Free Once Upon a Winter's Heart by Melody Carlson

sisters,” Lane said as they came to the end of their first block. “You seem as different as night and day.”
    â€œYeah…and Anne would probably be day.” She laughed, trying to sound light. “Because she is usually so sunny and bright and positive.”
    â€œShe’s definitely upbeat.”
    â€œWhereas I tend to be the realist…or as my mom says the pessimist.”
    â€œLike the Valentine Grinch?” he teased.
    â€œExactly.” Her feet started to slide and he steadied her.
    â€œEasy does it.”
    â€œThanks.” She sighed, trying to relax and wishing he hadn’t brought up Anne. But then maybe it was for the best. And since he had, she decided to take it to the next level. “So do you know Gerard…Anne’s ex?”
    â€œYeah. He was one of the first people I met in town. He was coaching Tristan’s soccer team and doing a great job of it.”
    â€œSo you guys were friends then?” Her tone was cautious.
    â€œSure. Gerard is a good guy.”
    â€œI thought so too. I’m still trying to wrap my head around what went wrong with them.”
    Lane tightened his grip on her hand as they stepped from the curb to cross the street. “Be careful, I think this is going to be trickier than the sidewalk.”
    After a couple of close calls, they made it across. “Whew.” Emma let out a slow breath. “This is not easy.”
    â€œMaybe we should sing,” Lane suggested.
    â€œSing?”
    â€œSure.” And now he launched into the old Dean Martin song “That’s Amore.” “When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore.…” And now she joined into the lilting tune and was pleasantly surprised to see that the rhythm of the music really did lend itself to skating. “That’s amore!”
    Before long—and far too soon—they were at Nona’s house. Lane guided her along the footpath and safely up the porch steps. “Thank you so much,” she told him happily. “That was actually pretty fun.”
    â€œIt was an enjoyable skate,” he said as he released her hand, holding on to the railing as he carefully slid down the steps then turned around. “Thank you for being my partner.” He made an awkward bow that narrowly missed becoming another fall, but fortunately he caught his balance before going down.
    â€œYou be careful,” she warned.
    â€œWill do,” he promised as he slowly turned around. “And you get in the house and get warm, Emma.”
    â€œI think I’ll stay right here and make sure you make it safely home,” she called out. “I’d hate to find you frozen to the sidewalk with a broken neck in the morning.”
    He laughed and then broke into another round of “That’s Amore” as he continued skating down the street. Not feeling the least bit cold, she watched with amusement until he turned up the walk to the McCormick house. But as she turned to go into the house, she experienced a confused mixture of sadness and hope.
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    The next day the sun came out and the ice from the previous night was just a memory…a very baffling memory. But Emma tried to put it behind her as she helped Nona with the household chores during the morning. Finally it was after lunch and Emma had done all she could to be sure Nona was cared for and comfortable.
    â€œI wanted to go set up a Valentine’s Day book table,” she explained as she set a mug of tea by Nona’s chair. “Just like Poppi used to do.”
    â€œOh, yes, that is good.” Nona nodded approvingly. “Do not worry about me, dolce , I am just fine on my own. You and your mama, you make too much of me. I am not an invalid.”
    â€œI’ll only be an hour or so,” Emma promised.
    â€œAn hour or three hours…does not matter.” Nona waved her hand. “I am fine, cara mia . I will probably just