6

Lauren entered the cabin to find Justin settled on the sofa.

“Welcome home, honey,” he called.

Her heart leapt at the greeting. What was he thinking?

“Sorry. I was trying to make light of the situation.” He sobered. “I appreciate all you’ve done for me. I’m sorry I’m ruining your peaceful time here.”

Lauren curled up in the chair across from him. “You’re not ruining anything. You’re good company. Oh, here.” She tossed his phone to him. “I took screen shots of the personal emails, and you had two voicemails. One from Jessica…”

“Ugh.” Justin grunted.

Lauren raised her eyebrows. “I take it you’re not interested in joining her for New Year’s Eve? She sent a couple texts as well.”

“No. Honestly, if I’d known she was still calling, I wouldn’t have asked you to check my messages.” He flipped through the photos of the emails. “There’s nothing here that can’t wait until I get back to civilization.” He lifted his gaze to meet Lauren’s. “What was the other voicemail?”

“Sarah wants you to visit your dad for Christmas.”

At the mention of his dad, Justin’s face hardened, and he lowered his eyelids. What was going on there? This was more than a harsh upbringing. Still, he clearly didn’t want to discuss it.

They sat in silence for a few moments, with only the ticking of the clock breaking the stillness.

Mr. Tillman had long since finished his plowing.

Lauren moved to the window and surveyed the street. An idea began percolating.

“What are you thinking?” Justin asked.

“What makes you think I’m thinking anything?”

“There’s a mischievous glint in your eye. Methinks you’re planning something.”

Lauren grinned. “It’s time for a little fun outside.”

“What kind of fun? What can I do with my leg banged up like this?”

“Are you ready to graduate to a cane?” Lauren asked.

“You have a cane, and you’re making me use a walker?” Justin spluttered. “I’m not an eighty-year-old man, for crying out loud.”

Lauren burst out laughing. “No, but it was the most stable way for you to get around. To get in and out of the car, the cane will be easiest.”

“Why I am getting in and out of the car if we can’t go anywhere?”

“We can go from the bottom of the hill at the base of the street back up to the top of the hill.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You will. Grab your coat.” Lauren grinned and rummaged through the closet until she found her grandfather’s cane. “Come on.” She led Justin out to the garage and dragged out the toboggan. “Look.” She pointed to the road which wound around the property. “We can sled down the hill and take the car back up. Mr. Tillman plowed the whole back road.”

Justin shifted uneasily. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Trust me, I’m a nurse. You can keep your leg straight the whole time.” She grinned. “Plus, I’m an expert tobogganer. I know this hill like the back of my hand. I promise to steer you clear of any trees.”

“That’s comforting. One run-in with a tree is enough for the week.”

Lauren peered at Justin. “If you don’t want to…”

“No, it sounds like fun. Better than sitting on your sofa all afternoon.”

“Great! Let me take the car down, and I’ll be right back.”

Lauren drove the car to the bottom of the property and parked it. She climbed the hill, excited to introduce Justin to her childhood love of the area. What would it be like to explore the mountains with him? In his current state, it wasn’t possible, but after he was healed… She shook her head. What was she doing? He was here for a day, two or three tops. As soon as he could drive, he’d be out of her life.

Her job was to help him find his way back to God. Eric made that clear. Still, there was no reason not to have a little fun along the way. She reached the top of the hill, her breath coming out in puffs.

Justin stood, leaning on the cane, a sparkle in his eyes.

“A little tired?” he asked.

“It’s a steep hill. I haven’t climbed it in a while. Thanks to you, I won’t need to climb it again. Now come on, let’s go.” Lauren helped settle Justin on the toboggan with his left leg straight forward. She sat in front of him, and he drew her back towards him. She nestled against his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her. His scent reached her nostrils and she breathed in, musk and sandalwood. Oh, this was a mistake. She was far too comfortable in his arms. Still, it was too late to back out now. She grabbed the rope and kicked off.

They raced through the snow and Lauren steered them around the trees. Her pulse kicked up a notch and she let out a laugh. Flying through the snow was exhilarating, especially with Justin’s arms wrapped around her. They reached the bottom of the hill all too fast, but it would be a quick trip back up to do it again.

