Knowing that his grandmother was fine was a relief. Now he needed to get out of the house to check on the rest of the town. Wes and the others would do what they could, but they’d been snowed in at the station and could use some rest.
When he came out to update Ava, she’d changed her clothes and had Gracie in her snow gear. “I thought we’d go outside and I’ll help while Gracie plays in the snow.”
“I won’t say no to that. If we can get a path to my truck, I put the snowplow attachment on it yesterday,” he said. “I can plow the drive in case you want to get out. I don’t recommend driving back to Dark Canyon today. I think the roads are still going to be rough.”
She nodded over at him. “I’ll stay another night at least.”
“Good. I like having you here.” He turned to get his cold-weather gear on before she could respond. He wasn’t looking for her to tell him she liked it, too. He just wanted her to know.
There were things he wished he’d said to his mom, so he tended to blurt things out when they entered his head. He did it with his grandmother all the time, and she was used to it. Ava probably wasn’t. But he didn’t want to have to explain it to her.
She sat on the bench next to him as he put his boots on and then handed Gracie to him while she got her boots on. Bug was snug in her snowsuit and kept smiling and drooling the slightest bit.
Chay put on his heavy winter coat and then the baby carrier and put Gracie in it facing outward. She kicked her little legs as soon as he got her in it. Ava put a winter hat on Gracie’s head and made sure the baby was completely covered up.
“She can’t stay out long,” Ava reminded him.
“I’ll keep a close eye on her. I’m not sure you should stay out that long, either.”
“Agreed. Same for you, but you have that stubborn look in your eye like you’re going to get the job done come hell or high water.”
“Or high snow, as this case may be,” he said, then kissed her, because he wanted nothing more than to stay in this house with these two. To cuddle under the blankets until Gracie fellasleep and then make love to Ava again. But there was work that needed to be done.
Chay wouldn’t allow himself not to step up. The path he’d dug earlier was still there, but more snow had fallen. The six-foot-high bank wasn’t easy to maneuver through. He caught himself cursing but stopped, not wanting Gracie to hear him.
“Why don’t I take her for a little bit?” Ava suggested. He helped her put the carrier on and then went back to shoveling. He heard Ava behind him, working steadily to make the path he’d roughly carved easier to traverse.
Moving along the side of the house, he finally got to the front of it. His truck was parked behind Ava’s in the driveway. He had a pretty good idea of the location in his mind. But he was also sort of winging it. There was so much snow it was impossible to tell if he was truly going in the right direction.
Then he remembered he had a compass on his phone. He’d just pulled it out to access it when Ava ducked under his arm, wrapping her arm around his waist. Gracie was looking up at him, and his heart stopped for a moment. He realized that this was all he needed. These two women at his side.
Blinking against the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him, he finally got the compass up.
“I think our vehicles are east of the house. Wanted to make sure we were going the right way.” Explaining because he didn’t want to talk about anything, afraid he’d just blurt out that he loved her and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
“Okay. I’m going to take her back inside for about fifteen minutes or so to warm up and then I’ll come right back. I can put her in the crib and bring you some coffee, if you’d like.”
“Nah, I’m good.”
“You’re cold, but I’ll let you be all macho for right now. I’ll be back with a thermos later, though.”
She hugged him and then turned, disappearing into the snow maze around the side of the house. Tipping his head back and looking up at the gray winter sky, he took a moment to thank the universe for sending Ava and Gracie into his life. Then he got back to work, slowly making his way, following the compass until his shovel hit the side of Ava’s car. Ten more minutes and he’d be at his. He got to his truck and found the door locks were frozen, so he cupped his hand over the side to try to warm it up, knowing better than to go and get hot water to pour on it.
He got the door open and got inside the vehicle. The engine turned over easily, and he cranked up the heat. Soon he’d be able to check in on everyone and then when he came back he was going to make solid plans for the future with Ava.
The phone lines weren’t working, but Ava was able to contact Ryan at the fire station via the radio. He reassured her that their parents were fine and that Dark Canyon was getting power back and the roads plowed. It was nice to talk to him since she felt so far removed from her normal life.
“Did you eat all your snacks before the power went out?” he asked her jokingly.
“No. I forgot about them, really.”
“No way.”
“I was busy with Gracie. I’ll deny if you say it to her, but I don’t know how Mom did this with both us. It’s a lot more work than you’d guess.”
Ryan laughed. “I’m not even surprised. How is it out there with Chay?”
“Good. I…I really like him, Ryan.”
