Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
T he days following Christmas and New Year’s felt like a slow exhale, as though the tension that had been holding them all so tightly had started to loosen. The snow stopped falling, and the sky remained a pale, wintry blue, the crisp air carrying with it a sense of renewal.
Maddie had settled into a quiet routine, taking care of the house and Schatzi, checking in on Hannah, and finding moments to breathe amidst the daily tasks that were somehow lighter than they’d been before.
Hannah had begun to open up more after Lisa’s visit. She was still scared at times, still uncertain, but Maddie could see that having someone connected to the baby’s father in her life had eased some of her fears. The girl no longer carried the same heaviness around her, and though she still had a long road ahead, Maddie was relieved to see that she was beginning to accept help.
Not only that, she’d begun spending more time at her own home. Maddie hoped that meant Hannah and her dad were getting along better.
One afternoon, Maddie and Schatzi sat in the living room, the smell of freshly baked bread wafting from the kitchen. The fire crackled softly, and the house felt unusually peaceful. Ernie had found a spot on Schatzi’s lap, purring contentedly as Schatzi ran her hand absentmindedly through his fur.
“I think I’ll go into town next week,” Schatzi said, breaking the comfortable silence.
Maddie raised an eyebrow. “Into town? Are you sure? Your shoulder still needs time to heal. You might get jostled or?—”
Schatzi waved a hand dismissively. “I’ve had plenty of rest and recovery already. I’m going stir-crazy in here, and I need to stretch my legs. Besides, I’m not made of glass, Maddie. A little outing will do me good. You’re fine company, but I’d like to see how the rest of the world is doing.”
Maddie smiled, though her head protested a little at Schatzi’s stubbornness. She had grown used to having her aunt around the house, filling the space with her sharp wit and comforting presence. The idea of her going out and about again was a reminder that life was slowly moving forward, whether Maddie was ready for it or not.
“If you’re sure,” Maddie said, leaning back in her chair. “We could go into town together. Maybe grab lunch at the diner. That would be nice, wouldn’t it?”
Schatzi’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Ah, so you’re coming along to keep an eye on me. I see how it is.”
Maddie laughed. “Is that so wrong? I just don’t want you pushing yourself too hard.”
Schatzi gave her a knowing smile, her expression soft. “You’ve got a good heart, Maddie. But you don’t need to fuss over me. I’m a tough old broad.”
Maddie nodded, though she couldn’t help but feel protective of Schatzi. The thought of losing her aunt—the last real connection she and Becca had to their mom’s family—was something she tried not to dwell on. Schatzi was strong, but Maddie knew she wouldn’t be around forever. The thought lingered in the back of her mind, even as she shoved it aside for now.
As they sat in comfortable silence, the sound of quick knock was followed by the front door opening. Maddie glanced toward the entryway and smiled as Sam stepped inside, his usual dusting of snow on his coat and boots. Fargo trotted in behind him, shaking off the snow with a happy woof of greeting.
Ernie lifted his head and looked as though he could have done without the interruption.
“Afternoon,” Sam called out, his deep voice warm as he smiled at Maddie and Schatzi. “I come bearing firewood.”
Maddie got up and walked over to him with a grateful smile. “You’re not going to stop spoiling us, are you?”
Sam chuckled, setting the wood by the hearth. “Can’t have you freezing in this weather. Besides, it gives Fargo an excuse to come by.”
“So this is all Fargo’s doing?”
“That’s right.”
Maddie’s heart fluttered at the casual way he said it, and she couldn’t help the warmth that spread through her. Over the past few weeks, Sam had become a constant in her life—a steady, calming presence that she hadn’t realized she needed until it had arrived. She hadn’t fully processed her feelings for him, mostly because she wasn’t ready to, but the way he made her feel—the safety, the companionship—was undeniable.
“How’s everything?” Sam asked, looking from Maddie to Schatzi.
Schatzi smiled, her hand stroking Ernie’s back. “We’re doing just fine, Sam. Though I’m getting restless being stuck in this house.”
Sam’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “I can imagine. How’s the shoulder?”
