“I just don’t want you to be cold.”
“I don’t want you to be cold, either. Do you want to spend the next few days in the school’s infirmary?”
He looks like he’s really weighing that option. I slap his arm. “Don’t even think about risking your own health for my comfort.”
“I wasn’t.”
“Uh huh.”
“Seriously! Although, I can’t help but have this image in my head. Of me lying in one of those very comfy hospital beds and then you sneaking inside and climbing into bed with me to make me feel better. While poor me lies there suffering, theamazing Raven would fill my ears with her awesome music and conversation. I would get healed in an instant.”
I laugh. “Yeah, right.”
“You would heal me for sure. But I wouldn’t want you to get sick.”
“I’d take that risk.”
His brows fly up in surprise. “You would?”
“Of course! I like the idea of sneaking into the infirmary and climbing into your bed, too. And we would hold each other in our arms.”
With a goofy smile, Kylen reaches for his zipper again. “Let’s make the fantasy come true.”
“Kylen!” I slam my hand over his that’s on the zipper.
He chuckles. “I’m just kidding. Besides, I’m sure there will be lots of opportunities in the future for us to sneak into each other’s rooms when we’re sick.”
I’m about to respond, but then I notice a large tree to my left with something carved on it. “Kylen, is that the tree?” I point.
He peers down at his phone. “These are the right coordinates.”
Grabbing his hand, I pull him toward the tree. When we’re only a few feet away, he sprints forward, gently yanking me along with him. And then he stares at it like he can’t believe what stands before his eyes. There are the letters FL+RC with a heart over them.
Pushing through the snow, he reaches the tree and lays his hand over the carving.
“Is this it?” I ask.
He traces the letters, saying, “Francis Lane and Richard Crawford.” He looks at me with a smile. “These are their initials.”
I shove my boots through the thick snow to stand by his side, me, too, staring at the carving. The cut is pretty deep and precise, as though whoever did it used a knife or small blade.
“I didn’t think we’d actually find it,” Kylen whispers, his voice laced with disbelief but also joy. “Pops and Gran,” he says with profound emotion attached to every word. “I found the spot where you declared your love for one another. This is where you promised each other that nothing could keep you guys apart, not college or anything else that may happen in life. You guys might not be here anymore, but your love still lingers in the air. I can feel it. I can feelyou. I know you guys are always here with me.”
He moves closer and rests his forehead against the tree, closing his eyes. I step to the side to give him some alone time with his grandparents. This might not be their graves, but I know that they’re very much present here.
Even though the temperature has dropped even more, I don’t feel so cold anymore. Maybe because I can feel Kylen’s profound emotions permeating through the area, warming every part of me.
After a short while, he turns his head and smiles at me. Even from here, I can see tears in his eyes. He holds out his hand to me and I walk over, sliding mine inside.
“Can I introduce you to them?” he asks.
“Of course.”
“Pops and Gran, this is Raven Mitchell. She’s come to mean so much to me and is one of the most important people in my life.” A tear slides down his cheek and he quickly wipes it away with an embarrassed laugh. “I didn’t know I’d feel so emotional.”
I wrap my arms around him and press a kiss on his cheek. “You don’t have to be embarrassed in front of me. I want you to feel comfortable to feel how however you want or need to feel. But do you want to be alone? I don’t mind stepping away for a bit.”
He shakes his head. “I’d rather you be here, if that’s okay.”
