Once Upon a Second Chance (Once Upon a Holiday Story #1)

Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

Aaron

For a brief second I couldn’t remember where I was. I jolted up quickly, looking around the dim bedroom. The soft bed below my achy body, the spacious clean room, the morning sun creeping through the curtain…after a moment, I remembered Daniel and relaxed.

My silver-fox savior. I was in his home, in the most comfortable bed I’d ever slept in. I was warm, safe, and maybe even a little happy.

He’s a gorgeous man , I thought as I made a trip to the bathroom to relieve my bladder and brush my teeth. Those gray eyes that twinkled when he smiled, his mouth, that body… Gah! Older men always did it for me, and he had the perfect amount of salt to his pepper in his hair. He was in amazing shape.

I turned on the shower with a laugh. I’d thought I’d survive, and then he’d hugged that precious cat to his chest. He was a fantasy come to life.

Once I was clean and wearing a pair of sweats Daniel had also left in the guest room, I made my way downstairs. As I passed the large living-room window, my jaw hit the floor.

“It’s something, huh?” I spun around. Daniel was leaning in the doorway, a steaming mug in his hand…and oh Lord, why was he wearing gray sweatpants?

“Uh…yeah, I looked last night before I went to sleep, but I could still see grass.”

He nodded and walked over to me. He smelled like peppermint and cinnamon…Hell, he smelled like Christmas.

“That’s how it happens here.” He grinned. “I made coffee, and I was just about to start some French toast. Hungry?”

“I can make something…or help at least, not sure I’m a great cook.”

He jerked his head. “Help sounds great.”

I followed behind him, absolutely ogling his amazing ass. He motioned to the coffeepot. “Help yourself. Sugar is in the Santa container and cream in the fridge.”

“Thanks.” I took a reindeer mug from the hook and poured myself a cup, inhaling the aroma as it wafted across my nose.

Once I’d fixed it and taken a sip, I turned to find Daniel’s eyes twinkling, joy radiating from his face. “What?”

He shook his head. “Nothing, I just appreciate your love for coffee. In truth, I’d put a coffeepot next to my bed, so it was the first thing I did after opening my eyes.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, it’s totally unfair that anyone should have to walk until they’ve had a sip of coffee.”

“Agreed.”

Once Daniel had everything out and ready, I was put in charge of cooking the bacon while he did the French toast.

“Do you need to shovel? I’m happy to do it for you as a thank-you for letting me rest my head here last night.”

Daniel flipped the French toast in the skillet and looked at me. “I have a heated driveway and walkway. As long as no more snow falls, it’ll be melted by tomorrow.”

Of course he had a heated… Wait a minute . “Tomorrow?”

“Yeah. It snowed a lot, so it’ll take a little longer. But I have everything we need here, so there’s no reason to worry.”

“But…” What? I had to leave? To go where?

He regarded me, patiently waiting for me to continue but when I didn’t, he saved me. “There’s no way anyone is going to get to your car for at least a few days. The roads aren’t heated, and the plows will be working overtime. Honestly, they may even plow your car in. As soon as the path is clear, we can drive there and assess the situation.”

“I can’t stay here.”

He furrowed his brows and damn, even that was sexy. “Why not, allergic to cats?”

“No.” I huffed a laugh. “But it’s your home. I can’t just squat here for days.”

He shut off the burner and slid the French toast onto a plate. “First of all, you’re not squatting. I invited you here, knowing full well you’d be here for a few days. Second, you didn’t kill me in my sleep last night, and you’re good company.”

Daniel Laverton was utterly charming. I was so screwed. “Well, I mean, thanks for also not killing me in my sleep.”

“You’re welcome. Let’s eat.”

We sat at the kitchen table, which seemed to be where Daniel preferred eating. The food was amazing, and I was afraid I’d get too used to all of this. But through the years, I’d learned to simply appreciate a kindness whenever it came along, no matter how brief.

“So, what do people do on snow days in Everlasting Springs?”

Daniel wiped his mouth and dropped the napkin on his empty plate. “Normally kids will get the sleighs out, people will go over to the frozen lake and skate, things like that. But the storm only just ended a few hours ago, so it’s too dangerous even for that. So…” He clapped his hands together, and stood. “They’ll all be doing what we’re about to do.” He grabbed the plates and brought them to the sink.

“Which is what, exactly?” I laughed and offered to help clean up only to be waved away.

“Hot cocoa and Christmas movies, of course.”

What could I say to that? It was so innocent, and he was so happy. I hadn’t sat on a couch and enjoyed a Christmas movie in years. A smile on my face, I went along with his snow-day plan and once again appreciated the kindness he was offering.

He made his amazing hot cocoa—his words, I hadn’t tasted it yet. I offered to make popcorn even though we’d just eaten. You couldn’t watch a movie without snacks.

Once we had everything, I followed him to a movie room…and that was what it was. There was a huge screen that took up almost an entire wall. He had reclining chairs and plush leather couches. It was a private theater, no question.

“Wow!”

“It’s something, right?” He beamed and plopped into one of the recliners. I took the one beside him.

“It’s incredible.”

“So, do you have a favorite?” He hit a button on the remote, and dozens upon dozens of holiday movies appeared.

“That’s an overwhelming amount.”

He shrugged. “Through the years, we’ve gathered many. My sister’s favorites, my nephew’s, and so on.”

I pursed my lips, suddenly craving the need to know a little more about my silver-fox savior.

“And what is your favorite Christmas movie?”

He hummed and scrolled through his collection. “I have a few, actually. I’ve never been able to pick my favorite anything because so much is determined by mood. That goes for everything, by the way, not just movies.”

That made sense. “And what’s your mood telling you right now?”

The corner of his mouth kicked up, and I was so grateful I was sitting down so he couldn’t see what it was doing to me.

“Something lighthearted, a little funny, but with that special Christmas magic.”

I nodded. “Yeah, that sounds perfect.”

“You’re going to make me pick, aren’t you?”

I scrunched up my nose and shrugged. “I haven’t really seen many movies of any kind for a real long time, so I’m gonna trust your judgment on this.”

“Fair enough.” With a gleeful smile, he hit a few more buttons and the movie started.

“ While You Were Sleeping ?” I asked.

He nodded. “Oh, I’m so excited that you haven’t seen it.”

His joy was contagious, and I was suddenly just as excited as he was.