“Is she in the same place as last night?” she asked.
I nodded.
“Last night?” Alex echoed. “What happened last night?”
I pinned him with a look. “Don’t you have somewhere to be? Why aren’t you helping my sister with the twins?”
“I’m taking our guests to The Confectionary.”
“Rimmel just really wanted to check on the wolf first,” Ivy explained.
I nodded, then left them in the kitchen to go into the living room. My footsteps paused when I saw Rimmel and Meredith sitting in front of the wolf, smiling and talking quietly. Rimmel was animated and the doc was more subdued, but clearly, she liked her.
Rimmel reached out to softly stroke the wolf. Romeo took a slight step forward as if he was ready to pull her out of harm’s way at a second’s notice.
Dude must be exhausted. He was probably always on and ready to react.
Meredith pulled out her stethoscope and positioned it at her ears, then pressed the circular end against the wolf’s side.
The wolf jolted upright, swinging around toward the vet.
I moved before anyone else even blinked, sliding my arm between the wolf and the doc, instantly pulling her back into me.
She gasped, surprised, and fell backward, but I kept our balance.
“I startled her,” Meredith said, her voice breathless. “That was my fault.”
Romeo was also close and had Rimmel up off the ground in his arms. Our eyes met, and he half smiled. “Fast reflexes you got there.”
I don’t know why, but it sure felt like he was mocking me. Almost as if he’d known I’d been pitying him seconds before.
Meredith gazed around, first staring at where my arm was wrapped around her and then up to my face. “I think you might have kept me from getting bit.”
From this close, I could almost see myself reflected in the darkness of her gaze.
“We should be going, smalls. You saw the wolf is just fine. All these people make her nervous.”
Rimmel nodded and glanced at me. “Thank you for letting me visit her, Daniel.”
I smiled. I didn’t know what it was about Rimmel Anderson, but she was easy to smile at. “You can come see her anytime before you leave.”
“Thank you!” She beamed.
Romeo gave me a look telling me I would regret that.
“It was so nice meeting you,” Rimmel told Meredith.
Meredith started to step forward but didn’t get very far. She cleared her throat, and I realized I still had my arm clamped around her from behind. I released her instantly and stepped back.
Romeo put Rimmel down so the two women could quickly hug. Then he bent low so he could lift her onto his back.
On his way to the kitchen, Romeo stopped and turned back. “We’re having dinner at The Tavern tonight. You should come.”
“I don’t—”
“Oh, yes! Please come, Daniel.”
Romeo gave me a withering look, silently telling me no one was allowed to say no to his wife.
“Okay, yeah.” I heard myself agreeing.
Romeo glanced at Meredith. “You, too.”
“Oh, I couldn’t,” she protested immediately.
“There’s plenty of room!” Rimmel insisted. “Liam and Bellamy will be there, too.”
The doc glanced at me, then back at Rimmel. “Well, I guess I could.”
Rimmel smiled and waved. “See you then!”
When they were gone, I glanced at Meredith.
“I should be going, too.”
“You just got here.”
“She seems okay. I’ll stop by before dinner if that’s okay. I should have her lab results by then.”
I nodded.
A few minutes later, everyone was piling into their cars and driving off, and for the first time ever, my house seemed too quiet.
Rimmel
“This place is amazing!” I declared as yet another piece of perfectly molded chocolate melted in my mouth.
“This one is my favorite so far,” Ivy said, holding part of a truffle on display before popping it into her mouth. “I want a box of just these.”
“You’re in luck!” Alex’s mom beamed and patted Ivy’s hand. “I have just enough of these to fill up a box. Then they’ll be gone until next winter.”
“No!” Ivy gasped. “You won’t make more?”
“These are technically a seasonal flavor. I only make them around the holidays,” she told us, pulling out the tray of chocolate truffles with crushed red and white candy canes on the top. “They’re a town favorite, so we kept them in stock a little longer than normal. But this is the last batch until next November.”
