Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Ruby nudges me with her shoulder, her voice soft. “You know, Ivy, sometimes you don’t choose where you belong. Sometimes, it chooses you.”
I look at her, my chest tight with a mix of emotions I can’t quite put into words. I nod, feeling the weight of her words and knowing, deep down, she’s right. And if that means fighting a little harder to break through to Cole, then that’s what I’ll do.
Chapter Twelve
Cole
The festival’s winding down, but the air’s still buzzing with that holiday energy, the glow of lights casting a warm haze over the snow-dusted square. I shove my hands into my coat pockets, scanning the crowd for her. Ivy. I’d give anything to make her laugh tonight, to hear that sound that’s been stuck in my head since the first time I heard it. It took Knox and Pope smacking me upside the head with reality to realize how deep I’m in with her, and now I’m just hoping I’m not too late.
Then I spot her, standing by the big Christmas tree, her face lifted up to the lights like she’s drinking them in. She looks…magical, for lack of a better word. She’s bundled up in that red coat of hers, a soft red scarf wrapped around her neck, and her cheeks are flushed from the cold—or maybe from the sheer joy she can’t seem to keep hidden. I feel my pulse kick up a notch, just watching her.
I make my way over, steady and slow, like I’ve got all the time in the world, though every nerve in my body’s telling me to hurry. When I’m close enough, I clear my throat, and she turns, her eyes widening a fraction when she sees me.
“Cole.” She smiles, but there’s a hint of surprise in her voice. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Figured I’d make an appearance,” I say, keeping my tone light, though I know this isn’t the time for jokes. “Can’t let you be the only one bringing Christmas cheer to Copper Mountain.”
She lets out a soft laugh, but I see the hesitation in her eyes, a flicker of something guarded. It twists something in my chest, knowing I’m the one who put that there, put that doubt in her when she deserves anything but.
I step closer, holding her gaze, and for once, I don’t try to mask what I’m feeling. “Ivy, I need to tell you something.”
She nods, her eyes searching mine, waiting. There’s a vulnerability there, something she’s trying hard to keep under control, and I feel a surge of determination. I’m not letting her doubt me. Not tonight.
“You’ve…done something to this town,” I say, my voice low, almost rough. “And to me. All that Christmas cheer you brought in, all those ridiculous decorations and contests—it’s not just for show, is it?”
She blinks, a hint of confusion flickering across her face. “What do you mean?”
“I mean…” I take a breath, stepping even closer until there’s barely any space left between us. “I thought I didn’t need anyone. Thought I’d gotten too comfortable on that mountain, living by myself, no one to answer to. But you came along with your damn Christmas spirit and shook everything up.”
Her lips part, her breath catching, and I reach out, brushing a strand of hair away from her face, letting my fingers linger. “You’re exactly what this town needed, Ivy. Exactly what I needed.”
She stares up at me, and I can see the effect my words have on her, the way her cheeks flush, her eyes brightening as she processes what I’m saying. “Cole…”
I take her hand, squeezing it gently, grounding myself in the feel of her warmth. “You made me realize I’ve been missing something. A spark I thought I’d buried a long time ago. You brought it back, Ivy. And I didn’t even know I needed it.”
For a moment, we just stand there, the snow starting to fall around us, soft flakes catching in her hair. She’s looking at me like I’ve just handed her the moon, and damn, if that doesn’t make me want to give her everything.
“You don’t have to be so serious about it,” she teases softly, though her voice wavers slightly. “It’s just a bit of Christmas spirit.”
I smile, letting out a rough laugh. “Maybe for you. For me…it’s a lot more than that.”
Her gaze softens, and I can see the warmth there, the trust she’s slowly letting back in. She takes a step closer, her hand slipping up to my chest, her fingers curling into the fabric of my flannel coat. “I’m glad, Cole. I was starting to wonder if I’d pushed you too hard. Maybe pushed you away.”
I shake my head, catching her hand and bringing it to my lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. “I’m glad you did. I needed it.”