Gracie inhaled sharply, but then she smiled and leaned in to kiss him. The sweet flavor of her lips was mixed with a hint of spice like the passion he was feeling, desire he was afraid might overwhelm her. He broke away before they got lost in each other.

  She shook her head. “I’ve never been kissed like that. I…”

  “You need to trust your heart. Trust me, Gracie. Believe that we’re meant to be.” He wished he could tell her about true-mate love, but her hesitation told him he needed to wait a little bit longer to claim his true mate.

  CHAPTER 8

  Gracie

  In love? The moment Leo told her she was in love with him she knew it was true. Although, she thought he was being dramatic by saying her life with him would be amazing. She was too logical to believe that. But Leo did make her deliriously happy, and when he asked her to kiss him, Gracie let herself open the doors to her heart wide so she could connect with the man she suddenly couldn’t imagine a life without.

  The kiss was like nothing she’d ever experienced before. The world swirled around her as if she was swimming, and places deep inside her woke up as if they’d been lying dormant for all of her life. When she broke away to take a breath, she welcomed the cool air in her lungs with the hope it would bring her back down to earth. And when she kissed him a second time, it was as if she’d been swept away into a euphoric land.

  When he stopped the kiss, she gazed at Leo in amazement. “This doesn’t feel real. It’s too—"

  “Intense?” The wind blew powdery snow from a nearby snowmaking machine their way and deposited a thin layer over them before shifting to another direction.

  Gracie nodded, barely feeling the cold of the snow melting on her face. Intense only began to describe the onslaught of emotions she was experiencing.

  “Because to you,” Leo said, “what we are isn’t real yet, Gracie. But it will be soon enough.”

  She frowned in confusion. The man was saying some strange things. She wanted to think he was being overly romantic, but she got the impression Leo was trying to tell her something more serious.

  “I know I’m being vague,” he said. “I’ll explain what I mean at some point. Right now, though, let’s just enjoy this.” He leaned in and kissed her again.

  Gracie wanted to understand what he was keeping from her, but his kiss was too intoxicating. She relaxed as Leo pulled her tight against his body, and she splayed her hands on his back to feel his firm muscles. She noticed the heat of him and how it seeped through her mittens to warm her chilled fingers. The warmth of his arms wrapped around her like a thick blanket, making her never want to let go.

  It was more than comforting. Her body ached for him sexually, and Gracie couldn’t help trembling as desire raced through her like a brush fire. She wanted so much more than a kiss, and the sensations making her head spin nearly drowned her. She pulled back to blow out a long breath of air. “You’re a really good kisser.”

  Leo chuckled. “We’re really good kissers, but that’s because our mouths were made for each other.”

  She laughed. “Did you buy a book of lines to make women fall for you or something?”

  He shook his head. “I’m being serious. And soon you’ll understand what I mean.”

  “Okay, enough of the secrecy. What are you talking about?”

  “I’m sorry. What I’m trying to say is that I believe we’re like soul mates, Gracie. That’s why everything with you feels like it’s been multiplied.”

  “Leo—"

  “Shhh.” He put a finger on her lips to stop her from talking. “Don’t ruin the moment. Just go with it. Let yourself be happy.”

  She was happy. Happier than she could ever remember being, so Gracie nodded. “I can do that.” She tilted her head at him and said what she was thinking instead of holding back. “Does this mean you’ll kiss me again?”

  “With pleasure.”

  Gracie didn’t want to stop kissing Leo, but it was cold, and when she began to shiver, they went inside. They discovered that most people had left, so once Gracie was warm again, Leo walked her to her car.

  As they stood by the driver’s door, Leo embraced her and said, “I don’t want to let you go. Come home with me.”

  “I’d like that, Leo, but—"

  “It’s too soon for you.”

  “No. It probably should be, but it’s not. It’s too late to call home, and my mother is expecting me.”

