Page 14 of Too Sweet
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“This seems like cruel and unusual punishment, Cap.”
I smirk but pull her closer to my side, hoping she’s not too cold for what I have planned. I’ve been working on this idea since Christmas. I even came up to the cabin earlier in the week to ensure everything was set up to my standards.
We trudge along the path, which is well lit with the solar-powered lights I had installed.
Josephine shivers, and I silently curse myself for not insisting she add more layers. I didn’t want the bulk to be uncomfortable, though.
“Almost there,” I promise.
It’s her turn to scoff. Blue eyes glare up at me, her skepticism clear on her face. Before she can offer up her signature sass, a branch snaps farther along the trail to the left.
I switch positions and tuck my wife into my other side, squinting into the darkness and listening intently. The rustling of leaves and the sound of a scampering ease my concern.
“We’re okay. It’s something small, like squirrels or maybe a fox chasing a rabbit.”
Josephine peers up again, her gaze sweeping down to where I have my hand shoved in one pocket of my jacket.
“And yet you’re still gripping the bear spray in your pocket?”
I force my grasp on the can to loosen, but I don’t let go of it completely. The bears in this area should still be deep in hibernation.Shouldbeing the operative word. I’ll never take chances where protecting her is concerned.
My answering scowl delights her, just like it always does. Josephine pulls the knit beanie off her head and tosses it to me, forcing me to release my grip and catch it, just like she knew my instincts would require me to do.
She tauntingly takes a few steps backward, her eyes dancing with mirth.
I jog up to catch her, then sling my free arm around her shoulders, planting a kiss on her forehead and securing the hat back in place. “I thought you were cold, Mrs. Crusade?”
She grins up at me, then settles back into my side as we continue along the path.
Chapter 8
Joey
We come upon a clearing, and I don’t know where to look first. The inky black night sky is punctuated by dozens of stars and wispy clouds, but it’s the setup in front of me that takes my breath away.
A warm glow from the solar-powered lights along the ground is mirrored by strands of twinkle lights draped between posts. The little glimmers of illumination surround a shiny, perfectly smooth surface, the glassy area in sharp contrast to the dark brush that covers most of the forest floor.
I whip my head around to gauge Decker’s reaction—only to meet his obsidian gaze and realize he’s solely focused on me.
A beat of silence passes. When he raises both eyebrows expectantly, I finally string together a coherent thought.
“What is this?” I whisper. I look back to the clearing, wondering if perhaps I’m dreaming.
Decker grips my hand, guiding me a few steps forward.
“It’s an ice-skating rink. I made it for you.”
I halt, causing Decker to rebound back. Red creeps up his neck and flushes his cheeks in the most uncharacteristic way. I nearly lose my balance, and I’m not even standing on ice yet.
“You made this—for me?”
Decker’s jaw ticks, but he nods. “It’s Valentine’s Day weekend, Josephine.” He pauses, lips pursing like he’s resisting the urge to say something else. With a quick shake of his head, he adds, “I wanted to do something special for you.”
I snort, then hold out one arm. “We could have watched a movie, Cap. Instead, you built me an ice rink?”
When and how did he have time to do this?