Page 5 of Naughty Nicky

I may never have wanted to move back to Ouray, but I’ve done well for myself over the years and didn’t spare any expense when it came to buying a cabin here. Besides, I still don’t know how long I’ll be here and figured I may as well get something I’ll be comfortable in.

“You live here?”

I nod.

“Wow.”

I look over at my cabin which isn’t huge, but the build of it is what’s impressive. Raw thick logs stacked on top of each other to frame the house. It’s elevated off the ground, leaving plenty of room for my truck and toys underneath the house.

The cabin itself is only one story and the perfect size for me. It may look massive and expensive from the outside, but the inside has everything I need. Three bedrooms, two of which I turned into art studios, and an open floor plan.

I park my truck in the garage underneath the home and climb out. Pen follows behind me as I lead us to the staircase then head upstairs.

I hold open the door for her and watch as she takes in the space. It’s all open concept, with the kitchen open to the great room, separated by an island and a small sitting area near the doors that lead to a wrap around balcony.

“I like it,” she says as she runs her fingers along the log wall.

I just nod my head at her and head to the fireplace throwing some logs into it and starting it up. “Sorry if it’s a little chilly in here. I’ve been gone most of the day.”

She turns to look at me and then gives me a perusal. “You know it’s not every day I turn into a damsel who’s being rescued by Santa Claus.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, well it’s not every day that I wear this Santa suit.”

“Care to share why?”

I shake my head at her. There is an easiness in talking to her probably since I’ve known her since she was in diapers, but some secrets are better left behind closed doors.

“Suit yourself.”

I throw another log onto the fire then excuse myself so I can go change.

It’s not that I care that I found her while wearing a Santa suit, I just don’t really want to divulge to her that part of my life.

No one really knows about it if I am being honest. Just the people who benefit from it.

I pinch my brow with my thumb and finger before letting out a deep-seated sigh and stripping out of the Santa suit.

I grab a pair of gray joggers and a white T-shirt and throw them on before slipping into some slippers and heading back out into the living room.

Penelope is sitting in front of the fireplace, her flip-flops discarded and her feet dangerously close to the fire. I can only guess she is still trying to defrost them.

I clear my throat. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“Have any tea?”

I nod. “Any particular flavor?”

“Black, like my soul.”

I smirk at that and make my way to the kitchen, putting water in the electric kettle and turning it on. I stay leaning against the cabinets as I watch her. She is messing around on her phone, no doubt looking for a signal, but that is one of the things I like most about this cabin. The utter silence from the world. Phone service doesn’t work out here. And while I am sure I can buy some device to make it work, I much prefer the silence and not being disturbed.

When the tea kettle whistles that it’s done, I pour two mugs and toss a tea bag in each, then carry them over to Penelope.

“Thank you,” she says as she grabs the hot mug from my hands.

I take a seat on the worn leather sofa and prop my feet on the coffee table next to the box of cookies she brought in.

“So what were you doing out here in the middle of a storm?”

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