The Dead of Winter (Seasons of Jefferson: Book 2) (27 page)

By the third piece, I have to take off my flannel. Sweat is dripping down my back from over-exerting my recovering arm. I start in again, grabbing the next piece of wood. As I raise the axe, I glance up at the truck bed to find Avery performing a full body scan. When her eyes meet mine, she looks away quickly. I laugh to myself.
She’s embarrassed that I caught her eyeing me.
This time, I raise the axe and peek discreetly under my arm. I want to see if I can catch her again.

And again, I catch her watching me. “Like what you see?” I chuckle as I bring the axe back down through the wood.

She’s silent for just a moment. As I watch her intently, waiting for her response, I notice her mocha cheeks blush mauve. “Just thinking about how much faster
I
could get that done,” she laughs, jumping down from the truck bed. She disappears behind the truck and reappears with another axe.

Where’d that come from?
I study the tool in her hand as she moves toward Jessie May. Then slowly, she leans into her and whispers. Jessie May looks over at me. She’s close enough that I can see her eyebrows wander up her forehead and pinch together. Her lower jaw slackens.
What’s going on here? Why are they looking at me like that?

“Step aside, Hot Shot. I want to try.” Avery lifts the axe and splits through the wood with ease. “Another piece, please.” I bring her another piece, and watch her crack through it again. And again. And again. She’s so fast, I almost can’t keep up with the fetching and stacking.

Who is this girl? Superwoman?
I know my mouth is hanging open, but I can’t believe what I’m seeing. How’s she doing this so fast?

“Don’t just stand there and gawk,” she chuckles. “Get me another piece. Don’t you want to win this race?”

Bending down to get a bigger piece of wood, I find myself shaking my head back and forth.
Let’s see if she can chop this piece.
I hate to admit it to myself, but that was impressive. “Where’d you learn to split wood like that?”

“Well,” she lifts the ax and slams it down, slicing through the wood like it’s butter. “It’s what country girls do. We hunt, chop wood, ride horses, and show up people who call themselves country boys.” She looks at me through her lashes, popping her eyebrows to signal that she’s talking about
me
. “Now, hand me another piece of wood.”

I grab another piece and hand it over. “I know what country girls do. I’ve seen lots of ‘em. But none of them chop wood like
that
. What’s the secret?”

“No secret. Really,” she laughs, looking back at the truck toward her partner in crime. Jessie May is doubled over, covering her mouth.
Is she sick?
I take another look.
No. She’s laughing too
. I shake my head, stupefied by how much better than me, this girl is at chopping wood.

“Am I being punked?” I look around, trying to find cameras. “Wait, where’d you get that axe? Let me see it.”

“No, no. I’ve got this. We’ve almost filled our quota. I only need to chop a couple more rounds,” she giggles.

By now, I hear noise coming from behind the truck and watch blond hair bobbing up and down.

“Sandy, is that you?”

She comes out waving with a huge grin on her face. “How’d it go over here?”

Avery looks at her and wags her eyebrows. “I showed him up. Just like you said I would.” She gives Sandy a high five.

“Told ya,” she laughs.

I’m totally embarrassed that I couldn’t keep up with Tangles on the wood chopping, and I glare at the two of them, who have obviously schemed against me in some way.

“Okay, that about does it.” Jessie May comes up behind us. “Thanks for letting Avery borrow your magic axe,” she gushes. “Let’s go have Santa check our stack.”

“Magic axe?” I question.

The girls laugh. “Just looking out for you, Caden.” Sandy sets her hand on my injured shoulder and winks. Then she leans in and whispers in my ear, “Word of advice. Don’t let your machismo ruin your recovery. Now go get that stack checked!” She pops me on the bottom, sending me on my way.

“But, magic axe? I don’t get it.”

“And you never will.” She winks at Avery. “Some secrets are only meant for us country girls.”

WE GRAB OUR CARD AND
jump back in the jeep. “You kids all done?”

