Page 19 of Snowed in with My Pucking Ex
She remains focused on the snowy ground before us as she slowly drives the old pickup to the far side of their family farm. “No, my family has offered to, but different businesses usually beat us to it. Dad told me this morning that Mrs. Anderson, the woman who organizes the food pantry over there, had called and told him the tree donation had fallen through. She wanted to give us the chance to bring a tree down first because it’s been a few years since our last.”
I nod, thinking about small ways to help, and if I should contact my beverage sponsor to see if they’d be willing to do a donation. Being close to the holidays, a lot of companies are looking for affordable ways to be involved, and this could be the answer for them while also assisting small food pantries during some rough months. Since I’m in professional sports, I’m used to doing several different community charitable events per year. They’re either organized by the team or others that have personally reached out, and I’ve taken an interest in. AnytimeI hear about other people who don’t have a hefty disposable income going out of their way to make contributions, I want to know more. If I’m able to step in and do anything for the cause their supporting, then I usually will. Even if it’s simply sharing the charity on my socials, sometimes that’s all it takes to get the right people involved and make a difference.
The drive to the cabin is quick; it’s probably two miles or so away from the farm, and partially up the side of the closest mountain. Nothing too high up, just enough so when you’re at the cabin, it’s tucked away in the trees to make you feel like you’re surrounded by nothing but the beautiful snowy wilderness. Everything out this way lies untouched in a serene way. The powdery white snow is thick and bright, with the tree branches hanging low, heavy from the added weight. As I take in the cozy little cabin, I understand why her family built it.
Am I crazy for imagining her here, with me, spending time alone together? I can picture a family running around, kids playing outside in the snow, and us finding a Christmas tree together, all way too easily. Fantasizing about sharing a future with her should throw up red flags for me, demanding I pump the brakes, but it’s as easy as breathing. The realization I had in the locker room after my game hits me all over again, but this time it’s stronger.
I want this.
And I only want it withher.
“I know it’s going to be freezing inside there.” Winter tilts her head toward the cabin once she’s parked and we’re standing outside the truck. “We should probably cut the tree down before grabbing the supplies, since it’s beginning to snow again. I don’t want the boxes to get wet while sitting in the bed, waiting for us to finish with the tree.”
I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear, as the urge to touch her whenever possible grows stronger. The move makes herpause, her lashes lowering as she stares up to meet my gaze, and I nearly lose myself in her. She’s always beautiful, but out here, I swear she takes my breath away.
“I agree,” I finally say, taking a step away to put a little distance between us so I can think again. “It always surprised me that your dad didn’t open a tree farm out here with all this land your family owns. There are so many pines out here, he wouldn’t have to plant many.”
I grab the chainsaw and follow her down a path between the trees. She seems to know exactly where she’s going, so this must be the place they always come to get their Christmas trees. I’m kind of surprised she’s not playing carols on her cell as we walk; she’s the type of woman that if we all had theme songs, hers would beWalking in a Winter Wonderland. That song is exactly why I started calling herWinter Wonderlandwhen we were younger, and she’d shown up wearing all white to go ice skating with me. I thought she was the prettiest girl I’d ever seen that day, with her flushed cheeks and pink nose. After all this time, I can confirm she still holds that title in my heart.
“He’s friends with the owner of the tree farm in Noelville, so he never wanted to take any business from them.”
“Makes sense,” I reply, and then we grow quiet as she strolls along. Our footsteps leave a path behind us in the perfect blanket of snow. I match my pace to hers, so I can walk next to her and take in the peacefulness of the woods. I can’t remember the last time I went and cut down my own Christmas tree. It had to be the year before I started college.
Winter’s arms flail suddenly, as a shriek escapes her. In the next moment, she pitches backward, her feet flying forward. I instantly drop the chainsaw and reach for her. Thankfully, because of hockey, my reflexes are quick enough that I’m able to grab her before she hits the ground.
