But Higgins needed to have dinner. So did Elias. “I made pasta for dinner. Have you eaten yet?”
“Thanks, but I’m heading over to your grandparents.” Dad glanced at Higgins. “I’ll see you at work on Monday.”
With that, Dad left. He took the bag with the files.
That was odd. Elias half laughed. “Looks like more progress.”
* * *
After skating in the morning and spending a lazy day watching two Christmas movies, Tasha decided to go to town. It was late afternoon, and she could see the town and eat dinner out. Something she hadn’t done yesterday.
She put on her beanie and gloves, locked the front door, and got into her car. The town of Berry Lake was on the other side from her slice of heaven on Pinewood Lane. She couldn’t wait to see the shops that Selena had told her about, but Elias’s words also played on an endless loop.
If you want to skate at night, there’s a temporary rink set up in the park.
She didn’t know which appealed to her more—the ice rink or his rich-as-hot-chocolate-topped-with-whipped-cream voice.
What was she thinking?
It had to be the rink. Skating was in her blood. Even she no longer performed, being a figure skater defined her. She would use her time in Berry Lake to decide if it still did.
I live in the second house on the right.
As she drove toward the stop sign, Tasha didn’t allow her gaze to drift. She focused on the black asphalt clear of snow ahead of her. It didn’t matter where Elias lived or if he was home. She gripped the steering wheel as if her hands controlled where she looked.
“Turn right on Lakeshore Drive,” the voice on her map app directed.
Tasha blew out a puff of air as if to rid thoughts of Elias from her mind and loosened her fingers. “Glad you know where I’m going because I don’t have a clue.”
That was usually the case. While traveling, but these days, also in life. She had no idea where she was going or how to get there. Having GPS was at least one less thing she had to sort through.
Tall evergreens with snow-laden branches stood at attention. Sunlight glistened off the snow as if a million crystals had been carried by the wind and dropped there. The way the light filtered through the trees gave the scenery a magical feeling.
A sigh welled inside of her.
As a little girl, she’d dreamed of escaping to Narnia, but who needed a wardrobe to go there? Unnecessary in Berry Lake. The road had transported her to somewhere better—somewhere real.
She spotted a brown boat-ramp sign up ahead. The metal post reminded Tasha of Elias’s blue-gray eyes. The color was a unique blend, and she wouldn’t mind getting a closer look. As they’d spoken, she appreciated the kaleidoscope of emotion playing in them.
Had he noticed me gawking at him earlier?
Probably not, but the way Elias had run after Higgins without putting on a jacket or hat warmed her better than the dashboard’s vents. He’d put his foster dog’s safety above his comfort level. That touched Tasha’s heart.
She wouldn’t have minded touching his wavy, light-brown hair to see if the strands were as soft as they appeared. However, his easy grin had been her favorite—and it was contagious, making her realize how long she’d been faking smiles.
Does he have a girlfriend?
She hadn’t noticed a ring, but some married men didn’t wear them. That didn’t mean…
Stop.
Tasha turned on the radio. Static. She pressed the scan button to find another station. The only thing besides news and sports was Christmas music. Oh, well. “Sleigh Ride” was better than listening to her ridiculous thoughts. But not even the jingling bells silenced a question.
Why was she fixating on Elias?
She wasn’t in Berry Lake to meet anyone. Her life was a hot mess. Before she considered a romance or even a flirtation, she needed to figure out what came next.
“Turn right,” her map app directed. “Your destination is on the left.”
