December 16

“You do realize I haven’t been skating in years, right?”

Drew laughed as they laced up their skates. “That’s okay, I haven’t either,” he assured her. “But I saw the ad in the Covenant, and thought that it would be fun, if you’d join me.”

They were seated on a log, lacing up rented skates. Carter’s Cove, being on the ocean, had plenty of ice around, but not much of it was good for skating, which was why anyone who wanted to skate went to one of the rivers leading into the cove. There were three, total, but it was the gentle Elizabeth River, named for Captain Carter’s favorite granddaughter, that Drew had brought Molly and Schrodinger to. In a sheltered cove, Indi Sarabian and her husband had brushed the snow from the ice, and built a roaring bonfire on the beach. Logs dragged out from their farm, perched above the river, provided benches, and Indi herself had built a small stand, complete with generator, to provide hot and cold beverages and food for sale. There was no charge to just come and skate, and Indi had skates for rent if someone didn’t have any. Stars glittered overhead, and instead of spotlights, there were masses and masses of Christmas lights strung through the trees. The cove itself was nearly circular, and the ice was smooth as glass.

Molly looked over at Schrodinger, who was watching them with interest. “I think you’ll stay here on the beach,” she said. “I don’t want you getting cut out there.”

I think I shall, he agreed. Besides, it’s warm next to the bonfire, and there are enough people here to keep me company.

That there were. Molly looked around the cove: there were people everywhere, mostly younger people, although her aunt and uncle were already on the ice, skating together like they must have forty years before when they were dating. She smiled, watching them. It was apparent to all how much they loved one another.

Schrodinger nudged her hand with his head, and when she looked down at him, purred. You’ll find someone like that, he said. I know it.

“You do, huh?” She scratched his head. “I wish I did.”

“Coming?” Drew asked her, and she looked up to see him standing in front of her, holding out his hand. He helped her stand, and then they walked slowly through the snow to the edge of the river.

Molly took a deep breath and stepped out onto the glassy ice. Her skates slipped a bit, but Drew still had her hand and helped her up. “Thanks,” she said, leaning on him a little as her legs tried to remember how to stand on skates. “Like I said, it’s been a few years.”

“We’ll take it slow,” he said, drawing her out farther onto the ice. Despite what he’d said, he didn’t seem to have any rust on his skills at all; skating backwards as he led her out on the ice with nary a wobble of his skates. “It’s like riding a bike,” he continued, and Molly found he was right. “You just have to remember how to move.”

After a few uncertain moments, she felt a little more steady and Drew moved beside her, tucking her hand under his arm. They skated around the cove for a time in silence, enjoying the carols played over Indi’s sound system. Molly caught glimpses of Schrodinger from time to time; he was curled on a cushion Indi’s young son Caleb had brought out for him, accepting caresses from any and all that offered them. He had no shortage of folks willing to sit with him.

“Penny?” Drew said after their second circuit.

“None, really,” Molly admitted. “It’s a beautiful night, and this is perfect.” She smiled up at him. “Thank you.”

“No, thank you,” he said. “I’m glad you came out.”

“I’ve gone out more this month than I have in the past six,” she admitted. “You guys are pretty persuasive.”

“Good. Gods know we’ve been trying.” Drew looked down at her. “Have you figured out who your secret admirer is?”

“I have my suspicions,” she said, grinning. “Luke all but admitted it was one of you three, which I think is cute.”

He shook his head. “Luke never could keep a secret from a pretty girl.”

Molly laughed. “You guys are too much. I don’t know why you all felt the need to go this route, though, whichever one is SA. It’s fun, but isn’t it a lot of work for you?”

“You’re worth it,” Drew said. “And besides…” He hesitated, and Molly wondered why. “Besides, after Tom screwed up so badly last summer…”

“Tom and I had a lot of issues,” Molly said. “Not the least of which was that we didn’t talk about things.”

“Tom doesn’t like to talk much,” Drew agreed. “He’s much more an action guy.”

“Yeah.” Molly didn’t say more, and a silence filled the air. But it wasn’t an uncomfortable one, just quiet. She realized she liked being with Drew, especially since he didn’t seem to have to talk. She and Tom hadn’t been like that.

“Your aunt said you bought a dress,” he said finally.

Molly grimaced. “You’d think I never bought a dress before, the way she’s carrying on about it. It’s just a dress, I promise.”

“Considering the Snow Queen’s ball is just that, a formal ball, I doubt it’s just a dress,” Drew said. “Any clues on the color, or do I have to pump your aunt for information?”

“She hasn’t seen it,” Molly said. “No one has, actually. I went to Portland for it. And why do you want to know the color?”

“So I can buy you a corsage, silly,” he said, and she actually stopped to look at him. “What?”

“Buy me a corsage? Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously.” Drew tugged her along again. “Why is that so weird?”

“Because the only folks who buy corsages for people are ones who are dating,” Molly said.

“Not true. I used to buy my mother a corsage every Christmas.” Drew sighed. “Right up until the year she died.”

“I’m sorry.” Drew didn’t talk much about his family. Molly bit her lip, and then said, “White.”

“What?”

“My dress is white,” she said softly. “White, with pale blue accents.”

Drew looked at her, with her long dark hair blowing back in the wind, and said, “Of course it is. You’re going to outshine the Queen herself.”

“Only if I want to die,” Molly scoffed. “No one outshines her.”

“True.”

They continued to skate, and then Indi’s voice came over the PA system. “Last skate, folks. I need to get these kids to bed. After I play one more song, which is dedicated to Molly, according to the envelope I have up here for her.”

Molly giggled. “I wondered where my song was.” She cocked her head at Drew. “I wonder how he knew I was going to be here.”

“Any plans for afterwards?” Drew asked her, ignoring her comment as the first notes came across the ice.

“I should go home,” Molly admitted. “I still need to frost brownies for tomorrow.”

“But baby, it’s cold outside,” he sang to her, following along on the song, and she laughed.

“I simply must go,” she sang back at him, and they completed the song together, not caring that the other skaters were watching them.

“But baby, it’s cold outside,” he insisted, pulling her close. And while he held her, he whispered, “Too cold to spend it alone.”

“You could help me frost brownies.” Molly heard the offer fall from her lips as if it was someone else talking.

“I’d like that.”

This wasn’t the version I was going to use – but I found it while searching Youtube, and decided that yes, SA sent this one to Molly. The only question now is, will she give her heart away before she figures out who SA is?