The long line of skidoos pulled into the community center in Smithville, the first stop on the sled run, and she parked her machine, pulling off her headgear while Connor did the same. Rick pulled up alongside her and in a few seconds, slid from his machine.
The day was crisp, but with next to no breeze and an abundance of sunlight, it was bearable. In fact she knew it was going to be one of the best days ever. And herein was her problem.
Him. Rick. The guy with the wicked smile and eyes that could charm the panties off any woman that he chose. For whatever reason he’d chosen her and Lord knows her lady parts were already buzzing. But it was more than the hot sex they’d shared.
He was starting to matter to her. And that was scary for a whole host of reasons, the main one being that the guy was just passing through. He didn’t belong here and he sure as hell wasn’t staying. She was crazy to get involved with a guy as dangerous as him.
“Not gonna think about it,” she muttered to herself, smiling at Connor as he grabbed a handful of snow and tossed it at her.
“Hey,” she said, scooping some up into her hands. “Do that again Mister and it’s game on.”
Connor laughed. He actually laughed. When was the last time she’d heard that sound fall from his lips? She didn’t want to make too much of it because she knew he’d retreat if she did.
“Let’s get some lunch. It’s hotdogs and soup.”
Rick’s hand settled at the small of her back as they made their way over to the lineup for food. She liked the feel of it. Liked how the women eyed him up with interest as they walked by. It was so high school, but she felt like shouting, ‘he’s mine’.
Cheeks pink, she banished the thought. High school indeed. She was way past those days.
After they mingled with the townsfolk and had some hot lunch, everyone climbed back onto their machines and headed out to the trails once more. The next leg was the longest and would take about three hours. Ava was still with Seth, and Charlie loved how hot under the collar Davis was being about that.
The snow was pristine and the trail wove in and around a few lakes before they headed into the interior and higher ground. They spied a lot of wildlife along the way and Rick’s grin told her that he was enjoying the outing as much as she was.
By the time they reached the last town, Springs Falls, it was nearly five o’clock and the air was changing. It was colder. Crisper. It was time to relax. The town hosted a meal at the community center, but this time the festivities were inside and there was live music. Buses were parked and would begin running every hour, shuttling those who didn’t want to do the return trip on their sleds, home to their respective towns.
“We’ll take the bus back when we’re ready,” she said to Rick. “And I’ll come back for our sleds tomorrow.”
“Sounds good to me.”
He checked his cell and scrolled through a few messages, but pocketed it without answering.
“Everything okay?” she asked, leading the way inside. He looked pensive, which wasn’t something she was used to.
“Yeah. For now.” He didn’t elaborate and she didn’t ask any more questions, even though she kinda wanted to know what had made his eyes shadowed.
Once inside, they made their way over to the tables and Maverick insisted she sit with Connor while he went to grab them bowls of homemade chili and bread. The fresh air had made her hungry and the smells were to die for.
Davis appeared and went off with Rick while Charlie settled back into her chair, content to relax and people watch. Connor must have felt the same because he melted against her, his big eyes wide as he gazed around the room.
Her heart softened and she fought the urge to hug him tight. She still wasn’t sure if he’d let her, but man, to see him engaged—his eyes full of interest—was something she’d longed for ever since…her father had died.
There really were no words.
“Charlotte Samuels?”
Startled, Charlie blinked away her tears and whipped her head around, smiling when she spied Danielle Mason, an old schoolmate. The brunette was about five foot nothing and curvy with a wide smile and kind brown eyes.
“Oh my God, you haven’t changed a bit,” Danielle said, bending over and hugging Charlie. “I thought that was you in Smithville, but I wasn’t sure. I didn’t know you were back in the area.”
Charlie got to her feet and smiled. “It’s me and yes, I’ve been back for a couple years now. After my dad passed I, um, took over the garage.”
She saw the surprise in Danielle’s eyes. “Oh. Yes, I was so sad when I heard about your dad, you know? What a tragedy.”
“It was.” Charlie glanced at her brother, but Connor was still people watching and quite content.
“And this is little Connor?”