Snowed In For Christmas: A Fun Feel-Good Holiday Romance Novel - Kimberly Krey Page 0,31

there’s going to be a nice break in the storm tomorrow. Enough that they can get the canyon roads open again, and probably the flights moving as well.” He stepped away from the tree once it was balanced within the makeshift stand and moved to her side with his chest puffed. “Well, what do you think?”

The gorgeous tree with its heavenly scent made her smile. Her heart warmed and swelled with gratitude. “I really love it,” she breathed. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He tugged a backpack from his shoulder and unzipped the side. “I stopped by one of the other yurts on my way back and grabbed this, in case you wanted to decorate it somehow.” He tugged a rather large Ziplock bag from his bag and handed it to her.

Ivy inspected the pack through the clear bag, realizing it held an array of craft supplies. Balls of colorful yarn were shoved at the base of the bag, while popsicle sticks, scissors, and glue sat on top.

The inspiration and childlike joy that came over her made her smile grow even more. “We can definitely make some cool decorations from this.”

“I figured as much.” Easton returned her smile with a gorgeous grin of his own, then tipped his head to shake the snow from his hair with his fingers.

“You might want to turn your back for a minute so I can change,” he said, moving quickly to where his clothes from the day before hung dry. At once he was unfastening his jeans.

“Oh,” Ivy blurted, turning so that her back faced him. She traced a finger along the edge of the bag while she waited for him to get changed. She could hardly believe this was the same guy who’d made the snide remarks about her having an in with Mother Earth. And the same guy who’d actually said, back on the phone when she’d called to confirm, he’d find a way to keep her warm at night on the chance they got snowed in.

Ivy hadn’t thought for a second that would ever happen, yet here they were. Another one of his comments came to mind, this one from the interview. “So,” she started, a wry chuckle forming at her lips. “For Christmas dinner, are we going to cook up your latest kill?” she asked.

“Heh, if only it were that easy to hunt in a blizzard. The wildlife has ducked for cover. But I did get a little something special from the other yurt. You can turn around now, by the way,” he said, coming up behind her and securing the backpack once more. He pulled two cans from the bag, cans she recognized as clam chowder. He removed a third that Ivy couldn’t identify without leaning closer.

“Are those peaches?”

“Moonshine-free peaches,” he stipulated. “Can’t have Ivy The Lightweight taking down any more of those spiked ones, can we?”

“I guess it’s best if I avoid them,” she admitted.

“At least until tonight,” Easton added. The insinuative tone coating those words caused an untamed thrill to shoot through her chest.

Ivy chuckled, but inwardly, she was thinking back on something else Easton had said about the storm. It would likely break tomorrow, allowing him to go to his place and Ivy to hers.

A sense of sadness threatened to take over at the thought, but she forced herself to focus elsewhere. Ivy had a choice to make, after all. Last night, she and Easton had shared some incredible moments. Deep conversation, passionate kisses, and a whole lot of laughs too.

Now, knowing they’d likely part ways tomorrow, Ivy could give in to another day and night of the same—if that’s what he wanted too—or she could rely on her no-dating directive and put things to a halt. The first option, as wonderful as it might be, would leave her vulnerable at the end. Her heart nearly stung at the thought. The second option, like the rule itself, would shield her heart from hurt and her head from worry.

She joined Easton at the table while testing both options in her mind, wondering if he was inwardly doing the same. If he was open to a second night of curling up with her beside the fire, would Ivy really have it in her to reject him and deny herself?

She’d know soon enough where Easton stood, which meant Ivy needed to decide for herself as well.

Already, as she watched the polite way he slid his canteen her way, nodding that she should take a drink, Ivy knew what her choice would