Page 32 of Pieces Into Place

The pantry is pretty bare, but there are some bags of popcorn and packets of cocoa. Perfect snack, I think, and start about making something to eat. Within minutes the cabin is refreshed with the smell of freshly popped corn and powdery chocolate delight.

When Kane returns forty minutes later, I’m sitting on the couch snuggled up with a cup of warm cocoa, a bowl of popcorn on my lap, and a book in my hand. I found it upstairs in one of the drawers. It’s historical fiction which is not normally my thing, but there’s nothing else to do so I am giving it a chance.

Kane walks in, sets down a few bags on the kitchen counter, and looks at me like I’ve grown another head.

“What?” I mumble through a mouthful of popcorn.

“Comfy?” he asks, unloading the items on the counter.

“As a matter of fact, I’m cold.”

“Of course you are,” he scoffs. “Is there anything else I can get you to make your stay here more comfortable?”

“Now that you mention it,” I say. “You could make a fire, leave the groceries, and jump headfirst into a snow berm. That would make me very comfortable.”

“I’m sure it would.” He snickers as I take inventory of what he’s unloading; pasta, beans, potatoes, bread, milk, and meat. The last thing he retrieves from the bag is a bottle of Viognier. He’s noticed what I like to drink. Of course he has, but only because it’s his job to notice things, I remind myself.

The next bag he unloads contains some clothes, which I assume are for him, until I get a closer look. Judging by the size, they’re all for me. There are fleece sweats and sweatshirts, socks, a sports bra, cotton underwear, a hat, plush jacket, and a pair of boots. My stomach flutters at the sweet gesture from Kane. He better be careful. If he keeps this up, he’ll change my opinion of him.

“I didn’t know your sizes, so I guessed,” he says, almost sheepishly.

“I’m sure everything will work just fine. Thank you.” I say genuinely. He nods and looks away, making sure I don’t see that my words of gratitude might actually have some kind of effect on him. Next, he moves to the last bag and my excitement peaks.

He unloads cards, a cribbage board, Scrabble, Battleship, and Yahtzee.

“You bought games!” I shout, much louder than I need to.

Kane chuckles as he glances at me. “Yeah, I don’t know how long we’re going to be here, and since we’re going to be getting a lot of snow in the next few days, I thought something other than television might be good.”

“I love to play games!” I exclaim.

“That’s actually kind of what I was worried about,” he says snidely.

“What? You think I’m a sore loser?”

“Not at all,” he replies seriously. “I just think we are both overly competitive and this may end badly.”

“Pfft. The only way it ends is with me kicking your ass,” I tell him.

“And that’s exactly what I was talking about.”

“Shut up. Just go make a fire and I’ll make us something to eat,” I tell him.

“Are you a good cook?” he asks as one dark eyebrow piques.

“I’m a great cook. It’s one of the few things I was allowed to do at Shaemus’s house.”

Kane stops and looks like he wants to ask me something, but then bites his lip and shakes his head, stopping himself from expressing whatever was on his mind.

“Make whatever you want. The supplies are pretty bare though,” he finally says.

I look over the food on the counter and decide on chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Kane seems like a meat and potatoes kind of man. I’m sure that will be fine.

An hour later we’re sitting side by side at the small kitchen counter. There’s a fire roaring in the fireplace and the chill in my bones has finally ceased. It’s surreal, sitting next to him, sharing a meal. This forced cease-fire on the account of my mortal danger is really taking our relationship to new places.

“This is really good,” Kane says with surprise in his voice.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I joke, refilling my wine glass. “Are you sure you don’t want a glass,” I ask for the second time.