Chapter 10
Kassie
I wake up well rested, with a huge smile on my face, and stretch out my hand across the other side of the bed. I'm not sure what I'm looking for until I find it empty.
Bennett.
The last thing I remember about last night is finishing dinner, and watching a movie.
I must have fallen asleep on the couch, but if that’s the case, how did I get to bed?
That’s when my hazy sleep brain remembers that Bennett carried me to bed, and like an idiot, I asked him to stay! Like a smart man, he said no.
This morning, I can't decide if he's smart, or just not interested.
I stumble out of bed, not even looking for the time, because I can hear rattling in the kitchen, and I know I need to talk to him.
When I reach the kitchen, I can see that he’s been up for a while. He’s got the same clothes on as last night as well, only this morning he’s got socks on his feet, which are helping him slide around the kitchen as he cooks breakfast.
What is that, pancakes? And, he’s gotten out everything to make coffee, tea, and hot chocolate? What is this man trying to do to me?
I startle him when I ask if he carried me to bed last night, and I know I must look a sight when he turns to face me, but his face softens when he looks at me, and admits that he did indeed carry me to my bed last night.
“You didn't need to do that,” I say, glad he did, while wishing that he hadn’t at the same time.
“I didn't have to, no, but I wanted to. I couldn’t let you sleep on that couch. I've done that a time or two, and it’s not that comfortable,” he says with a smile. A smile that I can't help return.
“Are they pancakes?” I ask, looking behind him.
“Shit! Yes, they are. There’s enough for both of us if you want some.
I don’t know how to make enough for just me, so there’s always plenty,” he says, as an adorable blush creeps up his face.
“I also got out all the stuff so that you could make whichever hot drink you required to get up, and go this morning.”
“So I see,” I smile at him again, as I walk into the kitchen to fill my mug up with hot chocolate, and hot water. “Thank you.”
“Pancakes?”
“Yes, please, that would be nice.”
I'm not used to anyone else taking care of me except my Mum, and even then, we kind of take care of each other.
“Then sit, and I’ll bring everything over.” He gently pushes me over to the kitchen table that is too large for the two of us.
“Why don’t we just sit at the bench. Less distance to carry things, and just easier.” I realise I was about to say, less space between us, but I stop myself before I do. “What do you have planned for today?”
“I need to do some more stuff outside. Check the generator, clean out the gutters, check the chimney.”
“That’s quite the list.” I smile at him, hoping that we can at least become friends.
“I should have most of them done by lunch. It looks like it’s a nice clear day.”
“You should know better than to say things like that! You know the weather changes in a split second, and before you know it there’s a snowstorm!”
“You’re right,” he laughs, and it’s a lovely deep, rich sound. “I may have just jinxed myself. So, what’s on your list?”
“Just making sure the other bedrooms are clean, and not stuffy.” He nods in understanding. “Then, I have to get the shopping done. Not everything, because my Mum will bring stuff with her, and then want to go to get more, but the basics at least.”
“I can come help with that.” He looks up from his pancakes, and turns to look at me.
“You want to come buy groceries with me?” I ask, surprised.
“What, a guy can't go grocery shopping? Who do you think buys my food?”
“Most guys don’t, no.”
“Then you’ve been with the wrong guys, Angel,” he says quietly. “Thanks for breakfast, but I'm going to get out there, and get as much done as I can. If I haven’t come back in when you're ready to head out, come and see me, OK?”
“Ah, yes, sure.”
I don’t know what else to say to that. I wasn't expecting him to want to come to the shops.
“I mean it.”
“Uhuh.”
Without another word, he disappears out the door.
As soon as my heart starts beating normally, and my face stops flaming at his demand, I get to work making sure everything inside the house is ready for when my parents get here.
It doesn’t take as long as I was expecting, and when I look outside, I can see the clouds rolling in. There’s a change of weather coming, so I decide to do the shopping, with or without Bennett.
“Hey, Bennett?” I call out, not sure where he is. “I'm going to head out to the shops now.”
“Can you give me twenty minutes, maybe half an hour?” His disembodied voice calls out.
“Bennett, where are you?”
“Servicing the generator.”
I walk towards the wooden enclosure my dad, and brother built around it.
“I think the weather is going to change before that, and I'd rather get it done before then. Plus, I think you should do whatever you need to do with the generator before then, too.”
His head pops up over the enclosure, and I smile at the sight of him.
“You're right,” he says looking at the sky. “I haven’t looked up for a while. OK, but if you're not back soon I'm coming to look for you, and take my car.”
“You’re so bossy!” I say, liking this side of him.
“You love it!”
I have nothing to say to that, because he's right! Instead, I decide to joke with him.