Chapter 7
Snowed In
The morning dawned gray and quiet, the town blanketed in thick snow. Holly Mason peeked out the inn window, her breath fogging the glass. “Wow,” she whispered. “They weren’t kidding about the storm.”
Lucas appeared behind her, holding two steaming mugs of cocoa. “Looks like Maplewood decided we should stay inside today,” he said with a grin. “And I think that’s a very good thing.”
By mid-morning, the snowstorm had grown intense, and the inn staff had closed the town streets to traffic. Holly and Lucas found themselves stranded indoors, the perfect excuse for a cozy day together.
They set up a little space by the fireplace, blankets spread across the floor, cocoa mugs in hand, and a stack of board games nearby. Holly laughed as Lucas insisted on teaching her a tricky card game, only to cheat playfully when she wasn’t looking.
“You’re impossible,” she said, nudging him with her shoulder.
“Only when it comes to making you laugh,” he replied, his grin softening as he brushed a stray strand of hair from her face.
Hours passed in a blur of laughter, playful teasing, and quiet moments by the fire. At one point, a gust of wind rattled the windows, sending snow swirling outside. Holly shivered, and Lucas immediately wrapped a blanket around her shoulders.
“You’re warm enough now,” he said, his voice low and comforting. “I’ve got you.”
Holly’s heart skipped. She leaned into him slightly, savoring the warmth, the safety, and the closeness they shared. “Lucas… I’m really glad we met,” she whispered.
He looked down at her, his eyes soft and steady. “Me too, Holly. Me too.”
As the snowstorm raged outside, Holly realized that the world could fall away, and the chaos of life could pause — as long as they had this: laughter, warmth, and each other.
And in that quiet, snow-filled afternoon, a simple holiday escape had become something unforgettable — a memory she would treasure long after the snow melted.