Winter in Snow Valley (Snow Valley Romance)

by Anderson, Cindy Roland

  McCoy brushed his fingers along her cheekbone. “I get the hint. I’ll let you sleep.” He released her with a smile and started walking out the door.

  “McCoy,” Chanel said.

  He turned back. “Yes?”

  “Things won’t be … weird between us will they?”

  He shook his head. “We won’t let them be.”

  “Good. Because I think of you as one of my closest friends. I’d hate to mess that up.”

  “I feel the same.” He gave her a smile and a wink and walked down the hallway.

  Chanel stayed standing for a few minutes, waiting until her heart rate calmed down before finally climbing back into bed. She hoped he was right that things wouldn’t be weird, because she kept telling herself she hadn’t been interested in a man like this since Chance’s death, but the truth was, she hadn’t been interested in a man like this, ever.

  Chapter 6

  McCoy and Chanel drove to the office together the next morning. He didn’t know why they hadn’t done this before. He didn’t know why they hadn’t done the kissing from last night before either. He had a new hope for life that he didn’t think could be quenched. Even if he had to go work for another dentist and give up the dream of his own practice in this beautiful little valley, he was developing something with Chanel and Trey and that seemed more important to him than any other success he could have.

  Chanel grinned at him as he got her door walking into the office. He bent and gave her a lingering kiss. “That’s not going to make things awkward for us, is it?”

  She giggled. “Only if you do it in front of the patients.”

  “Lucky for me, we rarely have patients. I can take you back into a room and kiss you all day if I want.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  Desire zinged through him, but the ringing phone interrupted him going for the second kiss of the morning. Chanel broke from his arms and went to answer it.

  “Yes, we have an opening tomorrow at eleven. Of course we can work on adults as well, you even get a non-sugary prize.” She laughed. “You’d like the special for cleanings and x-rays?” She typed on the laptop computer. “I’ve got you down for the entire family, Mrs. Snow.”

  She hung up and grinned at him. McCoy hadn’t moved from the doorway. “The entire family?”

  “Of seven!”

  The phone rang again and Chanel went back to work. A knock on the door behind McCoy made him whip around. A young mother held a toddler in her arms and an older boy clung to her hand, his eyes red-rimmed. McCoy quickly swung the door wide. “Come in.”

  “Thank you. Dr. Wilson?” Her eyes traveled over the scar on his cheek then she looked away quickly.

  “Yes.” He thought he recognized her from the couple years he spent at Snow Valley High.

  “McCoy, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “I heard about the accident. I’m sorry.”

  “Thanks.” He knew this might happen when he came back, but it was still awkward for him. “We’re um, a little slow getting going this morning. How can I help you?” It was barely past eight and it was only habit and that bit of hope that had dragged him into coming on time today.

  “Oh, I apologize for coming so early, but Tanner has been crying all night. He’s got this horrible toothache and Dr. Mason’s secretary said they can’t fit him in until next week. I saw your flyer and hoped maybe you could help him?”

  “Of course.” Dr. Mason couldn’t even fit an emergency patient in sooner than a week? Wow, maybe there really was room for two dentists in this town. He gestured toward the first examination room. Chanel winked as he walked past. He wanted to ask her if she knew anything about this flyer.

  The day was so busy, they barely had time to eat the sandwiches Missy brought in for lunch. McCoy thought that was strange too. Missy had never brought Trey in to visit or lunch before and any other day they would’ve had plenty of time to play with the little boy. Today Missy had to take him away crying for Momma and Coy, as he had dubbed McCoy.

  At five-forty-five the last patient finally left. McCoy found Chanel cleaning up supplies in the first examination room. She looked tired, but glowing. He’d tried to help her out with answering phones and billing questions throughout the day, but it had been really busy. If this continued they’d need to hire a secretary/receptionist to take the pressure off of Chanel and a hygienist to help him. It would be a great problem to have.

  He sat down in the chair and wrapped his hands around her slim hips, tugging her to him. He loved the way she filled out her scrubs.

