Suite Dreams

by Rachel Hawthorne

  “What? No! I’m not dying. I mean, not anytime soon anyway. Gawd, you’re a pessimist.”

  “I’m sorry. I thought you were talking about a bucket list—like that movie with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson.”

  “No. No. There are just things I want to do in life, so I keep a list so I don’t forget. Anyway, I was going to say before you panicked—”

  “I didn’t panic.”

  “You panicked. Made me feel good, actually, that you’d care. But anyway. On my list is to build a snowman. So where does a bloke go around here to learn how to do that?” he asked, wearing that now familiar grin.

  “I don’t like to brag,” I said, “but I am somewhat of an expert when it comes to building snowmen.”

  Chapter 4

  “So a snowball really does collect more snow as it rolls along,” Jude said, amazement in his voice.

  I’d brought him to a nearby park and was demonstrating how to create the first of three balls that would make up the snowman. A few people were out with their dogs but other than that it was pretty deserted today.

  “Well, yeah. What’d you think?”

  “I thought it was just something that happened in cartoons. You know, like someone jumping on a trampoline and flying into outer space. Doesn’t happen in real life.”

  “Okay, I missed that one about jumping on a trampoline. But yeah, snow is not to be messed with.”

  He began packing some snow together for the next ball before I’d finished the first.

  “I probably have a pen in my backpack that we can use for the nose. Plus I’m always dropping peppermint starlights into my pack so I’ll sacrifice those for the eyes. If you don’t mind it having red eyes.”

  “Then she’ll look like me from last night.”

  “She?”

  “Yeah. I thought I’d make a snowwoman.”

  I turned toward him. “This is a public—”

  Splat!

  A snowball hit my shoulder. I very slowly dusted it off my coat, then gave Jude a hard stare. He was grinning like he was about six years old.

  “I’ve always wanted to do that,” he said.

  “You might want to rethink your strategy, Aussie, because I have a lot more snowball fights—”

  Splat!

  That one hit me right in the chest, leaving “under my belt” unsaid. Jude started dancing around like he was Rocky preparing for a comeback.

  “Let’s see what you got!” he taunted. “Let’s see what you got!”

  “Okay.” I growled low, barely moving my mouth, carefully eyeing him. I would not feel guilty for using my superior snowball fighting skills against him. I packed up a snowball, took careful aim, and flung it.

  He easily sidestepped it and laughed. “Is that the best you’ve got?”

  He bent down preparing to take another shot. I quickly moved around behind the ball I’d been rolling and knelt down. I frantically started stocking my arsenal, knowing I wouldn’t have much time, knowing he would probably only prepare one snowball.

  I heard crunching snow, but didn’t stop.

  “You can’t hide from me,” Jude said.

  I looked up and took one in the face, one in the shoulder. Clever guy had prepared one for each hand, but that was no match for my handy little soldiers.

  He cackled. I scooped one of the snowballs and flung it into his face.

  “Hey!”

  The next one hit his shoulder.

  “Here now.”

  I gathered up three and lobbed them in rapid-fire action, one right after the other. He threw up his hands and staggered back. Beginner mistake.

  “I tried to warn you!” I yelled, showing him no mercy, giving him no time to regroup.

  He was stumbling one way, then the other, trying to scoop up snow. He just flung it at me. A handful of snow. What good was that?

  “It’s futile to resist!” I yelled, going after him and pelting him with three more carefully aimed snowballs. “Face plant in the snow and surrender!”

  Laughing, he tumbled onto his butt.

  “That’s not a face plant.”

  He jumped back up. “I wasn’t surrendering.”

  He scrambled toward the jungle gym, fell down, struggled back up, and finally made it to cover, crouching behind the slide. I was scooping and packing snow as I went, cradling the balls in the crook of my arm, held against my chest.

  I leaped around the slide, fired away. He lobbed his measly attempt at a snowball at me and raced out from cover. I followed.

