Page 27 of Once Upon a Christmas Carol

She laughed, but continued strolling about the building’s interior, listing its assets, like the plank floors and bulky posts and beams that were probably a hundred years old.

“It’s really a diamond in the rough,” she finally proclaimed.

“Well, as long as you can afford it ... and afford to fix it up. The suggestions I’m making would be pretty costly. ”

“All good points.” He rubbed his chin. “And I’ll admit that originally I was just curious about the potential here.

I hadn’t really dreamed that it could possibly happen.

” He turned to look at her. “I think I’ve been thinking more about dreams .

.. ever since that time we talked about it. It’s like something ignited in me.”

She just nodded. “I’ve sort of felt the same. I think we need to nurture our dreams.”

“And seize the moment,” he said. “It’s one thing to just dream about something but another thing to act on it.”

“Do you really think you might buy this place?” She felt a smidgen of worry now. Hopefully she wasn’t encouraging him to board a sinking ship.

“I’m going to carefully consider it. And, of course, I need to pray about it as well. This time, I’d like God to be directing me.”

She was relieved. “Good for you.”

He looked at his watch. “It’s past noon. You hungry?”

“I could be.”

“Well, I’m starved. I had a bowl of dry cereal before dawn so I could finish up my chores early. And if you can trust me, I have a plan. Something I hope you’ll enjoy.”

“Try me.”

He grinned. “Okay. I’m going to assume you’re an outdoorsy girl.”

“I used to be ... before my work got so demanding. Then time sort of got away from me. But I used to hike and bike and ski and all sorts of things.”

“Ski?” His eyes lit up. “How about snowshoeing?”

“I’ve always wanted to try it, but—”

“Fantastic. Let me make some quick phone calls.”

Within mere minutes, Victor had gotten them a brown bag lunch from the deli to take with them, and they were outfitted for snowshoeing.

Carol knew such accomplishments would’ve taken hours in Seattle.

But in a tiny town like this, where Victor seemed to know everyone, it was all surprisingly simple.

It took less than thirty minutes to get to a small wildlife preserve outside Miller’s Creek.

As they tromped around on virgin snow, the world became a magical place.

But Carol felt the best part was just being with Victor.

He was so much fun, and when she stumbled, he would gently pull her back to her feet.

On her third or fourth fall, he pulled her up and then held her so close, she could feel his heart thumping in his chest. Or was it hers?

He was looking right into her eyes with an intensity that took her breath away.

And it wasn’t just from snowshoeing either!

And just like that, it happened—he kissed her.

Gently and tenderly at first, but then, as she responded, he added so much passion that she felt slightly dizzy when he let her go and stepped back.

So much so that she lost her balance and her feet—like a clown with oversized shoes—flew up in the air as she fell backward.

He reached out to stop her fall, but instead of catching her, he tumbled down in a heap of poles and snowshoes and flying snow as well.

Both were laughing so hard, they could barely get back up on their feet.

Almost like a real icebreaker, they were now so jovial and happy and comfortable that the trek back to the pickup felt like a short hop.

Despite the sun being swallowed by heavy-laden clouds, Carol thought this had been the happiest afternoon ever.

And not just because of the amazing kisses either.

Trekking across snowfields, pausing by sparkling streams fringed with snow and ice, taking a lunch break on a brushed-off bench next to a shimmering frozen lake, she knew these were memories that would be fixed in her head—and her heart—until she was a very old lady.

As they unloaded their gear into the back of the pickup, they were both flushed and winded and immensely happy.

“You did great,” he told her after they got inside the cab. “What a trouper.”

“I loved it. Absolutely amazing,” Carol said as Victor started driving home. “I totally love snowshoeing. It’s even better than skiing. You go so fast on skis that you miss a lot of the beauty all around you. And I never realized a snowscape could be so beautiful.”

“You get much snow near Seattle?”

“Mostly rain,” she admitted.

“For a girl who seems to enjoy snow and winter activities, you might want to think about relocating,” he said, giving her a quick wink.

She knew it wouldn’t take much to budge her out of Seattle right now.

Like the perfect man, for instance ...

but she had no intention of revealing that kind of vulnerability to him just yet.

Good grief, the poor guy already had one woman chasing after him with marriage on the mind.

He’d probably head for the hills if he thought there were two.

Even if he wasn’t interested in Victoria, her pursuits had definitely put him off.

