Page 31 of Cold Winter Nights

Tonight…he was just Bo.

And for the first time in his life, that was exactly who he wanted to be.

Royal

“Well don’t you look handsome.” Myra beamed with her hands on her hips. “Doesn’t he look amazing, Pearl?”

Mrs. Pearl set her cup of tea down and turned to look him up and down. “Oh yes. Stone won’t know what hit him tonight.”

Royal rolled his eyes, trying not to blush as he ventured further into the kitchen. He nervously ran his hands down his suede, knee-length coat. “Will you two knock it off. It’s just dinner,” Royal went to the counter and glanced inside the to-go tote bags. “Are these mine? I sure hope so. Oh my gosh it smells so good.”

Mrs. Pearl took another sip of her tea. “She’s been guarding that bag like its full of diamonds and pearls.”

“Well, I made it especially for you and Stone.” Myra lifted her chin with pride. “it’s got several of his favorites in there.”

“Oh yeah,” Royal smiled. But when he saw the dozens of containers his grin faded, “Wait, What do you mean all? I only asked for dinner for one night.”

“Well,” she hummed. “One, could turn into two, then two to three, then three—”

“Oh, for shit’s sake,” he murmured.

“Language,” Mrs. Pearl chided.

“There’s bangers and mash with onion gravy, three-meat lasagna, deluxe mushroom stroganoff, and of course I haveplenty of rolls and my whipped butter that you love so much, Royal.” Myra sealed the other insulated bag, “And in here is your chocolate lava cake and whisky bread pudding for dessert.”

Royal stood with his mouth hanging open. “You made enough to feed a small army.”

“Just eat whichever meal you want tonight and put the rest in the fridge. Everything I made is easy to reheat.”

“Myra. I can’t thank you enough.” Royal hugged her. “You’re so generous.”

“She most certainly is.” Mrs. Pearl hefted a clipboard she’d had sitting on the counter in front of her. “I’m trying to keep the grocery order to a minimal this month so we can hopefully turn a hefty profit from the festival, and here this woman is making gourmet meals for her two favorite people.”

“Let’s pray this storm they’re predicting passes us over,” Myra sighed.

Mrs. Pearl crossed her fingers.

“What kind of storm?” Royal frowned. “I haven’t heard anything about bad weather.”

“That’s because all you watch is Netflix,” Myra laughed. “Perhaps you should watch the evening news sometimes.”

Okay, Royal guessed she had a point.

“We’ve sure had our fair share of snowstorms, blizzards, and even an avalanche or two, butneverduring the week of our biggest tourists’ season.”

Royal kissed Mrs. Pearl. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

She lowered her gaze back to her clipboard still appearing nervous.

Royal hugged Myra. “You’ve outdone yourself, as usual.”

He’d left a considerable sized tip for the meals he’d charged to his room last week. Next week when he paid, he’d triple it.

“So, how long should I suspend housekeeping services on your room?” Mrs. Pearl winked.

“You two are such meddlers,” he said with fake stern sternness. “But I’ll be back in themorning, okay. Stone didn’t ask me to move in.”

“No. Not yet anyway.”

---