Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
WINTER
This is why I moved here.
I remember passing through Bliss with my parents one year—I must have been eight or nine—and thinking how perfect everything seemed.
There were storefronts with gaily colored canopies overhead, small maples and oaks spotted along the sidewalk, and charming lamp posts adorned with bright banners announcing Blissful Days Celebration - 100 years.
The streets were bustling with people eating and shopping—a family of four, all of them with giant puffs of cotton candy, and a young couple holding hands as they peered into the jewelry store window.
In the center of the town, the park was filled with assorted vendors selling an array of delicious-smelling foods and hand-crafted items. By the charming gazebo, a small band played cheerful music while kids danced and laughed in front of it.
And at the end of the main street, the chapel; its white steeple stretching up to an expanse of perfectly blue sky.
I always had liked Bliss when we passed through it before, but that’s when I decided I wanted to live here one day. Something about the town just called to me, even as a kid. And I remember pointing at the gazebo and telling my parents, “That’s where I’m going to get married. I’m going to move here and meet the perfect boy, and we’re going to get married and live here forever.”
It was just a silly childhood fantasy; one my parents could have easily brushed off. But they didn’t. My mom turned around in the passenger seat so she could look at me and said very seriously, “If that’s what you want, Winter, you can make it happen. You can do anything you set your mind to.”
My throat still gets tight thinking about it.
I could have given up on my dream—it would have been so easy to let it fall aside—but I’ve never been much of a quitter.
Does that mean I moved here with the intent of snagging a man? No.
I had vague hopes of one day finding someone, but my focus was on finding a house and making this town my home. Meeting people and making friends and going to all the events like the Blissful Days Celebration and the Winter Wonderland Walk and the Taste of Bliss food festival held every spring.
Obviously, getting kidnapped and held hostage never figured into the equation. But now, as I walk down Main Street with Enzo’s hand wrapped around mine, seeing the same happy look in his eyes that I know is in mine, I think things ended up working out okay.
And maybe, just maybe, I will end up getting married in that gazebo one day.
If I do, I know my parents would approve.
They would love Enzo. My dad would want to talk sports with him—debating the odds of the Sox making the playoffs that year—and he’d be so impressed by Enzo’s years of service. My mom would love how kind and protective Enzo is, and she’d adore jumping in to play board games with us.
That’s the only bad thing. That they can’t meet him. That if Enzo and I get to that point, my dad won’t get to walk me down the aisle. My mom won’t get to go wedding dress shopping with me.
Ugh. Stop it. My nose is prickling and I’m not ruining this perfect day by getting emotional.
I’m trying to sniff quietly, but Enzo has ears like a bat, and he tugs me off the path and over to a nearby tree. His expression creases with concern as he asks, “Are you okay, hun? Is this too much? I know there are a lot of people here. If you’re ready to go home…”
“No, I’m good.” But if we’re going to work long-term, which I really hope we do, he should hear the sad thoughts as well as the happy ones. So I add, “I’m not nervous being here. I just… I was thinking about my parents. We came through here once during Blissful Days, and that’s when I decided I wanted to move here.”
“Ah, Winter. I’m sorry. But I’m also so glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” I tuck away the sorrow and focus on the good. Enzo. The festival. The gorgeous weather, with the leaves just starting to turn. The people we’re going to meet up with later who used to just be Enzo’s friends, but now are mine, too.
“I’ve got to send a picture to Violet,” I announce. Pulling out my phone, I snap a photo of the gazebo, freshly painted white, with a jazz trio playing inside it. “She’s been talking about coming to visit soon.”
“That would be great,” Enzo replies. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
“I can’t wait.” My heart lifts again. It’ll be great. Now that things are getting back to normal, I can have Violet here, and Aunt Linette, and Enzo said his Army buddies are already asking when they get to meet me.
Enzo cups my nape and lowers his head to kiss me; his lips warm and soft and tasting slightly of the fried bread dough we shared when we got here. His other hand comes to the small of my back, pulling me in a little closer.
As his tongue dips into my mouth, stroking and teasing, my breath quickens and my nipples draw into taut peaks. An ache builds at my core, a sudden emptiness waiting to be filled.
