AllFreeNovel
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One thing was sure. If she was going to move forward with the idea of screening Quinn as a possible match for Darcy, she’d need to erect much larger barriers to protect herself from her past.
Snow. Serious snow. Absolutely no one was in the mood for a storm like this in early February, but everyone knew more than to think he or she could escape the month without one.
Or two. Or more. Candy was shoveling her front steps in her favorite winter-protection outfit: bulky, fabulously warm boys’
size-sixteen snowpants that made the swishy sound she remembered from childhood when she walked, and which made her legs look like overstuffed sausages. Over that, her puffy old down parka, which she’d kept for running the snowblower so her newer coat wouldn’t smell like engine fumes, heavy black boots suitable for hiking in the Arctic—not exactly feminine, but they’d never failed to keep her feet warm; a wool scarf wrapped around her neck inside her parka and a fleece scarf wrapped over her head and again around her neck, to make sure no flakes could find their way down her collar.
On her hands, thick, waterproof mittens, and voilà, her body stayed warm not only from its layers of protection, but also from the exertion of pushing the snowblower and shoveling other areas the machine couldn’t reach. Nothing felt as cozy and smug as being out in horrible weather suitably dressed.
With the possible exception of being home in bed with a man she loved while the storm went nuts outside.
But she no longer had that option, so why bother torturing herself with the memories? She should instead be looking forward to when she could do it again. Even if it might not be quite the same.
Snow was still falling, but barely; the storm had all but passed. Streetlights had come on, other neighbors were out clearing their driveways and sidewalks, few cars ventured onto the street. It was one of Candy’s favorite winter times—clean and peaceful, snow-muted sounds making the block feel small and intimate.
While enjoying this winter wonderland, she was also trying very hard not to peek at Justin’s house. Silly, because the effort had become similar to telling someone not to think about an elephant in a sparkly pink tutu. Pretty much impossible. Candy hadn’t heard from Justin since their date four days ago, not that she’d expected to. Well, she’d sort of expected to. That is, she’d hoped to. Barring that, she’d at least hoped to bump into him so they could chat without anyone having to pick up a phone. But nothing. Maybe he was away?
He was home. She knew because her thoughts had just conjured him to appear at his front door, blinking like a mole emerging into sunlight. Or a Californian emerging into the vestiges of a Wisconsin snowstorm. Candy reacted rationally and maturely by whirling away to attack the icy mess the city plow thoughtfully deposited at the base of everyone’s driveway when it passed.
Ten seconds later, she had the good sense to be embarrassed by her instinctive duck and cover, when she’d been handed the perfect chance for a friendly hello. She straightened resolutely and turned again toward Justin. He appeared to be trying to reach his mailbox from his front door without stepping out into the snow. Was he in bare feet? Socks? Slippers? Didn’t he own boots? She couldn’t tell. But she could see that he took a big chunk of mail from the box, reaching with one hand, the other clinging to the door behind him. She held her breath, praying he wouldn’t fall, half hoping he’d turn and notice her, half hoping he wouldn’t.
He did. She knew because his body stiffened, staring in her direction, and she knew because her adrenaline was off and racing. Did he recognize her Michelin Man silhouette?
“Hi, Justin.” Her voice was flattened by the snow. She pushed back her scarf and grinned widely. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“It’s…something. Definitely, something.”
Poor man, born unable to appreciate the majesty of winter.
“Do you—”
“Enjoy it.” He lifted his arm in salute and backed into the house.
…need help shoveling?
Ouch. She stood staring at his closed front door. He had kissed her as if he never wanted to stop, hadn’t he? Same guy?
Only a few days earlier?
Marie was right. There were lots of other fish in the Milwaukee sea. Candy just wished she hadn’t gotten so fixated on this one.
