It was a bold suggestion received much better than expected.
“Sounds like the perfect day.” She refitted the lid and took a sip. “But are you sure your parents will be okay with that? I don’t think they’re big fans of me.”
“It was actually my mom’s suggestion. Plus, you’ll get to spend time with Laney, and that’s a treat in itself.”
Her brow arched to a point. “Laney?”
“My niece. The baby I had with me at the store the other day. She’s my sister’s daughter and the most precious little girl in the entire world. Though I might be a little biased.”
Rachel’s eyes softened, and she sank a little into her chair, smiling sweetly. It was the same look most women got when they saw Holden out and about with Scout at his side. What was it about men with puppies and babies that turned women into balls of mush?
“You know? She was the only reason I didn’t lose my temper with you that day,” Rachel said.
“That was younotlosing your temper?” He hid behind his cup, ready to dodge the comeback.
Instead, she just laughed. “I was upset. I’ll give you that. But goodness, that sweet baby is adorable. Do you realize how hard it is to be mad at a guy holding a baby? It’s like some weird sort of maternal kryptonite.”
“Noted.” He nodded for emphasis. “So I just need to borrow a baby for all of our tough conversations in the future?”
“I wouldn’t worry about that. I think we’ve proven we can get through the tough things all on our own, Holden.”
That was true. He just prayed there would be a future between them to even worry about.
CHAPTER33
Sledding was exceptionally more terrifying than snowmobiling. Why hadn’t Rachel remembered that? At least with a snowmobile, there was a way to adjust the speed with the throttle, or even come to a full and complete stop by cutting the engine.
Not so on a sled. It accelerated all on its own and stopping mid-race wasn’t an option unless you bailed into a snowbank or completely jumped ship. Two things Rachel had no intention of doing.
It didn’t help that she was in the sled’s front with Holden seated immediately behind her. She hadn’t wanted to take the helm, but he’d explained she wouldn’t be able to see around him. His large body would block the view. But at this moment, she preferred that scenario. She would rather have his broad shoulders impeding her view of the trees that rushed toward her and then darted past her periphery. It was like a computer game where the player had to dodge incoming objects hurled from all angles. Somehow, Holden maneuvered their sled around rocks and berms with finesse. All while Rachel screamed until her lungs ached.
It was only a handful of minutes, but she saw her entire life flash before her eyes as they plunged down the hill.
Leaning sharply to the right, Holden curved the sled to a stop once on flatter ground. Slushy bits of snow marred Rachel’s vision. She lifted her ski goggles and sucked in a breath.
“Okay. So that takes the lead as the scariest thing I’ve ever done.”
She could feel his chest rise against her back with a hearty chuckle. “Scarier than snowmobiling?”
“Infinitely more so. We were totally out of control, Holden.”
“Nah. I had control over this thing the entire time. You were completely safe with me. I’ve got you.”
Truth was, she did feel safe with him, even when barreling down an icy hillside seated on thin slats of wood. His strong arms bound around her with all the protection of a seatbelt, securing her in place.
Maybe her heightened heart rate could be blamed equally on that. The rush of adrenaline and flush of attraction were twin emotions.
Holden kept his arm coiled around her. He hugged her to him with a little squeeze. “Want to go again?”
“Not a chance.”
She scooted forward on the sled and struggled to stand on the compacted snow, even when he aided her with a small push. Sunshine and higher temperatures had melted the powdery layer, leaving a more solid, slippery surface beneath. Her boots shuffled like ice skates, seeking stability.
Holden pushed up from the sled next, but his feet were just as uncoordinated. Rachel reached down to give him a hand.
She tried to pull him up to her level, but with the precarious sleet and nothing for their boot tread to cling to, both ended up like toddlers learning to walk. Suddenly, Holden’s entire left foot slipped out from under him, and he landed squarely on his back. Absent any amount of grace, Rachel lost her footing and tumbled directly on top of him.
A loud “Oomph!” whooshed between her lips. Sprawled across his chest, she lifted her head. “Are you okay?”
