Page 22 of Cookie

Ryan

N ot long after dinner we ended up in Charlie’s big, comfortable bed, and after making love, I slept better than I had in weeks.

The stressful days and sleepless nights worrying about anything and everything faded away.

Being away from work for the night was wonderful.

His arms held me close, making me feel safe and protected, something I never thought I wanted, but was more than willing to enjoy.

“Ryan,” Charlie whispered from behind me. “Are you awake?” He shook my shoulder slightly, but I was so warm and comfortable I didn’t want to wake up, and when I cracked my eyes open, it was still dark out.

“Is it time to get up?” I asked.

“Look outside,” he whispered against my ear.

I managed to sit up enough to see out the window, and when I saw the heavy snow that was falling outside, I shot straight up wide awake. “Oh my god, when did it start? Was this predicted? How will we get to work?” I rambled, both excited to see more snow and worried about what it all meant.

“It started just after you fell asleep. They were expecting snow, but not this soon and not this heavy. Don’t worry about getting to work. My truck can make it through just about anything,” Charlie said, and I tried to ignore how excited he seemed to be.

I turned to look at him propped up on his elbow while rubbing my back, trying to get me to calm down. “It’s the first actual snow,” I said, and hoped he understood. This was all still new to me.

“It is. But don’t worry, we’re ready for it,” Charlie said.

“Are we?” I asked, because I wasn’t sure I was.

“We are. We’ll take a little more wood to the store so you can keep it warm. I’ll help you shovel the entrance, and we’ll throw down some salt. Don’t worry, people here are used to it and it won’t slow down business.” He smiled that sweet smile at me, and I relaxed back into his arms.

“It really is beautiful,” I said, as my hand glided across his chest.

“It is. The first heavy snow is always fun and exciting. By the end of winter, everyone is ready for it to warm up. I love it during the holidays.”

“Even Thanksgiving? I really didn’t expect it so early,” I said, and my mind raced with everything I’d need to buy to be prepared.

“Even Thanksgiving. The ski resorts love it. They’ll get an early start and all the businesses in Grace will get an early start to the holiday season. This is a good thing, Ryan,” he said.

“I don’t even have snow boots. I think I need to go shopping for some proper snow gear.” When I was younger, I skied regularly and had the gear then, but not since I’d graduated high school, and I’d been so caught up in what I needed for the store I’d neglected to think of what I needed for myself.

“Don’t worry, we can get you some on the way to work,” Charlie said, as though boots and a coat were available anywhere, and I suppose in the mountain town of Grace they were.

“Maybe we should leave a little early,” I said, and turned to get out of bed.

“We still have time,” Charlie said before pulling me back to him and kissing me.

My body reacted to his touch immediately, and just like every other night we were together, it didn’t matter how many times we’d already had each other, both of us were always ready for more.

Where before there were tentative touches and gasps of surprise, now we knew exactly what we wanted from each other and didn’t hesitate to make sure we were both satisfied, but always ready for more.

“I could stay in your bed all day,” I said afterward and again snuggled in close to him.

“You could always take a day off and do just that,” Charlie said before kissing my nose.

“I know, but not until after the holidays. Maybe I’ll just close the store for a few days.” I was shocked to hear myself say it, but we’d all been working hard on the store for a few months now, and time off did sound tempting.

“Whatever you want to do, I agree,” Charlie said, making me laugh.

“Plus, I could always take the same time off. I think they were actually happy when I went with you to Sacramento. Everyone else takes time off throughout the year. I’m the only one that hasn’t.

But I love working there, and it’s not like I had other plans.

I mean, why take time off to sit at home alone?

” Charlie said, and I once again was reminded how lonely he had been.

“We’ll plan it, and we’ll either go somewhere for a long weekend or we’ll hide away in your amazing house,” I whispered before kissing his lips.

“I’d love that. Now, if we don’t get a move on, we’ll be late.

” He hurried off to the bathroom while I stayed in bed and watched the snow fall.

When he was done, I showered and was ready to go, dressed in my clothes from yesterday.

Charlie tipped his head as he looked at me when I walked into the kitchen, where he was making coffee.

“I can change when I get home,” I said as he handed me a travel mug.

“Okay then, let’s go see what we’re dealing with,” Charlie said.

He put on a heavy coat and gloves while I put on the only coat I had that wasn’t nearly enough, and I hoped the snow wasn’t too deep for my Van’s.

I followed him out onto his porch and was shocked to see nearly a foot of snow on the ground.

“Holy crap. I can’t believe it snowed so much already.” Charlie walked through the snow like it wasn’t even there while I hopped around trying to stay as dry as possible and not accomplishing it. By the time I was in the seat, I was freezing and couldn’t wait for the heater to warm up.

Charlie put his truck into four-wheel drive and backed out onto the gravel road that led to the main road to town. “This is going to be fun,” he mumbled, but he was still smiling, so I hoped that meant we were going to be able to make it back to town without any trouble.