  “Then I’ll say goodnight and miss you until tomorrow.” Leo kissed her goodbye before he left.

  Gracie watched him walking away in her rearview mirror as she drove out of the parking lot. She couldn’t contain the huge grin on her face, and she began to hum “Jingle Bells.” It wasn’t until she got to the access road that she remembered she was supposed to bring milk home. But the small grocery store at the base of the mountain was already closed, and Gracie’s good mood was dampened when she imagined her mother’s wrath when she found out.

  If she were lucky, Margo would be asleep. Unfortunately, after Gracie turned her key in the lock as quietly as she could to avoid waking her mother, she opened the door to discover Margo on the couch still watching TV.

  Margo looked over at her and scanned her with a piercing gaze. “Where have you been? You better not have been drinking.”

  Gracie tensed with her newfound resolve to stand up for herself. “Things ran later than I expected. I’m sorry.”

  “So, whatever you were doing was more important than fulfilling your promise to me?”

  Gracie sighed. “Mom, you could go to the store yourself to get milk.”

  “What did you say to me?”

  As much as she wanted to give a smart reply, Gracie didn’t want to push the woman too far. “I can get it for you on my way home tomorrow.”

  “Like I can trust you to do that.” Margo stood up and glared at her daughter. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I’m not impressed.”

  This was the point where Gracie would typically apologize more and perhaps say something self-deprecating, but she was done being meek little Gracie. She recalled a time she was assertive in her job with a man who had tried to weasel free lift tickets from her. It was time to be strong enough to do it at home too. “What has gotten into me is that I want to live my life. I’m moving out.”

  Her mother scoffed. “You can’t do that.”

  “Yes, Mom. I can.”

  “Where does that leave me?” Margo threw up her hands. “How will I pay rent?”

  Gracie shook her head and walked toward her bedroom. “I suggest you get a job.”

  “Gracie!”

  She turned to look at her mother. The woman had no trouble hopping in her car to go shopping at the mall for clothes, or take herself out to lunch on Gracie’s dime. The resentment that had been building for years spilled out. “I have paid the bills for ten years while you sit on the couch and watch TV. You never grocery shop, you barely do laundry, and I’m not sure you even know where the toilet bowl cleaner is. I’m done taking care of you, Mom.”

  Her mother’s eyes narrowed as she clenched her jaw in anger. “You’ll never make it out there on your own. You can’t even get a boyfriend.”

  “Actually, Mom, I have one. His name is Leo and he’s—" Gracie hugged herself as his face flashed in her mind. “He’s amazing.”

  “I doubt that. But you go get your heart broken. Go ahead and leave.” Margo huffed and sat down on the couch. “Don’t you dare come crawling back to me with your tail between your legs when everything falls apart. Once you move out of here, you’re gone forever.”

  Gracie nodded before turning on her heel, and she walked into her bedroom and shut the door. She held out her hands to see they were shaking, but all she could do was smile. The sadness and guilt she thought might come didn’t. Exhilaration filled her instead. She changed into pajamas with a clear conscience, certain she’d just done the right thing for herself. Once she climbed into bed, she tugged the comforter tightly around her body and let the memories of Leo’s kisses flood her mind as she fantasized about a life with him. Gracie fell asleep believing she was taking an important step toward a life more amazing than she could possibly imagine.

  CHAPTER 9

  Gracie

  Margo was not up the next morning when Gracie got ready for work, and she was happy to leave the house without speaking to her mother. When she stepped outside to leave, she was met by a clear blue sky. Sunlight made the frost on her windshield glisten like glitter before she scraped it off. Gracie glanced around her driveway at the evergreens with clumps of snow stuck on the boughs and bright red winterberry bushes in the field behind the house. She’d already cut a few branches to decorate the mantel at home, and it occurred to her she should cut a few more to bring to Tracy at work. The woman loved decorating her house for the seasons.