When the toboggan stopped, Justin released his grip on her and she immediately missed his warmth. She scooted around and studied his face. His grin was a mile wide.

“Based on your expression, I take it you enjoyed yourself,” Lauren said. “Are you up for another go?”

“If you are,” Justin answered. “I haven’t had this much fun in a long time.”

Lauren handed the cane to Justin and helped him stand. She loaded the toboggan on the top of her car. Pushing the passenger seat all the way back, he could ride in the car with his leg straight. They drove to the top of the hill and raced back down.

Lauren laughed. “I didn’t think this through. Every time we drive the car back up, I’ll have to climb the hill to take it back down again.”

Justin remained on the toboggan. “Sorry you have to go back up the hill.”

“No big deal. I’ve climbed it a hundred times.”

Lauren trudged back up the hill, reliving the flight on the way down. She’d climb the hill one hundred times if she got to fly down with his arms around her every time.

After a few more trips, however, Justin begged off. “I can’t watch you climb the hill or lift the toboggan one more time. You must be exhausted.”

“I’m a little tired,” Lauren admitted. “But it’s fun.”

“Definitely.” He grinned.

After one final drive up the hill, Lauren stowed the toboggan back in the garage and joined Justin in the living room.

“Are you hungry?” she asked.

“I’m fine. You need to sit and relax a while.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d rather take a shower.”

“Suit yourself.”

Lauren left Justin in the living room and let the hot spray ease her tired muscles. Between the late night, the skiing, the snowmobiling, and hiking up the hill multiple times, her limbs were like lead, but she still needed to make dinner. Those cookies were hours ago.

After towel-drying her hair and dressing in comfy clothes, she entered the living room to find a roaring fire, the tea kettle boiling, and two bowls of steaming soup on the table. Was she dreaming?

Justin grinned at her from next to the stove. “What kind of tea would you like?”

“Herbal, please. Not like there’s any chance of the caffeine keeping me up after this day, but still.” She sat at the table. “Thank you. I take it your leg is better?”

“It’s fine. This is the least I could do. You made the soup. All I did was heat it up and boil water.”

“And build a fire. This is perfect.” It really was. Lauren went from wishing she was alone to utterly grateful for Justin’s company.

After dinner, Justin insisted on doing the dishes.

Lauren was too tired to argue. She laid on the sofa basking in the warmth of the fire, mesmerized by the dancing flames. Several minutes later, the tap tap of the cane told her Justin was approaching.

He moved to the edge of the sofa, lifted her feet, placed them in his lap, and started massaging them. Lauren groaned in pleasure. “You are a dream come true right now.”

After a few minutes, Justin eased her feet to the ground.

“Sit up with your back toward me.”

Lauren complied and Justin rewarded her with a luxurious back massage. She relaxed further and further, and soon laid down with her head in Justin’s lap. Moments later, she was fast asleep.

~*~

Justin stroked Lauren’s silky hair and gazed into her sleeping face. He was getting far too attached to this woman he only met yesterday. Sure, she was beautiful, had incredibly soft hair, and smelled amazing, but that was only part of it. Her love of life and the joy she radiated attracted him so much more.

Never in a million years could he have imagined spending the day reading the Bible, making cookies and tobogganing.

No wonder Eric was confused. He was not himself. Funny thing was, he liked himself this way. Lauren brought out the best in him. Still, as soon as the road was plowed, he’d need to get going.

Lauren deserved the quiet time alone she sought. Maybe once they got back to their regular lives, he’d call her. He shook his head. Why would Lauren be interested in a guy like him? He wasn’t good enough or Christian enough to be with her.

After what seemed like only a few moments, Lauren’s eyes opened and widened when she realized she’d fallen asleep in his lap. A touch of something flashed in her eyes before color spread across her cheeks and she sat up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you.”

“It’s not a problem. You had a tiring day.” Justin altered his position to face her. “Do you want to go to bed?”

