“That’s okay. I can get it.”

She nodded but didn’t move. Instead, she stared down at her boots. “I could show you around town. Since you’re new here and all.”

Damian took in a breath and let it out slowly. This was an interesting development. The girl was coming on to him. Although she was pretty, he couldn’t date an employee. But he didn’t want to crush the girl. Maybe it would be okay if he spent the day with her, as long as he sent enough signals that there wasn’t going to be anything between them. “All right.”

Kat’s head snapped up and she looked relieved. “Good. Then it’s settled. I’ll get the windshield scraper out.” She pulled a long brush out of the trunk.

He began shoveling around the tires as she brushed off the top. She was attacking the roof with such gusto that little flakes were hitting his neck. He looked up and a blast of snow hit him full in the face. He sputtered. “Hey!”

Kat’s head popped up from the other side of the car. “Oops.” She grinned and bit her bottom lip. “I didn’t mean to get you.”

He brushed off his coat and hair. “Just be more aware of what you’re doing.” It came out way grumpier than he’d planned, and he cringed. When had he turned into a sour old man?

He bent down again to dig, and a pile of snow fell on the back of his head, getting in his collar and falling down his shirt. He jerked up and Kat let out a laugh. It echoed off the downtown buildings. “Lighten up, Scrooge.”

Maybe he deserved that. He scowled at her. “Funny.” He bent to pretend to shovel again but instead scooped up a handful of snow. Two could play this game. He snuck around the car. When she wasn’t looking he ran behind her and tossed it down the back of her sweater.

She squealed and did a little dance. “Oh, that’s it. You’re on.” She scooped up a large pile of snow and came at him.

He backed away. “No fair, that’s three times as much.”

“Too bad.” She lunged at him, slipping on the ice. He reached out to catch her but they both toppled over. Snow slid down his back and he let out a shriek. Kat laughed and tried to get up off him, but slid again and landed on his chest, forcing out a grunting noise.

“You screamed like a kindergarten girl,” she said, trying to catch her breath as she laughed.

He tried to frown at her, but it didn’t work. He couldn’t stop smiling. “I did not.”

Her giggles cascaded over him as she tried once again to get off him. “Okay, it’s official. We’re stuck like this.”

He looked up into her blue eyes. They were like deep pools of glass. Her face practically glowed when she smiled. His heart stuttered and he sobered. He couldn’t look at her that way. He rolled to his side and they both sat up.

“Guess we’d better keep digging or we’ll never finish,” he said, his voice husky.

Kat stood and shook the snow off her. “Yes. You’re right.”

As they shoveled, Kat’s phone rang. She answered it, turning away from him, maybe so he wouldn’t hear, but it didn’t work. He could hear her just fine. “Hey, sorry it’s going to take longer than I thought.” She paused. “Yes. I’ll talk to you later.” Another pause. “Right. I promise to tell you everything.” Kat looked up at the sky. “I’m hanging up now.” She touched the screen and pocketed her phone.

“What was that about?”

Kat shook her head. “Just my sister asking about her car.”

After they finished digging the snow, he drove to the hotel and parked. When he was back in Kat’s vehicle he said, “Okay. What does this town have to offer?”

“First, let’s go to Russ’s.”

“What’s that?”

She shrugged. “You’ll see.” She drove to a part of town he hadn’t seen before. When she pulled into the parking lot, he gave her an incredulous look.

“A grocery store? What’s so special about this?”

Kat hopped out of the car. “Come on. If I’m going to show you my awesome town, you’re going to have to trust me.”

Damian followed her in the door. It just looked like a regular grocery store. As they walked his phone chimed. He looked at the display. His mother. He silenced the phone and slid it into his pocket. He would call her later.

Kat walked up to a woman handing out samples of cheese and crackers. “Hey, Sandra. How’s it going?” Kat leaned on the table and popped a piece of cheese in her mouth.

Sandra smiled warmly and slid more food toward Kat. Her plump figure and soft demeanor reminded Damian of a nanny he had as a child.