Chapter Six
Nico
Paxton acted like he was putting me out by sleeping in my bed, but the truth was, I’d purposefully bought the comfiest couch I could possibly find for the purpose of sleeping on it from time to time in my cabin.
I lived in the middle of nowhere with a constant fire blazing.
The only thing, in my mind, that could make it better, was cozying up on a couch and reading.
With him. That last part wasn’t crucial, but in my fantasies, it made this place complete.
I woke up, as I usually did, right with the sun.
Too many years of a blaring alarm made my natural clock go off at the same time now as it did then.
The fire had died down a bit during the night, so the first thing I did was build it back up.
When Paxton woke, I wanted him to be warm and toasty in my home.
Still in my pajamas, I got on my phone and looked at the forecast, grateful to have two bars, unlike last night. Not only had the storm not waned during the night, but it was set to get worse over the next few days. I made a mental list of things I needed to do.
A few minutes later, I put on a pot of coffee and started up the stove.
On mornings like this, I craved a big bowl of hot oatmeal.
Paxton loved it as well. I put venison sausages on to fry and poached a few eggs as well.
It was a lot, but I wanted to impress Paxton.
Yes, I was a little, but I was as capable of taking care of him as I wanted him to take care of me.
I was sipping coffee by the window, outside of which snow fell in blankets of white when I heard noises from my bedroom. Paxton was up. My tummy flipped a bit at the thought. He was here. In my house.
This time, I wouldn’t let him leave without telling him exactly how I felt, even if the outcome was rejection.
The unknown was harder to deal with than heartbreak.
Maybe. Water ran in the bathroom sink, and a few seconds later, he stepped into the living room.
“Good morning,” he said in his rough voice. I knew that morning voice well.
“Good morning. How did you sleep?” I asked.
He scrubbed his hands down his face and stretched. “Like the dead. I haven’t slept that well in years. Did you spike that hot chocolate?”
I chuckled and shook my head. That was corporate life for you. If you got a good night’s sleep, it must’ve been because you had a little somethin’ somethin’ to put you out. “No. Of course not. That’s life in the middle of nowhere. People sleep like that every night.”
“Damn, I guess so. And you made coffee?” He smiled and, if I died in that instant, it would be the best way to go. “I’m beginning to think this is all some dream. You and coffee and the best sleep and that fire. Why is your fireplace so mesmerizing?”
I shrugged. “You know how people buy those red-light therapy products? Eye masks and blankets and big lights? I saw somewhere that fire was the original red light. Between the fresh air and working with my hands and that fireplace, something healed inside me.”
“Seems like it. You look better than ever to me.”
“Thank you, D…Paxton. I made some breakfast if you’re hungry. It’s really coming down now.”
He nodded and made his way to the coffeepot, finding the cups easily and making himself at home. I couldn’t have been happier about that. “Did you see what the weather report says?”
“Connectivity can be iffy up here, but I got enough to see that we are expecting several more days like this.”
We settled together at the table for breakfast, and I took joy in how he ate like a starving man and complimented my cooking.
We cleaned up side by side, and he asked if there was anything he could do. “No. You’re my guest.”
He sighed and scrunched his nose. Goddess, I always loved when he did that. “I think I’m going to take a shower. Wait, there is hot water, right?”
I snorted. This man. “Pax, we just washed dishes in hot water.”
The love of my life cracked up. “I’m blaming it on the snow. That was silly. Of course you have modern conveniences.”
“We’re not off-grid,” I said, rolling my eyes. This felt real. Back to normal. Like no time had passed when we didn’t speak to each other.
“Well, after that shower, I’m going to find something to do. Maybe sweep or…wash windows. Something.”
“Are you saying I don’t know how to keep my house clean?”
Paxton threw his hands up. “I’m going to shower and get this foot out of my mouth.”
I found myself grateful for the snowstorm, but I also had to find a way to get some things done. There were things to check before the storm got worse. Again, I was thankful to have gotten that roof done the day before.
We spent the day lounging around the fire and reading and listening to music. The quiet between us, the minimal conversation would’ve been awkward with someone else, but it was perfect with Paxton.
I had to get more firewood before my window for being able to closed. “Would you mind putting the leftovers away?” I asked, trying to find a way to get outside before he noticed and tried to help me. We had simple grilled cheese sandwiches and more soup for dinner. He didn’t complain.
“Sure. No problem.”
While his back was turned, I snuck outside.
But a couple of steps off the porch and I knew what should’ve been a mundane chore was going to be a little more difficult.
I had to make a way through the snow from the porch to the woodshed.
No time to waste. I grabbed the snow shovel and began to make way.
I didn’t want Paxton to even try to help me.
He didn’t have the gear and would freeze.
And I would spend the whole time worrying about him instead of bringing in what we needed. It would be a lose-lose.
Almost an hour later, I’d made the trail wide enough to get my wheelbarrow through, and before long, I was pushing a huge load toward the house. I looked up toward the window and Paxton was there, arms crossed over his chest.
I’d been caught.