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“Dad,I’mgoing to go find my friends, okay?” calledChloefrom several feet away.
“Okay,” he said. “Besafe and have fun.”
“Iwill!” she shouted and scampered off down the path that led to the festival, cheeks pink with excitement.
Thefestival was held in the town park, calledMary’sParkafterMaryElizabethAxton, the woman who had written the originalGossamerFallslegend.Itsat on the edge of the river, and in the summer, it was a prime place to stroll, eat ice cream, and watch the water.Therewas a playground and small splash pad for kids, and lots of trees with shaded benches.Inthe winter, the town created an outdoor ice rink on the grassy field.
Thepath from the parking lot to the park was lit with softly glowing torches, and over the crunch of their boots in the snow,Jackcould hear music, laughter, and people talking.WithRosalie’shand in his, they rounded the bend, and she gasped.
“Oh, wow,” she breathed, her eyes bright as she took it all in.
Onone side of the park was a winter market, with vendors housed under small white tents lit with fairy lights, selling things like loose leaf tea, candles, knit mittens and scarves, and handmade décor.Theice rink sat in the center of the park, lit up with twinkling lights, pop music playing as people skated in a circle around the oval rink.Thehill on the other side of the park had been transformed into a tube ride, people shrieking with laughter as they slid down the snow-covered hill.Tothe side of the hill was an outdoor food court, with a massive bonfire in the middle, sending sparks up into the night sky.Evenfrom where he stood,Jackcould smell the hot chocolate and mulled apple cider.Chloewas already at the s’mores station with her friends, and several people were walking around with gooey cinnamon rolls in little paper bags.
Themain feature, however, was the towering whiteFerriswheel right by the water, flanked with a small midway with traditional carnival games.Itglowed in the night, a welcoming beacon for the festival.
“Thislooks amazing,” saidRosalie, her eyes roving over everything. “Ican see why everyone in town’s been talking about it all week.”
“Comeon,” he said, moving them through the crowd and toward the ice rink. “Let’sgo skating.”
Shepaused, her feet skidding to a stop on the snow packed path. “Oh.Um.Uh…Idon’t have skates.”
“It’sokay.Wecan rent them.”
“I…”Sheswallowed and her eyebrows inched up her head. “Don’tlaugh at me, butI’venever skated in my life before.”
“Never?”
Sheshook her head. “Never.Like, never ever.”
Hegrinned. “Well, in that case,I’mdelighted to be your first.”
Shelaughed. “Yougonna take care of me?” she asked in a mock innocent voice that had blood flowing to his cock.JesusChrist, she was perfect.Perfectin every single way.
Hepressed a kiss to her temple. “YouknowIwill.Justhang on to me and you’ll be fine.”
“I’mgoing to fall on my ass.”
“Maybe.I’llkiss it better for you if you do.”
“Well, in that case,” she said, her feet once again moving in the direction of the ice rink.Jacklaughed, falling into step beside her.
Herented a pair of skates for each of them, and once they’d stowed their boots in one of the little cubbies and he’d helped her with her skates, he quickly laced his own up.Then, he helped her step tentatively onto the ice.
Shelet out a small shriek as her feet immediately slid out from beneath her.Hecaught her around her waist before she could fall.
“Ittakes a little time to get your balance,” he said, helping her get upright again, her skates sliding beneath her.Sheclung to him, laughing.Onceshe was steady, he turned to face her, taking her hands in his. “Bendyour knees,” he said, and then started skating slowly backward, pulling her with him.
“Ahh!” she said, her eyes going wide as she almost lost her balance.Butthis time, she regained it quickly, her grip on his hands tightening. “OhGod, we’re moving.”
“Weare.Trypicking up your feet a tiny bit to get a feel for the skates, the ice.”
Shedid, wobbling as he held onto her, still moving them in a slow circle around the outer loop of the ice surface.
“Faster?” he asked, and she nodded.
“Okay, yeah.Alittle…shit!”Herfeet went out from under her and she landed on her ass.Laughterburst out of her, and he helped her up, his hands lingering around her waist.
“You’redoing great,” he said.
