He’d begged her to talk before and she never had, but she had to open herself up at some point. Just not here, in front of everyone. “Maybe we should talk in private.”
“Done. I’ll round up the kids, and we can head back to the cabin.”
Layla chose that moment to run between them. “Mommy, Mommy! Can we sleep over at Uncle Killian’s cabin? Please. Aunt Nina said we can make s’mores in the fireplace.”
Nina and Killian joined them. “Only if it’s okay with you,” said Nina. “I kind of let it slip that we have graham crackers and chocolate at home.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“No,” said Killian. “We have sleeping bags and can set them up in the living room. We’ll have a night of indoor camping.”
“Okay. As long as it’s not inconvenient.”
Nina kissed Elaine on the cheek. “Are you kidding? Killian’s already a big kid. What’s two more?”
Killian tapped Nina’s butt.
Andy howled with laughter. “Uncle Killian slapped Aunt Nina’s fanny!”
“I don’t think Aunt Nina minds.” Elaine drew her children in for a hug and kissed them on their heads. “Be good tonight. Don’t let Killian eat too many s’mores.”
“I make no promises,” warned Killian.
As soon as Nina and Killian bundled the kids up and left, the others began to head out as well. Elaine and Connor said their goodbyes and grabbed their jackets.
Connor threw on his gray bomber jacket. She put on her khaki green parka and left it unzipped. “I’m ready.”
He frowned. “It’s cold out there, woman. Winter’s holding on by its fingernails. Zip up.” He took hold of her coat edges and zipped it for her. As he did, his gaze met hers and lingered a moment too long. He cleared his throat. “There. Let’s go.”
Once they were outside, evening greeted them with a fresh snowfall. The older powder crunched under their boots as they headed for the pathway leading to the guest and employee cabins. As they passed under the bare tree branches, snow fell like fairy dust, glinting in the moonlight. They walked in silence the whole time, the moon’s silvery glow lighting their way.
Elaine’s arm hung close to Connor’s, so close their sleeves touched now and again. A part of her wanted to reach for his hand, just to feel some measure of companionship, but she resisted. He was a friend, a good one, but she couldn’t lean on him too much. It wasn’t fair.
When they got to Cabin 14, he unlocked it for her and opened the door, turning on the lights. Once again, Elaine stood on the threshold, unable to pass through. For a minute or so, she remained motionless on the stoop, staring in.
The snow continued to fall around them. It was white and fluffy, like Christmas snow, the kind that drew children to the windows in anticipation. After a moment or two on the stoop, so much of it gathered in her hair it began to fall into her eyes.
Connor gave her a funny look and brushed it from her face. “You’ll freeze out here.”
“Connor, do you think…never mind.”
“Tell me.”
“I just…does the cabin look especially empty to you?”
He dug the toe of his boot in the snow. “When you were in Alaska, I used to walk by a couple of times a week, just to keep an eye on the place. Once or twice, I swore I heard Lloyd’s voice coming through the windows, laughing with the kids. I thought I heard you calling my name, inviting me in for dinner with the family like you used to. I sometimes thought I was going insane. During those moments, when I realized the place was dark and locked up, that’s when it felt empty to me. Now you’re back, and the old place has some life again. It’s not empty anymore. It’s just…waiting.”
Poor Connor. In her worst moments, she’d had Toni and Fred, but in his, he’d been all alone. “I’m sorry I left you.”
“You didn’t leave me, Elaine. You left to save yourself and your kids some grief. There’s a difference.”
She eyed the entrance. “I don’t think I can be alone here tonight. Not yet.”
“Don’t give it another thought.” His smile lightened the burden on her chest. “I was planning on staying anyway.”
“You were?”
“What? You have a comfy couch, way nicer than mine.”
