Page 13 of Wintertime Love (Holiday 2)

I reach out and grasp Aunt Helen’s hand. “What would I do without you?”

“Still be a terrible cook, I imagine,” Aunt Vee’s came voice from the doorway as she enters. “So, how did it go?”

I give her an exasperated look. “You two have never been this persistent. It’s been years since you involved yourself in my love life; what are you up to?”

Aunt Vee sits down next to her sister. “We want to have grandchildren sooner or later.”

I roll my eyes at this. “I don’t have time to be tied down by a man, Aunt Vee. Besides, Finn’s probably going to be gone in a few days. Aren’t you focusing your efforts on the wrong man?”

“Who would you rather we focus on? Danny?” She retorts, sarcastically. “You would never be happy with him.”

“I could be happy with him,” I mutter, offended. “He’s a decent sort. And we have good chemistry.”

“He’s too easy for you, sweetheart,” Aunt Helen interrupts. “You’re a Winter woman. You need someone to sweep you off your feet. You need fire, excitement, and burning passion.”

Hearing my sweet natured aunt talk about passion with such a twinkle in her eyes makes the edges of my ears burn. “Danny’s reliable.”

“Isn’t he off chasing after Sharon these days?” She reminds me.

I shrug. “Sure. But we have a pact. If we don’t get anybody by the time we’re thirty five, we’ll tie the knot.”

I can swear that the way my older aunt is glaring at me, I would be dead two times over if looks could kill.

“Again with that nonsense? Aren’t you just using him as a buffer? Aside from Danny, tell me one serious relationship you’ve had.”

I shift in my seat, awkwardly. “There was Craig in high school.”

Aunt Helen gives me a look that has me wilting.

I sigh. “Okay, so maybe I haven’t put in too much effort into my love life. There’s nothing wrong with that! I’m focusing on my career at the moment. I don’t have time for a man in my life.”

“I don’t buy that.”

I glare at Aunt Vee and then I feel my hand being grasped gently and I look at my other aunt.

“Sweetie, why do I think you’re scared of the idea of falling in love?”

“It’s not that,” I mumble.

“Then, what is it?”

I stare at her soft pale hand, and then raise my eyes to meet hers. “Look, I went out with Finn like you said. But there’s – I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Try harder, then,” Aunt Vee demands.

I try, “He’s – He makes me feel off kilter. Like I’m not in control. Like with him I might never be the one in control.”

“Is that so bad?” Aunt Helen asks, softly.

“You don’t get it.” I shake my head, suddenly desperate to make them understand. “I’ve never been so attracted to someone and when I’m around him, he’s all I can think about. It’s too…” My lips tremble, as I feel overwhelmed. “I can’t – I can’t talk about this. I need some time to sort my head out.”

They let me go but there’s a soft smile on Aunt Helen’s lips as I brush by her and I wonder at it.

I go to bed, tired, drained, confused, and I’m woken up the next morning by my little husky licking my face all over. “All right,” I shove him away only to have him come bounding back, gleefully. “I’m up. I’m up! Get off me, you little pig.”

Vysky howls, offended at being called that and I sit up. “Stop sulking. Let me change and we’ll go for a run.”

He perks up at this.

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