Page 50 of Abdominal Snowman

She smiled as she grabbed clothes and began to change.

Sage loved the open-air markets she’d been to back in Miami, vendors selling their wares and shoppers bustling around on the beach. Fruits, vegetables, meats, and baked goods were her favorite things to buy locally, and she was excited to see what different items were offered here in this snowy land.

She meandered back into the living area after dressing in her winter gear to find Soren pouring her travel mug of coffee. He handed it off to her before grabbing his own and making toward the door to pull his boots on.

It was his iced coffee recipe, the one she’d discovered him drinking the other day.

Sage watched Soren walk into the garage, the rumble of his Jeep breaking the morning air. She sipped on her coffee, a smile on her face that didn’t seem to want to leave.

* * *

The rumble of the tires and the crunch of the snow on the road almost lulled Sage back to sleep as Soren’s expert driving calmed her enough to relax, even along the winding mountain road.

Trees whizzed by as they made their way down to the small town, the sun’s early morning rays kissing the tops of the snow-covered homes in the valley.

“How often do you come down here?” Sage asked, watching the town grow closer and closer.

“They hold this market once a month. In the summer there are more fruits and vegetables, but my favorite is in wintertime. There’s a pasty vendor that makes the best breakfast pasties,” he rumbled from the driver’s seat, taking a sharp turn into town.

“A pastry vendor?” she clarified.

“No, it’s pasty,” Soren corrected.

“Then what’s a pasty?” Sage asked as houses and shops began appearing, the town blooming around them. There wasn’t nearly as much snow in town as she’d thought. Maybe the sun had already done its job.

He grinned wolfishly at her, his eyes flashing. “You’ll see.”

Soren pulled into the snowy parking lot of a warehouse and shifted into park. Sage’s eyes widened as she took in the size of it. Lights were strung up on poles and danced back and forth to light up the walkway. People bustled in and out of the warehouse where the farmers’ market was held, bundled head to toe to ward off the chilly morning air. Their arms were full of bags, and small children ran about.

She got out of the car, eyes wide to take in the magical picture of the place. Soren’s hand grabbed hers, and she darted her gaze to him. His smile was gentle as he walked alongside her, leading her up the long walkway to the warehouse.

String lights lit up the metal building, and there must have been close to a hundred vendors selling. They lined the walls of the warehouse and dotted the center, making a maze of items to buy.

Soren pulled her along, walking like a man with a mission around what seemed like the entire town. He came to a stop at a small corner booth manned by an older woman. She wasn’t just sitting down though, she was busting her ass. A warm oven churned out flaky delicacies, and the woman bustled about as she set a batch out to cool on the table beside the oven. The steam clouded in the cool air, and Sage caught a whiff of it.

“Hello, Magda. Do you have your specialty today?” Soren called to her, a small smile on his face.

He still hadn’t let go of Sage’s hand.

The woman turned with a smile, one that widened when she spied Sage next to Soren. Magda’s eyes twinkled as she said, “Only the best for my number one customer!”

She pulled a large box from under her table, opening the top. Steam billowed out and the most heavenly scent assaulted Sage’s nose. Six fat pasties filled the box, and her mouth watered at the cheesy bacon smell wafting from it.

“You’re too good to me, Mag.” He pulled her closer. “This is Sage, and she has no idea what a pasty is.” Soren’s introduction was softened by the chuckle it elicited from Magda.

“Then she’s in for a wonderful surprise, Soren,” Magda replied, eyes sparkling.

* * *

“You’ve never had hot chocolate?” Sage asked, mouth agape and pulling in cold air.

Soren arched a brow at her, and it made her stomach feel all light and fluttery. “If you haven’t noticed, I don’t like hot things.”

Sage met his gaze with a challenge. “You like Mag’s pasties.”

You like me, she thought with a silent chuckle.

“That’s different—”