Read Heart and Snow (Texas Highlanders Ice Hockey) for Free Online

temperature was in the fifties.
    She slid her feet back into her boots while he came around the Jeep. He opened the door, and helped her out, her hand warm against his palm. She shivered and zipped her coat up. “I think it might be cooler than last year.”
    He chuckled. “I think so too.” He ran his hands over her arms, rubbing them to keep her warm. It was almost a habit for him to do so. He barely noticed he did it at all.
    “Come on.” She grabbed his hand again and led him toward the door.
    The wooden steps squeaked as they walked up to the door. Jo pushed the heavy wooden door open as if she belonged. For a moment, he always felt a little jealous here. Jo’s family was welcoming, nice. They’d accepted him on first meeting when he was thinking about asking Jo to marry him. They’d never judged him, even though the two had a hockey background.
    Cody just took a deep breath and followed her in. He’d met all of Jo’s family before, but with his family being such losers, he found it more difficult to be around hers. He wasn’t sure what to do with good parents. Especially Ed, Jo’s father. He felt like he was always not up to par with that man, though he’d always been nice to him. Cody often wondered if he had a sign around his neck that only fathers could see that said, “I enjoy making your daughter scream naughty things at night.”
    “Mom?” Jo called into the house. “Dad? Anyone?”
    As his foot hit the hardwood floors, a familiar female voice broke the cool silence of the large living room. “Joey? In the kitchen, honey.”
    Jo smiled, a big one that Cody hadn’t seen on her in a while, and made her way to the kitchen. Cody stood back in the doorway while Jo gave her mother a hug. “Joey, baby. You’re late.”
    “Sorry, Mom. There was traffic on the way out of Fort Glasgow.”
    “That’s all right.” Her mom was like Jo, tall and blonde. Her hair was probably a little less sunshiney than the bright color of Jo’s hair, since she had a smattering of gray intermixed, and didn’t actually dye her hair like her daughter did. She wiped her hands on a dishcloth and returned her daughter’s hug. “Glad you made it.”
    Hints of family resemblance, the way her lips turned up like her daughter’s, and the way her eyes had that glimmer of a happy life in them eased the tension from Cody. Jo’s pregnancy had put a lot of stress on the two of them, and it would be nice to spend a couple days pretending to be that happy couple they once were again. Not to mention, Jo’s demeanor had completely changed.
    “Thanks, Mom.” Jo’s smile lit up her face. There was something magical about it. Cody’s shoulders eased down from their tensed position some more. They’d be okay here, he thought.
    Cherry took her hands and held them out. “You look different. Did you color your hair again?”
    Jo pulled her hands back to her body and shook her head. “No, Mom. I didn’t.”
    “Hmm…” Her mother frowned. “I can’t quite put my finger on it. You look beautiful, though, baby.”
    “You always think that, Mom. It’s required Mom Thinkage.”
    “Nonsense,” Cherry said. “If you looked like shit, you know I’d tell you.”
    “Mom!”
    “Cody, darling, come here and give me a hug.” Cherry sidestepped Jo and crossed the room to Cody, who pushed off the doorframe just in time to be enveloped in one of the best things about Jo’s family. Her embrace was tight around his torso, since he towered over the woman. She stepped back and stared at him. “Did you get taller?”
    “Don’t think so, Cherry. I’m pretty sure I’ve peaked at thirty-four.”
    She chuckled and patted his cheek. “How’s your team doing this year?”
    “Good. I think we’ve got a real good chance at the playoffs this year.” Which was exciting for him.
    “That’s wonderful,” Cherry said. “Joey, why don’t you and Cody take your stuff to the back room upstairs? And then go find your dad and say hi,