  Gracie certainly had the time considering the fact she hadn’t had to wait on her mother that morning. The engine of her car hummed when she turned it on to warm up. The glove box clicked shut when she closed it after grabbing a multipurpose tool she stored there, and she plodded through deep snow into the field to cut branches. She smiled to herself as she gathered enough winterberry to fill her arms. There would be plenty for Tracy, and there was plenty left to cut later for Gracie’s new house, wherever that might be.

  She hoped Henry still had room in his rental. He had offered her the loft earlier that season, and because it wasn’t as private as a room with a door, the cost was low enough Gracie could easily afford it. She placed the winterberry branches in the back of her car and headed to work.

  Gracie’s happiness continued as she drove. She did spend a moment worrying about her mother, but rent had been paid until the end of January, and there was plenty of food in the pantry to keep her mother fed. She also knew the woman had a nice bank account she refused to touch, claiming the money was for emergencies. Margo would be just fine until she found a job, so Gracie let the joy of her new freedom take over.

  She nearly skipped into work and greeted everyone she saw with a smile as she carried an armful of winterberry branches to Tracy’s office. Tracy glanced up from her computer screen, and a smile grew on her face as she removed her glasses. “You are full of holiday cheer today, Gracie,” she said as she stood up, “This is the version of you I love to see. What has you smiling?” She gave Gracie a coy look.

  “Exactly what you think,” Gracie said as she opened her arms to let Tracy take the branches from her. “I have a date for the holiday party with Leo.”

  “Excellent. I’m so glad you’re going this year.”

  “Me too.”

  Tracy grabbed half of the winterberry. “Goodness, these are lovely. Thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome.” Gracie was in such a good mood that when she walked into the locker room she went over to where the pretty girls kept their things. “Would any of you like some?”

  Fiona scoffed, but Carla reached out for a bough. “I’d love them. Where did you find winterberry?”

  “Behind my house. There is a huge field of them.”

  “They’re so pretty,” Maggie said as she took a branch and inspected it. “These are going to look so nice on the railing.” The three girls lived together in a condo on the mountain that belonged to Carla’s family.

  “That’s what I was thinking!” Carla said.

  Maggie nodded. “Great minds.”

  “And this is why we’re friends,” Fiona piped in as if she hadn’t balked at first. She reached out and snatched the rest of the winterberry from Gracie, and her tone was syrupy sweet when she said, “You’re a dear, Gracie. Thank you.”

  Her sarcasm didn’t do a thing to ruin Gracie’s mood, and she grinned as she walked over to her locker. The door clanged when she tugged it open. She was on courtesy patrol that morning, which meant she would be skiing in a bright green jacket that identified her as guest services, and she’d be helping anyone with questions or retrieving equipment for fallen skiers. In the afternoon she’d be dressed as Vixen for her shift on the beginner’s trail.

  She was sliding into her ski pants when she heard Leo from behind her. “Looks like we’re skiing together today.”

  “Really?” she asked as she turned to him.

  He smiled. “The perks of this job are pretty great.”

  She chuckled and noticed Henry had walked into the locker room. “Hold that thought. I need to talk to Henry for a minute.”

  She walked over in her stocking feet to where his locker was. “Hey. I’ve got a question for you.”

  Henry set his backpack down on the bench with a thud. “Shoot.”

  “Is the loft in your house still available? Because I think it’s time I moved.”

  He frowned at her. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah, fine. But I’m ready to live a life without my mother being privy to everything I do.”

  “Ah. Privacy for you and Leo. Got it.” Heat rushed to Gracie’s face, but Henry quickly said, “Lucky for you, the loft is still open. When do you want to move in?”

  Gracie wanted to say immediately because she was not looking forward to Christmas Eve with her mother. But she knew she should spend it with Margo, so she said. “Day after tomorrow?”

  “No problem. But if you don’t have plans tomorrow night, we’re having Christmas dinner after work and we’d love to have you.”

