“It wasn’t a problem at all. Plus, I got to see Sugar Plum, so I’m happy to help.”
Susan smiled warmly. “You’re always welcome to come over. Well, I won’t keep you two kids much longer. Enjoy the rest of your night, and stay warm!” She gave us both a wave before walking to where she had her booth set up, joining her husband and continuing to talk to the line of customers.
I looked over at Gabe, my eyes searching his face. I kept learning more about him, and the more I learned, the more I realized I had been completely wrong about him.
“Ready for our next stop?” I asked as we put the candles in my purse for safe keeping.
“Lead the way, Sunshine. Let’s see what you have planned next.”
29
GABRIEL
The crisp windbit at my face, making my eyes water and my smile freeze to my face. I hadn’t been sledding inyears. Who knew it was even more fun as an adult?
“How were you going so fast?” I huffed, out of breath as I came down from the adrenaline.
“Lots of practice,” Lily said with a grin. “As the youngest of my siblings, I didn’t usually win much, except for when we’d race down the hill.” She’d been laughing the whole way down, the melodic sound one that I never wanted to forget. I’d recognize it anywhere, even after I left Golden Falls.
We’d gone down the hill at least three times now, and each time, she came down faster than me. We only needed to go down once to cross it off Lily’s list, but I couldn’t remember the last time I had this much fun over the holidays, if ever.
“Should we go down one more time?” I nodded toward the sled that was for two people, as two kids came up to us to ask if we were done using the single sleds.
“Yeah, one more time.” Lily’s smile widened…and I saw a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “Race you up the hill!”
Without giving it a second thought, I reached for the sled and ran after her.
I caught up to Lily eventually, but it came at a cost. I was panting once we reached the top.
Once I set down the sled, Lily held it in place so I could get in first. Then, I held it steady for her to sit between my legs, her back facing me. As Lily settled and got comfortable, I could smell her fruity shampoo and her floral perfume—her sweetness and proximity overwhelming my senses.
“Ready?” She looked over her shoulder at me, berry-colored lips spread into a smile. She looked both angelic and mischievous.
“Ready,” I confirmed, wrapping an arm around her to keep her close.
We pushed off the ground, and within moments, we were flying down the hill, my heart pumping wildly inside my chest. Our speed picked up, causing the wooden sled to sway side to side.
We went down a different section of the hill than our other runs, and a ridge of packed snow snuck up on us, causing the sled to buck sideways.
“Oh, shit!” Lily called out, followed by a shriek.
In trying to prevent the sled from turning, we overcorrected—and flipped over. I landed on the fluffy, powdery snow with anoomph. I wrapped my arms tightly around Lily, hoping that landing on me would break her fall.
Luckily, we were already toward the bottom of the hill, so our tumble wasn’t much, but it was still enough to knock the wind out of us.
“You okay?” I asked, out of breath.
“Yeah,” Lily exhaled. “Are you?”
I was distracted by the way her eyes moved from my gaze to my mouth, reminding me how close we were. She was lying on top of me, strands of blonde hair framing her face.
Somehow, even through all of our winter layers, I could feel her heart beating rapidly. Or was that mine?
“I’m fine,” I assured her. “What were you saying earlier aboutlots of practice?”
She smiled and rolled her eyes at my teasing. As Lily parted her lips to respond, a man’s voice interrupted us. “You two know this is a kids event, right?”
I looked up, recognizing the man as Wesley, Lily’s older brother.
