‘Exactly.’
‘They look like mini snowboards.’
‘I can see why you’d think that, but they’re very different. These are designed to help you walk on snow, whereas a snowboard is purely for thrill seekers looking to have some downhill fun.’
‘Let me guess, you’re one of those thrill seekers.’
‘Guilty.’
He walked around to where I was still hanging on to the truck and knelt with the snowshoes and another box. ‘Those shoes aren’t going to work,’ he tutted, eyeing up my already saturated sneakers. ‘Luckily for you, I came prepared.’
He opened the box to reveal a pair of hiking boots. Feminine ones. That somehow looked to be about my size. He started to undo my laces.
‘I can do that myself,’ I told him.
‘I should hope so. It’s a basic life skill that most five-year-olds can manage.’
I nudged his chest lightly with the toe of my shoe. ‘You know what I mean.’
He gave me an exasperated look. ‘If you sit down to change your shoes, you’ll get a wet butt to go with your wet feet. Is that what you want?’
‘Not really.’
‘Exactly. So let me do this for you.’
He rolled off my socks, and I yelped when the cold air hit my toes. He cupped them with his hands and blew warm air on them.
‘Better?’
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. It wasn’t the gesture itself that made me feel choked up, it was the intention behind it. Everything Jonah did was aimed at taking care of me. Not that Ineededtaking care of, because I didn’t. Fiercely proud independent woman and all that. But God it felt nice to have someone give a damn, even if itwasjust about whether my feet were wet and cold.
‘I hope you don’t mind,’ he said, ‘but you’re about the same height and size as my sister, so I took a gamble and hoped your foot size was similar too. Size seven?’
‘Spot on,’ I replied, impressed.
‘Knew it.’ He looked smug. ‘I went up half a size, to allow for the thick, woolen socks I also got you.’
‘I can’t believe you bought me socks and boots. How much were they? I’ll pay you back.’
‘They’re my treat.’
‘Jonah.’
‘What? I brought you out here, it’s the least I can do to make sure you have the right gear.’
‘Gear for what?’
‘Hiking. On snowshoes.’
‘I don’t know.’ I eyed the snowshoes dubiously. ‘This seems like something that people need training in.’
‘Nah.’ He rolled the sock over my ankle and tucked it underneath my leggings. ‘You know how to walk, right?’
‘Since I was one.’
‘There you go. You’ll be fine.’
‘I admire your optimism. Or is it blind faith? Either way, I hope it’s not misguided.’