  “First of all, what is this flyer most of the patients were talking about, and what exactly did you offer?”

  Her smile faltered. “Are you upset?”

  “Do I look upset?” McCoy shook his head. “I’m thrilled. I just wonder what you did to fill the chairs today. We could barely keep up.”

  “And we have quite a few appointments scheduled for the next month,” she informed him, beaming.

  “What did you offer?”

  “A seventy-nine dollar first exam and x-rays.”

  “Okay.” Their usual price was ninety-nine. He’d take the discount any day to be busy. “What else?”

  “Honestly, nothing. Missy made the flyer really cute and fun and we said walk-ins welcome.”

  “That must be it. This Dr. Mason must be so busy he can’t fit patients in.”

  “That’s what I’m gathering. I called for an appointment the other day and they were six months out.”

  McCoy whistled low. “Thank you. It felt great to be busy again.”

  “You do a great job. I had so many compliments about how you interacted with the children, I started letting it go to my head.” She winked.

  McCoy laughed, but it stopped quickly. “A few people seemed put off by the scars.”

  “Oh, Dr. Wilson. You’re being silly. The scars only make you more handsome. I just wanted to make sure none of those women were ogling you too much.”

  “I’m sure you have nothing to worry about.” He grinned. His hands were still on her hips and he tugged her closer. “If only I could think of a way to thank you properly for bringing in all these clients.”

  “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”

  She bent down and he took full advantage of her lips, but he wanted her closer. Pulling her onto his lap, he chuckled at her gasp of surprise.

  “Why, Dr. Wilson. You are crossing some employee-boss lines here.”

  McCoy kissed her thoroughly. “You’ll have to forgive me.”

  “Maybe later,” she murmured before she kissed him back.

  Chapter 7

  The rest of the week continued to be busy at the dental office. Chanel really enjoyed the work, being with McCoy, and seeing him flourish. He was meant to be a pediatric dentist. She hoped with the clientele coming in that his worries would be over, but she caught him Friday night after they’d closed up, studying a payday loan website.

  “Everything okay?” she asked.

  He quickly shut the laptop. “Oh, yeah. Glad it’s Friday.” He stood and placed a hand on her back, ushering her out the front door. “Can we just relax all weekend, maybe play in the snow with Trey or drink hot chocolate?”

  Chanel loved how he treated Trey like he was his own son. Porter and Missy were amazing with her son too, but McCoy seemed to really connect with the little boy. Not that she was surprised. He connected well with most children. Was it wrong that she hoped her son was special to him? That she was special to him?

  “That sounds wonderful. Maybe we can snuggle by the fire?”

  They walked out of the office and the blast of cold air went right through her. McCoy hugged her against his side, his brow furrowed. She knew her thin coat bothered him, but there was nothing she could do about it, at least not for a few more paychecks. Besides buying Trey a few more warm clothes in his size, she was saving up to get her own apartment and hire someone for childcare. The thought of not having Missy wi
th her boy shook her, but it wasn’t fair to rely on her cousin’s generosity forever.

  “I’m putting snuggling by the fire on the schedule,” McCoy said.

  They talked about some of their patients on the way home. Chanel was so excited to get inside to hug Trey she didn’t wait for McCoy to get her door.

  “Hey, my Aunt Rebecca raised me to be a gentleman,” McCoy protested.

  “Sorry.” She slowed her steps and he opened the front door for her. “Just missing my boy.”

  “I bet.” He brushed some hair away from her face. “I wish you didn’t have to work and could just be with Trey.”

  “Wouldn’t that be a dream?”

  Trey squealed from the living room. Chanel rushed to him, lifting him into her arms. He squeezed her neck, but looked over her shoulder and cried out, “Coy, hold, Coy, hold!”

  McCoy opened his arms and Trey tilted into them. Chanel didn’t know if she should feel jealous someone had replaced her as number one in her son’s life or grateful that her son had this kind of interaction with a man who was at the top of her list.

  “What’s going on, my man?” McCoy rubbed the little boy’s downy head.

  “Coy, play!”

