Just One Snowflake

Madison thought she could get away with answering emails using her phone until her Wi-Fi was hooked up in her new house, but no such luck. She only had a couple more boxes to unpack when her phone chirps. She skims through the long email, then groans as she realizes she would need her laptop to reply. She wasn’t planning a trip to the library, but it looks like that is where she is headed. Oh well, she could use a break from the unpacking, it shouldn’t take her too long, plus she could stop at the grocery store for some food before the early winter storm hit. The weatherman was estimating it to begin well after midnight.

With her laptop in tow, she steps into the library, and is flooded with a deluge of memories from her childhood. How many hours did spend in this place? The familiar look and feel of it brought a smile to her face, as a sense of comfort enveloped her like a favorite sweater. The only difference to the old building were the upgrades that were seamlessly integrated into the original architecture.

She focused on getting her work done as quickly as possible. When she finishes, she packs up her things, thinking about a few items she needs to add to her list for the grocery store. When she steps out the door, she cannot believe her eyes. There is at least four inches of snow already on the ground. How long had she been in there? She checks the time on her phone and realizes a good hour and a half had passed. She slips her phone back into her pocket and retrieves her gloves, so grateful that she had stuffed them in her pockets earlier. Not that she was all prepared or anything, it was just that she had been freezing since she got here, obviously her body had not adjusted to the colder weather. She trudges over to her snow-covered car, yeah, so not prepared, she would have to clean it off just by using her hands. She stashes her computer bag and purse in the back seat, and begins clearing off her windows, she just wishes her gloves weren't getting soaked so quickly, her fingers begin to get cold. Just then from behind her she hears a deep male voice say, “May I help?”

As she turns towards the voice, her eyes are stopped by a broad chest, bundled in black wool, her eyes skim up past the gray cashmere scarf and land on a set of chocolate brown eyes that make her pulse stop. Her mind screams, Oh, hell yeah! But when she can get her brain and mouth to work together, she stammers, “Uh. . .why yes, thank you.”

With a gorgeous smile accented with a dimple, of course, he hands her one of the two snow brushes he held in his leather-clad hands, “This won’t take long if we work together. You must not be from around here.” She interprets the comment as a friendly jab to her unpreparedness.

“Not recently, but I grew up here, and forgot how quickly these storms can move in. Besides, the weatherman said this wouldn’t hit until after midnight.” She states her defense.

“You know they are right like. . .only 25% of the time?” he quietly laughs.

“Very funny. Well, when I left there wasn’t a flake or a flurry in the sky. Plus. . .it’s November.” She shrugs, “No big deal.” She stretches her arms out and looks up to the sky, letting the fluffy flakes pepper her face, “Oh, I’ve missed this. Look how beautiful it is!!”

“Yes, yes, it is.” Looking directly at her he stops brushing off the snow momentarily.

Once they are finished, she hands him the snow brush. “Thanks so much for your help,” She brushes the snow off the front of her coat. “I really appreciate it, let me buy you some coffee or hot chocolate, unless you have someplace to be.” She looks at him, thinking something about him seems familiar.

“You’re very welcome, actually a cup of coffee sounds great, thank you.” He takes the snow brush from her.

“Since my car is cleaned off, I’ll drive, hop in.” She starts the car and they settle in. “By the way, I’m Madison Landers.”

“Nice to meet you, Madison, I’m Noah Ross.” They both say his last name at the same time, Madison’s eyes widen with revelation. “I thought you looked familiar. Your sister and I were best friends when we were in high school. I only met you a couple of times, then you left for college.”

He searched her face and then he remembered, “Maddie.”

“Yep, you remembered.” She removes her gloves.

“How could I not? You and Natalie were inseparable. Do you still keep in touch?”

Madison nods her head, “I actually talked to her not too long ago, told her I was heading back home. We made plans to get together at Christmas when she’s home.”

Noah and Madison continue to talk and catch up. Coffee turns into dinner, and dinner turns into them spending every free minute they have together, and talking on a daily basis

♥ ♥ ♥

On Christmas Eve they decide to have a nice quiet dinner at Madison’s. As she gets ready, she reflects on the things that have taken place over the past month. Funny how she was reluctant to come back home, she never thought about relocating, she enjoyed her life in Arizona. But when the opportunity came up to go back to her hometown, something about it felt right. Now she knows why. Meeting Noah was so unexpected, but definitely a welcomed surprise.

There’s a knock at the door. Madison opens the door to a blast of cold air and swirling snow crystals. Noah steps in and hands her a bottle of wine, as he brushes himself off and removes his coat. She takes the wine to the kitchen. Noah walks in holding a small distinctive blue box in his hand. “Before we eat dinner, I want you to open this.” He places the gift in her hands.

Madison opens it and finds a delicate silver snowflake necklace, laced with diamonds resting on light blue velvet. "Oh, Noah, it’s beautiful!! Thank you.”

“When I saw it, I just had to get it for you, since you love snow. Also, to remind you that it takes just one snowflake to create a snowstorm, and that is what brought us together.”

She takes it out of the box and hands it to him, “Help me put it on.” She moves her hair to the side as he fastens the clasp. “How does it look?” She turns around so he can see.

“Beautiful, just like you. Merry Christmas Maddie.” He pulls her close, then brushes a tender kiss on her lips, one that is full of love and promise. . .for always.