Chapter 93

After they ate breakfast and Abby had her fill of playing with her new toys, Abby jumped up and down, still dressed in her pajamas. "Let's go sled riding!"
One corner of Taren's lips curled into a smile. "You didn't forget, did you?" he asked flatly.
"Nope!" She smiled, knowing her father's sense of humor. "Plus, I need to try out my new sled."
"That you do, but let's get you dressed first." He leaned in conspiratorially. "I think it might be a bit cold out there if you go in your PJs."
"Oh, Dad!" She took his hand and started pulling him toward the hallway. "Let's go!"
Taren gave Kiki an apologetic look over his shoulder and then asked his daughter, "You can't dress yourself yet?"
Kiki laughed as she watched the exchange.
"Nope! But you can teach me!" she yelled, both of them halfway down the hallway.
"Well, you know how to do everything else-." Taren's voice became muted when they disappeared into her bedroom.
Kiki went to her room to change, too, knowing that she had better wear something warmer than a silky shirt. She changed her shirt into a sweater and then donned her new white jacket, thankful that Mr. White had been so thoughtful. She didn't think of what it would be like for her if he and the townspeople hadn't been so kind.
After slipping on some warm boots, she headed down the hallway and Taren and Abby were already waiting for her, dressed in their winter attire.
"Would your mother like to go?" Kiki asked, not wanting to exclude her.
Taren's face brightened. "I don't know. Let's ask." When they walked into the kitchen, Evelyn was doing the dishes.
"Evelyn, let me help you with that," Kiki said, "In fact, why don't you leave them and come outside with us? We were going to go sled riding."
She smiled as she shook her head. "No, you go ahead. I'll stay in here where it's warm."
Kiki smiled. "Well, at least have some coffee and I'll do them when we come back in."
Evelyn pulled her in for a quick hug. "No, sweetie. You go ahead and enjoy the day. I'll be fine." A sly smile spread across her lips. "But don't worry. I promise to rest when I get tired. Now, go before you overheat all bundled up like that."
Taren pulled her in for a hug. "Thank, Mom."
She placed a hand on his cheek, looking into his eyes. "Have fun." Then she let her hand fall and took a step back. "Now, go. The light won't last forever."
Taren reached for Kiki's hand, sending a thrill through her body. "Let's go, baby." If she didn't know any better, she would have thought that her heart had stopped.
"Okay, sweetie," she said in a sing-song voice, trying to make light of it, but it didn't stop her heart from singing.
He gave her a wink and a smile appeared on his lips as he led her and his daughter outside, along with the sled.
***
"So, Abby," Kiki asked as they headed across the back yard, covered in pristine white snow, stretching across the field as far as the eye could see. "Where is this hill that I've heard so much about?"
Abby jumped up and down as she skipped ahead. "Up ahead!"
"So, is this hill big enough to go sled riding on?" Kiki teased, hoping a get a bit of a rile out of her.
Abby turned to Kiki and spread her arms high in the air, her eyes wide. "It's the biggest, the bestest hill in the world!"
"In the world?" Kiki placed her hands on her hips. "Really?"
"Yes, really!" Abby ran back to her, grabbed Kiki's hand, and pulled her forward. "Come see it!"
Kiki glanced back at Taren, giving him a pleading look.
Taren laughed. "Hey! You got yourself into this!"
"Yeah, I guess I did." But Kiki loved every minute of it. It had been a while since she had been in a true family setting. She found that the more time she spent with them, the more she never wanted to leave.
A moment later, they stopped at the top of a hill that stretched downward at a comfortable gradient. To a child, it probably looked like a mountain. But in reality, it was just steep enough for good sled riding.
"Wow! This looks like fun!" Kiki exclaimed. "So, who's going first?"
"Me!" Abby cheered, clapping her hands wildly.
"Okay, pumpkin." Taren chuckled, clearly amused as he set the sled into place. Then he sat down on it, leaving room in front. "Ready?"
Abby nodded vigorously, giggling as she jumped up and down.
"Well, come on." Taren scooped her up and set her on the sled in front of him. "Now. Put your feet on the bar like this-." He showed her how to put her feet on either side of the wooden bar at the front of the sled. "- and you steer it with both feet, and by leaning in the direction you'd like to go." Once he finished teaching his daughter the fine points of riding a sled, he held onto the rope connecting both sides of the bar, and created a protective cage around his daughter. "Ready?"
She nodded vigorously, her eyes wide as she held onto the sled string, along with her father.
"One!" he yelled.
"Two!" she added.
"Three-."
"Go!"
Kiki gave them a firm push, sending them flying down the hill, with Abby laughing the whole way. Standing at the top, Kiki watched them zoom down the hill, until they came to a gradual stop at the bottom. Taren stood and pulled his daughter to her feet, and swung her into his arms. Then he nuzzled her neck as she struggled to get down.
"Again! Again, Daddy!" Abby yelled as she grabbed the rope at the front of the sled and pulled, trying to pull it back up the hill. One corner of Taren's lips curled into a smile.
"Come on," Taren coaxed, taking the rope beside her. "Let's do it together."
"Okay!" Abby tugged the rope excitedly beside her father, beaming as she looked up at him.
Kiki's heart went out to them. Even though they hadn't been in her life long, she was already getting attached, which was dangerous. If she got too attached and he stomped on her heart, she feared she'd never recover.
"Okay." Taren adjusted the sled into place, facing the hill again. Turning to Kiki, he said, "Now, it's your turn."
She laughed, placing a hand on her chest, her eyes wide. "Me?"
"Yes, yes!" Abby cheered and then ran over to her father. "Let's all go!"
Kiki smiled. "Abby, do you really think all of us can fit on it?"
"Sure we can!" Abby pulled her father over to the sled. "Tell her, Daddy!"
"Well, I'm not sure, sugar plum, but we can try." He lifted an eyebrow as he turned to Kiki. "What do you say?"
How could she say no? His heartbreaking smile sent chills throughout her body- and it wasn't from the cold. "Sure."
"I'll tell you what," Taren began, "I'll sit in the back, then you and then Abby can sit in front. What do you think?"
Kiki shrugged. "Sounds good to me. But don't you think it might be too crowded?"
"I think we can make it work." He slid a hand around her waist from behind and leaned close, causing her heart to flutter. "Let's give it a try."
She nodded, smiling, as his breath tickled her ear. "Okay."
"Come here." He pulled her onto the sled and she settled in front of him, surrounding her with his warmth.
She reached for Abby and she climbed onto her lap. Then Kiki wrapped her arm around her so she wouldn't fall off. "Ready?" Kiki asked into her hair.
Energy radiated from Abby in anticipation of the trip. She nodded vigorously.
"One!" Taren yelled.
"Two!" Kiki added.
"Three!" Abby agreed.
"Go!" they all yelled together. Taren pushed off with his muscular arms and a moment later, wind blew through their hair, rushing past them.
A rush ran through Kiki as they barreled down the hill. As they raced to the bottom, Kiki had never felt so accepted- and loved- so a part of a family- in her life.