His fingers tunnel through my hair as he tips my head back, taking our kiss even deeper. A low rumble starts in his chest; that possessive, hungry sound I’ve learned he makes when he wants to take me to bed.
All my plans for the day are wisps on a breeze, drifting away as a storm of need overtakes me.
“This is a family friendly event, you know.” It’s said teasingly, but I leap away from Enzo, my cheeks heating so quickly I fear self-immolation.
Enzo wraps his arm around me and tugs me back into his side. “It’s fine, hun.” Then he shoots a stern look at Alec, though his lips are twitching. “Don’t you have anything better to do than walk around interrupting private moments?”
Alec chuckles and casts a quick glance around us. “I would hardly call this private. Not with half of Bliss out today.”
My face is on fire. What was I thinking? Making out with Enzo right in the town park? With literally hundreds of people around us? People I know—like Mrs. Adamson over at the make-your-own-candle tent and Max handing out coupons for free oil changes—and oh, God, there are kids over there.
“That’s it,” I mumble, ducking my head. “I’m moving to Alaska. Or Greenland. I’ve heard there are some nice places in Siberia.”
“Ah, no, Winter.” Alec’s expression sobers. “I was just messing with you guys. Trust me, this is nothing.” He gestures at a couple half hidden by a large maple about fifty feet away, who appear to be doing much more than kissing. And just beyond them, two red-faced teenagers are being scolded by someone I’m guessing is a parent.
The older woman’s voice rises loud enough for us to hear her say, “ Madeline Conway! I raised you better than this! I’m trying to sell quilts here, and I have to hear from Officer White that he caught you making out in the first aid tent?”
His tone still apologetic, Alec adds, “It was really nothing, Winter. I swear.”
“It’s okay.” I smile at him as my cheeks start to cool. “At least we didn’t get caught by that mom over there.”
Enzo glances at the woman lecturing her daughter and her boyfriend. Now she’s gesturing emphatically and waggling her finger and the teenaged boy looks like he wants to be anywhere but here. “That’s for sure. She’s very… intimidating.”
“Yes.” Alec nods. “She reminds me a bit of my old drill sergeant.” He gives her one last glance before turning his attention back to Enzo and me. “So. How are you enjoying the festival?”
“It’s great so far,” I reply. “We’ve only been here an hour, but we’ve already tried the fried bread dough from Breakfast Bliss, the cheesecake bites from Adelaide’s Bakery, and the mulled apple cider from Adams Orchard. Plus, I saw some earrings I want to buy for my aunt, and a tote bag for my best friend, Violet.”
“Ah, so you haven’t tried the maple bacon wings yet?” Alec makes a chef’s kiss gesture. “They’re the only reason I come every year. Blissful Brews only makes them for the annual celebration.”
Enzo’s eyes light up. “Maple bacon wings?”
Alec nods. “And they’re handing out samples of their fall seasonal, too. It’s a pumpkin stout. I think I’m going to pick up a six-pack before I head home.”
“We definitely need to check that out.” Enzo turns to me. “If you’re okay with it?”
“Of course. And maybe after, we can play some of the games?”
Tucked in the back corner of the park, there’s a spot set up with an assortment of carnival games. Just from a quick glance as we passed by, I noticed balloon darts and water gun races and a pond filled with hundreds of colorful rubber ducks.
“Anything you want, hun.” Enzo gives me a gentle squeeze. “Do you want me to win some prizes for you?”
I raise my eyebrows at him. “Don’t you mean I’ll win some prizes for you ?”
He grins. “Winter. You know what I did in the Army. Do you really think you can beat me at water pistols?”
Hmm. He has a point there. “Well. There’s the duck pond. And the ring toss. I bet I can beat you in one of those.”
Alec laughs and claps Enzo on the shoulder. “You weren’t kidding when you said she’s competitive.”
I pin Alec with my gaze. “Are you offering to play against me, too?”
“Absolutely. I’m going to head over to see Knox first—he’s doing free consultations over by the library—but then I’ll meet you guys over there.”
“Sounds good,” Enzo replies. Then he flashes me a cocky little grin before turning back to Alec. “Just look for Winter holding all the prizes I win for her.”
