Page 20 of A Cuddly Christmas
TILLY
“Paxton!” I shout after him. I barely catch him by the back of his coat, and when he feels me tug on it, he stops.
“I have to go after him.”
“I know, but you’re going to get all of us hurt. If you go out there and don’t come back, then I’ll be going after you next." I see a muscle in his jaw twitch with indecision. “We’ll go together.”
“I don’t want?—”
“You can’t stop me from following you.” His brows rise, and I see a small challenge there, but I’m not one to back down. “Don’t think about tying me to anything. I saw that scary movie where the woman is alone in the cabin and tied to the bed.”
“Didn’t he die on top of her while they were having sex?”
“Yes, so don’t give me any ideas. I want you very much alive when that happens.”
"Not the worst way to go," he says, and I shake my head at him while fighting not to laugh. Now is not the time.
"Are you sure your head is okay enough to do this?" I don't want him to, but I know I can't stop him either.
"It's best that I don't lie down." His hand comes up to my cheek. "And head injuries bleed a lot. I'm sure it appears worse than it is."
"You're sure? I don't have a lot of confidence in the way you’re saying it."
"You don't want me to go, and I don't want you to go," he says.
"All right," I agree. “Then we’re wasting time fighting over this when inevitably we'll both be going. I’ll let you handle the generator, and I'll check the barn again. He might have run back in there since I'm not in there anymore."
"We're not splitting up."
"It's right there. I won't go any farther than the barn." I can see the indecision in his eyes. “Please,” I push. “This isn’t my first snowstorm.”
“Don’t leave that barn.”
“Deal,” I say before he can change his mind.
Paxton leans down and presses a kiss against my lips. “Be careful. I don’t need you falling, either. With my luck, you’ll get amnesia and I’ll have to win you over again.”
"That doesn't sound too terrible."
He shakes his head, but a small smirk pulls at his lips. "Babe, if you want me to chase you, I'll do that all day, every day. After the snowstorm."
"All right." I take his hand. "But you're sure you're okay?"
"I will be once I have everyone safe and sound at home." I nod in understanding.
"The snow is deep, so one full step at a time with a wide stance. Make your steps short to keep your balance better," I tell him. Like I said, it's not my first snowstorm, but that wind is going to be a bitch. “Two forces will be working against you with each step you take.”
"Got it." I don't know whether he's humoring me or not, but I feel marginally better that he’s at least listening. I don't want to split up either, but the quicker we get this done, the sooner we'll be back inside the house, tucked in safely.
We keep hold of each other's hands until we make it to the side of the house. He points down to where the generator is, but the wind is so loud it’s hard to hear. I nod toward the barn, and Paxton gives my hand a squeeze before letting it go.
I make my way to the barn and see that the door is still open. I was hoping Dominick came back while we were in the house, but after searching every corner, it’s clear he’s still missing.
“Hey,” Paxton says when he enters the barn.
“He’s not here.” I can hear the panic in my own voice. It’s not only for Dominick, but I know Paxton is going to be upset.
"I didn’t see any tracks,” he says, his worry beginning to mount. “I’m guessing they would get covered fast in this."