  Many of the younger employees at Sugar Mountain didn’t celebrate the holiday with their parents since the resort needed them, and they’d take days off to see family when the vacation week was over. “That sounds fun,” Gracie said as she wondered what Leo was doing. “Can I—"

  “I invited Leo earlier.” Henry grinned at her. “There’s already a bed and bureau in the loft. Need any help moving your things?”

  Gracie shook her head. “I’m good. Thank you so much, Henry.”

  “Sure thing. Kate is going to be so excited to have you. She hates being the only girl.”

  Gracie considered she would be living with three men. “Please tell me the house isn’t like a fraternity.”

  “It’s not.” Henry chuckled. “Kate made a chore chart for us, and we are all too afraid not to put the toilet seat down if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  Gracie laughed. “Tell Kate I’ll help enforce those rules.”

  After she was dressed to ski, she and Leo made their way outside. Her skis were heavy on her shoulder as the two walked to the chairlift. As she clicked her boots into her bindings, Gracie said, “Henry told me you’re invited to Christmas dinner at his house. Are you going to go?”

  “I’m planning on it. Are you going to be there?”

  “Yes.” She smiled at him as they got in line for the lift. “We’re going to spend Christmas together.”

  “The first of many, Gracie.” He tapped her ski pole with his. “Because I know you’re my forever.”

  Her heart soared, and she took a deep breath as the love she felt gushing out of her heart made her feel as if she were about to levitate. She did want to spend the rest of her life with him. “Leo—” She shook her head as she laughed at herself. “I think you’re my forever, too.”

  CHAPTER 10

  Leo

  A metal chair rattled as it swung around the bull wheel at the top of the beginner lift. He and Gracie had been tasked with a catch-and-release duty. Those learning to ski and snowboard often fell when getting off the lift, and to keep things running smoothly, two courtesy patrollers would rush in to help the beginners get to their feet and out of the way for the next chair full of people.

  They’d been blessed with another sunny day and moderate temperatures, and Leo was itching to take his coat off when he said to Gracie, “We got a good morning to be doing this.”

  “I know,” she said. Another chair swung around as two snowboarders slid down the exit ramp and over to the right toward the trail with ease.

  Leo had never spent Christmas away from his family, but because he was working at Sugar Mountain, this year he would. Truthfully, while he’d miss his parents and his sister with her mate and five kids, he had spent the last few years feeling melancholy over wanting a mate and children of his own. The idea of spending any time he could with his true mate this holiday more than made up for missing Christmas with his family.

  Although, he did wonder why Gracie wasn’t spending Christmas night with her mother. He spied two women about to get off the chair. One had a death grip on the side bar while the other had her poles pointed forward as if she were in a starting gate for a race. Gracie spoke softly. “Here we go.”

  The lift attendant in the booth next to the ramp saw trouble too, and he hit the button that slowed the chairlift down. It didn’t make much difference for the women, because they both pushed off the chair to slide forward and managed to tangle themselves together by the time they got to the bottom of the slight incline of the exit ramp. Skis popped off, making the attendant stop the lift, and Gracie and Leo stepped in to help the women put themselves back together.

  “Are you two going to be okay?” Gracie asked them. Like Leo, she must have thought the women had decided to teach themselves how to ski. “You’d be amazed what a beginner lesson can do, and we have one starting soon.”

  The woman in the purple helmet smiled at Gracie. “We may take you up on that. Let’s see how we do getting down the trail first.”

  “Can you stop on those things?” Leo asked.

  “Yup,” the second woman said. She was the one who had held her poles out when getting off the chair. “Just snowplow.”

  Leo respected her confidence, even if he believed it wasn’t going to help her much. “Yes,” he said, “but remember, there’s no shame in falling down if you start going too fast or are about to hit someone else.”

  The two women laughed, and the one with the purple helmet said, “At least we’ve got that part down. Thanks for your help.” She pushed off with poles to begin moving.