It’s so cold I’ll be surprised if my balls don’t freeze off. I grin behind my pulled up collar at the thought of how I could warm them, if only.

The main road isn’t passable today but should be by lunchtime tomorrow, which means I’ll be able to get into town and talk to Emma.

Rubbing my brow at the thought, a snowball to the face catches me off guard. I narrow my eyes and realize my asshole of a best friend is responsible.

“You need to stay in there, otherwise you’ll get hurt,” Bo shouts over the roar of the tractor he’s jumped from.

Wiping the snow from my face, I mutter under my breath, and then add, “And you thought a ball of freezing-as-fuck snow to the face would do that, huh?”

He winces. “Sorry, wasn’t thinking.” He smirks. “Saw the opportunity and took it.” Moving closer so that we no longer need to shout, he says, “Talking about opportunity, how’s Charlotte?”

Heavily sighing, I tell him, “She’s banged up, but okay.”

“Come on, Tanner. I’m your best friend, I want details.”

I meet his gaze and realize he’s serious and not messing around, so I’m honest with him. I take a deep breath as I try to find the place to begin. Finally, I say, “We spent a night together when I was at Garrett’s wedding in Lexington. We connected and I’ve been unable to forget about her.” I grab my chest. “I love her, Bo. The only person stopping us from being together right now is Emma. The minute I tell her we’re through, Charlotte is mine.”

“In all the years I’ve known you, I don’t think you’ve ever talked about Emma so animatedly…which proves my point.” He grins. “You don’t love Emma and never have.” Bo turns and looks along the road. “I could take you back to town on Horace.”

“Horace?”

“The tractor.”

“Oh!” I rub my jaw, undecided. “It could take all day to head back into town with how bad the roads are…I’ll go tomorrow if they’re clear.”

“You sure?” He narrows his eyes.

“I’m guessing that it would be dark by the time you’d be dropping me back home. It’s dangerous. One more day won’t kill me.”

“Whatever,” he mutters. “You heading back home now?”

“Yeah,” I turn toward the tractor, “my dad caught a ride on the other snowplow early this morning so he’s up at the house with Charlotte. I need to make sure she’s okay as well.”

“I’m happy for you Tanner. It’s about time you had someone in your life who makes you smile.” Bo disappears into the tractor and with a honk of the horn moves off.

I climb back onto the tractor and head for home with a smile on my face. It’s the first time in forever that I remember feeling this excited as I hurry toward the house.

* * *

Stomping snow off my boots, I enter the small room off the kitchen. It has the washer and dryer in here as well as my outdoor gear. It saves getting the rest of the house wet during the winter months.

I strip out of my clothing and quickly pull on my sweats that are sitting on the heater along with a T-shirt, sweatshirt and socks before I head into the kitchen.

My dad is sitting quietly with a book and a cup of coffee in the living room. When I spot Charlotte asleep on the sofa, my heart flutters with love for the beautiful woman.

Dad sees me and quietly places everything down on the side table and indicates for me to follow him into the kitchen. The first thing I do is pour a coffee, which slowly starts to warm me up some.

“Did you get the road cleared?”

“Some. Won’t be ready until sometime tomorrow, and that’s just a guess.”

He nods and glances over to Charlotte, my eyes follow and caress over her sleeping form. She looks so peaceful. I crave to be able to lie down beside her with her in my arms, like we did the night before. Just to be able to feel her against me to know that she’s real and not a figment of my imagination.

Hearing a throat being cleared, my eyes are drawn to my dad’s who looks worried. “You have something to say?” I ask.

Taking his time, he moves closer and leans over the breakfast bar, saying, “I’m going to ask you to respect me by not being with Charlotte until everything is broken off with Emma.” He holds up his hand when I go to speak, and then continues, “I know you’re in love with Charlotte and after all these months, you’re going to want to always be with her, and as much as I love you, I need you to be the good man I raised you to be. The man I know you are.”

I glance back at Charlotte before my dad. “It hurts staying away from her. We’re both waiting for the roads to clear so I can talk to Emma. You have my word.”

He offers me a wry smile before nodding in Charlotte’s direction. “She’s awake and probably wondering what we’re whispering about.”

I don’t hear anything else because I’m quickly moving over to Charlotte. I crouch down in front of her and cupping her face, place a soft kiss to her forehead. “Hello,” I whisper.

“I missed you.” She runs a hand inside of my sweatshirt, over the T-shirt, causing a reaction in my groin…one that is going to be noticeable if I don’t move away now.

Clenching my jaw, I move away and drop into the armchair opposite, letting her see the heat, which is only for her, in my gaze.

“I missed seeing you this morning, but I was out early.” I shrug. “Got a lot done, and I’ll go back out again later for an hour or so, but it’s going to take another day.”

“Oh,” she says, disappointment clear in her face. “I should have known it would take awhile to get rid of all the snow that got dumped on the highway. I just hoped it would be quicker, you know?”

“I do know.” I hold her gaze so she can see what I’m feeling: impatience, frustration, and love. “Are you hungry?”

“I am.” She frowns. “How long did I sleep? I settled down after breakfast.”

Dad chuckles and joins us in the living room. “You fell asleep as soon as you settled on there about four hours ago.”

“I didn’t realize I was so tired.” She yawns behind a hand.

“It’s your body’s way of recovering from the shock it had yesterday with the accident. Another day or two and you’ll be fine,” Dad offers.

“I hope so. I can’t be sleeping all the time, especially so close to Christmas.” She slowly moves into a sitting position, shoving her gorgeous hair from her face.

“Are you planning on being back home by then?” Dad asks, gaining a glare from my direction.

Charlotte glances at me before turning her attention to my father. “I’m not sure. It would be the first Christmas I haven’t been home if I don’t show up, but it all depends on Tanner.” She smiles, her gaze holding mine, “If you’ll have me, I’d like to stay here and spend Christmas with you and your dad.”

I grin like an idiot.

“I think you have your answer,” Dad laughs. “I’d certainly love to have you here, Charlotte.”

Smiling, Charlotte asks, “Would it be okay if I helped with the cooking? It’s kind of a family tradition at my parents’ house.”

“We’d love you to help us in that case,” Dad says, clapping his hands together before becoming serious. “For a long time, it’s only been Tanner and I, so I have a feeling that this year is going to be more entertaining.”

He smiles and moves off, lost in thought.

“Are you sure you’re up to it?” Tanner asks.

“Heck, yes, I am. I’m excited. I make an amazing cranberry stuffing, and homemade yeast rolls.”

“Hmm, my stomach is rumbling at the thought. I can’t remember the last time I had a homemade yeast roll.” Glancing behind me, I check that my father has disappeared before moving to the sofa.

Charlotte raises a brow and smirks. “Are we going to make out on the sofa and hope your father doesn’t catch us?”

“No making out…for now, but I am going to hold you close for a few minutes before I make us some lunch.”

She snuggles against my chest as I close my arms around her. I bury my face into the top of her head, inhaling. She always smells good and I want to hold that with me when I go back into the cold.

“Are you sniffing me?”

I chuckle. “I’m inhaling you.” I tilt her chin up and brush a soft kiss over her lips. “This is all we can share for now…secret kisses.”

She nuzzles into my hand. “I’ll take anything I can get until you’re free to be with me completely.” She holds my gaze and reaching forward, places small kisses to each side of my mouth before she briefly settles against my lips. “I love you, Tanner,” she whispers. “I’m not going anywhere unless you put me on a plane yourself.”

Cupping the back of her head, I admit, “I love you too, Charlotte. The only time I’ll be putting you on a plane is if I’m with you, and we’re going somewhere together.”

Her soft smile is beautiful.