Something Old - Dianne L. Christner [16]
Ten minutes later, David turned into the lane next to the Stuckys’ mailbox and drove to the back of the property. Several cars were already parked there. He helped her out, and they trudged over the frozen clods of a dormant cornfield toward a patch of box elders that banked the Big Darby Creek. Lil wasn’t among the dozen other young adults already milling down by the ice, and Katy remembered Megan was home sick.
He pointed out a fallen log where the surrounding ground was littered with boots and shoes. “Shall we put on our skates?”
“Sure.” Katy dropped to the log, trying to hide the excitement that washed over her. She bent over her gray wool culottes and removed her quilted boots, quickly slipping her black stocking-clad feet into white skates. As she laced, she glanced at David, who was already finished. His elbows propped on his knees, he was watching the skaters. The rink was a wide patch of ice about 150 feet in length, most likely cleared by the Stuckys’ red snow thrower that now sat parked against the far bank.
“Ready?” she asked.
In response, his masculine grip warmed her hand through their gloves. At the bank, he glided backward and dug his toe pick into the ice, then skated forward. With surprise, Katy allowed him to clasp her by the waist and lift her down onto the ice.
“Easy. There you go.”
At first they stroked forward, hand in hand, and after one circle of the rink, he pulled her into a Kilian position. The back of her left shoulder pressed against the front of his navy jacket, and his hand rested at her waist. She didn’t feel uneasy at the intimacy of his touch because skating was one of the permitted group dating activities that allowed such familiarities. Several other couples skated in the group of teens and young adults.
Their skates cut the ice sending sprays of white shavings. The bumpy, air-pocketed river ice didn’t hinder their skating; it was all Katy knew. But relying on David’s superior skill, she quickly relaxed, their skates crossing in sync and bodies leaning and drawing across the ice as one, even when they dodged in and around other skaters.
When they’d tired of that, he drew her to the middle where a few skaters practiced spins. He twirled her, steadying her when she lost balance. Once she sailed into him, practically knocking his breath away. They laughed, visible puffs of air separating their faces. When she looked up, she saw Lil ahead on the bank, frowning at them. “Oh look, David. It’s Lil.” Katy waved. “Can we go talk to her?”
Whispering against her soft hat, he replied, “You can call me Dave.”
The suggestive tone of his voice sent a startled warning. No, she wouldn’t be doing that or anything else to lead him on unnecessarily. He drew her close again, and she felt a bit self-conscious as they glided toward the bank where some of their friends conversed around a big bonfire.
With ease, David jumped to the low bank and pulled her up with him. Then they tiptoed to the fire. “Hi, Lil.” Katy beamed. Lil’s hands were stuffed in her coat pockets.
“I’ll get us some hot chocolate. Want some, Lil?” David offered.
“Sure.”
“What’s wrong?” Katy demanded. “You’re looking at me like I have broccoli stuck in my teeth or something.”
“You usually do.” Lil chuckled. “Looks like you’re having a ball.”
“Why not? He’s a good skater. Want him to take you a couple spins?”
“Don’t you dare pawn off your date on me,” Lil snapped.
Katy felt her face heat when David stepped up behind them with steaming drinks in Styrofoam cups. Had he overheard Lil’s remark?
Lil thanked him and took one of the cups. “Good thing Megan’s not here to see these.”
David shrugged a brow. “Because?”
Katy explained. “These are not easily recyclable.”
“Oh. Usually we use the thick paper cups, don’t we?”
Katy frowned at Lil before she sipped the warm chocolate. “Anyway. This is good.”
As they finished drinking and mingled with the rest of the group, Katy felt self-conscious over the curious glances she and David provoked. At least he hadn’t hovered or marked his territory. Instead, he’d been considerate and chummed