They headed to the lake outside and followed the bank. This was what their vacation should’ve been, and she wondered if Emma minded all the stuff that was happening around them. Sometimes it was too much even for her.

“What are you thinking so hard about, mobster?” Emma looped her arm around hers and slowed them down.

“I was thinking that I need to start checking things off our list and not adding any more. I wanted some downtime with you.” They stopped at the small shed she’d put in for the rowboats they’d gotten. There was a rope and pulley system that took the boats out of the water when they weren’t in use.

“We’ve had some downtime, and I’m not complaining. You should know by now that one of the reasons I love you is because you help people like Linda. Think of what would’ve happened to her if you hadn’t gotten there in time.” Emma stopped her and pulled her head down by the neckline of her coat. “Now stop wasting time in your head, and kiss me. If you do a decent enough job at it, I might let you show me what a stud you are in that shed.”

“The other kids are sledding with our friends a hundred feet from here, and we’d never live down the teasing if we aren’t quiet. How about some sledding now, and I’ll take a few runs at your slopes later?”

Emma stuck her tongue out at her but didn’t stop her when she kissed her.

“You guys give it a rest,” Remi said, laughing as she walked up behind them with the kids. “Come take a turn hauling these guys up the hill.”

They played until Emma declared it was too cold to be outside, and they all went in for hot chocolate. Emma did some more reading when the kids all settled in front of the fire. She was surprised when Tim and Joshua joined them and smiled at the story Emma had chosen that was too young for them and Hayden.

“Who do you need to know to get a drink around here?” Colin said loudly when he came through the back of the house. Emma snapped the book closed and shook her head.

“He does know how to make an entrance,” Emma said. “You guys want to watch a movie?”

“I can keep reading for you, if you want,” Tim said shyly.

Emma gave him a wide smile. “Thank you, and I’m sure these guys would love that. If you get tired, you all vote on the movie, and Hayden will show you where the popcorn is.”

They headed into the kitchen and hugged Colin. She offered Judice her hand and smiled to put her at ease. “Welcome to our home, and I hope you guys decide to stay the night.”