Finding Me in the Storm (Sweet Christmas Kisses)

Chapter Twelve

Nate

“Hey,” I call out as I move into the cabin. “Where did you hurry off to today?”

I can see Elaina sitting on the couch, where she loves to snuggle up with a good book. We had gone snowboarding and had lunch together before a VIP customer called me back to the resort. I had thought Elaina would hang out and wait for me to be done. When I went in search of her, though, no one had seen her, leading me to come out here to check.

“I just needed some time,” she remarks in a weird tone that immediately has me hustling to the couch.

She looks like she has been crying, which can’t be right. We had a nice chat over lunch today about all the job offers she is contemplating. The only other odd thing that had come up was when reception asked about the fact that Elaina had called looking for a room. I do understand that maybe her staying with me is making her uncomfortable, so I can discuss possibly moving to my quarters up at the resort. That wouldn’t account for the tears, though, or at least I didn’t think so.

“You want to move to the resort, I heard,” I start, not sure what to say to her.

“Yes. I was thinking maybe it was time to put distance between us. I am working on the toughest decision of my life, and you are a bit of a distraction,” she says, turning angry eyes in my direction.

“Me? ‘I’m the drama’ is that what I hear you saying?” I question, making sure to be overly dramatic with my eye movements. “I have heard no complaints until you tried to abandon me today, and all this after I saved you for the second time from certain death up on the slopes.”

“I tried to tell you that snowboarding seemed a risky proposition,” she mutters. “I’m sorry. I just really have a tough decision to make, and I thought some distance would be good for us.”

“I see,” I say.

The look of desperation on her face is setting off my protective instincts. For someone looking down the barrel of all her dreams being realized, the lady sure does look miserable. I’m not one to continue to hold someone hostage where they don’t want to be, but something about Elaina trying to evict herself from my home is not settling well with me. There is only one thing to do.

I launch off the ground and march to the door. Stepping outside in my socks, I bend over the porch and scoop up a large pile of snow. Forming a ball, I walk back and threaten Elaina with it.

She looks at me like I’ve just grown an extra head or completely lost my mind—not completely sure which. I stand with my arm taunt back over my shoulder and give her a look to imply I’m not teasing. If she doesn’t get with the game, she’s going to be soaking wet and snow-covered in short order.

“I’m going to give you to the count of ten to arm yourself, or all bets are off,” I tell her, as I glare firmly in her direction. “We don’t mess around when discussing our snowball fights in these parts.”

“You know we are not ten, right?” she says, but I see the break in her facial expressions. “I don’t think that this is going to help anything.”

“I know, but seriously, can you ever be too old for a snowball fight? If there is fresh snow, why wouldn’t you want to get out and pummel a friend with balls of the cold stuff? At the very least, it will make you forget what ails you.”

“I’m pretty sure I’ve made it this far without that mentality, so maybe I’ll pass,” she tells me.

Wow today must have been even worse than I could imagine. She is always the lady up for a new adventure, game, or just chatting with me. This dour attitude is new, and while I might not be owed an explanation, that won’t stop me from trying to fix this for her. I don’t even want to dissect why it’s so important to me, as I can only focus on one thing—and that is getting her off the furniture and outside for a fresh dose of natural medicine in the cool weather, with a few well-placed snowballs.

“One. Two…” She shakes her head but stands to head for the door.

Slipping on her shoes and grabbing a jacket, she manages to exit ahead of the snowball flying in her direction. I follow suit and get all my warm-weather clothing on. It seems like dinner in town might be called for and getting Elaina out of the cabin for a little bit. I have a short time to fix whatever gloom is starting to settle over her and ensure the right place of mind for her to make choices.

“Egh,” she screams as I come around the corner.

“That hurt,” I call out, sounding mad as her snowball connects with my face.

“I’m not done,” she responds, flinging another one.

The war is on. “Don’t say I didn’t give you a head start,” I tell her, sinking to scoop up fresh snow and flinging it in her direction.

I’m rewarded with a direct hit. “I’m going to get even,” she grumbles, hiding around the corner of the cabin as not one but two giant balls connect with my face and chest.

“I thought you were too old for these kinds of games,” I retort.

“Guess not.”

Smack! Whop!

“I know you need to reload,” I tell her, punching around the corner to surprise her with a one-two punch of my own. “Now that is what I call a sneak attack.”

“You are incorrigible.”

“Come on. I think we need to take the snowmobile into town. We can grab burgers, and we are deciding on your job tonight.”

“I don’t know,” she grumbles. “I have the list from earlier. I know what I need to do, and running from it won’t help anything.”

“Except put food in your belly. Besides Haven is beginning to put up all the Christmas decorations, and I know you want to see that. If you decide to take the role at New Edge Specialty Medicine, this might be your single chance for anything Christmas this year,” I make my argument.

“Fine, but are you a safe driver on the snowmobile? Like not driving too fast or causing me to have a heart attack around corners?” she questions.

“Nope. I’m certain you will be holding on for dear life and praying until the end of your ride,” I reply. “But you only live once, right? Give it a shot; you might find out you are an adrenaline junkie.”

“Highly doubtful,” she mutters, looking at my mode of transportation. “I already have done so many things outside my comfort zone since meeting you; what’s one more?”

“Now, there’s the spirit,” I tell her as she playfully swings at my shoulder. “Besides, I made you smile.”

“Yes, you definitely do that,” she agrees. “You know I’m going to miss this when I leave. Of course, if you repeat that to anyone, I will deny it.”

“I’ll miss you as well. That is a problem for another day, though. Tonight is the best burgers and cocoa in Haven,” I reply, trying to stop my heart from breaking free of my chest.

Saying I would miss Elaina is the biggest understatement of the year. Her happiness is becoming as vital as breathing to me, and I wish there were some way for our two worlds to exist closer together. Unfortunately, I can’t complicate her decision-making with those thoughts and have to let the chips fall where they may. If this is truly meant to be, hopefully, we will find a way before it’s too late.