Page 36 of When the Snowman Whispered
“Adorable and hot is what most people say. Unable to take their eyes off me is what they’re thinking.”
“I’m sure that’s the case, but I can’t tonight.”
“Because of this book that you really want to read?”
“That and the fact that I haven’t had a break from my girls in a long time.”
Nodding, he had that expression that he understood the single parent life—constantly complaining about not having a real break and then worried about them while they’re gone. With two boys, I bet he ran around after them a lot. And with him being a cop too, I doubted he had much time for dating.
“Yes,” I said.
He leaned his head to the side. “Yes? Yes, what?”
“Yes, I totally want to go out with you one night.”
“But not tonight?”
“No, not tonight. But I was just thinking that maybe we both need a break.”
“We do and you’re the only woman in this town I would want to spend my days off or any holiday with. You’re the one that got away.”
This was always Daniel’s style—full force, honesty with no chaser. I doubt he’d ever read a book about poker faces or even the subtle chess-like strategy of dating. When he loved, he did so by cutting open his chest, yanking out his beating heart, and putting it right in his lover’s hands for safe keeping.
It had been a long time since I’d been truly loved.
My heart broke as I stared at him. Did I even deserve a second chance with such a great guy? He’d done nothing, but love me and I had destroyed that. Even now, he remained right there, declaring his love.
Is he my gift or am I his curse? Can I treat him the way he deserves this time?
I sighed. “We should talk about all of this later.”
The sky was slowly beginning to darken. In another hour, the moon would be out and I’d have to somehow deal with my jailed snow people. I had my flame torch and chainsaw out. Neither gave me confidence, but what else could I do, besides call the Ghostbusters?
Daniel didn’t walk off. He remained standing in front of me. “I bought one of your sculptures a couple years ago.”
“What? I had no idea. Which one did you buy?”
“The one you called Eternal Heart.”
Shock hit me. Complete and utter shock. And then an intense feeling washed over me. One of those sensations that one gets when they sit at a movie, fall in love with the characters, and one of them dies in a way that saves the world, but breaks the viewer’s heart.
He bought my first piece.
I remembered it. Eternal Heart had basically been my first child. I’d made that when I had no money to pay bills and no solution in sight. It had been my last chance at seeing if I could make something out of my art career.
I can’t believe he was the one who bought it. How long has he been following my career?
The piece was a huge metal heart that was covered in bright red and stood four feet high and three feet wide. I’d cut out several openings and welded tiny doors all over it. Locks dangled from most of the tiny knobs. It had cost a pretty penny and was my first big sale. After that, everything else I made usually had a price tag that reached the thousands.
My life changed after selling that piece.
I touched my chest. “You don’t even understand how much that means to me.”
“I just thought you were super talented, and I wanted a piece of. . .you. Plus. . .I knew you would be a legend one day.”
“I’m not there yet.”
“You will be.”
