3. Chapter 3
Theo
T his was not the way I expected my day to go at all. I had done my peopling in town with the grand opening and had worked in the shop for a while. I just came inside and was planning to make lunch when the town car pulled up.
I should have questioned them right off the bat, but with the way they seemed to insist they belonged, I was too stunned to put up much of a fight. Their long black hair and bright red lips might have been a factor, too. Stunning was more like it. Onyx was captivating. I hadn’t had anyone catch my attention like they did in a long time... not since Myra. They completely caught me off guard.
Now, this person was in my home, with tears welling up in the corner of their eyes, and I felt an overwhelming urge to comfort them. It was an urge long dormant. I carefully walked toward them, took a breath, and placed a hand lightly on their shoulder. We were nearly equal in height, which, at my six-foot-two, was unexpected. They looked up, locking eyes with mine. The makeup they wore made them look huge. Giant hazel doe eyes that could compel me to do pretty much anything. Fuck!
I lowered my hand and stuck both in my pockets. “Listen, it’s the weekend, and there’s not going to be anything available, not even in the motels in town. Maybe come Monday or Tuesday, something will open up.” Digging deep, I forced out the next few words. “You can, uh, stay until then?”
“You’re serious? You want me to stay here with you? You don’t even know me.”
I shrugged, already regretting that I’d said it. What was I thinking? I could barely tolerate polite conversation with people outside of my home. What was I supposed to do with someone in it? “It was just a thought. Forget I said anything.”
Onyx’s hand snaked out and grabbed my arm. “Wait! I... don’t want to go home. I was really looking forward to this break. I’ve had a lot going on and I am desperate for some time in the mountains. If you really don’t mind, I’m tempted to take you up on it. But I don’t want to put you out or anything.”
My heart jumped unexpectedly. I had no desire to have anyone in my home—ever—but something about them made me feel strangely excited. “You won’t be putting me out. I spend most of my time working in the barn anyway, so you’ll have time to yourself. I’m afraid I don’t have a guest bed, though, but I’ll make mine up for you, and I can sleep out here.”
They were shaking their head while I saw their eyes brighten with hope. A sight that made them look even more beautiful. I wanted to shake myself for having such an immediate reaction to them, which wasn’t something I was used to. “I don’t want you to give up your bedroom. You’re already being so kind, just letting a complete stranger stay here.”
The temptation to caress their face was nearly overwhelming. A temptation that shocked me. How long had it been since I’d felt any kind of stirring? Conflicting emotions came with it. Hope and longing, pain and guilt.
I shook my head. “We are strangers, but I still want you to feel safe while you’re here. The bedroom door locks, so it will allow you privacy, and hopefully a sense of security. I don’t mind the couch, I mean, I made it. Besides, it’s just temporary.”
“You made the couch?”
“I used to be a carpenter. I made all the furniture in this house. It was meant to be a present for... well, never mind. Yes, I made it.” I clamped my mouth shut. I almost said her name. Years had passed since I’d said it aloud. I wasn’t used to having someone in my home, or talking about it, and it was getting me all mixed up.
Onyx studied me for a moment before wandering around the room, taking it all in. “It’s all really beautiful. I’ve stayed in a lot of different places around the country, but none have felt as welcoming as this. You’ve done an incredible job.”
“Thanks.” I felt my cheeks warm, uncomfortable with the praise or the direction this had gone.
“Well, thank you . This is really very generous of you, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. Let me know if I’m in the way or anything.”
I waved them off. “It’s fine.”
“Okay. I think I’ll move all my luggage to the bedroom, if you don’t mind.”
Thinking about someone else’s things in my room had my mind swirling, and I needed space. I needed to get out of the room. “Sure. I, uh, was about to fix some lunch. Are you hungry?”
Their stomach must have heard me as it grumbled low. Color rushed to Onyx’s cheeks, making them look even more beautiful. “I guess I am.”