But as we head across the grass toward the line for Blissful Brews, Enzo’s expression shifts to something more serious. “I was joking before, Winter, but I want you to know. I have no doubt you can beat me in anything you put your mind to. And I’m okay with that. I’m not one of those guys who gets all pissy when his girlfriend beats him at something. I think it’s awesome that you’re competitive. And that you never give up.”
Aww.
I go all warm and oozy inside.
Stopping, I stretch up to kiss his cheek. “I don’t care about losing to you. Not really. And I would love it if you could win me one of those giant stuffed animals.”
And he does, several times over.
After half an hour of games, my arms are full of all the prizes we’ve won, including an enormous stuffed giraffe from the ring toss, an adorable plush bear Enzo won after winning the water gun game ten times in a row, and a large stuffed duck from my own victory at the duck pond.
As we trek across the park back toward Main Street, Enzo takes the giraffe and duck from me, then takes my hand with his free one. The contradiction of him—tall, muscly, very much all man, and the stuffed animals he’s unashamedly carrying—makes my heart feel all funny in the best kind of way.
“Are you sure you don’t want to play more games?” he asks. “We can drop these off at the car and go back.”
“That’s okay. I think I’m good.” I hug the bear to my chest. “We should probably leave some prizes for everyone else.”
“I suppose so.” Smiling, he adds, “I think you surprised Alec at how good you were. Especially at the duck game.”
“My parents used to take me to the fair. So I’ve had some practice, although it’s been a long time. That was always my favorite. The water pistols, not so much.”
“I think you did pretty well,” Enzo replies. “Your aim is great, and so is your grip. If you were in the Army, I bet someone would have talked to you about sniper training.”
Warmth expands in my chest. While I could never have imagined being complimented on my aim while holding a gun—or a water pistol, in this case—coming from Enzo, it feels really good.
Not that I want to rush off to become a sniper, but still. It’s pretty cool.
“So where do you want to go next?” We’ve just stepped onto Main Street, which is closed off for the day, each side lined with food vendors and local artisans. Enzo lifts his chin in the direction of the church. “I think they’re having a book fair there. Or we can find something else to eat. Sit down for a while?”
I perk up. “A book fair?”
“Ah, I thought you’d be interested.” Enzo kisses my cheek. “Do you want to look for some books?”
“Yes, please.” I’m already envisioning the books I’ll add to the new bookshelves Enzo installed in the office. “And then we could get some more food?”
No doubt I’ll be full for a week after this, but it’ll be worth it. Coming here, I’ve gotten to try all the restaurants and diners I didn’t get a chance to before, and I’m eagerly anticipating visiting them again.
“Sounds like a plan.”
But we’re halfway to the church when I spot a familiar face; one I’m definitely not happy to see. One I hoped never to see again.
My heart stutters, and I almost trip over my own feet. A band tightens around my chest. The happy mood I’ve had is doused instantly, replaced by a chilling fear.
“Winter?” Enzo moves in front of me, his features tightening with concern. “What’s wrong?”
Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m seeing things as some sort of post-traumatic stress symptom.
But then again, it’s not Thomas. It’s his awful friend, Bryan.
Bryan, who used to come over to Thomas’s house to smoke weed and play video games and occasionally throw empty beer cans at me while I was working in the kitchen.
Slimy Bryan, whose hand would sometimes graze my ass as he walked by, but never did more than that.
Terrible Bryan, who I’m pretty sure knew what was going on, but there wasn’t any evidence to arrest him as an accomplice.
Why did I think I wouldn’t see any of Thomas’s friends in town?
“Winter?” Not just concerned, but obviously worried, Enzo touches my chin and raises my gaze to his. “Hun. What’s wrong? Can you tell me?”
Crap. I’m stronger than this. I’m not going to let the memories get to me. Not now. Not here.
“Bryan.” Swallowing hard, I force my voice to stay steady. “One of Thomas’s friends. Over at the jerky booth; the one with red hair and the plaid, flannel shirt.”
Enzo stiffens. His gaze shoots over to Bryan, and his jaw turns to stone. He gathers me close and asks in a carefully controlled tone, “Did he hurt you? Touch you? Did he know?”
“He didn’t hurt me.” A beat, and I amend, “Well. He used to throw beer cans at me. But they were empty. And sometimes he’d touch my ass. But?—”
“What?” The controlled tone turns dangerous. Fury ignites in his eyes.
