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“But - ”
“You have your hands full with those books. Unless you want me to carry them instead.”
Haley clutched them to her chest.
“No.”
I laughed. “Didn’t think so.”
As I started toward the cabin, I realized Haley wasn’t following. I turned back to look for her. She stood in the snowy driveway, staring up at the stars like glitter cast across the velvety sky. Her breath puffed into the air but she didn’t seem to care. It was a private moment that made me feel like an intruder as I looked on. At the same time, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
“Haley,” I said softly. “Hate to ruin your fun but I’m freezing my ass off and I’m sure you are too. Let’s go.”
She hurried to fall into step beside me.
“It’s just so peaceful out here.”
“As opposed to when we get inside?” I offered.
She huffed a laugh. “Exactly.”
When we stepped through the front door, a burst of noise greeted us - laughter peppered with the hum of conversation followed by the screech of children arguing. The drone of a television echoed from deeper inside the cabin. The sweet smell of hot chocolate mingled with the sharp scent of pine trees for a warm welcome.
Mrs. Talbot emerged into the entryway with a big smile, hugging Haley first, then me. She smelled like peppermint candy.
“There you are! Theo, I’m so glad you agreed to join us. Chase said you were going to be alone for the holidays and we simply couldn’t allow that. You can share the attic with Chase - it’s quieter up there and you won’t be sharing a room with the kids.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Talbot,” I replied. “I really appreciate you making space for me.”
She patted my cheek.
“Of course we would! You’re always welcome to stay with us, Theo. Now, there are cookies in the kitchen and you’re welcome to help yourself. Just up those stairs, you’ll find the bedrooms. Keep climbing until you reach the attic. Do you need help with those bags?”
After insisting three times over that I could handle the load, I headed up the stairwell to my left with Haley on my heels.
“This is my room,” she said.
I stopped and glanced through the door. It was barely more than a broom closet with just enough space for a twin-sized mattress. The windowsill served as a bedside table with a small camping lamp and an old, battered paperback - romance, of course.
I slid her bag off my shoulder and set it on the floor inside her room.
“Looks a little cramped,” I said.
“It’s better than sharing a room with my niece and nephew. I adore them very much but a girl needs her space and I was not above begging to make this happen.”
Haley sat on the edge of the bed, arranging her books on the windowsill. When she could only fit six or seven books, she shoved the remnants of her stack under her pillow. Just as I turned to go, I stopped and leaned my shoulder against her door frame.
“Can I ask you a question?”
Haley glanced up, her eyebrows raised.
“Sure.”
I shrugged. “Dating apps don’t really seem to be your style. Why the interest now? You never seemed to bother with any of it before.”
Haley sighed, fiddling with the sleeve of her coat.
“I guess…it just seems like I’ve watched everyone else around me have their chance at falling in love. Except me.”