  When we were clear of the slide, he spun around, lowered his shoulder, and charged.

  I screamed and—like a novice—dropped my snowballs and ran.

  He tackled me and we both went down, laughing.

  “It’s futile to resist,” he said in a low voice near my ear. “Where did that come from? Darth Vader?”

  Breathing heavily, I turned my head, pressing my cheek to the snow. “I think so.”

  “You have mad snowball fighting skills.”

  “I tried to warn you.”

  “Still, I won.”

  “No way! You cheated.”

  “What? There are rules in a snowball fight?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “There are no rules in love or war.”

  He rolled off me, stood up, then extended his hand. I sat up, took it with a two-handed grip, and yanked. He lost his balance and fell face first. I was straddling his back before he knew what hit him.

  “Admit it. I won,” I demanded.

  “Are you competitive or what?”

  “I am competitive. I have a four-point-oh G.P.A.”

  He tried to buck me off, but I clung to him. Gave no quarter.

  Laughing, panting, he gasped. “All right. You won.”

  I bounced off him, stood up, and did a couple of quick victory jumps.

  He rolled over and extended his hand. “Help me up.”

  I folded my arms across my chest and studied him.

  “Oh, all right.” He pushed himself to his feet. “I’ll bet I can build a better sand castle than you.”

  I nodded graciously. “Yes, you probably can.”

  He pointed to the one remaining large ball. “Let’s get back to that, shall we?”

  “Sure.” I extended my arm. “After you.”

  “Nah. I learned my lesson. I will not engage you in another snowball fight. It was fun though. Can’t do that with sand.”

  We started trudging across the park, back to where we’d been.

  “So,” he said. “A pencil for her nose, candy for her eyes. What about her mouth?”

  “Did I not say I was somewhat of an expert at building snowmen?”

  “You did.”

  “Then leave it to me.”

  Holding plastic cups of hot chocolate, we sat on the back of a metal bench, our feet on the seat, studying our creation. I was in the bad habit of just dropping my change into my backpack and we’d found enough pennies to give our lady a smile. She actually turned out looking pretty good, especially with my neck scarf draped around her. Jude had given her a modest shape, not too risqué for an area where children came to play.

  “You know what she needs?” Jude asked.

  “Some heels?”

  He laughed. “No, a dog.”

  I swiveled my head around to study him. “A dog?”

  Nodding, he took a sip of his hot chocolate. A little shop was nearby. Everyone stopped there coming to or going from the park. They did quite a brisk little business.

  “I’ve never heard of a snow dog,” I confessed. “I guess if we made it sitting or laying down…” I couldn’t quite picture it.

  “I was thinking a poodle. ’Cause they’ve got all those little furry pom-pom-looking things on them.”

  “I still think it needs to be sitting. You need all the weight on the bottom.”

  “All right. Let me think about that for a minute, see if I can get it in my mind.”

  I couldn’t believe how se
riously he was taking this project.

  “Do you have a dog?” I asked.

  “A blue heeler.”

  I shook my head. “I’m not familiar with that breed.”

  “Also known as an Australian cattle dog.”

  “Do you have cattle?”

  “No. Just the dog.”

  “What’s his name?”

  “Thunder. Don’t ask me where I got the name. I just looked at him and thought, ‘His name is Thunder.’ So there you are. He stays with my parents when I’m in school. But he’s my best mate when I’m at home. What about you? Have any dogs?”

  “No, never have had a dog.”

  “Don’t you like them?”

  “I do, just never invested in one.”

  “Everyone should have a dog. Well, actually, no they shouldn’t. Only people who love dogs should have dogs.” He leaned forward, put his elbows on his thighs. “I did volunteer work with animal rescue for a while. Damn depressing job. And now I’ve gotten all morbid, haven’t I?” He leaped off the bench and tossed his empty cup in the trash can. “I’m going to give her a dog.”

  I climbed down. “I’ll help.”