Lauren glanced at the wall clock. “No, not yet. We still need to decorate the tree.”

Justin glanced at the bare tree standing by the front window. “If you’re tired, it can wait until tomorrow.”

Lauren rose to her feet. “Nonsense. It’s the perfect night for it. I’ll make the hot chocolate.” She popped in another Christmas CD.

Soon the cabin was filled with carols, their hands were full of mugs of steaming hot chocolate, more of Justin’s cookies, and the tree was slowly being decorated.

Slowly, because Lauren insisted on telling a story about every single ornament.

Justin put down his mug and basked in the glow of Lauren’s happiness. He’d never seen someone get such joy from Christmas. After hanging yet another precious family ornament on the tree, Lauren turned and caught Justin staring at her.

“What?” she asked.

“I’m enjoying watching you get so much pleasure out of this.”

“I told you, I love Christmas.”

Justin laughed. “I can tell. The thing I don’t understand is how you can be so happy about all these family stories when you don’t have your family with you. You must miss your grandparents an awful lot.”

Lauren’s smile faltered, but only for a moment. “You’re right. I do.” She placed another ornament on the tree and turned to face him. “I’ll see them again.”

Justin’s mouth went dry. “What do you mean, you’ll see them again? I thought they’d passed away.” Lauren must be in denial.

“They’re in heaven. I’ll see them after I die. This life is only temporary.”

“You’re lucky to have faith,” Justin said. “It must be nice to have something to look forward to, especially when things are tough.”

“You could too, Justin,” Lauren said, settling in the chair opposite him. “You can know for sure you’re going to heaven. All you need to do is…”

Justin put up a hand. “Not now, Lauren. Let’s enjoy decorating the Christmas tree.”

Lauren frowned as she broke eye contact.

Now he’d done it. He didn’t want to hurt this amazing woman, but he didn’t want to talk about God, or what he needed to do to get to heaven. Sure, he read a couple things in the Bible, but it didn’t mean he bought into it all. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t interrupt. Please tell me what you were going to say.”

Lauren chewed on her bottom lip and was silent for a moment. “No, it’s fine. Let’s finish the tree and then I’ll get to bed. I’d like to go to church in the morning. Even if the roads aren’t clear, it’s an easy ski trip into town.”

“Right. You should go. Don’t let me being here change your plans. I’m sorry again for crashing into your tree and into your quiet weekend.”

Lauren waved a hand and stood to pull another ornament out of the box. She moved more quickly now, not stopping for family stories. Finally, after adding a few more memories to the tree, she stopped. “That’s it.”

Justin reached into the box next to him. “What about this?” He pulled out a gold and ivory angel. “Doesn’t this need to go on the top?”

Lauren reached out and held the angel in her hand, caressing it. “No. The angel doesn’t go on until Christmas Eve. We’ll save this until then.” Her face twisted. “I mean, I will. I’m sure you need to get back home. The plow should come through before Christmas Eve.”

Justin’s peaceful mood shattered. As he’d expected, Lauren was ready to get rid of him. It only made sense. She wanted a quiet Christmas in the cabin with her happy memories. He was only in the way.

“Right. Well, I guess I’ll head to bed as well. Anything you need me to take care of?”

“Thanks for the offer, but you were on your feet far too much today as it is. I’m being a terrible nurse.”

“It’s not a big deal. It’s only a little sore.”

“Well, you’re blessed that it was only a partial dislocation. You’d be off your feet for weeks, otherwise.”

Justin laughed.

Lauren scrunched up her adorable nose. “What’s so funny?”

“You. I plow into a tree, crash my car, mess up my kneecap, and you tell me how blessed I am.”

“You really are. With your long legs, you sat back far enough you weren’t injured by the air bag, and even though you lost consciousness, you don’t even appear to have a concussion. On top of that, you didn’t freeze to death, your car is still drivable, and your leg isn’t in such bad shape. As a bonus, you even learned to make cookies. It’s all about your attitude.”

Sufficiently chided, Justin grimaced. “You’re right. I’m grateful I crashed here. Thank you, Lauren.”