Page 22 of My Greatest Joy

I’ll letJudge Judyoverthink that one for a bit.

Fallon clearly has some serious past relationship trauma that she’s externalizing onto me for the simple fact that I have a dick. She acts like every guy is out to hurt her, and if that’s the case, I’ll tread lightly. I want her to feel comfortable enough to drop the act and, eventually, her guard. Her brick walls are tall and built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane.

I’d like her to trust me and know I only have good intentions.

And in order to do that, she’ll need to open up.

After dinner, we go our separate ways. She curls up on the couch, and Dasher, the traitorous shit, stays down with her while I go upstairs. It’s pitch-black in my room, but I know every inch of my house like the back of my hand. But since Fallon doesn’t, I make sure to leave a flashlight on the coffee table so she can find her way to the bathroom.

I strip down to my boxers and slide under the covers, hoping the power and phone service will return tomorrow.

Since the storm has fully passed, the state snowplows should be out to clear the roads for the lineman. As long as the wind stays calm, I’ll be able to clear the driveway so we can get out of the house. I’m ready to go back to the farm and show my favorite Ebenezer Scrooge around town.

I fall asleep with thoughts of Fallon on my mind, but when I wake to her soft voice, my first thought is thatI’m dreaming.

“Levi,” she repeats my name, shaking my arm.

“What is it?” I murmur.

“The fire needs more wood, and there’s none left in the house,” she tells me.

“How’s that possible?” I turn toward her with half-opened eyes.

“I don’t know. It’s been burning for three days straight. Can you grab some more?”

“It’s the middle of the night, Fallon. I’ll do it first thing in the morning.”

“But I’m freezing my ass off now. What do you expect me to do until then?”

I roll over and pull back the covers. “Get in.”

“What?”

“I’ll give you my body heat so you won’t freeze to death.”

My eyes adjust to the dark, and I see she’s wrapped tightly in her blanket.

“How are you only wearing shorts?”

“The cold doesn’t bother me, Fallon. You climbing in or what?”

“I guess you leave me no choice,” she mutters bitterly, and I stifle a laugh.

There’s the Fallon I know.

“You’re welcome to take off your clothes, too.”

“Oh my God, you’re a creep.” She whacks my chest.

“Jesus Christ, woman. Do you knowanysurvival skills?”

“Huh?” She pulls the covers up and snuggles underneath.

“Skin-to-skin contact helps regulate temperature so you warm up faster than you do wearing clothes,” I explain.

“Oh, well…no, thanks. I’m good.”

“Okay, but if your razor blade nipples cut me, I’m suing.”

---