“I think he’s in expert hands,” she said carefully. “Your mom would have called if anything had changed. Remember what she told us? It’s just a broken ankle and a bump on the head.”
“But what if he forgets stuff? I saw a movie where a guy hit his head and forgot his whole family.”
Doreen moved to Jake’s side, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “That’s very rare, Jake. And from what your mom said, the doctors are just being extra careful because that’s their job.”
Jake nodded, but the worry didn’t leave his eyes.
“Tell you what,” Doreen said, “we’ll call your mom after we’ve had our hot cocoa and check in. How does that sound?”
“Good.” Jake’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “Can we FaceTime so I can see Dad too?”
“I’m sure that can be arranged,” she said, hoping she was right.
She squeezed his shoulder before returning to the stove, where the milk was beginning to steam.
As she stirred cocoa powder into the warm milk, Doreen felt a swell of protectiveness. She wanted to shield Jake from worry, to make this trip nothing but fun and adventure for him. But she also knew that acknowledging his feelings was important. It was a delicate balance, one she was still learning to navigate.
“Almost ready,” she announced, pouring the hot chocolate into the mugs. “Want marshmallows?”
“Yes, please!” Jake’s mood brightened instantly.
She dropped a handful of mini marshmallows into each mug, watching them slowly melt into the steaming chocolate. The simple pleasure of making hot chocolate with Jake filled her with contentment. These were the moments that mattered, the moments that they would remember for years to come.
“Here you go, Chef Jake.” She slid his mug across the counter. “Careful, it’s hot.”
Jake wrapped his hands around the mug, inhaling deeply. “Smells amazing.”
They sipped their hot chocolate in comfortable silence, accompanied by Bash’s occasional snuffle and the distant creak of the cabin settling. Outside, darkness had fully descended, turning the windows into black mirrors that reflected their cozy scene back at them.
“I like it here,” Jake said after a while, a chocolate mustache adorning his upper lip.
“Me too,” Doreen admitted, surprised to realize how much she meant it. Despite the chaotic start and her initial reservations, there was something about this trip to Bear Creek that felt... right. Something beyond the handsome deputy with the kind eyes.
She glanced at her watch, calculating how much time they had before dinner at Sorcha’s. Just enough to finish their hot chocolate, get cleaned up, and change clothes.
The burgundy sweater floated back into her thoughts, and this time, she didn’t push the image away. Instead, she let herself imagine wearing it, seeing James’s eyes light up when he noticed her. Just the idea made her cheeks warm.
“You’re smiling,” Jake observed, peering at her over his mug.
Doreen felt heat rise to her cheeks. “Just enjoying my hot chocolate.”
Jake gave her a look that said he didn’t quite believe her, but he didn’t press the issue. Instead, he drained the last of his drink and slid off the stool.
“I’m gonna go see if I can see any animals now that it’s dark,” he announced, heading for his bedroom window with Bash trotting faithfully behind.
Doreen watched him go, her heart fit to burst. She felt like a new woman, more open, more in touch with herself, her hopes and dreams.
Maybe it was the mountain air. Maybe it was the unexpected adventure. Or maybe, just maybe, it was the prospect of seeing James Pike again in less than an hour.
Whatever it was, Doreen decided as she rinsed their mugs in the sink, she was going to embrace it. She was going to wear that burgundy sweater. And she was going to allow herself to feel whatever came next—hope, disappointment, or something entirely unexpected.
After all, wasn’t that what life was about? Taking chances, even small ones?
With newfound resolve, she dried her hands and headed to her bedroom to get ready for dinner. Behind her closed door, she pulled the burgundy sweater from the closet and held it against herself, studying her reflection in the mirror.
“It’s just dinner,” she whispered to herself. But the flutter in her stomach suggested it might be something more.
Chapter Four – James
