Page 61 of Forecheck
“No, actually,” I said, following her out of her apartment. “That doesn’t make me feel better.”
“Too bad,” she said. “You’re stuck with me now.”
Before she could walk away, I grabbed her wrist and tugged her against my body, capturing her mouth with mine.
“Lucky me,” I said against her lips.
It had snowed the night before, a dusting that coated the trees along the highway in white frosting. But the sun was out, and the roads were clear, making the short trip north a smooth one.
Frankenmuth was referred to as Michigan’s Little Bavaria. It was an apt moniker because it looked for all the world like a little German village had been uprooted and dropped at the base of Michigan’s thumb. The area had been settled in 1845 by fifteen Germans, led by a minister, with the express purpose of evangelizing Native Americans. A church was the first building constructed, followed by a school. Less than a decade later, the settlement had boasted eighty cabins and farmhouses. Now, it was a bustling city home to the world’s largest Christmas store.
“I’m already looking forward to that hot tub you promised,” Berkley said, shivering and pressing herself further into my side as we walked toward the shops.
I was, too, though definitely not for the same reasons.
Winter Festival was a citywide celebration of the winter season. Large ice and snow sculptures were erected all over town, and people from all across the Midwest traveled to see them. Large entertainment tents were set up, lined with space heaters and filled with tables and chairs. Stands served staples like beer, soda, hot cocoa and cider, while other vendors offered all manner of cuisines. Even a month after Christmas,Frankemuth hadn’t shed its holiday cheer. The German-inspired buildings made it feel like Santa’s village year-round.
“My parents used to bring us here as kids,” Berkley said as we stopped in front of a storefront to admire the local architecture. “But this is the first time I’ve been back in ages.”
“You’ve been busy.”
“Law school really has been kicking my ass,” she admitted.
“Then I’m making it my mission to take your mind off of it. What do you want to do first?”
“I want to go check out the sculptures,” she said. “Then wander through the trinket shops.”
So that’s exactly what we did.
The sculptures were incredible. It was truly amazing, the way these artists could take things as plain as snow and as fragile but as ice and turn them into something as beautiful as a swan or a house of cards. There were animals of all shapes and sizes, buildings tall enough that I could easily walk inside, and one scene depicting children having a snowball fight.
“This is amazing,” Berkley said.
“I can’t believe I’ve lived in Michigan for over a decade and never knew this existed.”
“How did you find out about it?”
“Mitch,” I said with a shrug.
“You talked to Mitch about us?”
“Technically, he brought it up. He was worried about you, and our relationship, after going public. He suggested taking a little trip.”
Berkley raised an eyebrow. “Do you get a lot of your ideas from Mitch?”
“Not really,” I said. “But he’s my best friend. We talk about stuff like you would with Lexie. And speaking of Lexie…”
“She really likes him,” Berkley said.
“That’s good, because he really likes her. I actually got the feeling that Mitch wanted to bring her here this weekend.”
“She’s out of town for work.”
“That explains it, then. I guess we’ll have to enjoy this enough for usandthem.”
“How so?” Berkley asked.
“I’ve got a few ideas in mind.”