And for all Carol knew, Victoria’s pursuits were not over.

As if to confirm her theory, Carol noticed a shiny red SUV parked in front of the Clarkson house, with Victoria standing next to it, smiling and waving. Unlike Carol’s odd ensemble of borrowed clothing, Victoria’s outfit looked like it belonged on the cover of a trendy winter sportswear catalogue.

“Looks like you have a visitor,” she said quietly.

His response was a low groan. “This should be interesting.”

“Yeah. I bet. I think I’ll scoot on into the house. It’s already starting to snow and I’m, uh, kinda cold.”

“Good idea. Avoid some of the screaming.”

Studying Victoria’s face as she climbed out of the pickup, Carol suspected he could be right.

Victoria’s happy countenance evaporated.

Clearly the queen was angry. Probably more so at Carol than Victor.

Just the same, Carol forced a smile and threw out a cheerful greeting, then she excused herself and hurried toward the house.

She risked looking back and noticed Victoria’s greeting was icier than the wind that was starting to blow, and on her face was a frozen smile, with eyes fixed on Victor.

“Oh, Vic,” she exclaimed. “I’m so glad to find you here.

I have to tell you how sorry I am about the cotillion.

I was so horrid to you. Truly awful! It’s been eating me alive for two days now.

I hope you can forgive me. Give me a second chance.

” Her voice literally quivered with emotion. Was this real? Or manufactured?

Eager to escape what promised to be a heartbreaking melodrama, at least for Victoria, Carol opened the front door.

What was Victoria trying to pull off here?

Did she think she could turn Victor’s head with tears?

But one last glance at Victor made Carol wonder if perhaps that’s exactly what was happening.

The poor man looked totally blindsided by the beautiful blond in his driveway.

Was it because Victoria didn’t normally apologize?

Or because he thought she truly deserved a second chance?

Or was it that they had a history ... because Victoria was the hometown, homegrown girl and reigning queen of Miller’s Creek?

Carol went inside and spotted Antonia and Maria spying out the front window, taking in the spectacle unfolding outside.

Carol stood behind the two women, watching as well.

Carol noticed that Victoria had what looked like real tears streaming down her cheeks.

With her arms spread, she ran to Victor, throwing herself against his chest. He looked shocked and speechless and finally pointed to her vehicle.

She nodded and hurried over but got in the passenger’s seat.

Victor looked flustered, but finally he ran around and jumped into the driver’s side.

With the tinted windows, the show was over.

“Well, what do you make of that?” Antonia said to no one in particular.

“I’m guessing that’s a first,” Maria admitted. “For Victoria, anyway.”

Antonia frowned. “What do you think she’s up to?”

“Obviously, she’s trying to hold on to him. And why not?” Maria shook her head. “That boy is a great catch. For the right woman.”

“I don’t think Victoria’s the right woman.” Antonia peeked out again, then sighed deeply. “Although her money is probably tempting. I heard she’s got a couple million stashed away from her first two marriages. And I know Victor wants to start another restaurant.”

“Oh, Antonia.” Maria tsked. “You know your son better than that.”

“What do you make of it?” Antonia asked Carol.

She just shrugged. Quite honestly, she had no words. She looked out the window just in time to see the SUV driving away.

“Well, never mind that,” Maria said. “He’s probably just trying to get that hysterical girl out of here. More power to him.”

Antonia turned to Carol. “Anyway, you’re back just in time. We’re all done, and I’ve loaded some things for tomorrow in the back of Maria’s car. But I’m sure she’s all tuckered out. Time to get home and rest up for tomorrow’s festivities.”

Carol nodded mutely. Soon she was helping Maria down the slippery porch stairs, through the blowing snow, and into the car, and without saying a word, she drove them both home.

By the time Carol got Maria to bed, she realized her cell phone was dead again.

Being out here in the country had lessened the need to be hyperconnected.

Instead of charging it, she took a relaxing bath.

She didn’t want Mom to call and doubted that Victor would bother this late.

She could sort this all out tomorrow. Tonight she was tired.

And really, she told herself, Victor cared more for her than Victoria.

Didn’t he? She wondered about his restaurant dream and how much money that would take .

.. She knew Victoria was wealthy. What if she offered to fund it?

But she didn’t think Victor was the kind of guy who could be bought! Right?