Holly gave a soft laugh. “You definitely wouldn’t want to explain why you didn’t attend.”
Once they were in the truck and driving to the community center, with Christmas music playing softly, Zack asked, “Have you heard any more from your brother?”
“Not from Jason, but I got a text from my dad. Can you believe it? They’re on their way here. Tonight. And in this terrible storm! How stupid is that? And presumptuous!”
Holly went into the same rant she’d had with herself earlier, and Zack just let her vent. He made no judgments nor offered any advice, just nodded quietly and let her get it all off her chest.It was so nice having a boyfriend who had older sisters to train him.
Once Holly had finished, she sighed. Turning to look at him, she said, “Thank you for listening. It felt so good to say it. I refuse to think about them anymore tonight.”
“Are you still feeling okay about this?” Zack moved his pointer finger from him to her and back to him again.
Fear crept in. “You mean us?” Holly asked, her voice barely a whisper.
“I can see you doubting again. Don’t you even go there,” Zack chided, shaking his head. “It ticks me off that people who were supposed to love you unconditionally have messed with your trust so badly. Yes, I’m talking aboutus. Because I’m falling in love with you, Holly.” At her gasp, he winced, clearly regretting the sudden confession, but he pressed on, his words rushing out, “I’m not sorry I said it, just that I said it now. I’m probably going too fast and the last thing I want to do is to overwhelm you. Put pressure on you. But… it’s out there now, and I won’t take it back.”
The earlier sense of being wanted swelled in Holly’s heart, making her eyes sting and a knot grow in her throat so much she couldn’t speak. She put a hand on his leg, blinking to keep the tears from falling. They would smear her makeup.
“I didn’t ruin it?”Zack finally asked, wishing he could take his hand from the wheel again to hold hers, but the road had gotten so slick he didn’t dare.
“No.” Holly’s voice came out rough, and she cleared her throat, saying it stronger. “No, you haven’t ruined it. I think I’m falling in love with you too.”
Dang. What a stupid time for them to be confessing their feelings while driving in a truck in the middle of a blizzard. Zack wanted to take her in his arms and tell her how he’d realized that all these years, he had been waiting for her. Not that he’d understood it then. But these last few months, with her back in his life, he knew for sure.
Instead, they sat in his stupid pickup, inching along an unplowed side street through several inches of snow.
“I’m going to have to put on the chains,” he said, slowly pulling his truck to the side of the road. He didn’t want to go too close to the sidewalk for fear of getting stuck.
“You have chains?”
“Eagle Scout here.”
“Always prepared. Do you need me to help?”
“No. I’ve done this before.” Not often, but his father had made sure all his children knew how to change tires and put on chains.
Zack left the truck running, so it didn’t get too cold inside. As he set out the chains, he couldn’t believe how much snow had accumulated. It wouldn’t last long because they’d had a warm spell a few days before the latest freeze. With the chains draped over the wheels, he fastened the connection.
He hopped back into the truck and slowly drove forward about fifty feet before jumping out again to recheck the tension. Pleased that he had remembered correctly, he returned to the cab.
“Will anyone even be there?” Holly asked when they were moving again.
“Some will. If worse comes to worst, as long as the power doesn’t go out, we could stay there until the weather clears.”
“A slumber party?” Holly asked, her mood lightening. “And if the caterer made it there, we’ll have plenty of food.”
“Too bad we didn’t bring PJs,” he said, getting into the silliness, since it distracted him from their precarious situation and made her give a nervous laugh.
A few minutes later, Holly said, “Oh, there it is, and therearepeople there. Well done, Zack. I’m impressed.”
“Thanks, though I guess we’ll see how long everyone stays.”
He pulled into a parking place, grateful someone with a plow on the front of a truck had cleared snow from the spaces closest to the building. As fast as the snow continued to fall, they would need to do it again, though.
“Let me get your door.” Zack made his way around the truck, careful of the icy patches.
“Yikes,” Holly cried, slipping and grabbing his arm, the bag with her dress shoes flopping against her. “I’m glad I wore my boots.”
He winced when a gust of wind blew her skirt around. “Your legs must be freezing.”
