Five minutes later, she was waiting in the living room of the B and B. She saw Reggie’s SUV pull into a parking space. Then her sister got out and ran toward the front door. Reggie hugged her before glancing around to make sure they were relatively alone.

“He kissed you? For real? I couldn’t believe it when Mom said she met him the other day. She said he was gorgeous and totally into you. I haven’t met him and I’m supposed to be your favorite sister. OMG! Tell me everything. Then feed me. I’m starving.”

“Let’s go in the kitchen. Word got out that tonight’s snack is Ursula’s famous coconut shrimp, so we’ll have a crowd. Thank goodness she always makes extra.”

Dena set out place settings at the island in the kitchen. The part-time helper was already taking out large plates of coconut shrimp and bowls of the dipping sauce. The wine for the evening was a crisp Painted Moon chardonnay, already open and sitting in ice buckets.

Dena took one of the smaller plates of shrimp and put it on the island, along with some dipping sauce. She poured wine for Reggie and sparkling water for herself, then checked the refrigerator. Sure enough, Ursula had left her a fruit and cheese plate—with only safe, hard cheeses—along with hummus. In the pantry was a second plate with crackers and a sliced baguette. She carried both to the island, then sat next to her sister and motioned to the food.

“Good enough?”

“It’s amazing, but honestly I would have settled for a saltine.” She glanced around again and lowered her voice. “He kissed you? Talk!”

Dena explained about the snow earlier that afternoon and how she’d gone to tell Micah.

“I’d just gotten home from school, and I was waiting to see if it was going to last.”

“I know what you mean. We were knitting away, and one of the kids noticed the snow. We all held our breath, but then it turned to rain. We really need snow. The poor ski resorts must be suffering.”

Dena held in a smile and waited. Any second now, Reggie would remember what they’d been talking about.

Her sister picked up a piece of shrimp. “How did I get distracted? More on the kiss, please.”

“We were out in the snow and I closed my eyes to let it fall on my face and he kissed me. On the lips.”

A fact that still hadn’t sunk in.

“That’s so romantic.”

“It was unexpected.”

“You’ve got it bad.”

Dena thought of the tingles and jolts she felt around him, but knew her sister was more interested in what mattered. “I do. He’s very kind and funny and he’s amazing with the kids.”

Reggie’s gaze turned speculative. “That’s right. He’s your classroom mom.”

“Classroom dad.”