  It was late afternoon when we returned to the suite, exhausted. Jude landed on the couch in a reclining position, swearing he wasn’t ever going to move again. It had taken us a bit longer than we’d expected to make the snow dog. We had a lot of trial and error, and I’m not sure it was an identifiable breed, but when we were finished, it was cute.

  Jude had handed his camera over to someone who was out walking his real dog and the man took a picture of us with our snow creations. Apparently sometimes Jude did break his rule about posed shots.

  Then we’d gone to the bookstore to get my books for class. Jude had been appalled to learn I was taking classes over winter break.

  “Shouldn’t you be relaxing, having fun, preparing for the grind of next semester?”

  Had I known he was on the way to my couch, I might not have registered, but I was committed now.

  He’d even carried my books. I didn’t know guys did that anymore.

  After our trip to the bookstore, we’d gone for greasy hamburgers and fries, my treat to make up for the pepper spray incident and because I’d discovered he didn’t have anywhere close to forty dollars to spend on food a day. So the Rachael Ray plan was definitely out.

  I was going to have to do some serious creative thinking.

  I left Jude in his crashed position, while I got ready for work. I took a quick shower and applied a light layer of makeup. I pulled on my black slacks, slipped on my crisply pressed white shirt, and had just finished clipping on my black tie, when Rick called.

  “I got your message. I thought we’d agreed to take a break from each other.”

  “Well, hello to you, too.”

  I heard him sigh. “Sorry. I wasn’t expecting to hear from you, wasn’t planning to call you. Are you expecting me to call you? Do I need to do that?” I couldn’t believe how defensive he was.

  “No, no, we are taking a break. You don’t owe me any phone calls. It’s just that something came up. Jude?”

  “Oh, yeah.” His voice perked up with excitement. “Did he get there okay?”

  “He got here, but I’m not sure about the okay part. You sorta forgot to tell anyone he was coming,” I said.

  “What are you talking about? I told you.”

  “Noooo. Actually you didn’t.”

  “Are you sure?”

  I couldn’t contain my frustrated sigh. “Yeah, I’m sure. You didn’t even tell Chad, and he made his own plans for your couch. And your suite is wall-to-wall guys.”

  “Oh, man, that’s not good. I promised Jude a couch.”

  So he wasn’t going to reveal a hidden couch somewhere.

  “It doesn’t really matter now. When I couldn’t get in touch with you last night, I took care of things. Stephanie’s okay with him staying on the couch in our suite, so he’s bunking there,” I told him.

  “He’s sleeping where?”

  Hmm, was that jealousy I detected in his voice? Maybe he did miss me after all.

  “On my couch. But only because there was nowhere else for him to go.” Thanks to you, I refrained from adding.

  “Well, as long as he has somewhere to stay. I don’t want his sister to kick me off her couch.”

  “Whose sister? Jude’s sister? You’re staying with Jude’s sister?”

  He didn’t respond. Not even a peep. I pulled my phone away from my ear and looked at it. We’d lost our connection.

  I had a feeling more than our phones were no longer connected.

  Chapter 5

  When I stepped out of my room, to my surprise, Jude was no longer lying on the couch in semiconscious mode. Already sitting up, he looked over his shoulder and grinned. “Ah, there you are. I was about to organize a search party.”

  He clicked the remote to turn off the TV and got up. “Don’t you look formal.”

  I realized he hadn’t gotten a good look at what I was wearing the night before, because I’d kept my parka on.

  I made a little ta-da! move. “My official work attire. Or as I prefer to call it, my antifeminine costume.”

  He grinned. “I dunno. You still look pretty feminine to me.”

  I felt the heat rush to my face. Had I been fishing for a compliment? Why had I said that? Yes, I’d been slightly offended when Paul, the restaurant manager, gave us all a unisex look, because I’d thought tips would be better if I dressed a little sexier. But the outfit was actually great for working in because I didn’t have to wear heels.

