Page 23 of Cookie

Charlie

I didn’t want to panic, Ryan, but this was a lot of snow for this time of year.

Typically, the heavy snow came after Christmas and gave us all a little more time to prepare.

The plows hadn’t gone down this stretch of road yet, making it slippery and dangerous to drive too fast. I knew the truck could handle it, but I didn’t want to risk getting stuck and having to get towed out.

“Do you think we can make it?” Ryan asked.

“I think so,” I said, not wanting to worry him but also not wanting to lie.

“Don’t worry about the time. If we’re a little late, then so be it.” He held onto the Oh Shit bar above his head and didn’t take his eyes off the road as we crawled along.

“When we get onto the paved road, it’ll be a little better,” I said to him, and hoped it was true.

The snowplow drivers were more than prepared, but I wasn’t sure they would have planned to be out yet.

The truck slid as I pumped the brakes and hoped it would grab, but not enough to slide on the steep downhill.

“I guess this is why you stay in town more in the winter?” Ryan asked.

“Especially if we’re going to get a lot of snow.

” I fought the wheel as the truck slowly steadied when I pulled to a stop before turning onto the main road that would lead to town.

“Shit, this isn’t plowed yet either. Hopefully, they’ve had time to plow downtown, or it’s going to be a colossal mess. ”

The snow continued to fall, and I drove as slow as I could, but it was still very slick, and it wasn’t just me I was worried about.

Ryan still hadn’t relaxed, and I was thankful we’d talked about stopping to get him some winter gear because the store was just out of town, and I was ready for a break even if it had been less than thirty minutes since we’d left.

We crawled along and only passed one or two other trucks that were going as slow as we were as the snow built up more. “Do they normally plow the roads?” Ryan asked.

“Oh yeah. I’m not sure what’s going on,” I said and was relieved to see the sporting goods store just ahead. “We’ll get you some boots and a jacket here.”

He gasped and leaned forward. “Oh good, I can’t believe I’m not prepared at all for any of this. I mean, I knew it would snow, but I guess I thought I still had time. I just—”

“Shhh, it’s okay. Once you have some boots and a good jacket, you’ll feel better.

I know it probably feels overwhelming, but you’ll get used to it.

” I pulled into the parking place out front and turned to look at him.

“They’ll have everything you need here.” I opened the door and hurried to the front of the store, then I realized Ryan was still in the truck.

His eyes were wide, and he was still gripping the Oh Shit handle.

His eyes met mine, and he relaxed slightly and managed to loosen his grip.

I met him at the door as he opened it and I knew if he stepped into the snow, he was going to soak his shoes, so I lifted him onto my back, making him laugh. “What are you doing?” he giggled as I carried him to the front of the store.

“I didn’t want you to get your shoes wet.

Come on, let’s get you some snow gear.” Some people liked going to auto parts stores, while others loved office supply stores.

But for me it was sporting goods. I loved looking at the latest boots or little devices that were supposed to make any weather more bearable.

From hand warmers to a cooling headband and everything in between, I loved it all.

“Hey, Charlie, anything I can help you with?” Ruth, the owner, asked when we passed the checkout counter.

“Ryan needs some snow gear,” I said on the way by. Ryan waved to her, and she grinned at the two of us.

“Yell if you need anything,” she said and went back to reading the newspaper.

“I will,” I said and lowered him to the floor near the boot display. Ryan looked around before picking up a pair of boots more suited to hiking.

“How about these?” he asked.

“Too short, you’ll want them to come up a little higher or your pants will get wet every time.

It sucks. Try these,” I said and handed him some that were similar to what I had on.

They were what most of the locals wore because we all knew they could handle the weather, and we didn’t need to buy a new pair every year.

He sat in one of the two chairs that were here just to try on shoes and slipped off his tennis shoes. I watched as he pulled them on and tightened the laces. “These are nice, and they fit perfectly,” he said.

He started to take them off, but I stopped him. “Just put your shoes in the box. Ruth won’t mind if you wear them now.”

“Oh good, I was worried I’d never make it back to the truck without you carrying me again.”

“I wouldn’t mind,” I said, and led him to a rack of coats. “They don’t have a big variety, but all of them are good. See any you like?” He stepped up to the rack of coats and riffled through them before pulling out a blue and white one.

“How about this one?” he asked.

“Well, try it on.” This was all still so new to me. Every little experience I shared with Ryan was something I’d never shared with someone who wasn’t just a good friend or a relative. Sharing those little moments with my boyfriend made me love him even more and helped me feel closer to him.

“How does it look?” Ryan asked, but I was so lost in thought I barely heard him. “Charlie?”

“I love you, Ryan,” I blurted.

He stepped closer to me and clutched the front of my jacket in his hand.

“I love you too,” he whispered. “Do you think this fits okay?” He walked over to a mirror and flipped up the hood to see how it looked.

He said it like it was no big deal and I should already know this.

Which I did but hearing him tell me so easily made my heart swell.

“I think it’s perfect,” I finally said.

“Good, because it’s really warm and I’m not taking it off. What else do I need?” he asked and started looking at hats and gloves.

“A hat, gloves, and maybe some hand warmers,” I finally said.

“Perfect,” he said and kissed me as he walked by. My eyes met Ruth’s, who was watching from the front. She winked and grinned before focusing back on the paper.