Page 18 of When the Snowman Whispered
When we dated, I remember thinking that for all Daniel’s muscle and big frame, he had the softest skin. Just like a woman’s flesh. As if he lathered his hard body daily with high-end lotion and visited the spa twice a month.
But that wasn’t Daniel. He was a mountain man. A country boy. Raised by a good woman. He was a cold beer guy instead of an expensive glass of wine. Ayes, ma’amguy instead of ahey, lady. Come over here. He was jeans not suits. Boots not shoes.
On a typical Saturday morning, one could find Daniel fly-fishing. By lunch, he’d be with his rifle off in the mountains hunting. On most Sundays, he gathered a bunch of neighborhood kids on the back of his father’s old truck and would take them to Parker’s lake for fishing.
Since he was a boy, he ran wild in the woods. Aging hadn’t stopped his adventurous spirit, and neither did the police uniform.
Our eyes met and my skin warmed. His gaze was a caress. Intensely physical. An extended hand, reaching out to slip fingertips against my skin.
I’m glad I’ve been avoiding him.
Licking my lips, I stepped back.
He’s still got it.
“Hello, Faith.” Snow crunched under his boots as Daniel walked over and stood in front of me, towering over my small form. His accent was like spice—fresh out of the shop of one of those small, family owned stores where they took great care in stocking their tiny shelves.
With each of his words, I could smell it in the air.
“Hello, Daniel.”
“How are you?”
“Fine.” My nerves flared, more so then when I’d been around the crazy snow people by myself.
Daniel did that to me.
It was why I avoided him. He made me think of things that I didn’t want to ponder anymore—love and regret, hot sex and possible heart-breaking rejection.
Daniel stood in front of me and in that moment, I completely forgot why he was there. I was about to ask if he wanted to come inside for tea when he said, “Janice said you saw someone running around your property?”
Holy fuck. Yes. Crazy, demon snow people. Concentrate.
My voice came out shaky. “Yes. There’s something. I mean someone around.”
Looking behind me, Daniel kept his hand on his holster, but didn’t take his gun out. “Do you see them anymore?”
“No, but,” I glanced at the snowman. “I definitely think he’s still out here.” I spotted the mermaids now near the mail box. “In fact, I think it was more than one person.”
Daniel walked back to his car and opened the front door. “How many?”
“Four people at least.”
“Okay. Stay right there. I’m going to call Eddie over here. You let me know if you see anything.”
“Okay.” Shaking, I kept my eyes on the snowman.
Daniel pulled out his radio and spoke into it while I drifted off on my own path of manic thoughts.
What happens now? Either they’re going to come alive around Daniel or they’re not. I can’t let him leave me alone because they’ll just come back alive? What will they do to me if they come back alive?
I pulled the pack of cigarettes out of my pocket, realized I’d taken them out, and stuffed them right back in. “Maybe, I should kill them.”
“What?” Daniel stood by my side. Alarm ran across his face.
I jumped. “Nothing.”
“Eddie is on his way.”