Now I’m wishing I hadn’t said anything. It’s not like Bryan would have tried anything, not with Enzo right beside me. And there’s no reason for Bryan to mess with me now…
“Come on.” Enzo tucks me into his side and walks us briskly over toward Max’s table, about twenty feet away from us.
“What are you doing?”
A muscle ticks in his jaw. “Dealing with this.”
Once we reach Max, Enzo deposits me next to him. To Max, he says through a gritted jaw, “Winter spotted one of Thomas’s friends. I’d like to have a word with him. Can you watch Winter until I get back?”
“Enzo,” I start. “I don’t want you to get?—”
“It’s fine, hun.” Voice gentling, Enzo cups my cheek as he looks at me. “I’m going to talk to him. That’s all. I’ll be right back. Will you just stay with Max?”
“Yes…”
“Trust me, okay?”
I don’t like the idea of him getting pulled into my crap with Thomas again, but I do trust Enzo, so I give him a little nod. “I do. I’ll stay here.”
After a quick kiss, Enzo takes off—not at a run, but definitely faster than a walk. It’s a powerful stride, full of intention, and he practically vibrates with intensity. As I follow Enzo’s path, I notice as several people glance at him and quickly change direction.
This is Green Beret Enzo. The one who spent twenty years in the Army. The one who won’t let anyone or anything intimidate him.
He reaches Bryan in less than thirty seconds, and not-so-gently taps him on the shoulder. I can’t see their expressions from here, but as Bryan turns around and sees Enzo, his posture sags, and his shoulders hunch in protectively.
But Enzo doesn’t hurt Bryan. In fact, aside from the first contact, he doesn’t touch him again. But as the conversation—well, it looks more one-sided than that, with Enzo talking and Bryan silently nodding—progresses, Bryan shrinks into himself even further.
After several minutes, Enzo makes a sort of shooing gesture, and Bryan takes off like a scared mouse scurrying away from the cat hunting him. Then Enzo heads back in my direction, his posture still rigid and intimidating, innocent bystanders still rushing out of his way.
The moment he reaches me, though, his features soften. He lifts his chin at Max and says, “Thanks, man,” before gathering me into his arms.
“Are you okay?” he murmurs into my ear. “I’m sorry I left you. But I wanted to make sure he got my message.”
“I’m okay.” Snuggling into his chest, I let his reassuring embrace chase the lingering chill of fear away. “What did you say to him?”
Enzo gazes down at me. “Do you want the nice answer, or the morally gray one?”
“The gray one.”
“Okay.” He kisses my head before continuing, “I told him if I ever saw him near you, he’d be sorry. And I let him know my specialty in the Army. I also mentioned having some friends who are just as well-trained and protective as I am. I let him know how unhappy they would be to hear about him bothering you.”
“Oh. Well, that’s not too bad?—”
“And I also said his disappearance could be arranged.” Enzo’s eyes go dark and dangerous. “The same goes for any of Thomas’s other lowlife friends. If anyone gives you any trouble, even looks at you, they’re going to regret it.” A corner of his mouth lifts. “I suggested it might be better if he found a new place to live, far away from Bliss, as well.”
Oh.
Well.
Is it weird that seeing Enzo all threatening is kind of sexy?
“Is that okay, Winter?” A flicker of uncertainty moves across his face. “Not that I’m sorry I said that to him, and I meant it, but I don’t want to freak you out?—”
“You didn’t.”
“No?”
“No. In fact…” I brush my lips across his. “I love that you did that for me. And honestly?” Leaning close to his ear, I whisper, “You look really sexy right now.”
His brows jump up, and he drags out, “Oh, really? ”
“Yes. Really.” This kiss is longer—long enough for Max to make little hooting noises in the background. When I pull away, I add, “I do want to go to the book sale. But after that? I’d really like to go home and show you just how sexy I think you are.”
“Ah.” His gaze heats. “I think that’s a fantastic idea.”
I love Blissful Days.
Something strikes me.
A giggle bubbles up in my chest.
“What?” Enzo looks at me in confusion.
“I was just thinking. We’re having a blissful day. And then later, we can have a blissful night.” The giggle escapes. “Yes. I know. It’s cheesy.”
He grins. “Maybe. But I love it. And I can’t wait.”