“Yep, got our next task card right here!” I toss the toy over the seat, back to the girls, and look down to read the card. Before I can speak the first set of directions, Sandy’s already screeching out of the parking lot.

“Hold up!” Jessie May squeals. “I’m not even all the way in!” I look over my shoulder to see Avery reaching across the seat. It’s hilarious to see her attempt at keeping Jessie May from flying out.

“No worries! Step on it. Tangles ain’t lettin’ her go anywhere!” I have to laugh, watching the pint-sized princess pull Jessie May back in and slam the door in one fierce motion.

My voice strains to read the blurring card, as we fly over the ruts and bounce around the corner, leaving a heavy trail of dust in our wake:

“Now that you’re no longer rookies, go and decorate some cookies! They’re waiting for you at the school. Get there fast! Just past the pool!”

“Which school are they talking about?”

Sandy shrieks, “It’s a clue.
Just past the pool!
It’s got to be the high school!”

“Well, what are we waiting for? Step on it!”

As I’m slammed into the back of my seat, I realize Tangles’ command to
step on it
, was completely unnecessary. It seems as though Sandy is working with two speeds tonight. Stop and light speed ahead. The adrenaline begins to pump through my chest as we fly up McCloud Avenue, practically breaking the sound barrier. My lunch has found its way to my throat, and my cheeks begin to quiver as we rush past the long line of parked cars. Wide eyed, I feel my heart catapult as we rapidly approach tail lights on the corner of McCloud and Washington. The excessive speed has my nerves tied up in knots. When we nearly hit the back of the stopped car, I thump the dashboard with my hand and jump back in my seat.

“Shit!” I accidentally blurt out.

Tangles’ giggle floats through the cab, and I swear I hear Danica Patrick’s name being whispered in the back seat. I look up through the rearview mirror to see if the girls are okay. To my surprise, they seem to be rather amused by the driving.

“What’s the matter, Caden? Can’t you handle a little speed?” Tangles jokes.

I feel the heat spread through my cheeks, as I catch a quick glimpse of her laughing at her own wisecrack. I’m embarrassed by my reaction to the near fender bender and find myself a little tongue-tied.
She’s right. I’m being a candy-ass. Other people are starting to notice. How am I ever going to get past this?
I scratch the back of my head out of nervous habit. I’ve got to come up with a way to mask my fear.
Come on, dude, think of a comeback. Say something.
Nothing
.

When my silence becomes uncomfortable, Avery finally speaks. “You are scared, aren’t you?”

I can’t bring myself to look at her, so I glue my eyes to the road ahead of me. A momentary void fills the cab, until she breaks the thick silence.

“Well, it was a little scary,” she pauses.

Did I hear her right?
I glance back to gauge my read on her response.
Is she trying to make me feel better?
I watch her elbow Jessie May, “Wasn’t it?” She raises her eyebrows and nods toward me.

“Uh, yeah.” Jessie May giggles.

“Not funny,” Tangles growls under her breath.

Jessie May tries to ease the situation. “Sorry, I laugh when I’m nervous.”

While I try to figure out where the new, compassionate side of Tangles came from, Sandy pulls up next to the curb and unlocks the door.

“Well, go on,” she encourages.

I can’t move yet. I need a second to allow my stomach to fall back into place, and let my blurring eyes adjust to the stillness. Rather than get out right away, I roll my head and look at her in disbelief. “What got into you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Last time I rode with you, I could’ve gotten there faster if I’d saddled a turtle.”

I hear Tangles snort-laugh from the back seat.

“What are
you
laughing at?”

“The turtle thing. It just reminds me of the way you ski,” she giggles again.

I shake my head and huff.
I wish she could’ve seen me before the accident. Back when I was fearless.
Again, uncomfortable silence fills the cab. I have nothing to say.

“Don’t worry, Cade Monster. You’ll be at the top of your game again in no time,” Sandy reassures me. “It’s only been a month.”

