AFTER WE GOT HOME and installed everything I purchased, I only managed to make Colton smile once that day.

"This is going to be the safest place in New Lake," I said with a grin.

Colton shook his head. "Are you sure I can't convince you to head back to school?"

I giggled. "And miss seeing those dimples for another three weeks? Nope, not going to happen."

Colton still didn't crack a smile.

"You know, what's about to happen is completely your fault," I said. "I just want you to know that, okay?"

"Excuse me?" Colton asked with a frown.

I bent down and balled up a handful of snow. With a mischievous grin, I threw the snowball directly at Colton's chest.

"Did you really just do that?" he asked.

I didn't respond. Instead, I balled up more snow. Once it was just right, I chucked it at him, hitting him square in the shoulder.

"Oh, you are so going down, Claudia." His smile returned as he gathered enough snow to make ten snowballs.

I screamed and turned as he pelted me with the freezing, cold ammo.

"Oh, you can dish it out, but you can't take it?" he teased.

Holding up both hands, I announced: "I surrender."

Colton dropped his remaining snowballs and raced over to me. Before he could scoop me into his arms, I pulled a snowball out of my sleeve and shoved it down the back of his coat.

He stripped off his coat and tackled me to the ground. Snow crunched all around us as he held his body over mine. "You, my dear, are in big trouble."

_____

TWENTY MINUTES LATER, WE were both cold and exhausted. Colton helped me into the house and out of my snow-packed jacket.

"Aren't you glad I didn't leave?"

Colton kissed me on the head. "Yeah, I really am."

"Will you be okay if I take a quick shower?" I asked him. "I'm freezing and I haven't had one in two days. If I'm not careful, my smell may repel you."

He laughed. "Doubtful, but you better go. Just to be safe."

I headed toward the bathroom but grabbed a fresh change of clothes first.

_____

I FINISHED DRYING MY hair and reapplying my mascara. I felt a million times better. I slid on my favorite pair of jeans and a black hoodie.

Colton's face lit up like a little kid on Christmas. "How is it that every time I see you, you somehow get even cuter?"

The corners of my mouth twitched. "What if I told you I felt the same way?"

He rolled his eyes. "Listen, I thought after everything that's happened today, maybe—I mean, if you want—maybe I should stay here one more night?"

"I'd like that," I said.

"Okay, but I do need to run home and check on my mom and Buddy. It will be light for a few more hours. Your cell phone still works, right?"

I nodded. "Barely, but yes, I can receive calls."

"If anything—and I mean anything—happens or if you get scared, just call me and I'll be right over, okay?"

"Deal," I responded. "I'm going to get some writing done. Who knows? By the time you get back, I might be finished with another chapter or two."

"You're amazing," he said. "You know that?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I do what I can."

He lifted my chin and kissed me before heading out the door.

After he left, I looked around the cabin. The memories of my family didn't seem quite so sad anymore. Instead, they brought a sense of comfort. I smiled as I let my fingers slide across the Chutes and Ladders board game. My little brother loved that game.

"Okay," I said to myself out loud, "time to get some work done on that manuscript."

For the second time since arriving at the cabin and meeting Colton, the story flowed out of my body and onto the page at a lightning fast pace.

My muscles in my neck began to ache as I crouched over my computer. It wasn't until I heard three sharp knocks on the door that I budged.

Colton stood on my porch, waving his hand.

What a goof, I thought to myself as I got up and opened the door.

"These are for you," he said, handing me a small bouquet of flowers. "And these are for us to watch later tonight." He thrust a paper bag full of VHS tapes at me.

"How did—"

"I looked at your TV the other night before the power went out. You only have a VCR, so I figured these would be good to watch tonight. I also brought a few things over to make dinner and a bag of popcorn for later. I mean, you can't watch movies without popcorn. That's basically illegal."

I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him toward me. "I like this new mood you're in," I whispered into his ear.

"Between you and my mom setting me straight, it's all good. I'm sorry for being so stupid before."

"I forgive you," I said, trailing kisses up his neck.

Colton grinned. Everything about his smile was perfect.

"Are you going to help me in the kitchen, or am I on my own?" he asked with an arched eyebrow.

"I'm down to help," I said. "Just as long as there isn't any meat."

"Meat free since 93'," Colton joked.

I scrunched up my nose. "Something like that."

He laughed. "Okay, come on then. Help me chop up these vegetables."

I got to work chopping while Colton found a large, nonstick pan and a smaller pot. He set both on the stove.

"Olive oil," he said to himself as he added some to the pan. "And now we need to mince the garlic."

"What are we making?" I asked.

"Normally it would be chicken and wild rice soup, but since chickens have both faces and moms, we are making a vegetarian option." Colton pulled out a bag of wild rice. "Three cups of water and we'll be set," he said as he dumped the rice into the pot.

The rice started to heat up on the stove, and Colton added all my chopped vegetables to the pan.

"We can let these cook for a few moments. But first, do you mind if I open up that red wine and add just a splash to the vegetables?"

I had completely forgotten about the wine. "Only if you pour us a glass each after you're done."

"Deal."

Colton opened the wine. After pouring a bit in with the vegetables, he rummaged through the cabinets to find two wine glasses. "I think this might be the best we're going to find," he said, holding up two plastic cups covered in cartoon characters.

"I like your style," I said with a wink.

Colton poured the wine and handed me one of the cups. "I just need to add the cream of celery to the vegetables and let it simmer while the rice cooks."

"You know, you're a pretty impressive guy. Is there anything you don't know how to do?"

He grinned. "I don't know how to write a book."

I laughed. "Well, you might not know how to write one, but you helped me get five thousand words under my belt since arriving in New Lake. That's after coming off a terrible case of writer's block, mind you."

Colton smiled as he opened the can of soup and added it to the vegetables. "This is good to go for another thirty minutes. Want to go into the other room and start a movie?"

I nodded and picked up my wine. "What movies did you bring over?"

He handed me the paper bag. "Take a look and pick whichever one you want."

I reached into the bag and let out a squeal. "No! No way! I love this movie!"

"Which one?" he asked with an amused look.

"The Goonies! Duh!" I proclaimed. "This movie is everything."

Colton burst out laughing. "It's one of my favorites too."

I slid the movie out of the case and pressed it into the VCR. As the screen came to life and the movie started to play, I nestled under Colton's arm and laid my head against his chest.

Tonight is turning out to be completely perfect.

*******

Cliffhangers,

Aw! Claudia and Colton are too adorable!

The only problem is... Well, wait. I won't ruin it for you! Just keep reading!

Hearts and Daggers,

Kelly Anne Blount xoxo