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“Yeah,” I say, drawing out the words and placing my mug down on the table. “Better to do it now.”
“Penny, what are you doing?” he asks as I push the blanket off me and slowly stand.
“Getting up so we can begin snow removal.”
“I mean this in the nicest way possible, but there is no way you’re helping. You’re going to pull something or hurt yourself more.”
I want to argue, I do. I don’t like being told what to do, even if it does make sense. I have to bite my lip and fight the urge to tell him all the reasons why I’m okay to help. Instead, I side-eye him and nod.
“You’re right. I know you’re right, but I can’t just sit in here and do nothing.”
“Why don’t you come outside with me and watch the girls? If they’re occupied with you, then I can shovel faster without them thinking I’m playing.”
I agree eagerly, shuffling to the front door, where my coat is hanging.
“Check the back of the closet there. I think Gigi left snow pants last time she was here. They might be long on you but will help keep you warm.”
As soon as I open the closet door, I feel Carter step up right behind me. His front flush with my back. Heat engulfs me instantly. My breath becomes shaky, and I struggle to concentrate. What the hell am I looking for? Snow pants to stay warm? All I need is Carter within two feet of me to feel like I’m in an over-heated sauna.
“Right there,” he whispers into my hair, causing a full-body reaction. He must feel it because he chuckles. The vibration doesn’t help get my senses back in order.
Swallowing, I grab the material he indicated and tug. The clothing comes easily. I don’t want to, but in order to get ready to go outside with him, I need space. My lashes flutter as I scan his long and strong body, finally meeting his eyes.
He’s not smiling, but there is something mischievous in his look. And I know, after this, there’s no going back.
Chapter Seven
Carter
She looks absolutely adorable, but I know I can’t tell her that.
Penny is already grumbling about how much winter apparel she’s wearing. If I mention that I find the waddle she’s doing because of the baggy snow pants or the fact that she can’t completely put her arms down because of all her layers outrageously cute, she’ll probably kill me with just one look.
It would be worth it, though. God, just when I thought I couldn’t fall for her any harder, she goes and grumbles, proving me wrong.
Something’s changed, too. I can feel it. After she got off the call with her brother and Gretchen, she looked more relaxed. Like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. It doesn’t have anything to do with her injuries, I’m certain of that. But I have no idea what was troubling her beforehand.
I’m not going to worry about it now, though. She seemed happy—at least before the million winter layers—and I’m not going to mess with it.
“This is ridiculous,” I hear Penny mumble to herself. “I can’t even see my feet!”
“It’s preventative,” I tell her, trying to hide my laughter behind my hand. “We can’t risk you getting sick again.”
“I’m fine,” she grunts, sounding like Cookie Monster. “I’m fine-ish,” she corrects.
“And we’ll keep it that way.”
She mutters something I can’t hear, but the tone makes me laugh as I trudge through the knee-high snow to the shovel I keep by the side garage entrance. Penny tries to follow in my tracks but has to stop halfway.
Lola and Figgy come out of nowhere, nearly knocking me down as they race through the snow. They’ve created their own racetrack, it seems.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m almost done clearing the deck and a small path to the covered grass. My muscles are burning, and I can feel an ache starting in my lower back, but it’s all worth it to watch Penny run like a fool with the dogs. She’s been playing with them and tossing snowballs for them to catch mid-air.
Her laughter is contagious, and I find myself stopping every now and again to watch them play. I’ve just turned my back to the trio playing, almost done clearing the far walkway, when a sharp cold pain hits the back of my neck.
“Shit! That’s fucking cold!” I fumbled with the shovel, dropping it and trying to grab the back of my jacket. A cackle of laughter rings out across the backyard. Twisting, I watch as Penny throws her head back and holds her stomach as she laugh-cries.
The little minx has thrown a snowball. When her laughter dies down and she can look at me again without losing it, I give her my most innocent smile before jumping into action. Reaching down, I grab a handful of snow and toss it in her direction. It’s nothing but a shimmering arch of snow, but it’s enough to distract her long enough for me to form a snowball.
