Page 65 of Out of the Cold

The strange shadows thrown by her light made it impossible to read his expression. “I was going to offer to stay, actually. I thought you might not want to be alone.”

She wanted to be strong and tell him she was fine, but she didn’t have it in her. “I really don’t.”

“I’ll go get my things,” he said, turning for the door.

“You can come right in. Don’t bother knocking.”

He disappeared into the storm twenty feet from the house, only his light visible, and then that was swallowed up, too.

Quickly she tidied the bathroom, then grabbed towels and set them on the bed in the bedroom closest to the living room. If he left his door open, some of the heat from the woodstove should make it to him.

She heard him return as she was finishing up. He had a duffel bag in one hand and a sleeping bag under his arm.

“Come on in and get warm,” she said. “I was about to heat up some dinner when the lights went out. Would you like some?”

“I’m fine, thanks.”

“Are you being stoic? Because that’s silly. Besides, I have chicken and dumplings.”

“Homemade?”

Even in the odd shadows cast by the candles and lanterns, she could see the way his face brightened.

She laughed. “Yes.”

“That sounds great, if you really don’t mind.”

“Of course, I don’t.” She opened the fridge and pulled out the pot she’d kept the food in. “You said you used to cook for people, so you know how good it feels to share what you made.”

“Yeah, I do.”

She put the pot on the stove and turned the burner on, grateful to have something to watch when looking at him became too much.

“I used to cook a lot when I lived with my parents,” she said. “When I felt up to it, anyway. It was about the only thing they let me do.”

“I’m cooking less than ever. But maybe I’ll make more of an effort. I see you were prepared for the power going out,” he said, nodding toward the various lighting implements and charging devices on the table.

“Well, you did warn me. At least I wasn’t caught off guard.”

She took the pot off the stove, poured it into a bowl, and set it on the table with a spoon.

“Eat,” she said, sitting down on the other side.

He took a seat and dug in. “This is delicious.”

Warmth bloomed in her chest, and she was glad it was too dark for him to see her heated face.

“Thanks.” She searched for something to say. “Did the storm keep you from flying home?”

“No, I didn’t have any plans. My family was hoping I’d come, but it’s too far, and I didn’t want to fall further behind on my book. Anyway, I’m finally having a white Christmas.”

“That you are. Is it everything you hoped it would be?”

“I miss my family more than I expected, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“My family in L.A. wanted me to visit. They’re hurt and worried that I’ve been up here so long, and I don’t blame them. My mother thinks retreating up here like I have will make it harder to rejoin the world.”

She was so shocked at how much he’d revealed that it took a moment to respond. “Do you think she’s right?”

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