Page 28 of Battle of Hearts

Mirren beamed, taking a sip of her water before continuing. “And while I was walking Kodiak earlier, I had the funniest thing happen. I was in a nearby neighborhood, just enjoying the afternoon sun, when a mailman slipped on some ice and went down like a sack of potatoes.”

Sawyer laughed. “Oh no! Was he okay?”

“Yeah, thankfully,” Mirren replied, her eyes shining with amusement. “He got back up, brushed himself off, and joked about needing to get some ice cleats. It reminded me to salt our porch. I’ve been putting it off longer than I should have.”

Once they had finished their meal, Sawyer pushed her plate away and glanced out the window, noticing the darkness settling outside, punctuated by the twinkling stars that began to emerge in the crisp night sky.

Sawyer knelt before the fireplace, which had begun to die down, her hands deftly arranging the logs before striking a match. The flame flickered back to life, casting dancing shadows on the walls, and she felt a rush of satisfaction as the fire crackled and roared. The warmth spread through the room, making it feel even more inviting.

“Now this is perfect,” Sawyer said, glancing back at Mirren, who had joined her by the fire. “And the meal was incredible. Thank you for that.”

“Of course, darling,” Mirren replied, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. “I just wanted to make sure you had a proper home-cooked meal after your long day.”

Sawyer couldn’t help but smile at Mirren’s thoughtfulness. “You know, it’s moments like this that remind me how lucky I am. To have you, to have this home, Kodiak…to share this…thisbeautifullife.”

Mirren nodded, her gaze warm and unwavering. Her lips curled into a soft smile. “I feel the same. Every day is a new adventure with you.”

After the fire had settled into a steady glow, the two women found their way back to the table, where they continued to discuss their day over vanilla ice cream Mirren had picked up from the supermarket earlier that day.

“So, what’s on your agenda for tomorrow?” Sawyer asked, her eyes focused on Mirren, genuinely interested in her response.

“I’ve got some data analysis to wrap up for our climate report. But I’m hoping to take a break and maybe catch up on my reading,” Mirren said, a hopeful smile gracing her lips. “I’ve found a couple of books that look interesting, and I can’t wait to dive into them.”

“That sounds like a good plan,” Sawyer replied, leaning back in her chair. “And once you finish the report, we shoulddefinitely plan a weekend trip to explore those geological sites you mentioned.”

Mirren’s expression brightened at the suggestion. “Yes, I’d love that. I’ve been wanting to show you all the places I’ve discovered.”

With the dinner plates cleared and the remnants of their meal put away, Sawyer stood up and stretched, letting out a content sigh as she walked over to the fireplace. She knelt down, adjusting the logs and poking the fire to ensure it burned brightly. The flickering flames danced in the hearth, casting a warm glow across the room.

“Okay, let’s make this evening perfect,” Sawyer said, looking back at Mirren with a grin. “I can’t believe how delicious that was. You really outdid yourself tonight,” she said again.

Mirren grinned in appreciation at Sawyer’s compliment. “Thank you. I just wanted to make something special after your long day.” She joined Sawyer near the fireplace, leaning against the mantel and watching the flames flicker.

As the fire crackled and crackled, Sawyer glanced at the clock on the wall and yawned. “We should probably start getting ready for bed soon. We’ve both got an early start in the morning.”

“Yeah,” Mirren agreed, glancing out the window where the night sky was deepening into a rich navy, speckled with stars. “But first we have to walk Kodiak. He’s been cooped up for too long. I was so busy today and only had time for one short walk.”

“Right.” Sawyer chuckled, pushing herself off the wall. She walked over to the husky, kneeling down to pet him sweetly. The puppy wagged his tail in response. “Can’t have our little guy getting antsy, can we?”

With that, they bundled up, pulling on their big coats and wrapping scarves around their necks. Mirren felt a thrill of excitement at the thought of stepping outside into the crispArctic air, especially knowing that the Northern Lights might be making another appearance that evening.

Once they were dressed for the weather, Sawyer clipped Kodiak’s leash onto his collar. The husky’s tail wagged vigorously, a blur of fur as he bounced excitedly at the door.

“All right, buddy, let’s go see the night sky,” Sawyer said, opening the door to let the cold air rush in, invigorating and bracing.

They stepped outside into the chilly air, boots crunching against the thick layer of snow coating the ground. Together, they walked down a narrow path leading away from their cabin and research station, the faint sounds of their laughter mingling with the soft whispers of the wind. Kodiak bounded ahead, his breath visible in the cold, jumping up and down with each stride to enjoy the mounds of snow.

The trio reached a small clearing, and they paused, taking a moment to absorb the beauty around them. The night sky erupted into a breathtaking display of color—greens, purples, and blues dancing above, illuminating the entire forest area in a soft glow.

“Wow,” Mirren breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s even more stunning than usual.”

Sawyer stood close beside her, their arms brushing against one another. “You say that every time.” She chuckled.

“I know,” Mirren giggled as well, shaking her head. “I just… You can never get used to this sort of thing. You know?”

Sawyer smiled, nodding, then snuck a glance at the woman beside her, admiring every inch of her beauty, the way the soft blue lights danced across her face.

They both gazed up at the sky, the brilliance of the Northern Lights enveloping them in a soft glow. The scene felt surreal, like something out of a dream, and for a moment, time stood still.

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