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I tried to cover my sudden happiness as I got up off the couch and headed to pack. If I could make it happen, I would be staying longer than a few days this time. Meetings, news reports and everything else had to wait. I already missed many years away from Kim and I didn’t want to miss anymore.
She was suddenly becoming the most important person in my life. As much as I hated myself for admitting it, I was falling in love with her.
Fast and unexpected.
I had always been in love with her, puppy love as teens and now a mature healthy adult love. Now, I saw her for who she had become, and I wasn’t going to lose her.
CHAPTER 24
Kimberly
Chucking my house keys on the sideboard and kicking off my shoes, I was so happy to be home. The snow was starting to fall already, earlier than normal and the drive back and forth to the rink was colder than usual. I couldn’t wait to curl up on the couch with a glass of wine. Daisy would cuddle up next to me and we would watch some crappy television.
Katelyn had mentioned Matthew, the other part of the team was flying in this morning, and she left to pick him up at the airport. Thankfully, she said she was going to stay at the local B&B with him as I wouldn’t have had the room for another person.
I didn’t ask questions, but she mentioned they have always had a thing for each other and sometimes they would end up in bed together. Neither of them wanted a relationship, so it worked out perfectly.
The girls didn’t seem too happy when I made them meet me at seven in the morning. They weren’t off school yet, so an hour each morning before their classes wouldn’t kill them. If anything, it sets them up for the day. Or at least that’s what my coach used to say.
I contemplated going back to bed, the clock showed ten in the morning. Daisy seemed annoyed she had been woken up when I came home and took herself to bed. I was left without much company in the end.
Checking my phone, I noticed I hadn’t heard from Sam yet and usually I would have by now. Perhaps he was sleeping in or had an even earlier morning than me. My head hurt a little from last night’s drinking session with Joe and his army friends. I was glad when it reached midnight and they wanted to hit a strip club in the next town over as it gave me a reason to escape.
Joe, bless him, looked mortified at the thought. He begged me to stay, to rescue him. What kind of best woman would I be if I helped him out? Judging by the photograph Beth sent me when he got home, he was in a right drunken state and clearly had a great time.
Hey! Haven’t heard from you this morning, hope you’re ok.
One more sleep.
No reply, but the text bubble appeared green, so he wasn’t anywhere where there wasn't a signal, or had his phone off. I tried not to think much into it, I had never been that girl who worried where the guy she was speaking to was at 24/7.
Instead of falling asleep, I opted to take Daisy out for a walk. It may have been a little cold, but it was nothing our warm coats wouldn’t fix. Wrapping her up in her hot pink fleece dog coat and popping a beanie over her head. She may have been a fluffy dog, but she always felt the cold more than other dogs her breed.
“Don’t worry babes, we will only be out for twenty minutes, tops. You haven’t had a walk in a few days so now we are having one.”
She nuzzled her nose into my hand as I shrugged on my warm coat and tugged on my hat. One thing I hated the most was cold ears. Making sure we had everything for our walk as I hated getting caught out with no bags to clean up any mess, we headed out the door.
And smacked into another person. Daisy barked protectively as I squealed as the person frightened me. Big strong arms held me up as Daisy cowered behind me still barking. Some great guard dog she was.
“Hi, Kimmy.”
Samuel. It took me a second to realize it was him and as soon as I did my arms were around his neck as I hugged him tightly. This was indeed a surprise as I was half expecting him to show up late tomorrow. He embraced me back and Daisy stopped her barking almost instantly, sniffing around at our feet.
“You don’t mind me showing up like this do you?”
“Of course not! I’m happy to see you.”
Kissing him gently on the lips, I felt this overwhelming feeling of happiness. We stood there on my front porch with the snow falling slowly around us. I would have easily invited him inside, but I was very aware of Daisy as she nudged me a little, making sure I didn’t forget her.
“I’m taking Daisy for a walk. You’re welcome to join or you can stay here and keep warm, I won’t be long.”
He stood there with his hands on my waist, looking at me then at Daisy, clearly trying to decide what would be the best option for him. I wouldn’t have blamed him if he didn’t want to go for a walk. He looked like he needed some sleep, traveling really knocked it out of you sometimes and it would be mean of me if I expected him to use up what little energy he had left on me.
“Tell you what, I will go for this walk, you go inside, get yourself cozy by the fire, or grab a shower and then tuck yourself up in bed. I won’t be long I promise.”
“Honestly, that sounds perfect, but only as long as you’re sure. I don’t mind.”
“Sam, you look like death warmed up. Go and rest.”
