Christmas in Evergreen Tidings of Joy - Nancy Naigle Page 0,51
He wrapped an arm around Katie’s waist as they looked on. She relaxed against him. He took in the scent of her hair as they watched on together.
“I was worried you wouldn’t make it.” Michelle reached for Thomas’s cheek.
“I almost didn’t. I got through just before they closed the roads. It was pummeling the place. I hope Kevin made it out too.”
“Dad!” David sped across the ice as fast as an Olympic speed skater, ramming to a stop right into Thomas, bear-hugging him around the waist.
“Hey, look at you. You’re even taller than when I saw you a few weeks ago.” Thomas clapped an arm around his son’s shoulder. “It’s so good to see you both.”
“We’ve been good, but we’re glad you’re back.” David hugged Michelle.
“Who’s ready for hot chocolate?” Michelle asked.
Both guys pointed to themselves. “Me!”
“Quite the reunion,” Ben said as he and Katie watched nearby.
“They make such a beautiful family,” she said. “How long have they been married?”
“They’re not. But I think that’s just a matter of time. They met last year during the Christmas festival. Thomas is Hannah’s brother.”
“Right, because David is Hannah’s nephew. I got it.” She glanced over again, a sweet look falling across her lips. “They look like they’ve been together forever.” Her voice was soft, almost longing.
He felt the same way when he watched those two together. “I know, and she’s so great with David.” Ben took Katie’s hand. “Come on. I’ll get you a hot chocolate too.”
“That does sound good.”
Across the pond, Joe had the kiosk he often used in Kringle Alley set up rink-side. Only now, it was dressed up with a wreath and Christmas garland. There was no cash register, only a big glass pickle jar, which was already filling up with coins and dollars. The price of hot chocolate…just a donation.
Ben stepped up and ordered two. “Peppermint, please.”
Katie grinned. “It smells so good.” She took a deep breath in.
Joe filled green holiday cups to the very top, added a little peppermint, and then whirred them with a frother.
“Two peppermint cocoas.” Carol dropped peppermint sticks into them and handed them to Ben.
He dropped a five-dollar bill into the jar. They stood there, sipping down the sweet drinks. “My favorite.”
“I always just had it with marshmallows, but now I’m a big fan of the peppermint. What a treat. I’m going to miss this.”
Stick around, then. “You can always visit to get your fix.”
“Truly.”
“Come on.” He walked over to one of the benches near the pond. They sat together, clutching the warm cocoa. She leaned closer, bumping her shoulder to his. “It’s nice out here.”
“Not a ploy. Not marketing. Just locals getting together for ice skating.”
“And not even a price on the cocoa. Can’t get more real than that, can you?”
“Nope.” He lifted a hand in the air, then dropped it on top of hers. “We’ve stalled about as long as we can. Are you really going to skate with me?”
“I am.” She put the skates on the ground in front of her. “I wasn’t lugging these around for nothing.”
“Awesome. My skates are over there under that bench. I’m going to go get them. I’ll be right back.”
By the time he got back, Katie had laced up Nan’s fancy skates. “I hope you’re a good skater, because I’m going to need someone to hold on to.”
He kind of liked the sound of that. “Nan taught me how to skate when I was just a boy. She was kind of known for her elegant ice dancing, but I’ll tell you, that little woman was a kick-butt goalie too. She taught me everything I know about ice hockey.”
“No way.”
“Truth.” Ben took both of her hands in his and helped her stand. Warmth spread from his fingertips right to his chest. For a moment, it was as if he were in some kind of dream. They edged their way through the grass to the edge of the pond. He stepped out on the ice first and then helped her.
Her feet scissored, but he steadied her.
“I told you I’m not good at this.”
“Nobody is,” he said, trying to get her to relax.
Several very good skaters whipped past them.
“They’re good,” she said, pointing at a couple holding hands skating gracefully. At that moment they parted and spun so fast they were almost a blur. “And they’re great at it.”
“Yeah. They’re pretty good.”
With her arms out for balance, she was a little clunky, but she was getting steadier. “So, you left Chicago because…?”