Grateful Hearts (Home for the Holidays)

Chapter Eleven

Later that day, Chantel was tucked into the corner of the study, her laptop glowing softly as she worked on a last-minute grocery list for the things she needed for Thanksgiving.

She glanced out the window and saw it was still snowing. It looked beautiful. It had blanketed the world in white. She had seen plenty of snow in Boston. But here, it looks different. The scenery was far different from the big city life.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of laughter from the hallway. Moments later, Zach appeared in the doorway. He had Amira in his arms while Max stood next to him. His easy grin, paired with the playful chaos, tugged at something deep inside her.

“So, we’ve got a proposition,” Zach announced with exaggerated gravity, his gray eyes sparkling with mischief.

Amira squirmed free, hopping down with excitement. “We’re going outside to make snowmen! You have to come too!”

Max chimed in, his wide brown eyes full of hope. “Yeah! It’s more fun with more people!”

Chantel hesitated, her fingers hovering above the keyboard. “Oh, I don’t know.”

“Pleeease?” Amira’s pout was so exaggerated it could have been rehearsed, though it was clearly adorable and probably got her whatever she wanted.

Max mirrored her perfectly. “Pretty please?”

Zach, clearly enjoying himself, joined in, folding his arms and pulling the most pitiful expression she had ever seen. “Don’t make me beg, Chantel. I’m not good at it.”

Her heart softened immediately. The decision was already made, though she hadn’t realized it until that moment. She was starting over, and maybe that meant saying yes to the things she’d ignored for years—things like having fun.

“All right,” she said, laughing as the kids erupted in cheers. “Let me grab my boots and coat.”

“Knew you couldn’t resist,” Zach said with a wink.

Bundling up in her coat, gloves, and hat, Chantel followed them outside into the winter wonderland. The air was crisp, and snowflakes drifted lazily from the sky. The yard was already alive with activity. She saw Joker and Clover working on their snowman while Bear and Jocelyn were rolling snowballs for their creation. Justin and Ethan were constructing a towering snowman with intense concentration. Ray and Jenelle waved from the porch, swaddled in a blanket with steaming mugs of coffee in their hands as they watched the chaos unfold.

“Come on, Ms. Chantel!” Amira tugged at her sleeve, her excitement infectious.

Chantel knelt down to their level. “Okay, team. What kind of snowman are we making?”

“A pirate!” Max said without hesitation.

“No! A princess!” Amira countered, frowning.

Chantel smiled. “Why not both? A pirate princess.”

Their laughter rang out as they dove into the task, scooping up handfuls of snow. Together, they built a quirky snowman with stick arms, a twig crown, and a face made from random bits of nature the kids scavenged from the yard.

Chantel was putting the final piece on the snowman when a snowball hit her square in the back, drawing a surprised yelp from her.

She spun around to see Zach, a snowball in hand and a smirk on his face. “You’re in a war zone now.”

The kids squealed and ducked behind Chantel as snowballs started flying from all directions. The men had clearly teamed up against the women and children, and chaos quickly erupted.

Chantel couldn’t stop laughing as she dodged and threw snowballs. Amira and Max tried valiantly to shield her, their giggles only adding to the fun.

Zach managed to lob one her way, but she narrowly avoided it—only to get pelted by Justin from the side.

“Traitor!” she called out, laughing so hard her sides ached.

Snow flew everywhere, and for the first time in many years, Chantel felt a deep sense of belonging. This wasn’t just Zach’s family. For a moment, it felt like her family, too.

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice Zach sneaking up behind her until it was too late.

“Gotcha!”

Before she could react, he tackled her gently into the snow. The impact was soft, cushioned by both the snow and his arms, but the cold against her back made her gasp.

She looked up at him, laughing breathlessly, as he propped himself partially over her, his face mere inches from hers. His gray eyes softened, his grin fading into something more serious.

“Having fun yet?” he asked, his voice low and teasing.

“More than I expected,” she admitted, her heart racing.

He leaned in, his breath warm despite the icy chill surrounding them. Her pulse quickened as their laughter faded into a moment of quiet anticipation.

“Uncle Zach!” Max’s voice shattered the moment. “Come on. We’re cold and hungry!”

Zach groaned, resting his forehead against hers for a second before pulling back with a sheepish grin. “Saved by the kids,” he muttered.

Chantel laughed, brushing snow from her coat as he helped her to her feet. A small part of her felt robbed, but another part whispered that maybe it was for the best. Were things moving too fast between them?

Zach’s hand lingered on hers as they gathered everyone and headed toward the house.

“How about I make my famous double grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato rice soup?” Chantel offered as they stepped inside, the warmth of the house wrapping around them.

The kids cheered, and Zach’s smile returned. “You had me at grilled cheese.”

Her laugh echoed through the kitchen as she set to work, her heart lighter than it had been in years. Snow-covered and surrounded by laughter, she realized this wasn’t just a holiday with Zach’s family—it was the beginning of something new.