Page 32 of Rebel Moon

Sledding the Back Hill

Fresh snow · Flurries throughout the day

Supper: Chili · Cornbread · Peach & Arugula Salad

I’d spent most of the day in my cabin, working, but also avoiding Knox. My plan was to remain there until supper to escape the sledding activity listed on the group calendar. However, my bossy bestie was having none of it. Ivy showed up at three in the afternoon, her usual bouncy self, looking adorable in a red snowsuit while making demands.

“Get your scrawny butt into sledding clothes,” Ivy said, with a devious glint in her eyes. “I’m calling the bride card.”

“You’re truly milking this,” I said.

“With everything I have,” Ivy said.

“For someone so small, you’re kind of dangerous.”

“Just get dressed. I’ll see you there.”

Ten minutes later, fully decked out in a ridiculously expensive snow outfit I’d bought for the trip, I stepped into the cold afternoon. I’d ended up with the fur-lined boots I’d seen at the Christmas mart, and they kept my toes toasty as I headed across the ranch toward the sounds of hollering.

I was late. Everyone else had paired off and were already sledding down the hill, yelling and laughing. I looked for Knox and found him standing by the only remaining sled—a large wooden toboggan, long enough for two. Actually, perfect for two.

I was beginning to suspect the universe had been bought off. Or maybe it was all Ivy. Either way, here I was again with Knox.

“Hartley,” I said.

“Hey, Madeleine. Nice boots. You look good.”

“Thanks.”

I’d come up the hill braced for the usual Knox Hartley treatment, the needling, the smirk, the little digs. But this afternoon he was subdued, glancing at me and then away, like I made him nervous. Which was beyond weird.

“What’re you doing?” I asked, as if it weren’t obvious he was here to sled.

“Ivy paired us up again,” Knox said. “You want to do it?”

“I’ve never actually sledded before.”

“Madeleine Price, you really need to do more than just work.”

“So everyone says.” I shrugged. “But I am who I am.”

He nodded, gaze still on me. “Yep, you sure are.”

“I’m not sure I want to go on that thing.” I gestured toward the sled. “What if we get hurt?”

“We’re not going to get hurt. Plus, you have me to cushion the fall, should there be one. Last time I checked, I’m at least twice as wide as you.”

“I don’t know,” I said.

“Come on now, get in here,” Knox said.

“Fine.” I climbed onto the toboggan and he slid in behind me, which I hadn’t fully thought through. We were wrapped up as tight as a Christmas package, my back against his chest, his legs alongside mine, his arms coming around to grip the rope on either side of me. He was warm and smelled really good.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Not really, but let’s get this over with.”

He pushed off and then there was no more thinking, because we were flying, the wind stinging my cheeks.