It Happened One Christmas by Chantel Guertin

Author:Chantel Guertin [Guertin, Chantel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Published: 2023-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Tuesday, December 23, 4:00 p.m.

Walking with snowshoes felt like I was walking on ice with surfboards strapped to my feet.

The cold air blasted my face, so cold it felt like hot irons were being pressed to my cheeks. I pulled the scarf up to create a makeshift balaclava, the only opening for my eyes.

“You okay?” Ben yelled. Though he was next to me, the wind was so strong he had to shout to be heard over it. I nodded, though I didn’t feel okay. I felt weak being back out here, fighting the wind and in the cold. I’d always thought forests were supposed to make shelter, but even though there were snow-covered trees in every direction, the wind seemed to blast through them like they were merely toothpicks.

“So the key to snowshoeing is to take small steps and distribute your weight evenly across the snowshoes,” Ben yelled over the howling wind, then demonstrated.

I watched, and followed his lead, trying to mimic his movements. Simon, happier than I’d seen him all day, raced across the slushy ice-snow like he was born for this weather—which he probably was.

“I feel like a penguin,” I said.

Ben turned, watching me. “Yep, you look like one, too.”

I scowled from behind my scarf. “Not helpful.”

“What if I said you look like a cute penguin?” Ben called back. “Is that better?”

I was thankful he couldn’t see my face redden. Was he flirting with me? I was thankful for the heat that rushed to my face—at least, for a brief moment, one part of my body was warm. I looked down, focusing on my steps. One foot at a time. That was the plan.

When I looked up, Ben was already at least three body-lengths ahead of me.

“How are you so good at this?” I called to him.

He turned and stopped to wait for me. “Tapping the trees for maple syrup!”

“I don’t get the connection.”

“I wear snowshoes to get around. They’re like sneakers to me.”

“Huh. I see.” I took another step, keeping my legs as wide as possible, so the snowshoes wouldn’t knock each other.

Simon sniffed along the snow as though he knew we were debating the route and wanted to help us.

“Stay behind me. I’ll try to break the wind for you.” Ben’s voice was barely audible over the wind, but I could tell it was serious. I nodded and followed, trying to keep up with him, but with each step I fell farther behind. The entire forest was a sheet of ice. The wind picked up, as though someone were controlling it with a dial; as if they were saying, You think this is wind? I’ll show you wind!

“You okay?” Ben called back.

“This is a lot harder than I thought it was going to be,” I responded loudly, feeling tears welling in my eyes. I fought them back, but not quick enough. They froze, making my lashes stick together. Simon, who was up ahead with Ben, turned and lumbered back toward me. He stayed by my side for a bit before catching up to Ben again.

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