Page 53 of Abdominal Snowman

The snow crunched under her boots as Soren held her hand and led her into the heart of Berrysburg.

The picturesque shops lining the main boulevard were calling to Sage, and the soft snowfall only added to the magic.

People walked past at a lazy pace. No one was rushing to where they needed to go, pushing past with a spilled coffee and a growled curse. Instead, they were lazily walking from shop to shop, pointing at items in the window, or chatting with each other in the middle of the street. It was such a vast difference to what Sage was used to. Everyone in Florida drove over the speed limit, racing to their destinations. Everything was fast paced there, but here? It was… simpler.

“Are any of the stores catching your eye, Sunshine?” Soren asked, peering down at her. Wisps of his dark-colored hair peeked out at her from under his cap, and she ached to brush them back from his face and see the Soren she knew. Sage was not feeling the dark hair.

Turning back to the sidewalk, she took in the few shops they passed. A pharmacy, a used bookstore, and a small gift shop. The turnstile in the last window held postcards, and an idea formed in Sage’s mind.

“This one!” She tugged Soren behind her and pushed into the shop. The ringing doorbell caught the attention of the shopkeeper, a young teenager behind the counter lazily flipping through a magazine.

“Ho-ho-holiday décor is half off this week. Let me know if you need any help.” He turned back to his magazine, popping bubble gum between his teeth.

“Thanks!” Sage said, taking in the adorable shop. It was every mountain vacationer’s wet dream. Hats and mittens were stacked neatly on the shelves, tee shirts and vests and jackets hung from racks, outdoor equipment was stacked against the far wall, and tree ornaments hung from a tiny little tree on the counter.

Her gaze finally fell to the rack she’d seen through the window, and she walked over.

Scenic photos of Berrysburg were printed on the postcards. Briefly, she wondered if she’d ever sell her photos for something like this.

“Looking for something to remind yourself of me?” Soren asked as he leaned over her shoulder, a sly smirk on his lips.

“No, I’m gonna send Gabi a postcard. Here, look!” Sage whirled to face Soren, but she was closer than anticipated. Her chest brushed against his, and suddenly, memories of the night before danced through her head. Burning embers erupted low in her gut at the contact, and she let her gaze drag head to toe and back again. Clearing her throat, she tried to banish her dirty thoughts.

“I want to share the magic with her, even if it’s just in this little card.”

Sage rubbed her thumb over the aerial photo of the snowy town, proudly proclaiming “Welcome to the magic of Berrysburg!” She lifted her head, smiling up at Soren, and found his expression soft as he stared down at her.

Sage escaped Soren and his meaningful gaze, slipping under his arm and to the counter. She paid the teenager, but not before shooting a glare at Soren as he tried to pull his wallet out. This was her little thank you to Gabi, and she was paying for it. Sage asked the teen for a pen and scrawled a quick message on the back of the postcard, a little something to make Gabi smile.

Giddy with excitement over the small token she held in her hands, Sage bounced on her feet.

Soren shook his head and followed her out to the street. “If you’re going to act this adorable every time you buy something, consider myself officially retired,” he told her.

“Now don’t get too comfy,” Sage teased.

As they walked on, light posts flickered to life in the dimming twilight. Soren twined his fingers with Sage’s gloved hand, lightly rubbing his thumb over the soft fabric.

The silence between them was comfortable, light. Sage had never felt this… open. As their booted feet crunched over the snow, she tried to remember the last time she felt like this. In Florida, she was always so stressed over stories and deadlines and trying to please other people that she just…

Forgot about herself.

She wanted to be the best photographer, the best employee, the best friend. But here, she guessed Soren had already seen the worst. Maybe that was why it was so effortless with him.

They stopped in front of the town’s small post office, and Soren waited patiently while she slipped the postcard into the letterbox, sending love along with it to Gabi.

She turned to Soren, ready to suggest they head home, when a shout down the street snagged their attention.

“Soren Kanine, is that you?” A man advanced upon them, jovialness written in his expression, and yet Soren didn’t return the enthusiasm. He stiffened at the voice.

“Shit,” Soren hissed beneath his breath. He visibly forced his body to relax as he faced the man’s direction. Sage stepped around his side and watched the stranger. If he was dangerous, Soren would have taken her to safety by now. So she swallowed the knot in her throat and tried to loosen the vise around her stomach.

As the man drew closer, Sage noticed he was tall, almost as tall as Soren, but that was where their similarities ended. This man was waif-like and dressed in clothes that were terribly out of place. A too nice suit, polished buttons, and a thick peacoat that may have been fashionable… somewhere. But in this little old town with no one but locals? It just made him look out of place somehow.

His shoes shined in the twilight, matching the curious twinkle in his eye as he stopped a few feet away on the concrete sidewalk.

“Tobin,” Soren greeted. “You’ve come down from your perch to grace us with your presence? And so soon.”

His tone sounded anything but friendly, and at first, Sage was shocked Soren would even speak to someone like that, but then Tobin opened his mouth.

“My little bird told me that you had a visitor, Soren. I knew I’d never get to meet her unless I came down myself. I just didn’t expect to run into you so soon.” Tobin’s eyes flicked over Sage, leaving a greasy trail over her skin. She didn’t think she was hiding her distaste well.

“Don’t know why that would be any of your business.” Soren’s eyes remained focused on Tobin, and worry burned in her chest.

“Of course you don’t, Soren.” He took a dramatic step back from them and waved them forward. “By all means, don’t let me interrupt your evening. Soren, I hope you’re treating her well. Don’t run her off.”

When neither of them knew how to respond, he smiled. Sage would say his grin was akin to glinting knives. “I’ll be waiting.” Tobin’s eyes slid to hers with a predatory glint.

Soren pulled her into his side and pointedly stared at the stranger. Tobin lifted his arms as if in innocence and spun on one heel. “Alright, alright, I get it. I’ll excuse myself.”

A warning bell rang in her head at the sight of his retreating back, something dark twisting in her stomach. “You two lovebirds have a wonderful night,” he called over his shoulder.

“What was that about?” Sage whispered, somehow paranoid the man would know they were talking about him and turn back around.

Soren sighed, his breath a cloud of air after he held it for a long moment. When he grabbed her hand and pulled her in the direction of the Jeep, defeat looked heavy on his shoulders. “Is it okay if I don’t really want to talk about it? At least not right now?”

Worry planted itself in her belly as she and Soren walked back toward his Jeep. There was something he wasn’t telling her, and she was bound and determined to find out what the hell it was.

She wasn’t a journalist for nothing.