Free The Snow Globe by Sheila Roberts Page B

andwanted to do something he could just wait his turn. And if he didn’t call, oh well. She still had Furina.
    She was just walking in the door when her cell phone rang. “Hi,” said a male voice. “Remember me, Craig Peters?”
    How could she forget?
    â€œI’ve been thinking about you,” he said.
    Now her heart started racing like a sprinter in the Olympics. “You have?”
    â€œI had a great time the other night with you at dinner.”
    â€œYou did?” Sparkling conversation, Kiley . She tried again. “I did, too. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about your Web site design since then.” Okay, she’d been thinking more about him than the Web site, but it wouldn’t look cool to say that.
    â€œWant to talk about it while we watch the Christmas boat parade tonight?” he asked.
    The popular Northwest tradition had been going on for sixty years. A local cruise line decked one of their boats with Christmas lights, and then with local choirs aboard, visited various waterfront communities, broadcasting concerts to those on shore while passengers enjoyed the live entertainment. Other boats followed, also decorated for the holidays. Greater Seattle residents loved catching the boat parade. Local beaches blazed with bonfires and people hung out to await the floating show.
    Kiley had never had a date take her to the boat parade and, yet again, Craig Peters scored points, this time for creativity. “That sounds like fun,” she said.
    â€œDress warm and I’ll pick you up about six. By the way, Imeant to call you Sunday, but my mom slipped on an icy patch Sunday morning and broke her arm. I had to take her to the emergency room. The last couple of days I’ve been helping her out.”
    So there was the explanation as to why Kiley hadn’t heard from him. She hadn’t been delusional, and the snow globe was magic. She’d known it all along! Never doubted for a minute. As soon as she was off the phone, she went into hyper-drive, working on Web site ideas and working on herself.
    The work paid off. When Craig arrived he took in her Christmas red sweater and her snug jeans and smiled approvingly as she grabbed her coat and hat and mittens. Her hair she’d corralled in a ponytail. Between that and her hat maybe she’d be able to contain it. Maybe.
    Richmond Beach, one of the parade’s scheduled stops, was alight with an uncountable number of bonfires and people milling around them, drinking cocoa and cider and roasting hot dogs. Kids and dogs darted everywhere along the rocky beach. “This is amazing,” Kiley said as they made their way down the hill to the beach.
    â€œYeah, and somewhere in all this mess is my bro and his friends. If we find them we’ve got eats waiting.”
    Amazingly, they did find his brother Jed and a group of his college buddies and girlfriends, who were more than happy to welcome them with steaming cups of hot cider.
    Jed, a slightly younger, shorter version of Craig, eyed Kiley appreciatively. “Any time you’ve had enough of this dweeb, let me know.”
    Craig pointed a gloved finger at his brother. “Hey, just ’cause you can’t find a woman doesn’t mean you have to go hitting on my date.”
    Judging from the way a curvy brunette was watching from the other side of the bonfire, Jed didn’t have any problem finding women.
    He grinned. “We got hot dogs. You guys hungry?”
    â€œThat’s why we’re here,” said Craig. “Free food.”
    A few minutes later Kiley and Craig had settled on a log with freshly roasted hot dogs and refills of hot cider and were sharing more about their interests.
    Their conversation was revealing, showing her more than common interests. As they talked she couldn’t help realize how few interests she and Jeremy had really shared.
    â€œSo, tell me about your ideas for the Web site,” Craig finally