Finding Me in the Storm (Sweet Christmas Kisses)

Chapter Seven

Elaina

“That smells heavenly,” I say, coming into the main room. “Does that intoxicating smell of coffee mean you made it out to somewhere this morning?”

“I sure did.” Nate turns with the biggest smile.

He is holding a mug of what I can only assume is coffee from the fragrance filling the room. The other hand appears to hold some croissant-looking pastry, and my mouth starts to water. I’ve been grateful for the creative meals we’ve been able to make from the tiny provisions in the cabin. Fresh coffee, though, and pastries are things I might actually attempt to ski down a mountain for at this point.

“Oh man, you might have just fulfilled every fantasy I’ve been having for three days,” I mutter as I suddenly pop my head up to meet his gaze. “That might not have come out right.”

Nate laughs, “I’m good with it. You can give me a hard time about losing all those games to you, but I have caffeine and sugar now. Who’s taunting who?” he teases, holding the plate up slightly out of my reach.

“You know if I die of starvation, I’m not coming back as your guardian angel but rather an avenging one,” I tell him with what I hope is an evil glint in my eyes.

“I don’t know. Would that be punishment for you being stuck with me always, or me?” He seems to be considering the question when I pounce.

I swipe the pastry off the plate and take the coffee from his grip. I know if he had even the smallest hint of a fight in him, that wouldn’t have happened. He just grins down at me. I’m not sure if hunger or the always-present attraction of being around this man is to blame for my physical reaction. The honest truth is I’m no longer questioning it but trying to just live in the moment.

“So, we can make it to the resort,” he starts slowly. “With two options. Knowing you as I do, I am going to vote for snowshoes. The snowmobile might be a bit risky, and besides, I think you need to experience my mountain in all its breathtaking glory.”

“Oh, I can’t wait,” I say.

The little squeal sounds more like a small child on Christmas morning than a grown adult. I don’t care. After all the amazing stories Nate has told me, I’m looking forward to my first glimpses of Mountain Haven Resort and then the quaint town of Haven when we make it out that far.

“I’m so game to get out and explore,” I tell Nate excitedly.

As I take the first bite of the pastry, my mouth literally is in love. That light, fluffy layers of crust melts into my mouth, and the light touch of chocolate is perfection.

“Wow,” I call out, gazing at the pastry in my hand. “That is like a celebration in your mouth. I can’t wait to meet this famous Pastry Chef Paulette and your Chef Luis. If this is just a sneak peek of their talents, I’m going to be forty pounds heavier before I leave here.”

“You would still be beautiful and happier,” Nate retorts.

I swallow hard at the intensity of his gaze. Tears well up in my eyes at the emotions that a single compliment elicits. I can’t remember anyone outside of Luna telling me I am beautiful. I don’t think I’m ugly; it's just not what most people notice when they meet me. It’s my job, my intellect, or sometimes my book-loving penchant, but never beautiful.

“Thank you,” I mumble and turn from him.

I hear his footsteps as he jumps around me. A finger under my chin aligns our eyes once more.

“You know you are beautiful. Willful, yes. So smart, you make me feel like I flunked out of school, and I probably need to start over in my education. Competitive enough to make the long, dull hours of a snowstorm the best time I’ve had in years. All of that and yet so beautiful inside and out. You make me so happy I got stuck with you and forced to know you just a bit better these last few days,” he finishes.

My heart is pounding so loud; I swear he must be able to hear it. I’m not sure how to respond. I’m speechless for a moment, and I notice his smile crack through.

“Wow, who knew telling you the truth would render you speechless,” he teases. “I should have tried that distraction a few card games back.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I mumble. “I’ve had the most unexpectedly good time, and getting to know you better has been the best surprise I’ve had in a long time. I’m excited to have you show me your favorite place and the business you have built here. Most of all, I’m grateful for the kind, considerate, and caring person you have been despite having me thrust upon you. Oh, and unfortunately, you probably are the most handsome man I’ve ever been in a room with—which really sucks. I mean, do you ever age?”

He laughs and suddenly pulls me in close with a hug.

I gingerly move my arm with the coffee around him and the pastry. For a moment, I relish the heat of his massive body this close to mine. I don’t know if we will have another time when it is just the two of us, and I want to savor it for as long as possible.

What seems minutes but is probably seconds later, he finally backs up from me.

“Okay, enough with the mushy stuff,” he adds in a tone that is hoarser than normal. “Finish breakfast, and then let’s get our exploring on. Oh, and of course if you tell Luna about this, I will deny it.”

I think about that for a second. I hadn’t even given much consideration to what I might be willing to share with my best friend. This situation, of course, is complicated by Nate being related to Luna and my convoluted current emotional state around the man.

“I think maybe what happens during blizzards in New York stays in the cabin,” I tell him.

“Agreed.”

We finish breakfast in record time and head to gear up. Fortunately, my overpacking is going to come in handy getting layers on to ward off the cold. When I’m finally standing outside the door, I inhale the fresh, snappy air for a solid thirty seconds.

“You ready for a workout?” Nate interjects into my thoughts. “This is the safest way by far to trek over to the resort. You can check emails and make calls if you like. Or just pick up supplies.”