“Any food avoidances or allergies?”They shook their head, making their silky hair flow around them. “No. I’m good with pretty much anything.”
“Okay, go settle in. I’ll have it ready in a few minutes.”
They touched my arm lightly and offered me a sweet smile. “Thank you, Theodore.”
I turned and fled toward the kitchen. A strange sensation filled me. One I hadn’t felt in far too long. My head was a mess because of it, and I was desperate for something to focus on.
In the kitchen, I took off my beanie and brushed my hand over my short, trimmed hair. I shouldn’t have let them stay. I didn’t know what I was thinking, but I couldn’t possibly kick them out. Onyx was in need of an escape, something I understood to the depths of my core. It was strange to think about, though. I’d never had anyone in this house before.
Standing in front of the fridge, I waffled on what to make. I’d been planning to make a deli sandwich for myself, but I suddenly felt like I needed to host this guest I didn’t expect. I heard a thump come from my bedroom, one that made my heart race. With that, I decided to stick with my original plan, because I doubted I would be able to focus on anything more substantial at this point.
A large black bag sat on the kitchen table. Onyx’s keyboard. My eyes kept drifting toward it while I tried to concentrate on building the two sandwiches. Seeing someone else’s stuff in the kitchen was fucking with my head. That and making two meals, muscle memory bringing back the way I used to make lunch for more than just myself.
By the time I was done making the ham and turkey sandwiches, my mind was a roiling, thunderous place. I left a plate on the table for Onyx and hurried out of the cabin, sucking in the crisp, fresh air outside, and headed toward my workshop. I probably should have been more concerned about my house being used in a scam, but the person currently in it occupied every thought. It was too much, too strange.
My thoughts were so loud I could barely taste my food. After finishing the first half, I set it aside, needing to do something physical to help occupy my mind. I’d been in the middle of working on a project for Marley from the market. Not too long ago, he bought a pair of wooden vases from me for a new customer. Well, that customer turned into his lover, and now they were living together. Marley said Derek loved the vases he'd used for his office and wanted some for their condo, too. Not only did they fit his masculine style, but they weren't breakable, which was a huge plus with a rambunctious kitten in their home.
The first of the pair was done with a coat of butcher block oil drying. The oil was a food-safe sealant I liked to use on kitchenware. When it came to the vases, the tricky part would be making the second similar enough to make it clear they were a set, but since I wasn't mass-producing them to sell in a retail store, they didn't have to be exact replicas. Folks seemed to enjoy seeing the minor imperfections and nuances that showed the human hands behind the art.
I grabbed a pine log and set it up on the lathe. Once the machine was on and the log was spinning, I used the roughing gouge, angling it against the log so it pressed into the wood, removing the outer layer. After creating the general shape, I took the spindle gouge, which made more precise cuts. The lathe did most of the hard work, rotating so fast that minimal movements with my tools created smooth shavings along the exterior, much like clay on a pottery wheel. It was always so satisfying to watch the blocks of wood take shape, but it required a steady hand and intense focus, which was exactly what I needed to get my mind off the strikingly beautiful person in my house. In my bedroom .
While the lathe made the work easier, it still wasn't a quick job. With the outside taking shape, I had to switch the setup of the lathe to drill out the inside of it. Hours later, I had a vase that had been sanded smooth and had a coat of oil on it. The oil worked to protect the wood and make it waterproof, but I also loved the way it brought the wood grains out and the shine highlighted the natural beauty of what was once a simple log. I sat it next to its mate, pleased to see they matched enough to go together, but each still had their own subtle differences. I was really happy with how they turned out, and I hoped Marley and Derek would like them, too.
Clicking my tongue, I looked around to see what else I could work on, but it was too late to take on a bigger project, and too cold. I was so focused on finishing the vase I never started the wood-burning stove. Working kept me warm enough, but now a chill crept in. Of course, I was only wearing a T-shirt.
