Page 1 of Hot Times in Heart Falls, Vignettes Vol 3

A Night of Contrasts

A cold wind is blowing through Heart Falls. In some cases, it’s not even noticed as things heat up, in more ways than one. But not everyone has found what they need to be warm through and through. Not yet.

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Featuring: The Stone families: Walker, Ivy & family, Ashton & Sonora, Caleb, Tamara & family, Luke & Kelli, Ginny & Tucker, and Dustin

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Timeline: This scene is set the December after Rose’s One Night to Forever.

1

December 29, Heart Falls

A cold wind rushed over the bare branches of the larch trees that grew in the fold of the mountain. The snow that had fallen that day swirled skyward as if a genie had tossed an enchantment in the air. The flakes traced the path of the wind as it swooped down toward the foothills then past the small town of Heart Falls.

On the outskirts of town, the lonely shapes of memorial stones buried under snowy hillocks lay in the graveyard. Here everything was quiet. Lives that had been lived to the fullest—or not—everyone here was now equal.

Peaceful. Complete.

Sorrow was there reflected in a fresh bouquet fading under the snow.

Contentment was also represented in the shared names of couples who had passed after twenty, thirty, forty or more years spent walking the earth together.

All now lay silent except for the wind that rustled through the trees lining the edge of the yard.

The small solar lights that dotted the graveyard were covered with snowy caps, creating a magical impression of stars fallen from the sky to land in the quiet place.

A streak of light spilled from the house next door as the back door was shoved open, spotlighting the trampled snow of the backyard. Noise poured out as well, as two children tumbled into the yard, laughing so hard the dog that followed them out burst into an excited chorus of yips that echoed off the nearby headstones.

The wind whirled, spun, and danced around one child as he scooped up snow into a ball and bit down desperately…

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Inside the house, Walker held his hands up even as Ivy pointed a finger at him. “I didn’t do anything,” he protested.

“It wasn’t Daddy,” five-year-old Harper agreed. She stood in the doorway watching as her big brother and sister and their still barking dog dragged themselves out of the snow and returned to the porch.

Ivy was on her feet, shaking her head, but amusement shone in her eyes. “Of course, you didn’t do anything. Mister One Chip Challenge.”

She handed seven-year-old Chloe and nine-year-old Carter each a towel as they reentered the house. “New rule. No matter how hot your mouth gets, you don’t get to run outside in the middle of winter without coats or boots.”

“Dry your feet,” Walker instructed with as much seriousness as he could muster. Then he tugged back the chair beside him and waited for Chloe to return. “I take it you thought that sample was pretty hot?”

Chloe’s grin said it all. “Nope. I didn’t want Carter to feel left out.”

“Hey.” Carter blinked then pouted briefly as he settled next to Ivy.

Faithful, the family’s golden retriever, bounded over and waited for Harper to sit in her chair again so he could lovingly lay his chin on her leg.

This night wasn’t what Walker had expected if he thought back to a year ago. Here he was, playing a game with his family. His children.

His gaze met Ivy’s. His everything.

She gave him a wink, and that warm spot inside his chest pulsed another time. Contentment and joy bubbled up.

“Everyone ready for the next challenge?” Ivy asked.