Page 110 of Small Town, Big Storm

“Jesus,” I mutter at the sight of the stuffed Canadian goose, a royal blue “Gerald” embroidered across its chest.

“We sell them at the Home Ice Classic.Each year we do a different goose.”She tucks Gerald under Holly’s slack arm.“He was our inaugural choice.”

“I bet he sold out.”

“You’d win that bet.”She grins then sobers, smoothing the covers before straightening.“Thanks for carrying her in.When she woke up crying and asking for Poppy, I knew she needed to be home.Sleepover time is only fun when your mom’s not hurt.”She kisses her forehead.“Luckily for all parties involved, she fell asleep on the walk over.”

Nodding, I follow her out into the hall, knowing that Poppy wouldn’t have minded being woken up by Holly, that she would have reassured her with patience and hugs and kisses.

But, thankfully, everyone’s sleeping and the reunion can happen at a more reasonable hour.

We move quietly into the family room.

“Was it a very bad break?”

“No,” I reassure her.“It was actually a pretty simple fix, and in four to six weeks, she’ll be good to go.She probably won’t even need physical therapy.”

A relieved breath.“That’s good.Shep was…” She trails off, her cheeks going pink.“Worried,” she finishes softly.“He’ll be glad to hear she’s fine.”

Glad to have an excuse for me to not kick his ass more like.

Not that it’ll stop me.

The next time we get on the ice…

I still for a moment as that washes over me.

Thenexttime we get on the ice.

Like it’s an inevitability rather than something I’m doing my best to avoid.

And that feels…different.

But good.

“I should go,” Clover says softly.

I snap back into myself.“Yeah.It’s late.Are you going to be okay to walk home by yourself?”

This is Cedar Hollow.

But it’s after midnight and she’s a woman alone and?—

She sighs, admits, “Shep’s waiting for me.”

My eyebrows lift in surprise.

Another sigh, one heavier and more tired this time.“I can’t seem to get rid of him.”

Laughter in my chest—laughter that I suppress because if looks could kill…

Clover would be committing mass murder.

“If anyone can outstubborn Shep it’ll be you, Clove.”

“Let’s hope so,” she grumbles.

I tilt my head toward the door.“I’ll walk you downstairs.”