Flynn retrieved Emma from Mom’s arms, gave Cora a nod, and followed the rest of his family.
Dare hooked an arm around Cora’s shoulders. “And that, my dear, is about as close as you’ll get to a thank you from Flynn.” He dropped his arm and laughed.
Mom started to clean the blood off the floor. Thankfully nearly all of it had landed on the tile and not on the rug.
Cora packed the rest of her stuff back into her bag and stood. She rolled her shoulders and tilted her head to one side, causing her neck to pop. “That’s better.”
Grey just nearly reached out to rub her neck and shoulders but stopped himself. It was exactly what he would’ve done when they were married, and the fact that he’d nearly instinctively done so both amazed and bothered him.
~*~
“Is it ready?” Zac could hardly stand still. Abby helped him keep his metal coat hanger and marshmallow hovering just above the fire.
When Maria came into the living room bearing marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate bars, and plenty of metal roasters, Zac was immediately excited.
Truthfully, Cora was right there with him. She’d had her first s’mores when she went camping with Grey and his family. It was something her own parents never would’ve splurged on.
Sitting around the campfire with the Jackson family—roasting marshmallows and trying to eat the sticky treats—was one of her favorite memories.
It also happened to be one of her most memorable kisses with Grey. He’d softly touched her chin with his finger, whispered that she had a little marshmallow on the corner of her mouth, and proceeded to kiss it away.
Just remembering it sent chills racing up and down Cora’s spine.
Things were very different this time. There would be no kiss. No promise of future campouts together.
But there was chocolate. If there was one thing Cora learned long ago, it’s that you should never underestimate the power of chocolate when it comes to making things better.
Cora threaded a large marshmallow onto her roaster and held it over the flame in the fireplace. It was dark outside, and the flames were the only source of light in the living room.
Even Pogo seemed interested in what everyone else was doing. Grey tossed the dog a marshmallow, and they laughed as he chewed repeatedly. They weren’t sure he was even going to eat it, but before long, he was begging for another.
After Cora finished her second s’more, she set her roasting stick on the hearth and went to sit down. Most of the furniture was already being used. She went to the large overstuffed recliner and arrived just as Abby did. She had a sleepy Emma in her arms. Cora motioned to the chair. “You go ahead.”
“Thank you. She’s been yawning for a while. I don’t think it’ll take her long to go to sleep.” She got comfortable, and little Emma yawned again with her head resting against her mom’s chest.
Cora ended up sitting on the rug with her back to the bricks of the large hearth. A moment later, Grey joined her.
The family began to relate their favorite stories about Grandpa Jackson. There was a lot of laughter and joking. Even Flynn, who held Zac on his lap, looked content for the first time that weekend.
Cora’s heart ached. She was completely unaware she’d been crying until Grey gently wiped a tear from her cheek. He didn’t ask her if she was okay or say anything at all.
Thoughts swirled around in her head until she finally whispered to Grey, “I wish we knew whether our baby was a boy or a girl.”
“I felt like it was a girl from the very beginning,” he said with conviction. “She would’ve looked just like you.”
“She should be here right now.” She was on the verge of losing control of her emotions. She bit her lip to keep the tears at bay and tried to sniff discreetly.
Grey didn’t say a word. Instead, he put an arm around her shoulders and drew her close to his side. It meant more than anything he might have voiced. For once, Cora didn’t care what the others thought, or even if it meant it might complicate things between them later. What she needed was support and comfort from the only person who knew what she was feeling right now.
This time, when their hands brushed, she didn’t hesitate to place hers in his. Their fingers laced together without a second thought from Cora.
Suddenly, the lights flickered on, effectively blinding everyone. Cora flinched and closed her eyes. She wasn’t sure who let go first, but their hands fell away from each other and cooler air seeped into the new space between them.
Zac stood and jumped around with excitement. The hum of the heater announced that soon, the entire cabin would be warm again.
“Finally.” Flynn stood and brushed off his pants. “I’m going to get my cell phone and charge it. Hopefully we can call someone at the resort or the airport and get an update.” He began to go upstairs.
Abby grabbed her son’s arm as he ran by. “Zac, your sister is asleep. I need you to quiet down a little.”