“I’m ready for this adventure. I guess depending on how tired I am will determine how much I get done when we get over there. Is your intention to remain here though—with me?” I question, suddenly concerned about if he is going to abandon me here alone now that some progress on moving about has been made.

“I thought I would if that is okay with you. I don’t want you to have an emergency at night, and moving to the resort, I, unfortunately, don’t have any spare rooms right now. The storm pushed a lot of travelers in the front doors, and it should take a few days still to manage all that chaos.”

“No worries about you staying,” I tell him as I feel the blush stain my cheeks. “I think I can tolerate you another few nights.”

“Good. Then let’s head out. Right over that ridge, there is the best view in the valley,” he remarks as we set off on the snowshoes.

After a little bit of give and take, I’m finally getting into the groove of walking. The large surface sits atop the snow and is easy, for sure, to walk, versus boots that get stuck in the depth of the snowfall. It is just clumsy and requires a bit more muscle mass than I had been expecting.

“Wow,” I whisper in awe, coming onto the ridge.

The resort lies below us, and the scene steals my breath.

I gaze down the mountain to the tiny village of buildings cloaked in the thick blanket of snow. People are milling around, which I can see from this distance, but it is chilly out, and the paths are not quite clear for full traffic in and around the resort.

The air is crisp, almost painful on my lungs as I nuzzle down into the scarf I have tucked about my shoulders. The scent of pine and cold seeps into my pores as I feel the chill starting to take hold, but I’m also invigorated to be out of the cabin. The snow-covered trees look like silent soldiers standing at attention as their branches fall heavy with snow toward the ground.

The resort itself is nestled in the valley. The vastness of the snow-covered mountain frames the entire scene below me with a magnificence I couldn’t put into words. There is this stillness even from the animals, making it seem almost like I’m alone in this world if I were to close my eyes. Despite all the serene feelings invading my insides, a sense of fascination and anticipation to see what else we might find takes hold.

“This is something else,” I murmur to Nate. “No wonder you don’t want to leave this place. I don’t think I can ever look at the dingy Chicago snowfalls again. The magnitude and peace of this place. You made a good choice in work locations.”

“Right?” he teases. “Now comes the tricky part, though. You are going to feel this in your thighs later. You need to engage your core, as this trek downward is tough.”

I inhale. “The cabin location is amazing. It’s removed enough to feel separate from the hubbub of how much activity I can imagine is down at the resort. Yet also close enough to get out and handle things down there if needed. This view is stunning,” I explain with excitement. “Let’s do this.”

“I’m so glad you like it. I guess Luna might have guessed right on what you would like for a vacation, after all,” Nate teases as we gingerly start the descent.

“She definitely had tried to explain this place to me. I honestly don’t know that words are sufficient enough to describe this to anyone who hasn’t been here.”

“Yeah. I’ve tried to talk to friends over the years about it, but people think snow is terrible. Of course, if you are trying to drive after a storm, that can be a drag. Here, though, everything slows down, and the beauty of all the nature around us somehow just causes everyone to stop and observe more than I think I ever did in big cities.”

“I get that. Sometimes, just the pace of crowds walking on the sidewalk back home can cause this tension in my gut, like they will trample me or leave me behind if I’m not at their pace. Here, you feel as if there is no one around; the only job you have is to love all the amazing sites around you.”

“Careful here,” he says. “This spot is the worst of it.”

I concentrate, trying to find my footing. One down, I move the next.

Every muscle in my legs, thighs, and core works to keep me upright on the steep incline.

“I think I’m finally getting—” I stop talking as my feet fly out from under me.

“Oomph,” Nate exhales the groan as I plow right into him.

I roll over onto my back and laugh.

“Well, that was graceful,” he mutters, also taking a moment to catch his breath next to me.

“This is why I think skiing would be a challenge. I’ve never done this outside stuff, and it is a bit more than my muscles are prepared for,” I tell him.

“A couple of times up and back, you will be begging to go skiing,” he says.

“Not happening.”

“Okay, well, if you are going to just lay about in the snow, at least do some snow angels,” he says, giggling as he waves his arm wide.

I follow suit as our gloved hands meet, connecting our angels. I turn to see his flushed, goofy grin.

“I guess we should be adults and keep going?”

“Maybe, but this is so much more fun,” he returns as he gets to his feet and extends his hand. “I guess we should get food and show you around the resort.”

“If I can stay upright,” I remark, slapping my hands into his as he hoists me upward.

“I’m at your service for rescue services anytime you like.”

I grin as I exhale, put one foot in front of the other, and take off again. This is so far from my normal day, but I’m loving every second of it. Nate could show impatience with the progress or even be upset at being knocked over. Nothing like that is forthcoming, though. If I thought getting out of the cabin might ease this attraction to the man, I was sadly mistaken. It’s looking more likely that I will find even more things to like about him, the more things he forces me out of my comfort zone to try. I’m both excited and worried, as the last thing I want to be leaving New York with is a broken heart, but long-term exposure to Nate definitely appears to be something I’m not going to recover from easily.