Chapter Eleven
Sean
Her expression softens a touch as she stares at me for a beat before the trance is broken up by one of the horses nickering, and another snorting. The commercial currently on the holiday playlist she’s been listening to ends, and then another carol begins to play.
“I’m guessing they’re fans of the Christmas tunes?”
She nods, grinning. “Oh, absolutely. This is a Christmas farm in case you missed all the decorations. We’ve all got it bad, even the horses.”
I shake my head, smiling like a fool. A fool for her. “How can I help? Put me to work, Boss.”
“Mm, boss. Yeah, I like the sound of that. You can start by screwing the lids on each of these jars after I put the plastic protector thingy on.”
“Plastic protector thingy, got it.” I nod and step up beside her at the counter.
I’ll admit I’m feeling a bit relieved she’s not throwing the hot cappuccino at me and chasing me out of here for taking care of her car for her.
If her dad knew it was me, then there’s no way she hasn’t figured it out as well.
Doug probably caved and told her two minutes into the delivery that I was the one responsible.
I know I should’ve asked her first about doing anything to the vehicle, and I would’ve, but I also know she’s stubborn enough to have told me no.
It’s one of those situations where I decided it was better to act first and then apologize if needed, versus asking permission ahead of time.
“Dad had your games on. We saw them both. Are you okay after that hit yesterday?”
Mom already mentioned that Winter had said she watched my game, but I didn’t think she’d pay close enough attention to catch the hit. It feels good knowing she saw me play and watched enough of the game to be comfortable asking questions.
“You like hockey?” I find myself asking instead of answering her right away.
She watched me play when we were younger, but the whole village showed up to my games, it seemed, whenever they had the chance.
The community is probably a little too involved with school activities around here, but they find joy in it.
The kids benefit the most from it in the end with all of the added support.
Our bake sales were legendary back then, with all the older ladies wanting to pitch in.
“Of course, I like hockey. I like several sports, that hasn’t changed over time. If anything, I enjoy them even more than when you used to know me.”
“When I used to know you…” I repeat, trailing off, before moving forward.
I don’t like the idea of not knowing her for any amount of time we’ve been a part.
I can’t stop asking myself why I waited this long to see her again in the first place.
I feel like I’ve wasted so much time we could’ve had together.
I was an idiot to ever let this stunning woman out of my grasp.
“I’m okay. The team doc checked me over and said no concussion, so I can still play. ”
“Your head may be okay, but what about the rest of you? I’m not worried if you can play; I’m concerned about whether you’re injured.
” She pauses in her task, meeting my gaze, and I find true apprehension in hers.
“You obviously didn’t break anything because you still played in the game, but you must be sore? ”
I decide to just be honest about it and lift my jacket, along with the layered thin shirts underneath it, so she can see for herself. “I had enough time to sit in an ice bath before my flight last night and then again this morning.”
She draws in a swift, shocked gasp as her hands fly to her face, covering her mouth.
Her eyes roam across my exposed skin for a few moments, taking it in.
She can see where it’s already peppered in a couple of large dark bruises.
We have protective gear, which usually helps with this sort of thing, but the way I was hit, and then when the guy landed on me, he was able to get me pretty good.
“Oh my God! You shouldn’t be out here right now. You need to be inside with ice and heat on that. Or at the clinic, so my mom can give you something for the pain. How can you even walk right now? I’d be doubled over in pain.”
I shrug and continue to screw the lids on her jars.
“I’ve been playing through pain since I was a kid.
It’s just something you do, especially when you want to win games.
I’ve gotten so used to it over the years that this is nothing compared to some of the injuries I’ve had in the past. I’m fine, really.
I just want to help you and not worry about my next game until I go to practice tomorrow afternoon. ”
She nods, busying herself by going behind me to wipe the jars down with a clean cloth before setting them in neat little stacks. We get them all boxed up with bows or put in various baskets where she wants. Before I know it, we’re done with at least one item on her list she had been stressing over.
“I need to head up to the cabin. I want to chop down a tree to donate to the church, and then I’m going to grab some supplies we keep up there.
We usually make the candy at the cabin since it’s out of the way, but I don’t want to be far from Dad with his injuries.
I’m going to use the kitchen at home and store everything in the dining room until it’s packaged and put into boxes, then it can come out to the barn until festival time.
Next week, I’ll work on the candles, and should be done with everything just in time for setup. ”
“Sounds like a good idea, let’s go.” I grab the closest chainsaw and follow her back outside to her father’s truck. I place the chainsaw in the bed of David’s truck and then hurry to open her driver’s side door for her.
“Thank you,” Winter shoots me a surprised glance, wearing a sweet smile, and my stomach flips.
I’m relieved she’s no longer attempting to completely ignore me like she was trying to before.
She actually seems happy to have me here, and I keep getting butterflies in my gut nearly every time she glances in my direction.
The truck rumbles to life as I get in the passenger side.
I slide onto the bench seat and quickly close my door to keep the cold out.
I’m glad I still have some coffee left because this old pickup is like an ice box in the cab.
I should’ve worn some warmer clothes, but in my defense, I thought we’d be in the barn or her parents’ house all day when we weren’t checking on the animals.
Taking in the woman beside me, it looks like she wasn’t planning on traipsing through the woods to get a tree today either.
“So you’re donating a tree? Does your family do that every year?”
