When Snowflakes Fall

by Tara Wyatt

  “Are you in love with Dr. Harmon?” Ethan asked around a mouthful of lasagna.

  Luke sputtered on his water. “Where would you get an idea like that?”

  “Because you had a date with her last night and now you’re really happy. Did you ask her to be your girlfriend?”

  “Eat your supper.” Luke shoved a forkful of lasagna into his own mouth. This was exactly what he’d been afraid of, precisely why he didn’t date. If Ethan got attached to someone who Luke brought into their lives and it didn’t work out, he didn’t know how he’d cope with the guilt of forcing Ethan to endure another rejection.

  Undeterred, Ethan continued. “Is she going to be my step-mom? That would be cool. Jason Winchester has a step-mom, and she’s really nice.”

  “You’re getting way ahead of yourself, dude. It was one date.” Despite his words, Luke’s heart thundered in his chest. Suddenly the image of Christie walking toward him in a beautiful white dress, smiling at him like he was the only man in the world, had taken hold and didn’t seem to be letting go. Just like everything else about her. His stomach flipped over, and he wasn’t sure if it was in fear or joy. Was there a name for when those two met?

  Love?

  No. No way. It was way too fast, way too soon. He liked her, sure. Really liked her. Thought about her constantly. Something new was taking root, pushing out the fear and hesitation he usually felt when it came to getting involved with a woman and replacing it with a cautious kind of happiness. An excitement that was both terrifying and exhilarating. But that didn’t mean he was falling for her, did it?

  “I can tell when she texts you.” Ethan raised an eyebrow, giving his dad a “you’re so busted” look.

  “Oh yeah?” Luke’s stomach clenched.

  “Yep. You get all happy, like you just got a cool new toy.”

  Luke didn’t respond, shoving a forkful of salad into his mouth and then putting more greens on Ethan’s plate. “Do you have homework tonight?” he finally asked, but Ethan ignored him and plowed ahead.

  “Can we hang out with her? All three of us?”

  An icy bolt of fear coursed through his veins, stealing his breath and freezing his muscles. It was a terrible idea. It really was. And yet at the same time, it filled him with an excited hope. The air returned to his lungs and his chest felt tight and full as he thought about the three of them, together.

  “I don’t know, she’s pretty busy right now. Maybe in the future.”

  “Maybe always means no.”

  A fresh wave of parental guilt crashed into him. “Tell you what. I’ll talk to her and see if she’s up for it. But doctors work a lot, so she might be busy, okay?”

  Ethan’s face lit up. “Okay. Uncle Matt said I should ask her what her intentions are. What does that mean?”

  Luke opened and closed his mouth, not quite sure where to start with that one. “When did you see Uncle Matt?”

  “At Nana and Grandpa’s. He was on his break and he brought hot chocolate.”

  “That was nice of him,” said Luke, already thinking of all the different ways he could thank his brother for this awkward little conversation. His parents, too, given that they’d clearly told Matt the reason they were babysitting Ethan.

  “Yeah. So what are intentions?”

  “You know, I’m not sure. Uncle Matt’s a bit slow sometimes.” Luke leaned forward conspiratorially, as if he were letting Ethan in on a big secret. “He doesn’t even know where babies come from.”

  Ethan’s mouth fell open. “Even I know that! Jeez.”

  “Well, next time you see him, maybe you should tell him.” Luke nodded solemnly, and Ethan mimicked the gesture.

  “Okay. I will. I’m gonna go watch The Grinch.” Ethan began to slide out of his chair, and Luke cleared his throat.

  “Homework first. And if you don’t have homework, then you need to read at least ten pages in your book before TV.”

  Ethan grumbled as he trudged into the front hall to retrieve his backpack. Luke stood from the table and gathered their dishes, chuckling as he rinsed them and stacked them in the dishwasher. If Matt wanted to butt in, he’d have to pay the consequences in the form of a birds-and-the-bees talk from his eight-year-old nephew.

  If that didn’t teach him to mind his own business, Luke didn’t know what would.

