Chapter 9
What was this feeling?
Every day since her arrival in New York, he’d been there. Dinner, decorating or just hanging out on the couch, Mike was there.
But today he wasn’t. And Penny couldn’t describe the feeling.
He wasn’t there at breakfast or at lunch. He wasn’t there when they sat down to watchIt’s A Wonderful LifeorA Miracle on 34thStreet, her favourite Christmas movies.
She’d sat in her chair and ate pecan pie and ice cream, while Kate and Ian talked about the menu for Christmas dinner, but she couldn’t focus on the conversation or the movies.
When Kate announced the trip to Rockefeller Centre for Christmas Eve skating, Penny felt a moment of excitement, which somehow failed to crescendo.
She loved skating, at least watching skating, since God had granted her two left feet. Still she enjoyed it, even if it was just an observer – though Kate promised she’d change that.
However, she felt better as she dressed – slim fit jeans, a white shirt with a caramel coloured sweater, which matched her boots.
She even hummed as thoughts of Mike danced through her mind, when Kate said he’d be joining them. Then, just as they were walking out the door, she announced that he wouldn’t be coming after all.
Penny hadn’t expected to be so disappointed. She hadn’t realised she’d wanted to see him as much as she did, until she wouldn’t.
As they travelled to the rink she found herself looking out the window hoping to catch a glimpse of him, though she knew it was unlikely. Ian said he’d had something important to do. She wondered what could be so important, but scolded herself for the thought.
Mike wasn’t her boyfriend. He could do whatever he liked. He was a grown man. A handsome man. With a voice she couldn’t shake and eyes that pierced her soul.
God help her, what was happening?
At the rink, Penny had attempted to remain the polite observer, but Kate wasn’t having it. After several laps with Ian, she sought he out, determined to get her on her feet and around the rink.
Ian settled in for what was sure to be an amusing display, leaning against the side for the best vantage point. His determined wife had established that she needed no help and he would happily oblige. He loved her tenacity, even when he knew he’d eventually have to step in.
Kate’s efforts to school Penny in the art of ice-skating was more amusing than could’ve been predicted. They huffed and puffed, groaned and teetered as Kate tried to support Penny’s taller frame while leading her.
Penny’s feet spread wide while her knees folded in one moment, then slide in front and behind like a scissors the next, while Kate clamoured to keep her upright. Ian folded over with laughter, the fountain illumining his white sweater in blue, purple and orange light.
However, his laughter halted at Kate’s exclamation. She’d lost hold of Penny, who was stumbling backwards. He watched powerless, as her feet slid out from under her and flew into the air. Squinting, he anticipated her connection with the ice.
Mortification had settled in long before her feet left the ground.
The second Kate’s face began to slip away, Penny knew she was about to take an embarrassing spill. She squeezed her eyes shut awaiting the impact that didn’t come.
Then, as if out of nowhere, strong hands gripped her beneath the arms, holding her up, saving her.
“Falling for me, are you?” Mike’s smiling face appeared beside hers, his chin nestled in the crook of her neck.
Their warm breaths mingled in air before them as Penny’s heart hammered in her chest.
He’s here.She found herself smiling.