Ivy glanced over at Braeden, and he tugged the end of her swinging ponytail. “Pack them up, Mrs. C. What my girl wants, she gets.”
“Aren’t you a charming one?” Alex’s mom beamed. “Just like my Alex.”
Braeden made a sound. “I’m better looking.”
“You wish!” Alex called from behind the register.
I laughed and glanced around for Romeo. His hand slipped into mine instantly, almost as though he knew I would seek him out before I even turned. I felt him bend down, and then his chin hit my shoulder.
“What’s up, smalls?”
Smiling, I turned my face and pecked him on the cheek.
“You smell like chocolate,” he mused.
“I want to take some home for the kids. And your parents. Oh! And for the employees at the animal shelter.”
“Good thing we brought our own plane, Romeo,” B cracked. “With all the crap these women insist on buying, we’re gonna need the room.”
Romeo laughed but then whispered against my ear. “Get whatever you want.”
I kissed him on the cheek again. “We need some for Trent and Drew, too, since they stayed at the resort to ski.”
“Lucky bastards,” Braeden muttered.
Alex’s dad wrapped up all my choices, packing all our treats in beautiful boxes the color of robin’s egg blue, and then tied them closed with golden bows.
“What’s back there?” I heard Ivy ask on her way past. Then she made a sound of delight. “Rimmel! There’s penny candy. The boys will love this!”
I started to rush off toward the back, then remembered the bulky boot on my lower leg and stumbled.
“Goodness! Where are your crutches?” Alex’s mom, who told us to call her Linda, clucked her tongue.
“He won’t let me use them.” I pointed at Romeo.
“Well, why not?” she demanded, turning accusing eyes on him.
He didn’t even look ashamed or embarrassed of himself, the big jerk. Instead, he pulled out his megawatt smile that charmed everyone and bestowed it on her. “Now why on earth would my wife need a pair of crutches when she has me to take her anywhere she needs to go?”
Then, as if he wasn’t already being charming enough, he leaned across the counter, his blond hair falling over his forehead, and added, “Besides, it gives me a reason to touch her.”
Alex’s mom giggled.
She giggled.
“I’m scarred for life!” Alex declared, screwing up his face in disgust.
“Aren’t you a good husband?” she told Romeo, ignoring Alex. “Here, have another chocolate.” She held out an entire tray of gold-dusted caramel squares.
Romeo shoved one in his mouth and smiled.
Linda reached under the counter for a few small paper bags and handed them to me. “Here, honey, you can use these for the candy.”
I took them, and Romeo bent down in front of me. “Up you go.”
“You two are just so cute,” Linda said, watching us.
Romeo gave me a piggyback ride over to the penny bins all along the wall and held open the sacks while I filled them up with candy.
After we paid, Romeo and Braeden posed for a couple pictures with Alex’s parents so they could hang them up on the wall with the other photos of celebrities that had visited The Confectionary.
Outside, snow blew around with the wind and bit at my cheeks. Wrapping my arms a little tighter around Romeo’s shoulders, I buried my face in his neck to get away from the cold.
“Cider is just over there,” Alex told everyone, pointing across the street to another storefront.
The back of my neck prickled as we went because we drew just about every eye on the street. Some even stood in the store windows, watching as we walked.
“Romeo!” someone called from behind. “Romeo!”
Romeo turned, and we both looked at two women rushing out of a store we’d just passed. The wind blew back their hair and scarfs as they rushed forward.
“Ladies,” he said politely.
“Could we please have your autograph?”
“Can’t you see the man is on vacation? Give the bro some space,” Alex said, stepping up beside us.
“Please?” one of the girls asked, closing one eye and peering at my husband.
“Sure thing,” he said, smiling easily.
I knew he probably didn’t want to do it, but it was part of his job.
“Hang on tight, baby.” He reminded me before letting go of my legs to grab the marker and paper they already had out for him.
One of the girls sighed. “So lucky,” she mused.
