Page 1 of Winter's Surprise
Snow fell over Michelle’s hometown, and it was a magical sight, romantic even.
Romance… she wasn’t sure what that was anymore. She had an empty home to go to, no husband or kids, not even a pet that waited for her. She didn’t expect this of her life at thirty-three. Like many young girls, she used to dream of the perfect man, kids, and dog playing in the backyard.
“Chelle? When are you going home?” her coworker and best friend called from the door, breaking into her thoughts.
Michelle turned from the wonderland outside in time to catch Janey rubbing her round belly. She was days from popping and refused to rest.
“When are you going to put your maternity leave in?” Michelle asked, leaning farther back into her chair.
“Shut up,” Janey warned with a glare. “You know I’m not risking Bobby. He’ll be here soon enough.”
“Well you know I don’t have any kind of social life to risk by getting some work done in the quiet. Go on home before Eric calls me looking for you.”
Janey opened her mouth to argue but suddenly grabbed her side and gasped.
“You okay, honey?” Michelle asked, her hands going damp with fear. She forced herself to remain seated. Any time Janey experienced a Braxton Hicks contraction, and any of us in the office jumped to help her, she would rip off our heads.
“Yu—up,” said Janey. After a moment, her features smoothed. “Okay, I’m going to head home before Eric blows up your phone. Please don’t stay here too late?”
Michelle smiled. “Yes, Mom!”
After flicking her off, Janey turned and stopped before looking over her shoulder. “You should come to dinner tomorrow. My brother will be in town and—”
“Nope. You, Janet McCleod, need to stop right there.”
“Chelle—”
“Janey—”
“Mmm…” Janey whimpered. “This isn’t…over. Stupid Brax—ton…Hicks. Bye.”
Michelle watched Janey breathe through her complaint before Janie shot her a dirty look and wobbled away. She shook her head at her friend’s retreating form and turned back to her computer. She hoped to get some of the administrative duties done that had only piled up during the day.
Two hours later, she shut off her computer and grabbed her wool coat and purse. It was now dark outside, and from what she had seen, the snow had taken a break from coating the streets.
After a quick wave at security, she walked out the doors. Wanting to send Janey a text, Michelle reached into her pocket for her phone, but it wasn’t there. She stopped on the salted sidewalk and rummaged through the inside of her purse. Before she could find it, she was knocked off balance.
She threw her arms forward to catch her fall, but it only made things worse. “Ow!” Michelle yelped and rolled to her side. She cupped her wrist to her chest and took a deep breath. Her knees ached from the impact with the cold concrete, and tears stung the backs of her eyes from the pain in her wrist.
“I am so sorry! Are you okay?” a velvety voice asked from above her.
Michelle opened her eyes and glared at the man. “In a hurry much?” It didn’t matter that she couldn’t see him with the streetlight glowing around his head. He was anything but an angel for trying to walk through her.
“I wasn’t looking where I was going! I’m so sorry. Here, let me see?”
She pulled her wrist away from the stranger, the movement making her feel like a train ran her over. “Are you a doctor?”
“No—”
“Then n—”
“Don’t be stubborn. I said I was sorry. I’ve had enough hockey injuries to recognize a break.”
He knelt by her side and grabbed her elbow with a gentleness she hadn’t expected. Michelle took that moment to study his face. His voice was sexy, but his face was sculpted by the Greek gods.
Pushing the thought aside, she watched him slip her glove off and begin to test her wrist. The pain was subsiding, but an ache that didn’t belong to any normal joint made itself clearly known.
His eyes met hers. “What’s your name?”
