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“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it. I haven’t been sledding since I was a little girl.”
“Be right back.” I walked with long strides to the porch, going through the house to open the garage door. I grabbed a few plastic sleds before heading back outside and handing the girls the strings. “We can just pull these.”
Ember didn’t waste any time taking the string and running down the lane. We followed more slowly. “You can ride with me. I only have two. But the rest of my family might show up.”
“Is Addy coming?” Ember yelled over her shoulder.
“I texted Uncle Knox and told him to meet us there.”
She whooped and ran harder down the hill.
“I love seeing her so happy,” I said, my mouth moving without a filter. I was caught up in the joy of the day. The snow coming down was already blanketing the ground and trees. It was a winter wonderland.
Hanna looked at me with something akin to affection in her expression. She let her head fall back and opened her mouth to catch the flakes on her tongue.
I laughed. “I haven’t tried to catch snowflakes since I was a kid. My brothers probably made fun of me.”
Hanna smiled. “Sometimes it’s nice to just let go.”
I grabbed her hand and smiled. “I think we made a promise about letting go of everything until after the holidays.”
We were both wearing gloves, so I couldn’t feel the heat of her palm, but I felt the connection in my heart. “That’s still my plan,” she said.
We were quiet for a few seconds, content to walk through the snow. There were probably a few inches on the ground and a few more to come.
I squeezed her hand and grinned. “I can’t believe I waited so long to build the cabin.”
“You thought living in town was best for Ember.”
“This is what’s best for her. Here, she’s surrounded by family who loves her, and she has you.”
Hanna shrugged. “I’m just a friend.”
“You’re so much more than that. Don’t sell yourself short. You’ve been there for us from the beginning. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. Without you, I couldn’t have done it.”
“I know for a fact that you have your mom’s and your brothers’ help.
I draped an arm over her shoulder. “I’m so lucky to have all of you.”
“Come on. Addy’s already here,” Ember called to us.
We hadn’t been paying attention because the main house was already in sight. Knox and Sarah were at the bottom of the hill as Addy glided down. They shouted and encouraged her. Their puppy, who was about a year old now, bounded around in the snow, the white stuff covering his nose.
“Comet loves the snow,” I said.
I cherished the few minutes we had just to ourselves. I could almost imagine us dating. That this was just another snow day we spent together as a family. This was our life. Evenings on the porch, pancakes for breakfast, and days spent playing together, baking cookies, and having fun.
Sarah and Knox walked up the hill, towing Addy on the sled.
“You survived the storm?” Knox asked when he reached us.
I rested the sled at the top of the hill and waited while Ember climbed onto it. “It’s not a big one. Just enough to have some fun. But I bet it will be gone in a few days.”
“Enjoy it while you can.” Knox set Addy’s sled next to Ember’s.
“Are you ready for a push?” I asked as I moved behind the girls.
“We’re ready,” they both cried as they gripped the sides, and Knox and I pushed them.
