It made her even more determined to make sure that these trees got better soon.
Ethan glanced over at her, a soft smile playing on his lips. “It’s beautiful here, isn’t it? I feel lucky every day to live in a place like this.”
His words echoed her own thoughts. “It really is,” she said. “The scenery, the community—everything about Pinecone Falls seems perfect. I can see why you never wanted to leave.”
“We have a simple life here, but it’s good,” he said. “Family, nature, tradition—those are the things that really matter.”
Ginger’s heart swelled at his words. After years of wandering, it was a life she craved for herself. A place to put down roots, a community to belong to, and maybe even a family of her own someday.
She shook off the thought, blaming the chill for her fanciful notions. But she couldn’t deny the connection she felt with Ethan in that moment, as if their souls had recognized each other from some other life.
The cold seeped into Ginger’s bones, causing her to shiver. She wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing her hands up and down her sleeves to generate warmth.
Ethan glanced over in concern. “Are you cold? We should probably head back soon.”
“Just a bit,” she said, teeth chattering. “I didn’t realize how much the temperature would drop.”
Without another word, Ethan shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. The lingering warmth enveloped her instantly, along with the earthy, woodsy scent of him.
She sighed in contentment, snuggling into the soft flannel. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”
“Can’t have you turning into an ice cube,” he said gruffly. “Ma would never forgive me if I let that happen.”
Ginger smiled, wondering if his concern stemmed from more than just his mother’s wrath. She found she didn’t mind either way. Having his jacket wrapped around her and his solid presence beside her was comforting in a way she hadn’t felt since she was a little girl.
Maybe this was what coming home felt like.
“We should probably head back,” Ethan said.
Ginger started to protest, not wanting the night to end. But her teeth were beginning to chatter, and Ethan didn’t even have a coat, so he must have been even colder than her.
“I think that’s a good idea,” she said reluctantly. As Ethan helped her into the sled, she took one last look at the starry sky. She had a feeling that this night, and this place, would stay with her for a long time to come.
Chapter22
When they got back to the cabin, Ginger invited Ethan in to eat the food he’d brought over in the basket earlier. He could hardly refuse—he was starving, and he didn’t want his time with Ginger to end.
The mouthwatering aroma of the chicken pot pie filled the air as they warmed it up together.
“You know,” Ethan said, trying to maneuver around Ginger’s wheelchair, “I never thought my kitchen would feel so small. And with the kittens, it’s like an obstacle course in here.”
Ginger laughed as she watched one of the kittens attempt to leap onto the counter, only to slide back down the cabinets, its claws making a scraping noise on the wooden surface. “Well, you could always consider it a team-building exercise,” she teased.
As they continued cooking, the kittens weaved between their legs, purring and occasionally pawing at their pants legs. The scents of cooking food and the occasional meow from the kittens created a warm and homey atmosphere.
Ethan grinned as he watched Ginger expertly chop some fresh herbs to sprinkle on the pot pie. “You’re a natural in the kitchen, even with all the chaos,” he complimented her. “And you seem to have a way with these kittens too.”
Ginger smiled as one of the kittens climbed onto her lap and kneaded her thigh with its tiny paws. “Well, I’ve always loved animals, and it seems these little ones have taken a liking to me as well. I could never have a pet as a kid but always wanted one.”
Ethan’s heart pinched. He thought that was incredibly sad; he’d always had a pet as a kid.
As they waited for the pot pie to finish baking, the kittens continued to explore the kitchen, occasionally finding themselves in precarious situations. One of them attempted to climb the curtains, while another managed to paw open a cabinet door, only to be gently nudged back out by Ethan.
Ethan watched Ginger expertly navigate the tight space of the kitchen in her wheelchair, and he couldn’t help but comment, “You’ve adapted pretty well to that wheelchair, but I know it can’t be easy.”
Ginger smiled, her eyes meeting Ethan’s. “Thanks. Actually, the doctor said I might be able to fully transition to crutches in a few more days. I’ve been practicing a bit when I have some privacy.” She looked at him with a hint of excitement. “Want to see?”
“Sure,” Ethan said, curiosity piqued.
