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“I will.” The next time I see them, which may not happen for months. Years. Whatever.
“Let me see if Jake’s awake.” She raps on his door and then it creaks open. “Hey, can you take the plow to go pick up Taylor?”
“Hell yeah,” Jake says, loud enough that the words are clear.
I cover my mouth to stifle the chuckle.
Finley sighs. “Sit tight. Jake is getting dressed. He’ll be there with a can of gas in no time. Archer is making French toast with croissants for breakfast.”
I smile. “Sounds delicious. Tell Jake I’ll keep an eye out for him. See you all soon.”
“Wait, Taylor. Before you hang up, you should know that Mindy and Luke are here. They made it home yesterday morning before the storm hit.”
My stomach squeezes, anxiety gripping me in a tight fist.
Mindy would have a field day if she knew about this little snowed-in escapade. At least, prior to last month, before she had some kind of come-to-Jesus epiphany, decided to apologize for treating me like crap for the past eight years, and now is so accommodating and careful, I don’t even know what to do with it.
“It’s fine, Finley,” I tell her, even though it’s not and we both know it.
We hang up and after releasing a deep breath, I finish getting dressed.
When I return to the living room, Atticus is still sleeping on the sofa, one arm stretched over his head. His features are softer in repose, less rugged, but no less appealing. My eyes follow a path from his tousled hair down the V-shaped line of his body.
A delicate thread of arousal wraps around my midsection and tugs.
I shut my eyes and turn away.Stop being creepy, Taylor.
There’s a pad of paper and pen on the side table by the front door. I scribble a quick note before sneaking out.
Twenty minutes later, the snowplow rumbles to a stop next to my bus and Jake jumps out of the cab, grinning ear to ear. “Dude. This thing is awesome.” He smacks the side of the plow.
I groan. “Boys and their toys.”
“Right? Oliver had it delivered last month. Having a billionaire brother-in-law is totally worth having to deal with the egomania.” He takes a few big steps in my direction and wraps me in a hug.
The zipper on his oversize jacket digs into my cheek but I don’t even care.
He went through a rough patch a couple months ago, fell off the wagon, but today he looks good. Great, even, his eyes bright and clear, cheekbones tinted pink from the cold.
He reaches into the cab of the plow and pulls out a gas can. “Shall I do the honors, my lady?”
I roll my eyes and follow him over to the gas tank.
“Finley wants to make Christmas cookies today, so brace yourself.” He lifts the can, pushing the spigot into the opening.
I groan. “Are you helping?”
“Nope. Not enough room in the kitchen.” He tosses me a wink. “I’m going snowmobiling around the property with Luke, Oliver, and Archer.”
“Seriously?” Which means I’ll be hanging with Finley, Piper... and Mindy. No thanks. “Can I go with you guys?”
“We only have two snowmobiles. We’ll be riding butts to nuts as it is.”
Irritation buzzes under my skin. I don’t want to be in close proximity with Mindy. She’ll be extra nice, and I’ll be super annoyed.
Once he’s finished putting the gas in my tank, I jump in the bus and start it up, then follow him into Whitby at five miles an hour.
The town center has been transformed into a winter wonderland, in part because of the snow, but also because of the small-town charm on display every year during the holidays. The antique black lampposts lining the street are adorned with giant red bows and winding garlands. Shop windows are decked out in window art, reindeer, snowmen, and Hannukah menorahs.