Her eyes are wide, her chest heaving as I pull her up and make sure she’s steady enough on her feet. I don’t release her right away, as having her in my arms once again is what I’ve been thinking of nonstop since Thanksgiving. Her hands rest on my chest; her body pressed against mine, and it’s the warmest I’ve felt all day. She does this to me somehow, in a way no one ever has before. She’s a bit breathless as she manages to whisper, “Wow, good catch.”
I gaze down at her, taking in her hot cocoa irises, while wishing she were already mine. That I could dip my head a bit, pressing my lips to hers. We’re not there yet, so I’ll take any closeness I can get from her in the meantime. “Are you okay?”
She nods, “Thank you.” Her eyes land on my lips, making me wonder if she’s imagining kissing me, too. If she would push me away, or pull me in for a deeper taste. “I see why you’re so good on the ice. You’refast,” she admits, her voice trailing off.
Needing to break up the moment before I do something that could possibly rush her before she’s ready, I press a soft kiss to her forehead. Taking a step back, I promise, “I’m here anytime you need me.” I wink, attempting to lighten the moment and release my hold on her. I turn for the chainsaw, grab it, and then hold out my elbow for Winter.
Much to my surprise, she takes it without a rebuke. She wraps her hand around me, holding on, as she walks a bit more carefully than she was before. She murmurs something else, but all I can think of is how I want to have her in my arms again, and that the time can’t come soon enough.
How I want to kiss her and make her agree to finally bemine.
Chapter Twelve
Winter
I was floating the entire time we were together to cut the tree down. I swear I don’t think my feet touched the snow after he’d pressed his lips to my forehead and made my heart stutter. It was pure sweetness, and the way he’d stared at me, as if I was the brightest Christmas star he’d ever wished on…Well, it was enough to make me nearly lean in and kiss his lips. I held back, of course, but not because I didn’t want to kiss him. The opposite, actually, and the reality has me a little worried if I’m being honest with myself. Sean is a professional hockey player, a very successful one who travels a lot for his job, and then there’s also the fact that we don’t live in the same city anymore.
However, I have these feelings I can’t seem to shake that’ve been rushing back for him in abundance. No matter how much I silently fight them, they seem to keep building between us. I would be dumb to ignore it all, right?
We get the large pine tree loaded into the back of Dad’s pick-up truck, and by we, I mean Sean, lifts it like it’s his other day job. The man is made of pure muscle, I swear. I could watch him lift and flex all day long without complaint. “I’m glad we waited for the other supplies,” I mention, lifting my gloved hand to catch some of the bright flakes that have covered the truck in a thick blanket of white already.
The snow started falling pretty quickly the moment we set out, trekking through the trees, to find the perfect pine to donate to the church. The flurries didn’t bother me, though. I used to take the beauty of this place for granted as a kid, but I refuse to as an adult. Halfway through our walk, I stopped along our path and stared. Watching as the fluffy puffs drifted down, landing around us and over the trees. Sean had paused too, watching me for a moment before he realized I was simply taking in the moment. Then, he did the same.
I’ve read so many romance novels where the couples in the books watch the sunset together, but where are the stories that share the absolute peace and connectiveness that watching the snow fall can bring, when you’re with the right person?
I flash a smile as I flick some snow from the side of the truck at the gorgeous man. He laughs, his brows raising in challenge, and I know if I hit him with some more snow, I’ll be in for it. You don’t grow up around here and not learn how to make a mean snowball. I have a feeling this talented hockey player isn’t to be trifled with.
I raise my hands in surrender, “No more snow. Although you could probably use a little on that bruise you got from playing your last game.”
He shakes his head, following me as I close the tailgate, and then he quickly bends. Before I have the chance to hop out of the way, he’s stuffing a handful of snow at my neck and down my jacket. The icy chunk quickly melts its way lower over the sensitive skin on my back.
“Ah!” I scream from the jolt of coldness, following it up with a burst of giggles. “You are in for it! Just wait, when you’re least expecting it, I’m going to get you back.” I spin around with the promise, my smile beaming so widely it makes my cheeks hurt.