The project had gone a long way to distract me, but it was probably about time I faced the situation—no, the person—in my home. At the very least, I should change the bedding for them. I probably should have done that first thing, because now I would have to go in with all of their stuff in my room, but I wasn't thinking clearly.
Drawing in a deep breath, I braced myself and exited the relative comfort of the barn. I was determined to walk in and try to make it as normal as I could, though this was all uncharted territory. Whatever minuscule amount of normal I hoped to achieve ended abruptly when I stood at my front door, wondering if I should knock.
Why the hell would I knock on my front door ? It was my house. Except someone was inside and I didn't wish to startle them. I thought of the way their eyes kept flicking toward the axe resting by the front door. I kept it there for easy access when I needed to chop wood, but I could see how it might look, especially to someone from the city. I'd watched my fair share of slasher movies back when I used to watch movies. I may not have been expecting Onyx, but I still didn't want to frighten them.
My head fell with a sigh as I raised a hand to knock on my own door. A few minutes later, I saw Onyx's eye peeking through the curtained window next to the door. That was good; at least they didn't just open the door to anybody—not that anyone ever showed up unannounced, aside from them. Even still, it eased the strange sense of protection I felt. The door swung open and Onyx stood there with wide eyes, peering behind me.
“Theodore? What are you doing? The door wasn't locked.”
I shrugged, suddenly unsure of everything, as they stood there with their black hair up in a ponytail, wearing slinky black lounge pants and a matching camisole under an open cardigan that gave hints at their shape beneath it. The lace-trimmed top revealed the small swells of their chest. Seeing them, looking so tantalizing in casual wear, had me considering running back to the barn and camping out there for the night.
Onyx pulled the sweater tighter as the chill from outside hit them. “Hurry inside. You're making me cold just looking at you.”
“Sorry.” I did as they said, following the siren's song to my doom. They closed the door behind me and let out a loud “ Brrr .” The urge to pull them into my arms to help warm them hit me like a punch to the gut. Instead, I shoved my hands into my pockets, which seemed like the safest place for them.
“You didn't have to knock, Theodore. This is your house.”
I let my gaze drift over them. They had been stunning in that fancy winter outfit earlier, but somehow, seeing them without makeup and looking more relaxed made my heart jump even more. It felt more intimate, and I had no right to that.
“I didn't want to startle you, coming in unannounced.”
They gave me a soft smile. “That was considerate of you. I can admit I'm a tad jumpy. First night in a new place is always like that. But I'm a guest, a very grateful one, and I don't want to feel like I'm disrupting you, more than I already have. You should be able to come and go as you always would. Oh, and thank you for the sandwich.”
Their voice had a soft tone to it; soothing, like honey in tea, and I wanted them to keep talking so I could drink it up. But they stopped and were watching me, waiting for some kind of response. “Uh, you're welcome.” I pointed toward the bedroom door. “I'll just go fix up the bed.”
Before they could respond, I was already in their room—my room—trying not to look at the furry boots on the floor or the hairbrush on my dresser; objects in my room that weren’t mine. Seeing them here, especially here, was both exciting and bewildering. They were just things. This was temporary, no big deal… or so I tried to tell myself.
I opened my closet and grabbed a set of sheets and pillowcases from the top shelf. Making quick work of it, I stripped and remade the bed. Staring at the simple bedding, I found myself wishing I had something a little nicer for Onyx, something plushier or more pillows. They seemed like the type who would like a lot of decorative pillows. I’d always had more minimalistic tastes. There wasn't much I could do with such short notice, well... no notice. At least I could add another blanket so they wouldn't get too cold.
A cedar trunk sat at the foot of the bed. It was one of the few things I'd brought with me when I moved here. It had been a wedding present for Myra, the first thing I made for her. It carried a lot of memories, and I wasn't able to leave it behind. Now, here I was making the bed for someone else, taking a quilt out of her trunk. The urge to flee came back again, but I forced myself to drape the quilt neatly on the bed. I had the strange desire to get Onyx's approval. I wanted it to be nice for them, which made no sense whatsoever since I’d only spent a few minutes with them.
