Page 14 of Christmas on Ice
“No!”
I jumped. Ryleigh’s lower lip quivered. “That’swrong, Mr. Tiggerman.”
Poor thing looked so serious. “Which way is right?”
“Pointy. So I can dip the corners of my ketchup.”
“Hmmm.” I scratched my chin. “How about I eat these, and I’ll cut the next ones the right way, okay?”
“Okay. That will be good.”
“My pleasure.”
That made her giggle, and despite all the waffley hoops, I was really enjoying my time with her. After breakfast,I checked on Kami. Her breathing was low and even. This rest would do her good.Ryleigh and I played Candyland and watched movies for the next couple of hours. Kami slept through it all. Ryleigh and I checked on her a few more times. When the snow stopped around noon, I hunted around for a shovel and made her promise to stay on the couch until I came back in.
8
Kami
The front door clicked shut, and I slowly rolled my body over. Even the slightest movement sent daggers to my throbbing head. My neck was stiff, and I was certain I had a concussion.
I blinked wearily to pull the scene into focus. Ryleigh was on the couch, fully engrossed with her tablet. I’d heard Trask ask for the shovel, so I assumed he was outside.
That was nice of him.
My neighbors down the street usually sent their teenagers by to shovel, but by the time I’d been awake and conscious enough to read their texts, Ryleigh had told Trask about the shovel hanging from the hook on the front porch and he’d gone out.
I should probably let him know.
“Ry?” I hardly recognized my voice. Pressing my hands into the mattress, I attempted to raise my head.
Not gonna happen.
I sunk back into my pillow. “Ryleigh.”
“Mommy! You’re awake!” I closed my eyes and listened to her run over to me and up the three steps to my bed. “Mr. Tiggerman is here!”
I winced. She was so loud. “I know, baby. Mommy’s head hurts a lot. Can you whisper?”
“OKAY!” I winced again at the volume of her whisper. We’d have to work on that.
“Ryleigh, can you do something super-duper important for me?”
“YES!” It took all my effort not to cover my ears.
“Can you open the door to outside and tell Mr. Trask I would like to speak with him?”
“OKAY!”
I just about cried.Deep breath, Kami.I let my eyelids close again.
I pulled the pillow close to my ears and didn’t ease up until I heard Trask’s purposeful strides across the floor.
“Kami? How can I help?”
“Hey.” I swallowed and opened my eyes. How different he was from Sutton. Not much in physical features; they were both well over six feet and muscular, with light hair and dark eyes. But that’s where the similarities ended. Sutton relied on me to get things done and for emotional strength. Trask didn’t need it. “The management company plows and shovels, but thank you. They should be along soon. You won’t be stuck here all day. Promise.”
“I don’t mind.”
