New Year's at the Graff by Marin Thomas

Author:Marin Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Published: 2017-12-12T00:00:00+00:00

“If this is your first time on the ice, you sure skate like a pro.” Ava tightened her grip on Lucas’s hand as they skirted the edge of Miracle Lake. Tilly and Sophie had retreated to the warming house fifteen minutes ago and Ava appreciated having a few minutes alone with him.

“I spent a lot of time at the Tanglefoot roller rink when I was a teenager,” he said. “It’s almost the same thing.”

Ava slowed down so she could catch her breath. “I didn’t skate until Sophie and I moved to Marietta. Tilly said I had to learn to enjoy winter otherwise I’d be stuck indoors for nine months out of the year.”

Lucas tucked her against him when a group of teenagers raced by and bumped Ava. “Did it work?” he asked.

“Did what work?”

“Did you learn to love the bitter cold?”

“I don’t think I’ll ever be a huge fan of cold weather.” She laughed. “But I’ve learned not to let winter weather keep me from having fun.”

They’d been at the lake forty-five minutes and Ava still hadn’t figured out how to explain her rudeness at the diner yesterday. “Lucas, I owe you an apology.”

“For what?” He slowed down and moved to the outer edge of the ice where it was less crowded.

“I got defensive yesterday at the diner and I lashed out at you. I’m sorry.”

“Are you talking about the part where you accused me of interfering with your dream?”

She sighed. “Yes.”

“Why did I strike a nerve?”

“Drew was the kind of man who took charge. It was his way or the highway. He thought he knew what was best for me. I get that men feel protective but when I look back on my marriage his actions didn’t feel protective; they felt controlling.”

A group of noisy teens playing crack the whip in the center of the ice drew her attention. “Sophie’s only four, but I worry she’ll grow up and be reckless like her father.”

He chuckled. “Sophie’s just like you,” he said. “Smart and adorable. She’ll make good decisions.”

Ava appreciated his vote of confidence. “I fought Drew tooth and nail about taking online classes to earn my degree. It wasn’t a matter of money because I received tuition assistance through the military; it was that Drew wanted me to be dependent on him for everything and he thought if I earned a college degree I’d be able to take care of myself.”

“You won the argument.”

“I did. But it took a toll on our marriage. I’ve never talked about it with Tilly but before Drew died we were barely speaking to each other. We slept in the same bed but that was it. Most nights he grabbed dinner out and on weekends he hung around his buddies.” She tugged his sleeve. “I’m sorry I was rude. But I need to handle this co-op on my own. If Sandra doesn’t accept my proposal then the women and I will find a different location.”

“You’re opening my eyes to a few things I didn’t realize about myself, Ava.

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