“The whole park is covered with snow.It’s like a quilt.I can’t wait to touch it and make a snowball.Maybe even a snowman.Can we check it out before we grab the food?”
Nash nodded as they climbed out of the car.“Sure can.We’ll grab our jackets and mittens from the back.Change into our boots, too.”
He opened the trunk’s tailgate, and soon they wore their winter gear.Charlie grinned.“I feel like a snowman.The jacket’s so puffy.We’d melt like Frosty if we wore this back in Florida.”
Florida, not home.
Since Charlie’s best buddy had left the country, he’d been droopy.He wasn’t a kid who surrounded himself with friends.While he was friendly, he preferred a small circle of people he was close with.Losing Maribel meant he no longer wanted to go to school, and had no best pal to eat lunch with.
That had been the motivating factor in this move.Nash would do anything for his kid.A fresh start seemed in order.And with his buddies asking him to come and start up some cider making on their apple farm, it was a good fit.He figured Charlie would take to living on a farm in a heartbeat.He also figured it wouldn’t take much longer than that before he started begging for a dog.
Once they crossed the quiet street, Charlie dashed through the snow, kicking it up in huge drifts before leaning down to touch it.
He whipped off one mitten and picked up some with his hand.His grin widened as he squished it and watched it melt from his body heat.
He laughed and did it again.Then he scooped up more and formed a ball.It only took him a couple of tries to perfect the technique.
With a wide grin, Charlie turned to his dad.“Catch.”He tossed the snow to Nash.The ball exploded when Nash grabbed it, making them both laugh.
Soon, they were tossing snowballs to each other and laughing like loons.It made Nash’s heart swell and settle at the same time.There was nothing better in his world than watching his kid laugh.Made him feel like maybe he wasn’t screwing it all up.
Being both parents was tough, but he’d do anything for Charlie.Nash had worked with many teams in his time, but being a team with his kid was the most satisfying.
They got better at making the snowballs and the tosses became throws.Well-targeted throws meant to leave a mark of shame on anyone who couldn’t make the catch.
It was a blast.Their move to Vermont was starting on a high note.
“Can we make a snowman, Dad?Do you think anyone will mind?”
Nash laughed.“I don’t think anyone will mind.Do you know how to make a snowman?”
Charlie shrugged.“We’ll figure it out.”
And they did, rolling the snow into a larger and larger ball.Then rolling another one.
When they finished the second one, Charlie frowned.“I think we should have planned better.The big snowball is way over there.Now we have to carry this one over.”
Nash realized his son was right.“Okay, put your back into it.”Together, they stumbled over the field and nearly dropped the ball three times before plopping it on top of the other ball.
Charlie cheered and did a victory dance.“Now for the head.We should start over there and go this way.”
A mother and her small daughter were playing on a bench nearby.At least he assumed the pink bundle playing in the snow was a girl.
Charlie spotted them too and waved.“Hi there.Would your daughter like to help us roll a head for the snowman?”
Nash blinked, surprised at Charlie’s invitation.Since Maribel’s departure, his son had become quieter and more reserved.He was generally polite and friendly, but wasn’t usually the one to reach out.
The mother jerked at Charlie’s voice and scooped up the girl before whirling to look at them, fear in her eyes and every line of her body.
Her eyes quickly roved the space, and Nash slowed his steps.
Even with fear and exhaustion showing on her face, she was stunning.Nash felt every cell in his body go on alert.Protect.
What was she afraid of in this town with the silly name?And why did he want to keep her safe?
Chapter2
Snow and Ice
