Page 39 of Snowed in with My Pucking Ex
I rub my hands together, blowing between them. I have gloves on, but my hands always get cold regardless, and I’m hoping the friction might give me a bit more warmth. The chill has taken over, despite the festive atmosphere around me. Our farm’s littlebooth is positioned near the edge of the park, giving me a perfect view of families bundled up in their festive scarves and mittens as they wander from one vendor to the next.
The location is also close enough to the pop-up rink that all skaters pass by when they head for the benches to take a break. Thankfully, it’s not too close that I'm constantly hit with the spray of ice when someone stops too quickly, because that would surely take all the jolliness I’ve managed to muster right out of me. I can’t help but watch as a couple of families glide across the ice, their laughter creating puffs of white in the frosty night air.
Everyone seems happy, making me think back to the time Sean had taken me skating for one of our dates. I knew how to skate already, having lived here my entire life. For his sake, I pretended to be rusty so he’d have a reason to help me.
I shake my head with a chuckle. I was young and thought I had everything all figured out. Turns out I had no idea what life entailed for me, or the second chances it’d offer.
Speaking of Sean…
I pull my phone from my pocket and reread his text for like the fifth time that says he’ll be seeing me soon. However, he hasn’t shown up yet. I know he’s a busy guy, so I haven’t texted him, but it’s been hard not to. I don’t want to come off as clingy or anything; the man hasn’t made me any promises. Nor have I asked him to, but it still has me hoping that in the end, he’ll want to be with me as much as I want to be with him.
Gram makes her way into the booth alongside Mom and Calla. “Hot cocoa?” She holds out a large cup, and I can already see the steam escaping from the opening in the lid.
“Absolutely, thank you.”
The owner of Tasty Sip first started her business at these markets, and it wasn’t long before it blossomed into her shop on the main street. I carefully take the first drink, expecting it to be hot. Instead, I get a little bit of hot cocoa and a lot of whippedcream and marshmallows. Sweetness explodes over my tongue, instantly making me swallow and laugh a little to myself.
“So good. I swear she sprinkles Christmas dust in her drinks to make them so good.” I mutter.
Mom smiles, nodding. “Even the flavored hot coffees she serves are the best around. I’m so glad to see their booth set up again this year. I was worried the shop would be too busy, we’d be out of our favorite drinks while we’re here.”
Gram sits in her chair in the corner, bundling up in her newest quilt. “The only thing I’m looking forward to is the eye candy. I can’t wait until the ax-throwing contest, and we’ve got prime seating this year.” She nods to the setup that’s been roped off beside the rink, and is filled with various logs and ribbons already tied off for various markers.
I roll my eyes. The woman is crazy. I don’t know how Pops puts up with her. She’s been feisty like this for as long as I can remember. “Tomorrow, Gram. They only do ax-throwing when it’s light outside.”
“And with good reason, too. We need all those glorious muscles on display,” she offers me a wink.
Mom and Calla laugh and turn away to talk to various people stopping by the booth. In this town, we know everyone, and they all want to say hi to Mom since she’s their doctor and Calla’s their nurse. I keep smiling and waving to each of them so they don’t think I’m being rude or unsociable, but in reality, I only want to see two people today, and neither are here. Sean and Samantha.
“I swear those roasted nuts have had my mouth watering ever since I got here.” I groan a moment later as my stomach rumbles. They coat them in this cinnamon and sugar concoction, along with who knows what else, but it’s the only time I randomly eat a bag of nuts like that.
“That’s what she said!” Gram comments, grinning.
Mom flashes her a wide-eyed look, “Mom! Not so loud,please.” She’s Dad’s mom, but my parents have been married for like thirty-five years, so at this point she calls Gram ‘Mom’too. If Dad were here, he’d be turning red, not able to wrangle Gram in. It’s always entertaining to see him try to handle her, and Gram reminds him she’ll say or do whatever she wants.
“Well, look who finally showed up. Guess he left the helicopter at home this time,” Gram nods a beat later, her head tilted in the opposite direction that I was just staring off in.
I try to act nonchalant when turning to look, but I’m not sure if I pull it off or not. However, as soon as my gaze falls on Sean, everything inside me lights up. I’m excited to see him, and not only that, butI missed him. He’s striding through the festival, another big guy at his side as they talk and laugh together. I’ve watched enough games to know it’s his good friend, Jake. It’s not the man’s presence beside him that takes me most by surprise; it’s the fact that they’re both wearing thick hoodies advertising the Noelville Blizzards hockey team.
A few people stop them to excitedly shake their hands, saying hello. Some teens race up to the two of them, hands full of napkins, with a couple of red and green markers they’ve swiped from the kids’ craft tables. I have no doubt they’re asking for autographs.
The guys sign several items, wearing smiles as they do it and I can only imagine how crazy their lives must be on game days with people rushing to see them. I’m captivated by the entire scene; I’ve never been around Sean when he’s been anything more than just ‘that good hockey player I know’ who people would randomly compliment on in the village. Now, however, he has legit celebrity status, and it’s intriguing. He goes with the flow so well and seems genuinely happy to autograph stuff for people.
The teenagers ask the guys something, then they both nod and turn around. I zero in on the back of their hoodies, as I notice that it has each of their last names and numbers in large print. When the realization of what it means hits me, my mouth drops open.
“You see what I am, or have my eyes gotten worse?” Gram nudges me, but I’m not paying her any attention. The woman can see just fine; she’s not fooling me.
Calla gasps, quietly whispering, “Oh, please be true!”
I know she’s wishing the same thing I am, but for different reasons. Sean’s been living away from Noel Falls for a long time because of hockey, and Calla misses him like crazy, but she’d never put any pressure on him to pick the closest team. If he’s a Blizzard now, I have to believe it’s for more reasons than one…
His eyes find mine first, and then his smile softens. His head tilts a bit as he stares at me for a moment before he’s jostled by Jake, and then they’re both walking toward our booth. My stomach flips in the best sort of way with every step he takes.
“Hey,” he greets, saying the word to me first, his eyes twinkling with affection. I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m wearing a matching expression while staring at him in return.Heart eyes.The guy hasheart eyesfor me, and it has my soul singing loudly for him.
Calla interrupts the moment we’d momentarily been sharing by asking, “Sean Spruce, do you want to update me on anything?’ She pulls him into a hug, then she’s reaching for Jake next. “Hi Jake, it’s so nice to see you again.”
Am I imagining things, or is Calla blushing a little as she gazes up at Jake? He is pretty to look at, but he’s got nothing on Sean as far as I’m concerned. I swear I witness a twinkle in his eye as he meets her gaze, but I must be mistaken.Surely.That’s Sean’s mom!