  McCoy tossed him into the air and Trey squealed in delight. Chanel watched them with a smile, but an uncertainty rushed through her. What would she and Trey do if McCoy left them? They’d had one profitable, busy week at the dental office. If it didn’t continue and McCoy had to leave town. Would he want her to follow him? They’d shared some great kisses, but that was it. She was a single mom with huge responsibilities and she wanted to beg McCoy to never leave their sides, but she knew that wasn’t fair or logical of her.

  Missy happily bounced into the room. She always had a lot of energy. “Hey, you two. Good day?”

  “Great day.” McCoy smiled at Chanel then lifted Trey behind his head and used the little boy for triceps extensions.

  Chanel watched the bulging muscles in his arms and her stomach did a happy roll. Those arms were as good at encircling her as they were at tossing her boy around.

  “How tired are you?” Missy asked.

  “Not too bad. Why?” McCoy was speaking for them like they were a couple. She liked it.

  “There’s a sledding party over at George Holbrook’s ranch. It isn’t horribly cold tonight and I think Trey would love it.”

  Chanel’s stomach tightened. Trey would love it, but neither of them had decent winter gear. When they were outside she always carried him because his shoes were almost worn through. She hadn’t been able to find toddler snow boots at any of the second hand stores.

  “I’ve got something for you, Chanel. I’ll be right back,” Missy said.

  Chanel looked at McCoy in confusion. “I swear if she gives me a present after all she’s done for me, you might see a cousin cat fight.”

  McCoy chuckled. “I’ll break it up before you thrash her too good.”

  “Thanks for that.”

  Missy bustled back into the room, a look of determination on her pretty face. Chanel had heard quite often growing up how much alike she and her cousin looked, but she thought Missy was much prettier and more refined looking.

  “I ordered you something last week.” She paused and studied Chanel for a few seconds. “I can’t send it back so don’t even ask me to. And no, you’re not paying me back. I swear if I want to be help out the cousin I love, you have no right to take that away from me.”

  Chanel was getting more concerned by each word Missy was spewing out. She didn’t want anyone’s charity. Missy set the box on the ground and lifted the flaps. She pulled out a warm-looking winter coat for Trey, tiny snow pants, gloves, a hat, and the cutest snow boots. Chanel’s eyes stung and she blinked quickly. How could she say no? Trey would be able to go play in the snow. He’d be warm and protected. She opened her mouth to tell Missy thank you when Missy pulled out a ruffled peacoat. It was navy blue, long, and with a belt that gave it a sassy flair. Chanel fell in love, but she knew she couldn’t accept this. Then Missy pulled out a matching hat and glove set and leather boots that looked stylish, comfortable, and warm.

  “M-missy,” Chanel sputtered. “I can’t. It’s too much. I know you can send them back!” She wanted that coat more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life. She glanced at McCoy. Okay, more than she’d ever wanted an item of clothing in her life, and to have her toes, fingers, and ears be warm when she was outside? Heaven. McCoy watched her with a mixture of compassion and what looked like frustration. Chanel didn’t have time to decipher what he was feeling right now because she was feeling completely overwhelmed.

  “We’ve already eaten,” Missy said, like there was nothing wrong with this picture. “You two run put on some real people clothes then go scarf down a bowl of chili while I get the little man’s diaper changed and his snow gear on and we’ll head out.”

  Chanel opened her mouth to protest, but McCoy handed Trey off to Missy, wrapped an arm around Chanel’s waist, and directed her upstairs. They both changed into sweatshirts and jeans then walked silently to the kitchen.

  Her voice finally recovered as McCoy dished up bowls of chili from the crockpot. “It’s humiliating, you know?”

  “I do.” McCoy handed her a bowl and pulled a chair out for her at the table. “But you know how big her heart is. And you know she’s been in a spot much worse than where you’re at. This is her chance to give back. You’ll do the same when you’re in a better situation.”