“Better,” Schatzi said with a nod. “I’m planning on going into town next week.”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “You sure you’re ready for that?”
Schatzi huffed. “I’m ready. Maddie doesn’t think so, but I’m not letting this sling keep me down any longer than it has to.”
Maddie laughed, shaking her head. “I’ll make sure she takes it easy.”
Sam smiled, his gaze lingering on Maddie before he turned to Schatzi. “Well, if you need any help, just let me know. I’ll drive you into town, if you want.”
Schatzi grinned. “Always the gentleman.”
He sat and the three of them fell into easy conversation, the warmth of the fire and the glow of the afternoon sun filtering through the windows making everything feel calm and comforting.
Maddie realized how much she had come to enjoy these moments—small, quiet interactions that reminded her that life was moving forward in wonderful ways she hadn’t expected. The house felt less like a place of refuge and more like a home, filled with warmth and connection.
Later that afternoon, Maddie decided to go for a walk before she started on dinner. The sun was beginning to set, glazing the snow-covered landscape with a pink and orange glow. The air was cold but crisp, and Maddie found herself breathing deeply, savoring the quiet of the mountains.
As she walked through the woods, the familiar crunch of snow under her boots, she thought about everything that had changed over the past few weeks. She had come to this mountain house expecting to hide away from the world, to avoid the pain of her grief. Instead, she had found something unexpected—a community, a purpose, and, most of all, a sense of healing that she hadn’t thought possible.
She wasn’t completely healed, of course. Grief wasn’t something that disappeared overnight. But the weight of it had lessened, and Maddie found herself looking forward to each new day in a way she hadn’t for a long time.
It was a good feeling. One she hadn’t been sure would ever return. Now that it had, she didn’t want to lose it again.
The path through the woods led to a small clearing that had a fantastic view of the Smoky Mountains, and as Maddie reached it, she spotted Sam standing near the edge, looking out at the horizon. Fargo was by his side, sniffing at the ground, his tail wagging happily when he saw her.
Maddie smiled and walked toward him, her breath forming small clouds in the cold air. Sam turned when he heard her approach, an easy smile crossing his face.
“I didn’t expect to find you out here,” Maddie said, stopping beside him.
Sam nodded, his eyes on her now. “I needed to clear my head. This is my favorite spot to do that.”
Maddie’s gaze followed his to the distant mountains. “I can see why.”
They stood in silence, watching as the last light of the day faded, leaving the sky a deep, dusky blue. The stars had begun to appear, twinkling faintly against the backdrop of the night, and the quiet of the woods wrapped around them like a blanket.
After a while, Sam spoke, his voice even and steady. “I’ve been thinking about what you said the other night. About not doing everything on your own.”
Maddie glanced at him, her heart fluttering. She remembered their conversation on the porch, the intimacy of it, the way he had looked at her with such understanding.
“I meant it,” she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t want to do it alone anymore.”
Sam turned to face her, his eyes filled with something Maddie hadn’t seen before, something that made her heart race. He took a step closer, his breath visible in the cold air, and reached out to gently take her hand.
“You don’t have to,” he said, his voice low and warm. “I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. I’m here, Maddie. I’ve always been here.”
Maddie’s breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest as she met his gaze. There was a tenderness in his eyes, a gentle strength that made her feel safe—safer than she had felt in a long time. And in that instant, standing there in the quiet of the mountains, she realized that she wasn’t afraid anymore.
She wasn’t afraid to let someone in. Not when that someone was a man like Sam. Calm, caring, easy-going in a way that made her feel comfortable being herself.
Slowly, Maddie nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “I know,” she whispered.
Sam’s smile widened, and he gently squeezed her hand, his touch warm against the cold. For a long moment, they stood there, the silence between them filled with unspoken words. It was a quiet, intimate connection. One that didn’t need to be rushed or explained.
They had time.
And as the stars twinkled above them, Maddie knew that this was the beginning of something new. Something she hadn’t been expecting but was ready to embrace.
She was done with just surviving. She wanted to live. To enjoy her life. It was good to look forward to what came next, but it was even better to have something wonderful to look forward to.
That made all the difference.