All that was missing was the town square tree.
Thankfully, Zeke Hart’s disappointment dissipated just like the storm. It made little sense to get so riled up over something you couldn’t change. And it wasn’t as though the town would go without; the Joy’s tree would be the perfect substitute.
On Monday, Holden went into work early. Like the small town shops, they’d closed Major Hart Mountain Sports during the peak of the storm. Today would be their first full day back in operation. In truth, the conditions were primed for an epic snowmobile ride down the slopes. Lance was already out with their first customers: a pair of newlyweds visiting the Sierra Nevada for their honeymoon. Like everyone else, they’d also been cabin-bound for the last several days. But neither seemed to mind, and Holden knew why.
It was beyond romantic to be snowed in with the one you loved—or in Holden’s case, the one he maybe, sort of liked. He even wondered if the heightened drama and forced proximity had been the true reason for his heightened feelings. Would that attraction be the same now that life and routine slipped back into place?
On his end, he figured it would. He’d already admitted to himself that his feelings toward Rachel weren’t what he once thought they were. It was something else entirely.Shewas someone else entirely.
But he didn’t know what that meant for their future. Not that they even had a future. Sure, they had their individual futures, but a big mountain and a Golden Gate Bridge separated them.
When he thought about that, his mood went downhill faster than his highest-powered snowmobile. He would not go there. They still had the holidays together. She’d go back after the new year and Holden would figure out his feelings from there.
He found himself staring out the store’s window, admiring the pristine landscape that resembled a winter painting. The view couldn’t be beat. It was as if the storm made the scene even more beautiful, and Holden hadn’t thought that possible.
Around noon, another vehicle slowed into the parking lot. He scanned their appointment schedule. Nothing on the books for another hour. Taking a closer look, he suddenly recognized the SUV.
What were they doing here?
He rushed through the store. “Mom?”
“Hi, Holden, sweetheart.” Jill Hart got out of the vehicle and moved to help her husband around the passenger’s side. She steadied Zeke as he gingerly slunk onto the pavement, his grip on the bar above his head for balance. Holden came to assist them.
“What are you two doing here?”
“Dad needed a change of scenery.” Holden’s mother gave a pointed look.
“They’re cutting down the tree today and your mother doesn’t think I can handle being there when it all comes crashing down.”
Holden had to agree. “Probably a good call.”
“I was hoping the two of you might be able to hang out for a few hours.” Jill ushered her husband inside the store while Holden held the door open for his parents. “Sarah and Laney and I are doing some holiday baking and could use some—”
“Peace and quiet?” Holden guessed. Not that a chainsaw would give them that, but it was likely less jarring than his father’s lamenting.
She just smiled her answer.
“That’s not a problem at all. I’d love to have you here, Dad.”
Jill gave her son a squeeze around his shoulders. “Thank you, Holden. And Zeke, don’t do anything to aggravate that foot of yours. I expect to pick you up in the same condition I’m leaving you.”
Zeke batted her instructions away. “I’ll be fine, Jillybean. Holden will take good care of me.”
His mother hadn’t been out the door for two seconds when Zeke turned to Holden, eyes twinkling with mirth. “Which snowmobile are we gonna take out?”
“Dad, Mom gave pretty clear instructions that you don’t injure yourself again.”
“Who said anything about injuring? Sure, maybe on skis I could, but on the back of a snowmobile with the safest tour guide I know at the helm? I have a better chance of falling off the couch and hurting myself.”
Holden gave his dad an unconvinced look.
“I need to get out, son.”
“I know being laid up isn’t ideal—”
“It’s not just that.” His dad cut him off and his gaze turned serious. “Ever since retiring, I’ve felt like I’m floundering. There’s no daily excitement. Don’t get me wrong, I love spending more time with your mother. That has been an absolute gift. But I miss the firehouse. I miss the calls and the rush of adrenaline.”
Holden got it. Even the few days off from mountain tours had made him itch to experience that thrill again. Oddly enough, he’d felt a different form of it around Rachel. Adrenaline rushes and nervous excitement weren’t all that different when it came down to it.