Romeo signed the papers, and then a few more girls appeared. A few men as well. Before I knew it, we were surrounded by a crowd, and both Romeo and Braeden were signing autographs and taking selfies with people.
I tried to climb off his back to wait off to the side, but he wouldn’t put me down, so I ended up being in the selfies, too.
Good thing I had on a cute hat.
“All right, enough! Enough!” Alex finally announced and shooed everyone away. “Sorry about that,” he said, turning back. I noticed the straight line of his mouth. “People are cool with Liam walking around. I guess we assumed people would be low-key with you guys, too.”
“You know what they say about assuming,” Braeden retorted.
Alex gave him both middle fingers.
Romeo laughed beneath his breath and went ahead of everyone, carrying me into the shop with the cider. I sighed appreciatively the second the warm scent of cinnamon rose around us. Warmth from inside caressed my cheeks and made them prickle a little as they thawed.
“It smells so good!” I said, gazing toward the counter.
The woman behind it perked up and smiled brightly. “I wondered if I would get a visit from the royal couple of football.” She beamed. “I was hoping my famous cider would lure you into town!”
“Ma’am, how are you doing?” Romeo greeted, carrying me to the counter.
“Apple cider is my favorite!” I announced over my husband’s shoulder.
“Oh, honey, I know. My husband and I have been Knights fans for years. I have to tell you, Romeo, we so admire the way you lead the team.”
“Thank you,” he said humbly. “I appreciate that.”
The bell on the door jingled, and the woman grinned even bigger. “The Hulk is here, too!”
Behind me, Braeden laughed.
“Oh, and Ivy Walker! I read your articles in People every month.”
“Thank you so much. I’m so glad you enjoy them.” Ivy’s voice was cheerful.
The lady turned back to me, glancing at my foot, then to my face. She made a tsking sound. “You poor thing. The whole town has been buzzing about your accident. We were all so relieved when you were found. I hope you’re going to be okay.”
I nodded. “I’ll be fine.”
“Okay, well, let me get you that cider!”
The woman produced five large paper cups with lids, then gestured for all of us to take one.
“How much do we owe you?” Braeden asked, pulling out his wallet.
“Oh, your money is no good here. As I said before, my husband and I are huge Knights fans.”
“Is your husband here?” Braeden asked, tucking the wallet away.
“Unfortunately, no. He had to make a run to the next town over. He’s going to be disappointed to hear he missed you.”
Romeo carefully handed the paper cup over his shoulder for me to take. “Careful, baby, it’s hot.” He cautioned.
I took it, and because the woman was watching, I sipped it right away. Flavor burst across my tongue, along with the pain of a burn.
Swallowing, I smiled. “This is the best cider I think I’ve ever had.”
The woman clapped her hands. “Really?”
I nodded and took another much smaller, tentative sip. “Really!”
“It is so good.” Ivy agreed.
“Well, this just made my day. No, my week!”
“Are you sure we can’t pay?” I asked. Oftentimes, we were given stuff for free, and it never failed to make me feel guilty. I didn’t want people to think we expected it or even that we wanted it. We used to insist on paying, but it often offended and upset people. It just became easier to graciously accept even though it didn’t feel right.
“No way! I insist.” She hesitated and then looked between Romeo and Braeden like she wanted to ask something but also didn’t want to.
Romeo picked up on it as well. “Would you like us to maybe sign something for your husband since he isn’t here?”
“Oh, would you?” Her entire face lit up.
“Anything for you,” Braeden drawled.
Apple cider lady giggled, and I suppressed a laugh.
“I just happen to have some Knights T-shirts here.” She pulled out some purple fabric from beneath the register and glanced up. “And a football…”
Romeo carried me to a nearby table and sat me in a chair. Taking both my hands, he wrapped them around the warm cup and smiled. “Be right back.”
I smiled.
Ivy joined me at the table, and we watched our husbands sign a pile of stuff.
“You doing okay after yesterday?” Ivy asked, sipping her drink.