  I pointed my thumb over my shoulder. “I’ve got to go. Hopefully Stephanie will be back soon and you’ll have some company for the evening.” Darkness was settling in so they’d probably already left the slopes.

  “I’d rather go with you,” Jude said.

  “I won’t be off work until around eleven.”

  “Where do you work?”

  “A fancy restaurant. The Chalet.”

  “They’ve got tables, right?”

  “And very expensive menu items.”

  “How expensive?”

  “Veggies would run you at least ten.”

  “No, they wouldn’t. I don’t eat veggies.”

  I smiled. I should have known he wouldn’t be deterred. His stubbornness was adorable. “You’re looking at forty dollars. At least.”

  He grimaced. “I see what you mean. All right, then. I’ll walk you to work, then I’ll do another walkabout on my own until it’s time for you to get off, so I can walk you back to your flat.”

  “That’ll be incredibly boring, waiting for me to get off work—”

  “Look, I didn’t travel all this way to spend my time staring at four walls or watching the box.”

  “The box,” I’d learned, was his term for TV. I also didn’t think he’d come all this way to hang around with me, although I was certainly flattered that he seemed to want to. I nodded, feeling like an incredibly inept tour guide. “Okay.”

  He rubbed his hands together like he’d just discovered the best thing in the world. “Terrific!”

  “I just remembered something—I need to make a quick phone call. I’ll be right back.” I went to my room. When I returned, Jude was in his jacket, ready to go.

  “Now, remember, if we run into anyone, you’re staying with Chad,” I reminded him.

  “Right-o.” He walked over to me and wiggled his eyebrows. “Although being able to say I stayed with you will make for a much better story when I get home.”

  “Are you ever serious?”

  “Not too often. Don’t see the point really.”

  Our good luck continued, and we didn’t run into anyone on our way outside. I figured anyone who hadn’t gone home for winter break was on the slopes.

  It was growing darker as we began walking along the sidewalk, our gloved hands stuffed into our jacket pockets, our breaths turning visible in the frigid air. Jude was hunched a little, pro
bably because he wasn’t accustomed to this colder weather. I bundled up, but I never felt really cold. To me, it was invigorating.

  “This is so great,” Jude said. “All this snow is just spectacular.”

  “Do you ski?” I asked.

  “Nope. And that’s a problem, isn’t it? You’ll have to teach me, right?”

  He had a knit cap pulled over his ears, his hair hanging down below it. His cheeks were ruddy. Even in the dimming light, I could see his green eyes sparkling.

  “I have to admit I’m not quite the expert at skiing that I am at building snowmen.”

  “So? That’ll make it more entertaining, right?”

  “Could also make it more dangerous. I would hate for you to go home with a broken leg or something.”

  “Life is all about taking chances.”

  After a few minutes of silently walking, I ventured to say, “So tell me about your sister.”

  “Marla? Not much to tell. She’s a beaut.”

  “Rick is staying on her couch?”

  “Well, yeah, ’cause I live in a dorm. The room is a tiny box, no couch, and my roommate was going to hang around because of his job. I hate to say it, but he’s an ass. I wouldn’t inflict him on my worst enemy.”

  I fought not to smile. Even when he was trash-talking someone he somehow made it entertaining.

  “So it wouldn’t work for Rick to stay there, but Marla’s got a flat nearby. And she’s all about couch surfing. She’s the one who told me about it.”

  “And Rick was okay with that? Staying with Marla, I mean.”

  “Seemed to be.” Studying me, he tilted his head sideways as though the angle would give him a better view. “But you’re not.”

  I shrugged as much as I was able in my jacket. “I don’t know. I…I just…Did he ever tell you that I was his girlfriend?”

  Jude came to an abrupt halt. His stunned expression was answer enough. “You’re his girlfriend?”

  Tears stung my eyes. I hadn’t expected that. I wasn’t really jealous of Rick staying with Marla. Well, not too jealous, anyway. I was just surprised by it. I guess a part of me had wanted him to want to stay here over winter break.