Healing Her Heart {Trilogy}

Chapter 8

Garrett and Fiona finished shoveling snow outside within the hour or so. As Garrett put the shovel to the side he couldn't help but wonder what was on Fiona's mind because she seemed to be half-distracted and half..there. Garrett leaned against the side of the house, which cause some flecks of snow to dribble down the house as he watched Fiona. Breath spilled from her mouth as she had her head held back, eyes fluttered closed in a peaceful stance.

Garrett felt a warmth erupt through him, despite the cold of the winter they were expiriencing. Garrett wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked in that one moment. His eyes scanned her face, taking in the features of them. He tried to push away the rising feeling he knew so well, as he shouldn't even be feeling these things at all for this girl. They were friends. Nothing more.

Fiona suddenly turned her face towards him, catching him watching her. He took in a sharp breath, feeling his face heat up with utter embarrassment at being caught. He whipped his head away, looking out at the yard. Snow glittered off the ground, reflecting from the sun.

"So," she spoke up after the long, or seemingly long, awkward silence, "would you like to come inside for some hot chocolate?"

Garrett thought for a moment. Did he want to go inside with her? Would it make him intrusive?

Garrett, she invited you. Don't be rude, He could imagine his mother saying to him. No point in saying no, he decided. Besides, what could it hurt?

"That'd be nice," Garrett responded out loud, offering a thankful smile to Fiona. Fiona returned the smile, covering her mouth as a light giggle sounded from her. It was a beautiful, tinkling sound that made Garrett warm with content.

"Follow me," Fiona told him, interlocking their hands together. Fiona bit her lip, as if suddenly realizing now her actions.

Her beautiful eyes moved up to Garrett's, meeting them. Garrett saw the caution and hesitation in the depths of her orbs, making him squeeze her hand to assure her he didn't mind. He didn't mind at all, which almost scared him.

"Ah.." Fiona slowly said, her cheeks tinting a salmon pink. Garrett resisted the urge to comment on how pretty the blush was and smiled at her as she continued speaking, "Well, let us go get some hot chocolate."

Garrett nodded and let Fiona tug him inside. The warmth of the house mixed with the cold of the outside when the door opened. Fiona stepped aside, allowing Garrett to enter first and then shut the door behind them once they were both inside.

Fiona slipped her scarf off and threw it lazily on the couch, then took her boots off. "You can just place your boots on the mat and your coat and stuff can go on the couch," she told Garrett.

Garrett nodded, slipping his coat and gloves off and setting them nearly on the couch before putting his boots on the mat by the door.

"C'mon," Fiona hummed, waving her hand for him to follow her. She guided him into the kitchen, sticking her hands in the jeans of her pockets. "Extra marshmallows?" She went to the pantry and grabbed the packets of hot chocolate and marshmallows.

"Sure," Garrett answered, smiling and leaning against the counter. "Please."

Fiona nodded and walked to a cabinet above the counter opposite of the one Garrett leaned against and reached up, opened it, and took out a couple of white mugs and placed them on the marble counter.

Garrett gazed around the kitchen, noticing it's classic appearance. Brown marble countertops, wooden counters, and a warm, welcoming aura.

Garrett tried not to stare at Fiona as she started to make the hot chocolate, humming. She seemed totally relaxed in that moment, like they were the only two people in the world. Her chocolate brown hair, sleek and smooth, fell down her shoulders as she bent down and grabbed a spoon to stir the brown liquid in the mug.

"Hand me the marshmallows please?" Fiona asked, causing Garrett to snap from his trance. God, how many times was he going to do this to her? He didn't know. He needs to learn not to stare.

"Oh, yeah." Garrett was sure his face was slightly flushed. And not from the cold, either. He pushed himself off the counter and grabbed the bag of marshmallows and walked over to Fiona.

"Thank you." Fiona took the package in her hands, their hands brushing. They both stiffened and met gazes for the second time that day, and Fiona didn't look hesitant anymore. Her eyes sparkled and neither of them moved their hands.

"Uh..you're welcome," Garrett stumbled, finally letting go of Fiona's hand and the marshmallows.

Fiona flushed and pulled the package back, setting them on the counter. She then went to blow steam from the mug, opened the bag of marshmallows, and plopped a hand full in.

"Too much?" she asked sheepishly, biting her lip.

Garrett shook his head and took the mug from her hands. "No, it's the perfect amount."

Fiona seemed relieved, because her cheeks turned pink once more and a nervous giggle escaped her. "Alright, good! I wasn't about to take it back!"

Garrett chuckled, bringing the mug up to his lips and gulping down some of the chocolate liquid. He closed his eyes as the flavor exploded like a firework in his mouth.

Garrett caught Fiona staring, her eyebrows risen and her face smirking in amusement. "You looked like you were in heaven for a moment there."

"This is delicious," Garrett replied, gesturing to his hot chocolate and taking another sip. Though it burnt his tongue a little, it was an amazing flavor that beat the sting.

"Why thank you," Fiona said, pleased as she made her mug of hot chocolate. She hummed as she did, a tune that sounded familiar.

"So," Garrett said, taking another sip of his hot chocolate, "may I ask what it is you're humming?"

Fiona glanced back at him, a small twinkle in her eyes and a tiny smile on her lips. "Guess."