Page 95 of Through the Snow Globe
Diana rolled over onto her side, vaguely aware of Linus’s voice above her. She groaned softly, resisting waking up.
His hand slipped beneath her arm and tickled her softly. “Wake up,” he whispered, teasing her.
“That’s just cruel,” she moaned. “Tickling someone awake is the worst wake-up call.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” His voice was anything but apologetic. Then he climbed over her and plopped into the bed beside her, making the mattress bounce softly.
Diana finally opened her eyes, deciphering what was going on. Linus wasn’t in a hurry to get to work. Usually he was dressed by now and prodding her to do the same for the school job she’d taken on. “What’s going on?”
Linus’s fingers slid under her arm again, tickling the line that led down her ribs. She let out a tiny laugh and batted his hand away. “Stop it,” she pleaded. “What are you doing?”
“Playing with you.”
“You are one big kid, Linus Grant.Stoppppp. . . Don’t you have to get to work for some distributor meeting or something?”
“I really should,” he agreed, but didn’t move to leave the bed. “But, you see, there’s one slight problem.”
Diana narrowed her eyes. “What’s that?”
He attempted to tickle her some more but she rolled out of his reach.
“What’s the problem?” she asked again.
“It’s snowing outside,” he whispered, leaning in close to her ear as if to confide a secret.
“A little snow shouldn’t stop you.”
“Not just a little snow. It snowed a lot while we were sleeping. We’re snowed in.”
Diana felt her eyes go wide. “What? What do you mean?” She launched herself out of bed and ran to the window, peeking through the blinds to look down on the town. Jingling Santa wasn’t even there this morning. Instead, the entire ground was covered in a brilliant white snow. “I can’t believe this. How deep is it?” She turned to look at Linus, lying with his head propped up on his arm.
“At least three feet. Maybe four and it’s still falling. The roads haven’t been cleared. Neither of us are going anywhere today.”
“This wasn’t in the forecast.”
Linus reached out for her, luring her back to the bed with him. “Sometimes the best things in life aren’t planned.”
She stepped toward him and allowed him to pull her back onto the bed. Satisfaction made a wide smile curl on her lips. A day to be snowed in with her new husband sounded perfect. She and Linus had gotten married as soon as he’d left the hospital. Linus’s grandfather was right. Foreverwasa myth. All they were guaranteed was the moment they were in. The next was a gift, and she wanted to collect all the moments she could.
“Let’s just lie here all day,” he said.
“Mm. Sounds perfect.”
“Or,” he said, “you lie there and I’ll have my way with you. And I’m not talking about tickles.”
Diana burst into more laughter. “I think I need coffee first. You?”
Linus sighed. “You will never turn me on to coffee. It will always be hot tea. In fact, I’m going to make us a cup right now along with breakfast.”
Diana moved to get up. “Want me to help?”
“No. You stay here.” Linus patted her thigh and then lifted himself up off the bed. “I’ll make it and serve it to you in bed.” He bent and kissed her temple. “Now get back under the covers where it’s warm,” he mock demanded.
She didn’t argue. Instead, she crawled back under the covers and grabbed her phone. First text of the day was to Rochelle.
Diana:Happy birthday! Did you wish for snow?
Diana watched as the dots starting blinking on her screen while Rochelle responded.
