Page 66 of Chasing Cheer
When she stood, their eyes finally met. She smiled at him, though it seemed a little wary. Snowflakes danced then settled softly in her hair.
He took a step forward.
ChapterFifty-One
Ash looked like he’d seen a ghost, and Holly nearly lost her nerve. She was glad to have Comet at her side. At least she knew the dog wasn’t mad at her for ditching him.Dogs. They can forgive you for almost anything.
She and Ash walked slowly at first, then their feet propelled them forward until they were within inches of each other.
Ash simply stared at her. She started to open her mouth to speak, to explain, but he stepped closer before she could say anything. Holly worried he was angry, as she had the whole trip. She’d done the thing that scared him most, leaving with hardly a goodbye. She wished so badly that she could take it back.
“It’s eighteen degrees. Where’s your coat?”
She nearly laughed. That was not what she’d been expecting. “Ash,” Holly said, breathless. Warmth radiated between them, and her watch came to life again. She didn’t realize how much the absence of that feeling had been plaguing her until it was back with such force.
She studied his eyes, which were lined with bags that she’d never seen before. But something else was there as well.Hope?
“Ash, I’m so sorry I left. There’s… There’s more to me than I’ve told you about. And I got scared you wouldn’t accept me. But I was wrong. I should have allowed you to make that decision for yourself.”
“You must be freezing. Let’s do this inside.” He tried to usher her down the path toward the building.
Holly shook her head. “There’s something you need to know about me. But first, I need you to hear this. Again, I’m so sorry I left, Ash. I missed Emerald Hollow immediately. I’ve never felt more at home anywhere else. But it’s more than that.” She took a deep breath and swallowed.Time to rip off the bandage.“It wasn’t just Emerald Hollow I missed. It was you.” Holly’s heart was racing faster than ever. She had so much more to tell, but it was a start. And Ash could end it right then if he chose.
To her immense relief, Ash cracked a grin, and some of the tension in her chest released.
“I missed you too.Wemissed you,” Ash said, motioning to Comet, who was still wagging his tail at Holly’s side. “This town isn’t the same without you.”
“There’s more. There’s so much about me you don’t know.”
She must have looked as distressed as she felt, because Ash put his arms around her waist then, tugging her close.
“Holly, what are you talking about?” His warm brown eyes were searching.
She desperately wanted to give him answers, but they might never stand so close again, sharing a connection. What she said next could change everything. She wanted to savor the moment.
“I’m not sure if I can tell you. It’s going to sound impossible,” she said quietly and looked down.
Ash tugged her closer, lifting her chin. “You can tell me anything.” His voice was so calm, so quiet, and he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The air was getting colder by the minute, the sky beginning to go cloudy.
The snow was falling so quickly that Holly imagined the world in snow globes, and she and Ash were in their own personal one. She was about to shake it, and she hoped it wouldn’t break. After taking a deep breath, she dove in.
“Do you remember those reindeer we saw?”
He leaned his head back a bit, peering at her curiously. “Yes. What about them?” The corner of his mouth pulled up a bit.
“Well, they’re real,” she said, still meeting his gaze even though she was afraid of what she might see.
“What do you mean? Reindeer are a real species. I already knew that.” Ash tried for a playful smile, and it made Holly’s heart melt.
She had to maintain her courage. “No, they’re real, like from Christmas stories. They can fly.”
Ash choked out a laugh but swallowed when he saw that her expression was serious. “Okay, so… what does that mean? Why is that a problem for us?”
Holly blinked in surprise. “You believe me?” A glimmer of hope bloomed in her chest. The invisible snow globe was still intact.
“Holly, I know there’s more you’re trying to tell me. Can you just put it all out there?” He rubbed her arms cautiously.
“Okay...” She thought for a moment then turned toward the forest. “Just follow me.” Holly decided she should give him some evidence to back up her claims before jumping in with the most shocking revelation.
