Chapter 10
Aspen
The storm has settled, leaving big snowdrifts everywhere. Outside is blanketed in white fluffy snow, and this morning I awoke dying for some fresh air. Nicolette seemed to be equally eager for some time outside, so I decided to take her for a short hike to our famous Lustre Lake.
The town believes the lake can bring soul mates together, and while I don’t fully believe in their hokum, there’s a part of me that wants to.
“Have you read the lore of this lake?” I ask, digging my hiking pole into the snow beside her. Nicolette grins at me, her eyes twinkling and her skin flushed from the exertion.
“If it is true love you seek,
Search before the new moon’s peak.
Climb the mountain, standing tall,
Until you find the path so small.
This will take you to fates lake,
Now the chance is yours to take.
And if Destiny smiles on your endeavor,
Then you shall live, Happily Ever, Forever”
I recite the poem, remembering it by heart, which isn’t too hard considering it’s posted all around town. The New Moon bakery has it on the back of its coffee cups, for goodness’ sake.
“I’ve seen it around! And I can’t wait to see the famed lake—even if it’s likely to be frozen over with this storm.” She puffs beside me as we continue on.
I hope it is.
The snow persists, covering the wood in thick silence, and for the first time in days since the blizzard, I don’t feel trapped by it. It feels almost like freedom.
I look to my side—Nicolette trudges in the snow beside me, the tip of her hair wet with snow that fell off the trees, her eyes catching the sunlight breaking through the gray clouds.
“This is really beautiful, you know,” she says, stopping to take in the view. Her breath forms clouds of mist as she stands, hands akimbo, smiling at me with love in her eyes. A similar emotion erupts within me, and the need to touch her fills me.
Reaching for Nicolette’s gloved hand, I lead her through the last path towards the lake, hefting up the bag on my other shoulder. Today, we’ll be exploring it. And for the first time, I feel completely giddy doing something new with someone, sharing moments.
“I’m so excited to see it!” she proclaims, giggling sweetly beside me.
By now, we’ve gotten to the frozen lake, an expanse of blue stretching in front of us. A gasp escapes her. “It’s absolutely stunning, Aspen.” She grabs my arm in delight.
“Do you want to go out onto it?” I slowly drop my bag onto the ground and open it, revealing two sets of cleats, which go over your boots to provide a purchase on the ice.
“Is it dangerous? I wouldn’t want to fall in.” Her eyes scan the area, and she nibbles at her bottom lip as I quickly strap on my cleats.
“I’m going to go check the ice. Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Standing back up, I make my way gingerly onto the smooth sheet of ice, then kneel to check its depth and feel the smooth surface for cracks. “It looks solid.”
With a squeal of excitement, Nicolette begins to put on her cleats, and I make my way back to help.
Overeager, she rushes out onto the ice before I get a chance to explain how the grips work. She trips hard, and I instinctively step forward to catch her when I see her arms flailing.
“Oh,” she cries, and I slip my hands under her jacket to touch her warm skin, then press a kiss on her lips.
“Nicolette, let me help you,” I whisper in her ear. “Take it slowly; you’ll get there.”
We explore the area, and her excitement is completely contagious. Looking at the sea of evergreens around us, I decide that perhaps I can make some changes in my life, starting with Christmas.
Happiness can be so fleeting, but here, on this magical frozen lake, my heart fills with a warmth I haven’t experienced since I lost my family.
Glancing her way, our eyes meet, and I gasp as electricity zaps between us, golden and arcing with love. And suddenly it’s like I have no choice, the lake has spoken—I can’t lose this woman.
“Did you feel that too?” She asks, coming to stand beside me. At a loss for words, I nod my head and pull her into me. Standing in the middle of Lustre Lake, my world tilts on its axis, spinning with possibilities, offering me a chance at forever if I’m just brave enough to take it.
“I can’t lose you.” My voice cracks, whisked away on a cool breeze. Snow flurries start up again and she shivers.
“You won’t,” she promises.
Nicolette’s lips are icy from the cold. “We should go.”
“Yeah. I’m getting hungry… for more than just food.” She laughs, then winks at me saucily.
What have I done to deserve a woman like this?
We take off our cleats and make our way down the path, back to the cabin, hand in hand. The walk is much slower, maybe because Nicolette is now sharing bits about her life in Lovesbury. She tells me about her family, how she started her matchmaking business and even how she met Wanda.
I hang on to her every word, watching her lips move and twist, but my heart does a flip when she adds, “I’m really glad I met you. I know getting left out in the snow wasn’t great. But I’m thankful it led me to you.”
“I am too, Nicolette.”
Inside the cabin, it is warmer, fire crackling in the hearth—I added logs knowing we’d be cold after our outing. The power has been restored. But the roads are yet to clear, so we’re still stuck in this bubble, together.
“It looks like I have cell service,” Nicolette frowns, looking unsure. “I need to check in, see if she’s still doing alright over at the lodge.”
“By all means…” I walk towards the hearth to stoke the fire.
Her words strike me as a reminder that this is fleeting.
Soon enough, the roads will open, and she’ll be gone.
My jaw locks at that thought, and I poke the fire much harder than necessary, sending embers shooting out, nearly singeing myself.
Get a grip.
“Everything’s good over there, Wanda?” She talks on the phone. While she checks in, I head for the kitchen, determined to make something to warm the chill away.
She pauses, listening to her partner’s answer.
I can’t help but smile at the furrowed brow that makes her look all too serious.
Seriously cute. “That’s perfect. Please cross-check any allergies before asking the chef to put food on the menu.
Also, I think it’s time to shift that couple’s spa session forward.
Are there any that seem unhappy with their matches? ”
Another pause. “Oh, that’s funny, but still perfect. Some emails need to be sent out. Please handle that. And then call me if anything comes up.”
The call ends, and Nicolette sighs with relief. I hear her drop the phone and walk back to the room, holding a cup of hot chocolate out to her.
“Wanda says it’s okay to stay here till the roads are clear. Nothing big is going on over there.” Nicolette hums happily, taking a sip and then letting out a low moan that has my cock rock hard.
I turn to look at her. “And how do you feel about that?”
“Amazing. I think she’s right. I should just enjoy this break,” she smiles like a siren, and my blood thumps. “And my time with you.”
Nicolette leans in, her lips reaching for mine. I meet her halfway, indulging in a brief yet electrifying kiss.
I never want to let her go.