad I didn’t go with him? I can’t imagine being stuck in the snow with him.” She put just a little extra emphasis onhim. Did that mean she hadn’t minded being stuck in the snow with Cade? At least until he’d brought up the breakup.

By the time they had cones in hand, his family was throwing away their many paper bowls and napkins. Gregory and Noah came over to stand by him, and his mom smiled over their heads. “Thanks for your help tonight, Cade—and you, too, Natalie!”

He nodded, Nat smiled, and they ushered the boys out to the car.

---