Page 56 of Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope
“I admit, he’s looking pretty awesome,” Andrew said.
The snow was just right, and the three of them had each crafted a snowball. Andrew’s was the base, Morgan’s the middle, and Greyson’s was the head.
Andrew packed on more snow to round out his bottom piece while Greyson and Morgan dug through the box, looking for something to use as eyes.
At least, that’s what he thought they were doing up until a thud hit his back.
Fully prepared to receive an onslaught as he turned, he said, “Seriously?”
To which Greyson and Morgan replied by both launching more snowballs at him.
“Two against one?” he asked, bending down to make a snowball.
“The snowman’s on your team,” Morgan pointed out. “Two against two.”
Andrew laughed. “Unless I’m supposed to use him as ammunition, I’m not sure he’s going to be much help.”
“You wouldn’t,” Morgan protested.
She was right. He wouldn’t. But he would use the snowman as a shield. Ducking behind him, he made another snowball and launched it toward Morgan.
As she was standing out in the open, it hit her square in the chest.
“Ooh,” she said, eyes widening at the impact. “Nice shot.”
Greyson ducked behind her and lobbed a couple of snowballs at Andrew that fell short. Then they both bent to gather more snow.
Andrew took aim at Greyson’s boots and watched as snow splattered across them.
“He got me!” Greyson said, laughing as he threw more snow Andrew’s way.
For several minutes they pummeled snowball after snowball his way, laughing and taunting and teasing.
Apparently hitting someone with snow released happiness because with each snowball that struck him, Greyson and Morgan did a little happy dance, laughing, and Andrew found himself setting up shots for them—making himself a more vulnerable target. Hearing mother and son laugh together was addictive and he wanted more. And more.
He launched enough back as to keep them on their toes, never throwing hard as he just wanted the snow to reach them, not hurt them.
“You go that way and I’ll go this way,” he heard Greyson tell his mom as they flanked him.
Andrew laughed and shielded his face as they moved closer.
Greyson wrapped his arms around his waist. “Gotcha!”
Andrew’s gaze cut to Morgan’s smiling face. Her nose and cheeks were pink from the cold, but he’d never seen her so relaxed, so happy. “What about you? You gonna get me, too?”
“If you insist.” Then she pelted him with a large snowball that caught him on the forehead. At impact, the snowball burst apart and sent snow flying. He sputtered as it got in his mouth.
“Oh, goodness. I didn’t mean to hit you in the face.” Morgan came rushing to him. “Are you okay?”
“I may have a concussion,” he moaned, keeping his hands hidden so she hopefully wouldn’t notice the snow he held.
“Oh, Andrew, I’m sorry. Let me check you,” she said, kicking into nurse mode. “Let me look into your eyes.”
“Ah, I knew you really liked me.”
“Be serious. I could have hurt you.”
“You could have,” he agreed. But she hadn’t. Not in the slightest. “Think you’re going to have to drive the trailer home.”