I nodded. “Are you?”
She repeated my action and sighed. “I miss Nova and Jax, though.” Her eyes twinkled when she gave me a sly smile. “I think Braeden’s mom is going to kill me. I’ve already texted her three times today.”
I laughed. “Same.”
“When we get home, I’m going to have to live in the gym like they do.” She gestured to Romeo and B. “I ate so much chocolate earlier I think I gained five pounds!”
“Let me see.” Braeden interrupted us by swooping in and picking up Ivy and the chair she was sitting in.
She shrieked and grabbed his arms, afraid he might drop her, but his hold remained steady. After making a show of measuring her heaviness, the chair smacked back onto the floor. “Still feel sexy as hell to me,” he announced.
Ivy ducked her head embarrassed, but Braeden grabbed her ponytail and pulled her head up. “Give me some sugar.”
“What kind of place do you think this is?” Alex asked, making a face.
The apple cider lady made a sound. “Considering you behave the same way with Sabrina, I would say he thinks it’s the same kinda place you do.”
Alex gasped. “You aren’t supposed to kiss and tell!”
After I was on Romeo’s back and the cider was in my hand, the five of us said good-bye and walked back out onto the sidewalk.
A few feet down, Ivy exclaimed. “Oh, look at that!”
Braeden groaned, but Ivy tugged his hand and they disappeared inside the shop.
Expecting Romeo to follow, I was surprised when he stopped and bent low, sitting me on a nearby bench. The cold temperature of the wood seeped through my leggings and made me shiver.
“Did I hurt your back?” I worried.
Alex heard me and laughed. “Yeah right.”
Staying crouched in front of me, Romeo turned, grasping my face. “You burned your tongue.”
Behind my glasses, my eyes widened. “How did you know?”
“I heard your intake of breath in my ear,” he murmured, tilting my face down. “Let me see.”
“It’s fine.” I protested.
His blue eyes pierced mine. “Let me see.”
Obediently, I stuck my tongue out but giggled when a few snowflakes landed on the end. “That’s chilly!”
“Hold still,” he instructed, gazing intently. “Right there?” he asked, brushing his finger over the flesh.
I nodded.
I watched him squint at the area and then frown. “It looks okay.”
I nodded beneath his hands.
With a sigh, he lifted his eyes but didn’t let go of my face. I thought he might give me a lecture about drinking too-hot drinks or being clumsy.
He didn’t.
He didn’t say anything at all. Instead, he gazed into my eyes with that look that made me feel like the last person alive on this planet, the most precious one.
The azure of his eyes lit up a little when he half smiled, and my stomach fluttered.
“You have snow in your hair,” he whispered, fingering the length sticking out from beneath the hat.
I smiled and leaned in, kissing him.
His warm lips instantly yielded beneath mine, so I kissed a little deeper. His tongue stroked over mine, and I grasped a fistful of the scarf around his neck.
Somewhere, a phone rang, but I didn’t look up.
“I’ll just be over here,” someone announced.
Romeo didn’t lift his head.
We kissed in the falling snow while the world carried on around us, moving and bustling. We were frozen in time for a moment, suspended in a place where everything else was irrelevant and the only thing that mattered was each other.
Romeo eased back first. My eyes fluttered open, and the only thing in focus was his face.
“I don’t care how many times you fall. I’ll always pick you up,” he said softly, lightly grasping my chin between his thumb and finger. “You can burn your tongue a thousand times. I’ll still rush to check it out. You could get lost on a mountain or up in space, and I won’t stop searching until I find you. I told you years ago, and I’ll tell you right now on this street. You’re my once in a lifetime, Rim. There is literally nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
A tear I hadn’t even felt form dropped from my eye, slid beneath my glasses, and ran down my cheek. “Romeo,” I whispered.
He smiled and brushed away the tear. “Don’t cry. It’s gonna freeze on your face.”
#Vacay: A #Hashtag and BearPaw Resort Crossover Novella Page 12