“Bonnie, no!”

Charlie knew that voice. She tried to get up but was pinned. Bonnie was now relentlessly, and exuberantly, licking Charlie’s cheeks, and she wanted to laugh as she used her arms to try and shield her face, but she could barely get a breath in.

“Cass! Are you hurt?” Jake grabbed Bonnie’s collar and pulled her off Charlie, quickly fastening the leash and then tying it to a nearby tree. He told Bonnie to sit and she did so, plopping down obediently in the snow.

Jake turned his attention back to Charlie, kneeling beside her. “Don’t move too fast. Did you hit your head?”

He put a gloved hand under her head, the other cupping her shoulder. She knew there was no way she could really feel anything through the layers between them, but her skin warmed at his touch. He gazed intently into her eyes, checking her over. “I don’t think you lost consciousness.”

Charlie took a deep breath, felt her chest expand, her breathing almost back to normal. “I’m okay. The snow broke my fall.”

“Can you sit up?” Jake asked.

“I think so,” Charlie said. Now that her breath was back, she was totally fine. However, no need to spring up too quickly, as it was nice to have Jake so close again. Even though she knew it was probably best for them to keep their distance.

Charlie sat up and Jake kept a firm hand behind her back, murmuring, “Easy does it.” Bonnie strained to get closer to Charlie, but Jake gave her a short, stern, “Stay,” and she whined but sat back down.

“Don’t you worry about it, Bonnie. No damage done.” Charlie ran a hand over her head, feeling little icy clumps of snow that had balled into the strands of her hair. “This is getting embarrassing. How many times can I fall down or wipe out in your presence?”

“I’m the one who should be embarrassed. Of my goofball dog. Here, let me help you with that.” He took a glove off, gently removing some of the snow from her hair. Then he picked her hat up and, after shaking off the snow, put it back on her head, his hands lingering for a moment on the sides of her face before he tugged the hat down. Sitting back on his heels, he asked, “All good?”

She almost felt she couldn’t talk, but it had nothing to do with being winded. “Just a bit out of breath, but that might have more to do with the hiking than the Bonnie slam.”

Jake chuckled, then sighed as he looked over at Bonnie. “I’m so sorry, Cass. I let her off leash up here because it’s usually quiet this time of day, but . . .” His voice trailed, a hint of concern still on his face. “You really went down like a ton of bricks.”

“I’m not sure how to take that,” she said, laughing. She went to stand and Jake quickly stood as well, holding her firmly by her hands until he was sure she was steady. They both glanced at Bonnie now, who was making a ruckus as she rolled in the snow on her back, the leash getting tangled. Charlie went over and unwound the leash, then rubbed Bonnie’s belly. “You’re a good girl, Bonnie. I forgive you.”