“Kiss those babies for me.”
I untuck myself from Ollie and Grover and shove my phone into the waist of my leggings. “I’m going to shovel part of the driveway while Frankie is still sleeping.”
Ollie stares at the TV screen. “Are we leaving soon?”
“No.” I run a hand over his head. “We got too much snow. I think it’s best if we stay here.”
He slumps. “But S-s-santa is bringing my train to Grandma Susie’s.”
“Are you kidding?” I squeeze him to my side. “Santa has special elves to track the weather. He’s fully aware of the snowstorm and our change in plans.”
“Will he have to fly through the snow?”
I shrug. “I don’t know, but coming from the North Pole, I’m sure he’s used to it.”
He grins. “I b-bet Rudolph is good at finding the way.”
I nod. “He won’t let Santa down.” I kiss his head, and Grover hops off the couch. “I’ll be back.”
“Can I play in the s-snow?”
“Not yet. Let me get some of it cleared first.”
I slip on my shoes and open the back door. A whoosh of snow falls in, dusting the air. I sweep it out as Grover barrels past me and into the backyard.
I grab the shovel from the garage and scoop the snow away from the door and to the side of the driveway.
Movement catches my eye. I glance up and see the tall, muscular figure strolling down his neatly shoveled driveway, pulling on his Carhartt coat and stocking cap. His boots plow through the six inches of snow, and Grover barks, propping his front paws on the fence to greet him.
Slade scratches behind his ears before the dog runs off. I wrap my arms around myself as he stomps the snow off his boots.
“You can’t travel in this. The roads up north are a mess.”
I lean on the shovel, smiling up at him. “Well, good morning, Snow Leopard. I’m so glad to see you’ve put your bossy pants on today.” I peer down at his long legs. “They’re masculine, durable, annnnnddd mildly attractive.” This man’s jeans hug his legs and butt like they were made for him.
He shoves his hands in his coat pockets, staring down his nose at me, trying very hard not to crack his aloof stare with a smile. His light brown hair curls out from under his hat, and I wonder how many times I could twist it around my finger.
Crap.
I stab the ground with my shovel, along with that thought. Slade’s amazing hair is not what I will spend Christmas thinking about.
“One might suspect that you, sir, were watching the road report and were concerned about us.”
He only watches me, his eyes moving over my face.
“You can just settle down.” I pat his chest. “We aren’t going. They got even more snow, and it’ll take forever to get the roads clear.”
“So, you’re staying here?”
“Yep.” I glance around at the crisp white wonderland. “At least Ollie is excited to play in the snow.”
Grover barks, plopping himself in a drift on the other side of the fence with his tongue hanging out.
“Mama.” Ollie steps out of the house in his pajamas with his boots unfastened and on the wrong feet, his bear hat pulled over his ears.
Slade turns, taking two strides, and lifts him. “You’re like your mom. Where’s your coat?”
Ollie shrugs.