  Chanel swallowed the bite of chili. The flavor was good, but going down with her tears it was hard to enjoy. He was right that Missy had been in a horrible place with her first husband. At least Chance had never been abusive to her, just uninterested and emotionally detached. “Will I ever be in a better situation?”

  McCoy’s back straightened and he fastened the full force of those dark eyes on her. “Yes, you will. If I have to drive pizza delivery at night I will make sure you that you are in a better situation.”

  “Oh, McCoy.” She realized at that moment that she loved him. He had no responsibility to improve her situation, but he’d taken it upon himself to take care of her and Trey.

  Before she could kiss him, because she didn’t know what else to do to share the emotion she was feeling, Missy and Trey came prancing into the kitchen. He looked so cute in his winter gear, big blue eyes sparkling. “Momma! Snow!”

  Chanel put her uneaten chili in the sink and slid into the new coat. It was so soft and warm. She hurried to zip up the boots then plunked the hat on her head and the gloves on. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this warm.” She reached out and gave Missy a hug. “Thank you.”

  Missy transferred the baby to her arms. “Thank you for not making a fuss about it,” she said with the usual Missy sass.

  “It was tough, believe me.”

  Missy laughed and went to the mud room to pull on her winter clothes.

  “You look beautiful,” McCoy whispered in her ear, squeezing her hand as he walked past.

  Chanel smiled. She felt like a snow angel in this coat.

  Missy handed a heavy coat, gloves, and a hat to McCoy. He dressed quickly, sliding into an extra pair of work boots then holding the door for Missy and Chanel. Porter was waiting outside in his heavy outdoor clothes. “Is my guy ready to sled?” he said to Trey.

  “Snow!” Trey said.

  They all loaded up in Porter’s nice four-door truck and drove to a ranch south of theirs. The hill was lit up by spotlights shining upward. Loads of vehicles were strewn off to one side and there were quite a few people trekking up the hill or squealing down. There were a couple of tables laden with coffee, hot cocoa, scones, and cookies, and couples lining up for romantic rides on a horse-pulled sleigh.

  “The church ladies do the food?” Missy asked Porter.

  “I think so. Bet they’re missing Mom.”

  “We all are,” McCoy agreed. “No one can make cookies like Aunt Rebecca.”

  “Hey!” Missy whipped a
round and pinned him with a look. “What’s my cooking? Chopped liver?”

  McCoy’s eyes widened. “Your cooking is fabulous, Missy. I didn’t mean any disrespect.”

  She laughed easily. “I’m just kidding. Her cookies are fabulous.”

  They all piled out of the truck. “Hi, Caytie, Jace,” Porter called out. The couple returned the greeting. The man carried a darling baby girl.

  Porter grabbed a tube out of the back of the truck, stole Trey from McCoy’s arms and sprinted up the hill. Chanel started after him. “Porter! He’s just a baby. You can’t go taking him down that huge hill.”

  Porter turned around and grinned. “We’ll just go a little way up.”

  Before Chanel could stop him, Porter ran up twenty more feet, plunked the tube down, and climbed in with Trey in his arms. Luckily they were only a quarter the way up the large hill. They sped off toward the bottom, Trey laughing loudly as Porter whooped. Chanel chased after them. She almost ran into McCoy at the bottom. He took Trey from Porter.

  Missy stood there shaking her head. “You’re just a big kid, aren’t you?” But she was grinning and Chanel knew she was head over heels for her husband.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Porter stood and gave her a quick kiss. “You want to ride on my lap next?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Porter whooped, grabbed the tube in one hand, swooped Missy off the ground, and started jogging back up the hill.

  “Put me down,” Missy demanded, yet she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in happily.

  Porter just laughed. “Not a chance, sweetheart.”

  McCoy turned to Chanel, smiling. “Good to see he can let his inner child out, sometimes.”

  “That’s what he’s doing, eh?”

  McCoy picked up a tube off the ground. “You want to all go together?”

  A little thrill raced through her. They’d be squished together on that tube and it felt like a little family. “Love to.”

  They hiked slowly up the hill, laughing as Porter and Missy flew by, screaming and hanging onto each other.