Page 36 of The Friendship Pact

“See that sign ahead?”

She squinted. “Yep.”

“That’s the start of the trailhead near the parking lot.”

Kate readjusted her gloves. “I think you should give me a head start since I’m new to this.”

“Sure. Get ready. Get set—”

She took off at the speed of light, her feet landing perfectly in the snow.

“Go!”

She didn’t dare look back, because she could hear Nick approaching. Fast. She glanced briefly as he passed her. Big mistake. She tumbled forward and landed in the soft snow, then looked up to see if he had noticed her not-so-graceful fall. He had and was already racing back.

Effortlessly, he unstrapped his snowshoes and dropped to his knees. “Are you okay?”

Kate laughed and couldn’t stop. She flipped to her back and covered her eyes with her snow-soaked mittens. The snow melted on her heated face. She shivered and managed a nod.

Nick moved her hands away from her eyes and wiped the moisture from her cheeks with his scarf. Her eyes skimmed his wavy hair and the dark scruff covering his square jaw as he leaned in. The intensity of his stare sent heat through her cold limbs.

“I’m okay,” she said with a laugh.

“Good. I thought you were crying.”

“I bet that would be scary.”

“You have no idea.” He fell back into the snow, smiling.

“Nick?”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t think I can get up on my own.”

He got to his feet and held out a hand. She grabbed hold, and he yanked her up so fast she crashed into his chest. He peered into her eyes and wiped the remaining moisture from her brow.

Is he going to kiss me? Oh no. What was that rule? Keep physical contact to a minimum?

“Umm, thanks,” she said and stepped back.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Nick pulled up in front of Ethan’s home. By the look of all the vehicles, he was the last one to arrive for what once was a daily workout for him. Since being elected sheriff, he was lucky if he made it to Ethan’s twice a week.

Ethan’s workout room was filled with anything and everything needed for a full-body workout: free weights, medicine balls, resistance bands, weight machines . . . you name it, Ethan had it. And the best part was the way it overlooked the lake from the lower level of his mammoth log home.

Zeke sat on the bench next to the bank of lockers in the entryway where they kept their gym shoes and spare workout clothes, tying his shoes. Nick sat down next to him. “Hey, Zeke.”

“Sheriff.” Zeke grinned.

“How’s the televised show working out?”

“The remodel is going well, and Alexis is getting more comfortable on camera. It’s a long day of filming, wearing a mic, and shooting on-the-fly interviews.”

“Sounds intense.”

“And that’s why I’m here almost daily,” Zeke said. “I heard you’ve been busy in your new role as sheriff.”