Mitchell’s gaze swings to the sled in Leo’s hands and then to me. “You seeking permission to go down Killer Hill?”
Leo coughs.
I prop a hand on my hip. “That depends if you’re granting it.” It’s really not a big deal. This part of the park is only roped off because of the Light-Up festival. The Christmas program runs on donations, and the chamber of commerce wants all visitors to enter and exit through the main areas. But Mitchell likes to act like he carries all the authority that can be scraped up in a town with no Walmart and even fewer delinquents.
He sucks air through his teeth and rocks back on his heels as if he’s in great deliberation. After a second or two of this charade, he nods. “I suppose it’ll be okay.” He pauses. “Only if you tell me what Tilly is getting me for Christmas.”
I gasp. “Mitchell! A man in uniform blackmailing me?”
He laughs. “Or suppose I could tell this guy about that sleepover party your freshman year.”
Fear strikes me. “You wouldn’t.”
Mitchell shrugs, but there’s a teasing glint in his eye.
“My faith in your civic integrity is fragile.”
“You’re so easy to toy with. Go have fun.” He unhooks one of the sides of the ropes and lets us through, but halts me with a hand to my elbow. “You know this guy?” he whispers.
“Just met him tonight.”
He frowns. “Be careful.”
“We’re not wandering far.” Seriously, the edge of the park will remain in view. But the brotherly look in his eyes slows my steps. “If I’m not back in twenty minutes, assume I’ve been murdered and avenge my death.”
He rolls his eyes. “I’ll be right here in calling distance. Yell if you need me.”
“Thank you.” I pat his shoulder.
He chuckles and shoos me off.
I rejoin Leo as he shifts the sled to his other arm. “I have so many questions.”
I wince, thinking he might have overheard Mitchell’s remarks. “I bet you do.”
“My main one is why you’re taking me to a place called Killer Hill.”
“It’s relatively tame.” I usher him to the tree line. “Except for one rough spot. Maybe four.” I never went sledding at night, and it’s kinda thrilling. A soft glow emits from the park, but I don’t need it. Not really. The snow is so white, we don’t need a light. I can easily navigate to the edge of the tree line where our destination is. “Behold.” I sweep a hand.
He steps next to me and studies the slope. It does look a bit intimidating. It has two ridges that, if you hit them at the right angle, can send you airborne.
I feel his gaze on me. “What are the odds of me coming out of this fairly unbruised?”
I wave him off. “If you do as I say, you’ll be fine.” I smile. “You might even love it a little.” The noise from the park is like a steady hum, but there’s a stillness here that I soak in. When Leo doesn’t respond, I glance at him.
“Are you sending me down by myself?” He crouches by the sled and places a hand on it as if testing its sturdiness.
“Of course. You’re the one who’s never been before.”
He stands at full height, and I’m once again reminded of how tall he is. He blends in nicely among the snow-dotted pines. The shadow of his stubble gives him a lumberjack feel. That jawline though? I’ve never understood the appeal of chiseled jaws, but now I can approve such artistry … and functionality. He could slice through icicles with that thing.
He moves closer. “I’m beginning to think your elf assault earlier wasn’t an accident.”
It takes me a full second before I catch his meaning. I laugh. “I’m not trying to kill you.”
“Prove it,” he challenges, but his tone brims with amusement. He taps the sled with his foot. “There’s room for both of us.”
All of a sudden, the huge sled that had made my left arm sore from lugging it around looks small. A child’s toy. “I …”