  Chapter 7

  December 10

  “Do you know what you’re going to ask Santa for this year?” asked Luke, glancing down at Ethan as they wove their way through the crowd at Frontier Mall. Green garlands, laden with red and gold balls, looped down from the ceiling. The thick, round columns were adorned with huge green wreaths, twinkling with lights and festooned with gold bows. In the center of the mall, under an arched skylight, two life-size nutcrackers stood on either side of a rustic sign that read “Santa’s Village.” Child-size red cottages dotted the “village,” interspersed with fake snow, large plastic candy canes, and miniature Christmas trees. At the end of the path was a giant red velvet chair in which Santa sat, an enormous Christmas tree rising up behind it. A line of parents and children stretched dozens of feet beyond the entrance sign.

  “Yeah.” Ethan pulled a folded piece of notebook paper from his coat pocket. “A LEGO Star Wars Wookiee Gunship set, a LEGO Minecraft Cave set, a Batman Night Scope, headphones, a Captain America Blaster Shield, a new bike, and a trampoline.”

  Luke’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s a pretty healthy list you’ve got going there, bud.”

  Ethan shrugged. “Yeah, but I’ve been really good this year. Right?”

  Luke smiled and ruffled Ethan’s hair. “Yeah, you have. But maybe pick just a couple of those to ask Santa for. I don’t know if he can fit all that stuff in his sleigh.”

  Ethan’s face turned serious and he studied his list. Something tender bloomed in Luke’s chest as he watched his son. There was a good chance this would be the last Christmas Ethan was still into the whole Santa thing, and he intended to savor it. It was a little terrifying how fast he was growing up. Even though things hadn’t always been easy, Luke wouldn’t have traded a second of it. Really, all he wanted was for time to slow the hell down.

  Someday, with the right woman, he’d love to have more kids, and he knew Ethan would love being a big brother. That tender spot spread further, encompassing him from throat to stomach, and he swallowed thickly.

  They shuffled forward in line, Ethan waiting patiently, and he found himself wondering if Christie wanted kids. Something kicked low in his gut at the thought, something more than mere curiosity.

  Ethan glanced up from his list, a thoughtful look on his face. “I think I’ve got it narrowed down to three. The bike, the trampoline, and the LEGO Star Wars set. Do you think that . . .” Ethan’s voice trailed off and he looked up at Luke, a gleeful smile on his face. “Hey, Dad, isn’t that your girlfriend?” He giggled as he pointed behind Luke, and Luke turned.

  Christie stood maybe ten feet away, studying the display window of a jewelry store. Her blond hair spilled over her shoulders in golden waves, standing out against the dark blue of her pea coat. She had a few shopping bags slung over her arm, from Dillard’s and Sears and—oh, hello, Victoria’s Secret. Immediately, he wondered if she’d bought something for herself, and if he’d get to enjoy whatever sexy thing she’d bought in the near future.

  As though she could feel his eyes on her, she turned, a bright smile lighting up her face when she spotted him and Ethan. He waved, and she headed over.

  “Hey, Luke.” She smiled down at Ethan. “Hi, Ethan. How’s your head?”

  “I have a little bump, but it doesn’t hurt anymore. Did you have fun on your date with my dad? I can tell when you text him, because he smiles.” Ethan nodded. “He doesn’t smile like that about work, or if Uncle Matt texts him. Just you.”

  Blood rushed to Luke’s cheeks, and Christie winked at him, her own cheeks pink. “Funny, the same thing seems to happen to me.”

  “How are you?” Luke asked. They’d text
ed a lot back and forth, and spoken on the phone, but hadn’t been able to nail down an evening for a second date yet, thanks to her work schedule.

  She smiled warmly at him, her brown eyes seeming to darken a little, and his heart thumped happily in his chest. “I’m good. Things are calming down at work, so I’m hopeful my schedule will be slightly more normal soon.” She shifted the bags in her arms and glanced down at the bright pink Victoria’s Secret bag. “I’m looking forward to spending time with you again.”

  It was the most innocent thing she could’ve said, but it sent blood rushing straight to his dick. For several seconds, her eyes held his, heat sparking between them, and he knew she was reliving the details of their night together, just like he was.

