Page 16 of Home Team Advantage
“The roads will be treacherous.”
“The plows have already been through twice, and I have plenty of time to clear the driveway before it’s time to go.”
Mrs. Campbell looked doubtful. “Kieran usually takes care of that for me. He has a snowblower.”
That was all well and good, but who knew when he’d come by? Besides, how hard could it be?
“I’m perfectly capable of shoveling a little snow, and we don’t want to reschedule if we don’t have to.”
“I don’t mind rescheduling,” Mrs. Campbell said quickly, and Anna was beginning to think Elsa was using the snow as an excuse to miss her appointment.
“Mrs. Campbell, is there another reason you don’t want to see Dr. Howard today?”
“He’s a snot-nosed little upstart,” Elsa said with a huff. “Thinks he knows everything. What does a thirty-two-year-old man-child know about aging? He’s barely old enough to shave.”
Anna hid her smile. “He’s a geriatrician. I’m sure he knows something.”
“Bah. Book knowledge perhaps,” she grumbled. “Why do I need to worry about cholesterol? I’m ninety-seven years old, and I’m not about to give up sweets now. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it, I say.” Mrs. Campbell shook her head. “Why Dr. Phillips appointed him as his successor is beyond me. The young man simply doesn’t listen.”
“Tell you what. How about when we get there, I go in with you? Between the two of us, we’ll make sure he listens.”
Mrs. Campbell looked at her, surprised. “You would do that?”
“Of course I’ll do that,” Anna said, wondering when the last time was that Elsa had had someone to stand up for—or at least stand beside—her. “But first, I need to clear the driveway. Can I get you anything before I head out?”
“If you’ll just help me into my chair, I’ll start getting ready.”
“You got it.”
Once Elsa was situated in front of her vanity, Anna went into the mudroom and donned her parka, gloves, hat, and scarf, then went out to the garage. She pressed the button to raise the automatic garage door, which left a solid wall of snow about half a foot high. Off to the right, the sound of a powerful engine suggested the neighbor was doing some clearing of his own. She couldn’t see who it was, however, from the front of the house.
She grabbed a shovel from a hook and began working outward. It wasn’t the first time Anna had ever seen snow, but it was the first time she’d ever tried to shovel it. It wasn’t as easy as she’d thought. The snow was heavy and wet, forcing her to take small scoops and limiting her throwing distance.
She heard the roar of machines up and down the street, and suddenly, she had a much better appreciation for snowblowers. If she was still here next winter, she was going to suggest purchasing one. Just a modest one, nothing fancy. Elsa’s driveway wasn’t all that big, but Anna hated to think of what shoveling a foot or more would be like.
Fifteen minutes later, Anna was sweating under the bright sun and physical exertion. The temperature was in the low thirties, but it felt much warmer. She removed her hat and scarf and gloves, then eventually her heavy coat. The thick hoodie was more than enough.
“It’s good exercise,” she murmured through gritted teeth, the twinge in her back reminding her not to put as much snow on the shovel. “Cardio, strength, and endurance. A complete workout. People pay good money for this kind of self-abuse.”
As she paused to stretch and give her back a break, she noticed a large figure at the top of the driveway, working on the dam of snow and ice created by the earlier plows.
Not Kieran. The bronze god. Matt looked up at that moment, smiled, and waved at her.
Anna returned his wave with one of her own, biting back the assurance that she had things covered and didn’t require his assistance, even though a part of her was intensely relieved she wouldn’t have to do it alone. Clearly, she’d overestimated her snow-removal abilities.
And her current level of fitness.
She forced her eyes away from the tall, broad figure making quick work of the snow and got back to work, stuffing down the momentary flare of suspicion. There didn’t have to be an ulterior motive for his presence. According to Mrs. Campbell, that was what people did around here. Neighbors helped neighbors, just because. To not accept or to make a big deal out of it drew more attention than just going along with it.
Anna kept her head down and her focus where it belonged—on her shovel. Small scoops. Lift with your legs, not your back. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
The snow seemed to be getting heavier and wetter by the minute.
Or maybe her muscles were simply liquefying.
She could feel Elsa’s eyes on her, watching through the big bay window while she waited patiently.
And his—because he was watching her too. His gaze was as tangible as a physical touch, and that made her uncomfortable. She was feeling more than warm enough already. She didn’t need him inciting more hormones.