With the bed done, I grabbed a blanket for myself, and quickly changed into flannel pajama pants, though I usually slept without them, and returned to the living room. I did a quick scan to find Onyx in the kitchen, standing at the stove. The sight of them there, looking like they belonged, nearly knocked the air right out of me. I thought my heart would stop altogether when they looked over their shoulder and smiled. Breathtaking .
“I hope you don't mind, Theodore, but I took it upon myself to find something for dinner and decided to heat up a couple cans of the beef and vegetable soup from your pantry.”
No one called me by my full name; it was strange to hear. I wasn't even sure why I said it to them earlier during our introductions, but it just came out. I couldn't bring myself to correct it, though, not with the way it sounded when they said it. Again, they stared at me, waiting for a reply. Apparently, along with breathing, words were also hard around them. Words had never been my strength to begin with, but with only myself for company, it didn’t usually matter. I coughed to clear my throat. “That’s fine.”
Onyx smiled again, their eyes dropping to take in my pajama pants before turning their attention back to the stove. As if they weren't enchanting enough, they began humming. It was a beautiful sound that held me completely captive, freezing me in place. Why was this person throwing me so off kilter?
“Are you a mug or a bowl person?”
Realizing the humming had stopped, and they’d asked me a question, I blinked hard. “I'm sorry, what?”
Onyx tilted their head toward the pot. “For your soup. Do you prefer a mug or a bowl? A bowl is more civilized, I suppose, better for eating at the table. But I always liked using a mug. It feels cozier, it's easier to drink the broth down, and it helps warm your hands on a cold night like this.”
A bowl was a bowl and soup was soup. I'd never given it much thought before, but clearly they had. “A mug is fine.”
“Okay, great. Now, where might I find your mugs?”
“They are...” I started to point and then decided it would be easier for me to grab them myself. Of course, I didn't think about how close I would have to get to Onyx to do so. The cupboard was just to the right of them, with the coffee cups on the top shelf. I was close enough to smell a sweet floral scent. Their big eyes flashed to mine, making my skin warm.
“Here.” I quickly placed two mugs on the counter and took a step back. Why was this so weird and so hard? Probably because I hadn't had time to prepare myself to have a guest in my home. Though I didn't know if anything could have prepared me for them.
With the strange energy in the kitchen, I felt awkward and unsure. Should I sit? Should I stand? Should I lean against the wall? The only thing that felt right was leaving, so I did, and went to the living room to sit on the couch. I sat stiffly, with my hands resting on my knees, as if I was in a waiting room instead of my own house.
A few minutes later, Onyx came out carrying the two mugs with spoons in them. They handed one to me and then sat in the armchair, tucking their legs under them and cradling the mug in both hands.
Staring into my mug, the aroma hit my nose, and a strange wave of emotions washed over me. When was the last time someone brought me food? “Uh, thanks. You didn't have to serve me.”
“I'm happy to. I mean, you've done more for me today than most would.”
I looked up briefly and offered a tentative smile before turning my attention back to my cup. Feeling their presence in the room, I focused intently on slurping the soup from my spoon. The sounds of us eating filled the space, warming me from within as much as the beef broth. Strange, yes, but not entirely unpleasant.
Onyx paused a few times, seeming as if they wanted to ask a question or carry a conversation, but they continued eating instead. After a short while, with neither of us saying a word, Onyx tilted their mug back to finish, and then got up to go to the kitchen. The faucet turned on and off, and they came back out with their arms folded over their chest.
They clicked their tongue and looked toward the bedroom. “I guess I'll turn in, then. Thanks again. I promise I’ll be out of your hair as soon as possible. Goodnight, Theodore.”
“You’re not...” I wanted to say they weren't in my hair, they weren't bothering me, they weren't in the way, but none of those words made it to my mouth. I simply said, “Goodnight, Onyx.”