Love at Frost Sight: A Holiday Novella by Torie Jean

Author:Torie Jean [Jean, Torie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sunset and Camden Creative
Published: 2023-01-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter ten

Frosty the Snowman

Maddie

“Please don’t push the little children.” My hoarse voice carries through the frosty air, falling over the ice pond. A ruddy-nosed man rolls his eyes, still skating aggressively, and weaving through the packs of unsteady children. I’ve had to ask impatient adults not to knock past the tiny tots far too many times over the past week.

It’s frustrating. And the cold is biting. And most of the time, I don’t understand why anyone would willingly live in a place where the air hurts your face.

But sometimes, I understand it even if I don’t care to admit it.

Quiet times like these, when the stars seem to shine a little closer, maybe even a little brighter in the cloudless night sky. And a soft, fresh blanket of snow drifts to the ground.

White lights twinkle against the dark expanse, strung through the overgrown balsam fir trees that line the edge of the skating rink. In the distance, smoke from the wood fire burning in the main barn rises in the air, the smell of charred wood carrying on the wings of a subtle breeze, warming my lungs and soul, as I stand against the ice skates rental hut, clutching my third hot chocolate of the day.

This job is great for people-watching.

In general, I dislike people, sure, but I don’t know. Something about this environment brings out the best in people.

There’s a vulnerability involved with skating for the first time, and the couples attempting to skate together are my favorite. One of them wobbles like Bambi learning to walk, while the other is strong and supportive, flanking their side. Like they’re telling their partner that even when they don’t know what they’re doing, and things look ugly, they’ve still got them.

They’ll be there.

And there’s something gorgeous about that.

I don’t know if I’m capable of that kind of vulnerability, but I’m suddenly yearning to be a person who risks the fall.

With a smile, I hum along to the love song disguised as a holiday tune playing over the speakers wired to a few trees around the pond and wipe down a pair of rental skates just returned to the little hut. After a week of work, I’ve fallen into a comfortable routine here, walk to the back counter, wipe down and spray disinfectant on the skates, then pivot and put them in their allotted cubicle under the checkout counter, and grab a sip of hot chocolate.

Tonight’s has a peppermint swirl because I’m adventurous like that.

With a final swipe of the cloth, I turn to put them away.

A small but imposing figure stands ready to pounce on the other side of the counter. A deadly, cutting glare narrowed on my face.

“Jesus, Jenny, stealth much?” I put my hand on my heart. “You startled me.”

Her red-lacquered lips stay curved into a frown as she runs her fingers through her tousled curls.

I’m trying my best not to be envious of her silky tresses. This Maddie doesn’t own any hot tools, and I’m too broke to remedy that.

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