  “Dr. Harmon, we’re making a gingerbread house later. You should come over and help us. Dad’s really good at them.”

  Luke glanced down at Ethan, who gave him a nod and a sly thumbs up, in full-on wingman mode.

  Christie glanced uncertainly from Ethan to Luke, shifting the bags in her arms. “I don’t want to intrude.”

  A single question ran through Luke’s mind: Was he ready for Christie and Ethan to spend time together? In any other situation, he would’ve felt it was too soon, but somehow, with her everything felt different. Easier. Right.

  “You wouldn’t be,” he said. “Why don’t you come by later? I’ll text you when we’re home. This line isn’t moving fast, and you can finish up your shopping.”

  She looked up at him and bit her lip. Hesitation flashed briefly in her eyes, but then she nodded. “Okay. I’ll see y’all later. Can I bring anything?”

  Luke shook his head. “Just yourself.” He wanted to lean forward and kiss her, even if it was just on the cheek, but he held himself back.

  He glanced down at Ethan again, whose face was lit up with excitement. Hopefully this wasn’t a mistake.

  * * *

  “Hey, I saw that!” Ethan playfully chastised Christie as she popped one of the gumdrops—meant for the gingerbread house—in her mouth.

  “As if you haven’t been sneaking them, too, bud,” said Luke from the other side of the table. They were set up in Luke’s kitchen, Ethan at the head of the table, Luke and Christie flanking him.

  It was the first time she’d been to Luke’s house. He lived about five miles from her, in the southeast corner of town. The house, a tidy and spacious four-bedroom bungalow, was newer, maybe only five or six years old.

  Ethan had proudly given her the tour when she’d arrived, highlighting the big backyard—big enough for a trampoline—and the Star Wars bedspread in his room. She couldn’t help but glance in Luke’s room as they passed. Oatmeal-colored carpet, light gray walls, simple but sturdy dark wood furniture. A blue-and-gray plaid duvet cover adorned the bed. A flat-screen TV was mounted to the opposite wall.

  It was masculine and appealing, just like him.

  The kitchen was big and open, with new appliances and lovely white oak cabinets that Luke had told her he’d custom designed for the kitchen. Although it was early in their relationship, it felt good to be welcomed into his space. Into the life he shared with his son. Guilt niggled at the back of her mind, but she shoved it away, trying to enjoy the moment.

  “We have a couple different options for the roof, little man,” said Luke, bringing her attention back to him. “We can use Shreddies, and do shingles, or we can use pretzel sticks and make it look more like a log roof. What do you think?”

  Ethan squinted at the gingerbread house that they’d all helped put together. Instead of just putting it on a tray like she would’ve done, Luke had brought out a slab of cardboard, wrapped in tin foil. He’d set the foundation of the gingerbread house on one side, and then retreated to the fridge, returning with a container and a bag of frosting. “We’ll put the forest of Christmas trees together before gluing them down.”

  Just when she thought she couldn’t have been more attracted to him, he went ahead and pulled out half a dozen Rice Krispie Christmas trees. Perfect, round, bright green cylinders.

  He’d handed the container to her, along with the bag of frosting. “There’s candy inside the container. Use the Rolos for the stump, and the mini M&M’s for bulbs.”

  “Stick ’em on with the frosting?” she asked, fighting the urge to sigh. There was something so sexy about getting to see the domestic side of him.

  He’d winked at her. “You got it. Ethan and I will work on putting the big pieces of the house up.”

  As she’d decorated the trees, she’d come to realize another truth about him. He exuded masculinity, but not the over-the-top, Hollywood macho-man kind. No, Luke’s masculinity was quiet and confident and loving, strong and capable. He was a man in the best, truest sense of the word. Hardworking. Committed to his family.

  And let’s not forget gorgeous and amazing in bed, if we’re making a list of his qualities.

  “Shreddies,” said Ethan, bringing her back to the present. “I like how that looks better.”

  Although she was pretty sure she knew how to do it, she turned to Ethan and asked, “Will you show me how?”