She must remember our conversation from the store, because Tangles leans over the front seat. “I’m just messing with you.” She pats me on the shoulder. “What are we waiting for? Come on. Let’s see if you can get some of your speed back. I’ll race you to the school!”

All of our doors swing open at once.

“I’ll wait here!” I hear Sandy’s voice ring through the air, as I kick it into full speed and race across the lawn. I look over my shoulder as I approach the front door. The girls are a good fifty yards back.
Good job, Woodley. What are they gonna say to that?
Feeling a little guilty for the ruthless beat down, I run up the steps so I can hold open the front door.
I’d better show them that I’m still a gentleman.

Between the two girls, Avery’s much quicker than Jessie May. There’s determination in her eyes, as she lunges into her stride. When she nears, I watch the gap widen between the two girls.
She’s a competitor.
Her quads pop through her leggings, as she bounds up the sidewalk.
Wow, she’s smooth
. That face. That look.
She reminds me of someone.
She’s got to be a racer… and not just a skier. Probably a runner.
I’m fixated on her movement. She’s strong. Fast. Gorgeous.

I watch intently as her eyes meet mine. My heart jumps a little as I notice a smile play at the corner of her lips. I can’t look away from her. That smile. It’s rare. I don’t want to miss it.
Aw, there it is.
Adrenaline washes through me, infusing me with the medication I’ve only found with her.
God, she really is beautiful.

We watch each other intently as she moves quickly up the walk. I can’t help but wear victory on my face. Her feet have barely found the steps when she begins to humbly laugh out, “You did it! Got meeeeee!” At the same time, she leaps forward, skipping a step, for an enthusiastic high five.

Unfortunately, we don’t connect. She just misses my hand as her feet come back down onto the icy sidewalk. She’s unprepared for the slick landing. I watch her arms swish through the air, grabbing for anything to steady herself. She comes up empty, as her feet dance below her, trying to gain their footing. There’s nothing she’s going to be able to do to stop herself from falling. Instinctively, I lunge forward, to save her.

In the nick of time, I catch her tiny body before she hits the icy ground. The feeling of holding her in my arms lights me up inside. I can’t hide my smile. Then looking down into her big, brown eyes, I find myself whispering, “I got you alright.”

My eyes are fixed on hers. As I hold her tightly, trying not to drop her, I can feel her quickening pulse beneath my fingertips, and I have to wonder if she can feel mine too. I pause to take her in. Every tiny piece of her. Her face, her feel, her smell.
Her smell. There’s that sweet vanilla again. Is it really her?
The door to the gym is open, and I can’t help but wonder if maybe it’s the cookies we’re supposed to be decorating. I’ve never smelled such a delicious scent on a girl before. I want to know for sure if it’s her, so I can file it away in my memory as my favorite fragrance. I can’t help myself. I lean forward.

Her response to my closeness catches me off guard. Her eyes grow wide with surprise, as my face nears hers. She swallows loud enough that I can hear her gulp. Then she takes a deep breath.
Does she think I’m going to kiss her?
I’m amused by the thought.
As not to embarrass myself, I decide to run her through a little test
.
Slowly, I pull her in close until we’re chest to chest. I move my mouth directly toward hers. Pausing, I smile down at her. Momentarily, I watch her eyes question mine. She squints at me, lifting her eyebrows, and pulling her face away. I’m positive she’s warning me to back off.

There’s the feisty Tangles I know
. As adorably funny as I think her reaction is, I can’t help but wonder if she’s maybe a little overconfident. If she thinks she can get a kiss out of me this easily, she’s in for a surprise.
I’ll show her.
I decide to have a little fun with this game.
Again, I move in closer, pausing just as my nose slightly touches the tip of hers.

For a brief moment, I think I’m going to fail my own test. I actually want to go through with the kiss.
Why does she have to smell like vanilla?
Where’s your self control, Woodley? You can’t do this. Not yet
. Again, I look her in the eyes and smile. I slowly tilt my head to the side, allowing myself to close the space between us. Then gently brushing past her lips, I slide my cheek down hers and turn away at the last second.