“I thought we could take a break,” he said, gesturing to a clearing where snowflakes drifted lazily from the sky.“Just you, me, and the snow.”
Emily smiled, stepping out carefully. Jack followed, and they wandered into the clearing. Without warning, Jack scooped up a handful of snow and lightly tossed it at her. Emily squealed and retaliated, throwing her own snowball at him. Soon, they were in a full-blown snowball fight, laughing so hard they could barely catch their breath.
Finally, breathless and flushed, they collapsed onto the snow, looking up at the sky as snowflakes settled gently around them. Emily felt Jack’s hand brush hers, fingers intertwining.
“You’re amazing,” Jack murmured, his voice close.
Emily’s heart raced.“You started it,” she replied, her voice soft, almost a whisper.
Jack’s gaze softened.“Maybe,” he said, leaning closer.“But I don’t regret it.”
Their faces were inches apart, breaths mingling in the cold air. Emily’s pulse quickened as Jack gently brushed a snowflake from her cheek. The playful energy of the afternoon melted into something warmer, something deeper — a connection she hadn’t expected to feel so soon.
Jack smiled, his hand still holding hers.“Emily… I’m glad you came here. I’ve never felt… this with anyone before.”
Emily’s chest tightened, and she squeezed his hand.“Me too, Jack. Me too.”
For a long moment, they simply looked at each other, the world around them quiet except for the soft falling snow. And in that stillness, Emily realized something she hadn’t allowed herself to before: she was falling — fast, completely, and irrevocably — for Jack Harrison.
Chapter 8:
Cookies and Cozy
The fire crackled warmly in the small kitchen of the Willow Inn, casting a golden glow across the room. Emily tied her hair back, flour dusting her cheeks, as she rolled out cookie dough on the counter. Jack stood beside her, attempting to follow her careful instructions but more often adding his own playful twists.
“You’re supposed to cut out snowflakes, not snowmen riding reindeer!” Emily exclaimed, laughing as Jack held up a lopsided cookie.
“Art is subjective,” he said with a grin, placing it on the baking tray.“Besides, it’ll taste amazing.”
Emily shook her head, smiling, and brushed her fingers against his as she reached for the rolling pin. The simple touch sent a warmth through her that had nothing to do with the oven.
As the cookies baked, the aroma of cinnamon and sugar filled the room. Jack leaned against the counter, sipping hot cocoa, his eyes never leaving her.“You really know your way around a kitchen,” he said softly.
Emily felt her cheeks flush.“Not really. I usually just order takeout.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re changing that tonight,” he murmured, his gaze holding hers a moment longer than usual.
Once the cookies were golden brown, they decorated them together, laughter filling the kitchen with every accidentalfrosting smear and playful smudge. Emily found herself stealing glances at Jack, noticing the little things — the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed, the warm curve of his smile, and the subtle way he reached for her hand when theirs brushed.
Finally, they sat together by the fire, a plate of freshly decorated cookies between them. Emily offered him one, and as he took a bite, he reached for her hand, holding it gently.
“You know,” he said, voice low,“I could get used to nights like this. Quiet, warm… with you.”
Emily’s heart skipped a beat.“Me too,” she admitted softly, leaning slightly closer.
The firelight danced across their faces, and for a moment, the world outside — the snow, the cold, the quiet town — seemed to disappear. All that mattered was the closeness, the laughter, the gentle touches, and the undeniable connection that had grown between them over the past few days.
Jack’s thumb brushed across her hand, sending shivers down her spine.“Emily… I think I’m falling for you,” he confessed.
Emily’s heart raced, but a smile tugged at her lips.“Jack… I think I’ve been falling since the moment we met.”
They leaned in, the warmth of the fire mirroring the warmth blossoming between them, and shared their first tentative, tender kiss. It was soft, sweet, and full of promise — a perfect beginning to something neither of them had expected but both were ready to embrace.
Chapter 9:
Sledding and Smiles
The morning sun glinted off the thick blanket of snow covering the hills outside Willow Lake. Emily tugged her boots tight and adjusted her scarf as Jack handed her a wooden sled.
