“We have time now and no one to hear us besides the snowmen.” He tipped his head toward the snowmen. One corner of his mouth tipped up, offering a different sort of suggestion.
No one would see if she kissed him again. No. She already had enough memories of kissing Chase. Two to be exact. More than enough. Nichole hugged the clothes pile tighter and locked her hands together to keep from reaching for him. “I should really go help Brooke. She’s worse than me in the kitchen.”
“Then you do need my help.” Chase set his hand on her lower back and walked with her up the stairs. He held the door open for her, but set his hand on her elbow and stopped her just inside the doorway. He leaned in and whispered, “I know you don’t want to talk about that kiss. But at least tell me I’m not the only who can’t stop thinking about it.”
Nichole closed her eyes, willed that shiver to recede. Ordered her heart to stand down. And opted for one of her son’s favorite defaults when he wanted to avoid getting in trouble.
Deny. Deny. Deny.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“HEY, YOU GUYS!” Wesley barreled through the back door. Snowflakes dusted the floor around him, jarred free by his unrestrained shout of glee. “Guess what we found?”
Chase slid the pancake griddle into the lower cabinet on the island and closed the door, removing an obstacle from Wesley’s erratic path. Chase remembered running into Nonna’s back porch or his mom’s kitchen, yelling guess what I discovered. The discoveries had ranged from snails, slugs and snakes to wild mushrooms; bird feathers and bird eggs to turtles, possums and earthworms. Every discovery, down to a broken piece of colored glass had always been better than the last. He considered the boys and the mountains outside and decided the options were endless. And seriously intriguing.
Nichole set the last of the sandwiches they’d assembled for lunch on a platter and leaned her hip against the marble counter. Her voice unhurried as if to temper Wesley’s energy. “You found a snow fort for your snow zombies to hide out in.”
Ben bumped into Wesley, unable to contain his own squeal. He threw his hands up, flinging out more delight. “Better than that.”
Brooke added honey to her teacup and held up the plastic jar shaped like a bear. “You found bear tracks.”
“Bears are hibernating.” Ben’s dry tone indicated his displeasure with her guess. “It’s winter.”
“We know that.” Nichole wrapped her arm around Brooke’s shoulders and motioned between them. “We wanted to make sure you were paying attention.”
“It’s way better than bears.” Wesley stretched out his joy into several hops in place, knocking more snow free from his snow pants.
Chase channeled his inner boy and joined the game like he’d been doing since their arrival yesterday. Despite his promise to keep his distance. Last night, they’d needed him to round out the teams for cards. Then again, this morning for the snowmen challenge. He hadn’t wanted to disappoint the boys. And he really liked being included. “You’re telling me that you found something better than a snow fort and bear tracks right outside.”
Both boys nodded repeatedly. Each head bob notched their grins wider.
Chase rubbed his chin and considered the pair. Exhilaration radiated from their red cheeks to their owlish round eyes. They looked about to burst. “It must be really good then.”
“It’s awesome,” Wesley shouted.
“So awesome.” Ben’s holler lifted into the loft.
“I can’t take the suspense anymore.” Chase stuck his hands in his hair and clutched his head in an exaggerated stance. “Just tell me already.”
The boys rushed him. Wesley gripped Chase’s arm with both of his hands. Together the pair erupted with their find. “There are snowmobiles in the garage.”
“Two.” Ben held two fingers over his head.
Nichole set another platter on the island. The hard thunk on the marble countertop drew their attention. “They might not work.”
Ben shook his head, sweeping his copper bangs across his forehead. “Dad already turned them on.”
Not the news Nichole wanted to hear. Her scowl tightened around her eyes.
Wesley’s grip on Chase’s arm flexed, then locked tighter. “It’s the best day ever. First snow zombies and now this.”
Chase looked at Nichole. Her gaze fastened on Wesley’s hold on Chase, her scowl fixed deeper on her face. He wanted to spend time with Wesley, but he refused to hurt Nichole. “There might not be enough helmets for everyone.”
Her shoulders released. She picked up her tea mug and eyed him over the rim. Gratitude in the barely noticeable dip of her chin and her muted eyes.
Wesley shook his head. “I counted nine helmets on the shelf.”
Ben bumped into Chase like a pinball stuck between the high point bumpers. “Dad says they’ll fit us fine.”
“Perfect,” Chase replied. Or not. Nichole wanted Chase to keep his distance, after all, not encourage a snowmobile jaunt, no matter how much he wanted to join them. “What if your mom has something planned for you already this afternoon?”
Nichole added several heaping teaspoons of sugar to her mug as if sweetening her drink might soften Wesley’s disappointment. How could she possibly top snowmobiles?
“Did you make plans, Mom?” A challenge dropped into Wesley’s voice as if he dared Nichole to ruin his day.
Chase disliked the idea of spoiling Wesley’s day too. Besides, moms were always forgiven. Eventually.
Worry drifted over Wesley’s face, softening his hold on Chase’s arm. “Chase, you haven’t forgotten how to drive a snowmobile, have you?”
That would be like asking if Chase had forgotten how to drive a motorcycle, ride a mountain bike or throw a football. Had he forgotten how to drive a snowmobile? Not likely. He slid a glance at Nichole, waiting for her to step in.
“He couldn’t have forgotten