  He nodded, a big smile on his face that she couldn’t help but return. She wanted to connect with him. She was jumping in with both feet here, and while she was scared, it also felt good. Like it was exactly where she was supposed to be.

  As Ethan showed her how to layer the Shreddies on the roof to look like shingles, Luke’s foot found hers under the table, rubbing gently against her. She returned the caress, loving the simple contact and how good it felt.

  “Hey, look, it’s snowing again,” said Ethan, pushing back from his chair and running over to the window. Soft, thick flakes fell from the gray sky, accumulating on the ground.

  An idea charged through her, and she pushed out of her chair, joining Ethan at the window. “You want to know a secret?”

  He nodded solemnly, glancing at her before returning his attention to the snow.

  “I’ve never made a snowman before.”

  Slowly, Ethan turned to face her. “Are you kidding me?” His eyebrows shot up, and in that moment he looked so much like Luke that her heart hurt a little.

  “Nope. I’ve always lived in warmer places than this. Even if we got a little snow, there was never enough to make a snowman.”

  “Dad, Christie and I are going to go outside to make a snowman. You coming?”

  Luke’s gaze moved from his son to her and back again. His eyes crinkled warmly when he smiled. “Nah, you guys go ahead. I’ll finish up this house.”

  Warmth suffused her, because she understood the magnitude of the gesture. He was trusting her with his son. Once again, she pushed aside her guilt and promised herself she’d find a way to tell him the truth about her past.

  * * *

  Luke had abandoned the gingerbread house, which was mostly done, minus some fine details and shingles. He’d finish later. Right now, he was standing at his bedroom window, watching Ethan and Christie play in the snow, and there was nowhere else he’d have rather been.

  She shrieked with laughter when Ethan’s snowball exploded against her back. Quickly, she gathered up her own snowball and lobbed it at him. The snowman they’d started was half done, with a torso but no head, abandoned for the time being.

  God, she was so beautiful when she laughed like that, the sound sweet and feminine. It curled around him like a blanket, warm and comforting. The fact that it was his son drawing that sound from her made it even sweeter.

  Eventually, a truce was called, and they returned to putting together the snowman. Christie tilted her head as she listened to Ethan, snow caught in her thick blond hair. It was sweet, the way she let him take the lead and give instructions. He wished he could hear what they were chatting about as they worked, but their voices—unlike Christie’s laughter—were too quiet to carry through the window.

  She said something to him, and Ethan threw back his head in laughter, and everything in Luke’s body—his heart, his lungs, his skin
, everything—tightened. Watching Christie with his son, so happy, so genuine, felt so damn good that he knew he’d made the right decision inviting her over today.

  Their first date may have been a few days ago, but today, this, with the three of them spending time together, was really the start of something new and exciting.

  For once, he’d followed his heart, and it had led him to her.

  Chapter 8

  December 11

  Luke leaned back against the padded red vinyl of the booth, full almost to bursting with the burger, fries, and salad he’d just downed. The buzz of the lunchtime crowd at The Tipsy Bison swirled around him, mingling with the upbeat version of “Run Run Rudolph” playing through the restaurant’s speakers. Luke’s Uncle Dave had opened the restaurant and bar in 1985, and since retiring last year had handed it over to his son, Luke’s cousin Dean. Twinkling lights in red and green flashed in the front window, barely visible against the bright mid-day sun. It had snowed again last night, and little mounds of fresh, white snow lined the sidewalk in front of the restaurant.

  Christie picked at the remains of her grilled chicken salad and took a sip of her Diet Coke. “I don’t think I can eat another bite. I’m stuffed.” She reached across the table and laced her fingers with his, squeezing his hand. “Thanks for the lunch date and giving me a ride to work.”

  He squeezed back, warmth filling his chest. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you’re getting snow tires on your SUV.” When he’d found out she neither had snow tires nor any intention of putting them on, he’d gently insisted that she reconsider. She wasn’t used to driving in snowy conditions, and even though she had an SUV, it was still much safer to drive with snow tires. The thought of her getting into an accident . . . His chest tightened and he pushed the thought away. Even though their relationship was new, the urge to protect her, to look after her, was almost overwhelming in its intensity.