- 19.
Stepping out of the train station, a gust of
cold wind made me shiver.
Ethan immediately took off his coat and
draped it over my shoulders.
<
A faint woody scent enveloped me.
“Cold? Millerton’s much colder than Miami.”
I shook my head, warmth spreading through
- me.
Ethan’s house was in the old part of Millerton,
a charming two–story building.
As we stepped into the yard, the delicious
aroma of dumplings filled the air.
A silver–haired woman stood at the kitchen
door, beaming at us.
“Ethan, you’re home! And who is this…?”
Her gaze fell on me, and her eyes twinkled. “My, my, you’ve brought home a beautiful
<
young lady this year!”
I blushed, looking down shyly.
“Grandma, this is Sarah Miller, a friend of
mine,” Ethan said with a smile.
“Well, well, well. Come in and get warm.
53
Grandma Carter bustled back to the kitchen,
and Ethan carried my suitcase to the guest
room.
The room was small but cozy, the bed linens
smelling of sunshine.
“Rest for a bit. Dinner will be ready soon,”
Ethan said softly, setting down my suitcase.
I nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed
く
I nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed,
watching the snow fall outside. A sense of
peace and tranquility settled over me.
Maybe this was what it felt like to have a
home.
- 20.
That night, we sat around the dining table,
enjoying steaming hot dumplings.
Grandma Carter kept piling food onto my
plate.
“Sarah, dear, you must come visit again.
You’re always welcome here.”
I smiled, my heart warmed by her kindness.
く
After dinner, Ethan suggested a walk in the
nearby park.
The winter park was deserted, save for a few
couples huddled together, enjoying the quiet.
We walked slowly along the lake, neither of us
speaking.
Snowflakes fell softly, dusting us like a fine
layer of powdered sugar.
“Thank you, Ethan,” I said softly, breaking the
silence.
“For what?”
“For taking me in, for giving me a warm place
to stay.”
Ethan looked at me, a playful glint in his eyes.
“How about you marry me as repayment?”
I blinked, then let out a mock–haughty sniff. “In your dreams!”
Despite my words, a ripple of something went
through me.
“So, how are you going to repay your hero? I
did rescue you from the perils of the train
station, you know.”
His exaggerated tone made me laugh. “Hero?
Sounds more like you’re trying to extort me.‘
He pretended to think for a moment, then
said with mock seriousness, “Let me see…
how about you cook me dinner every day until
school starts?”
く
I rolled my eyes. “In your dreams! I’m not a
very good cook.”
He grinned. “That’s okay. I’m not picky.”