She remains focused on the snowy ground before us as she slowly drives the old pickup to the far side of their family farm.
“No, my family has offered to, but different businesses usually beat us to it. Dad told me this morning that Mrs. Anderson, the woman who organizes the food pantry over there, had called and told him the tree donation had fallen through. She wanted to give us the chance to bring a tree down first because it’s been a few years since our last.”
I nod, thinking about small ways to help, and if I should contact my beverage sponsor to see if they’d be willing to do a donation.
Being close to the holidays, a lot of companies are looking for affordable ways to be involved, and this could be the answer for them while also assisting small food pantries during some rough months.
Since I’m in professional sports, I’m used to doing several different community charitable events per year.
They’re either organized by the team or others that have personally reached out, and I’ve taken an interest in.
Anytime I hear about other people who don’t have a hefty disposable income going out of their way to make contributions, I want to know more.
If I’m able to step in and do anything for the cause their supporting, then I usually will.
Even if it’s simply sharing the charity on my socials, sometimes that’s all it takes to get the right people involved and make a difference.
The drive to the cabin is quick; it’s probably two miles or so away from the farm, and partially up the side of the closest mountain.
Nothing too high up, just enough so when you’re at the cabin, it’s tucked away in the trees to make you feel like you’re surrounded by nothing but the beautiful snowy wilderness.
Everything out this way lies untouched in a serene way.
The powdery white snow is thick and bright, with the tree branches hanging low, heavy from the added weight.
As I take in the cozy little cabin, I understand why her family built it.
Am I crazy for imagining her here, with me, spending time alone together?
I can picture a family running around, kids playing outside in the snow, and us finding a Christmas tree together, all way too easily.
Fantasizing about sharing a future with her should throw up red flags for me, demanding I pump the brakes, but it’s as easy as breathing.
The realization I had in the locker room after my game hits me all over again, but this time it’s stronger.
I want this.
And I only want it with her.
“I know it’s going to be freezing inside there.
” Winter tilts her head toward the cabin once she’s parked and we’re standing outside the truck.
“We should probably cut the tree down before grabbing the supplies, since it’s beginning to snow again.
I don’t want the boxes to get wet while sitting in the bed, waiting for us to finish with the tree. ”
I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear, as the urge to touch her whenever possible grows stronger. The move makes her pause, her lashes lowering as she stares up to meet my gaze, and I nearly lose myself in her. She’s always beautiful, but out here, I swear she takes my breath away.
“I agree,” I finally say, taking a step away to put a little distance between us so I can think again. “It always surprised me that your dad didn’t open a tree farm out here with all this land your family owns. There are so many pines out here, he wouldn’t have to plant many.”
I grab the chainsaw and follow her down a path between the trees.
She seems to know exactly where she’s going, so this must be the place they always come to get their Christmas trees.
I’m kind of surprised she’s not playing carols on her cell as we walk; she’s the type of woman that if we all had theme songs, hers would be Walking in a Winter Wonderland.
That song is exactly why I started calling her Winter Wonderland when we were younger, and she’d shown up wearing all white to go ice skating with me.
I thought she was the prettiest girl I’d ever seen that day, with her flushed cheeks and pink nose.
After all this time, I can confirm she still holds that title in my heart.
“He’s friends with the owner of the tree farm in Noelville, so he never wanted to take any business from them.”
“Makes sense,” I reply, and then we grow quiet as she strolls along.
Our footsteps leave a path behind us in the perfect blanket of snow.
I match my pace to hers, so I can walk next to her and take in the peacefulness of the woods.
I can’t remember the last time I went and cut down my own Christmas tree.
It had to be the year before I started college.
Winter’s arms flail suddenly, as a shriek escapes her. In the next moment, she pitches backward, her feet flying forward. I instantly drop the chainsaw and reach for her. Thankfully, because of hockey, my reflexes are quick enough that I’m able to grab her before she hits the ground.
Her eyes are wide, her chest heaving as I pull her up and make sure she’s steady enough on her feet.
I don’t release her right away, as having her in my arms once again is what I’ve been thinking of nonstop since Thanksgiving.
Her hands rest on my chest; her body pressed against mine, and it’s the warmest I’ve felt all day.
She does this to me somehow, in a way no one ever has before.
She’s a bit breathless as she manages to whisper, “Wow, good catch.”
I gaze down at her, taking in her hot cocoa irises, while wishing she were already mine. That I could dip my head a bit, pressing my lips to hers. We’re not there yet, so I’ll take any closeness I can get from her in the meantime. “Are you okay?”
She nods, “Thank you.” Her eyes land on my lips, making me wonder if she’s imagining kissing me, too. If she would push me away, or pull me in for a deeper taste. “I see why you’re so good on the ice. You’re fast,” she admits, her voice trailing off.
Needing to break up the moment before I do something that could possibly rush her before she’s ready, I press a soft kiss to her forehead.
Taking a step back, I promise, “I’m here anytime you need me.
” I wink, attempting to lighten the moment and release my hold on her.
I turn for the chainsaw, grab it, and then hold out my elbow for Winter.
Much to my surprise, she takes it without a rebuke. She wraps her hand around me, holding on, as she walks a bit more carefully than she was before. She murmurs something else, but all I can think of is how I want to have her in my arms again, and that the time can’t come soon enough.
How I want to kiss her and make her agree to finally be mine.