Page 16 of Saving Mr. Bell

Rudolf tore off a piece of the bread and dipped it in the soup, his expression thoughtful as he chewed. “A trap?”

“Do you know how to make one?”

He shook his head. “Not a trap, then. A blow to the head?”

“And you’re going to get close enough to do that, are you? I have a feeling I know who’ll come out on top in that encounter, and spoiler alert, it’s not you.”

“You could come up with some ideas.”

“I have a great idea.”

“What?”

I did my best not to smirk, but lost the battle. “Instead of going caveman and hunting wolves, we could eat the food I brought with me. I brought enough to last until after Christmas. Probably till New Year as long as we don’t go crazy.”

“You could have just said that.”

“I was about to, but I didn’t want to spoil the fun you were having hatching plans to take down a wolf. I found it admirable, considering how your last jaunt outside ended. Speaking of which, how are you feeling?”

“Okay. I’m gradually defrosting.” Rudolf’s brow furrowed. “What about electricity? What if the weather gets worse?”

“If the lights go out, we’ve got candles.”

“No generator?”

I shook my head. “Afraid not. We’re fine for heating as long as we chop some more wood.”

“We?”

“Me,” I corrected with a slight smile. “I wasn’t suggesting you get your hands dirty, princess.”

“Screw you!” The curse only made me smile wider. There was something infinitely enjoyable about winding Rudolf up. Probably something to do with having all that passion and focus directed my way. “So we won’t starve, or freeze to death.” Rudolf left a deliberate pause. “Just… die of boredom.”

“There’s stuff to do.”

“Like what?”

I jerked my head toward the other room, Rudolf stiffening slightly. Did he think I was going to mention the piano? No way I’d risk ruining the fragile truce by bringing it up. “There’s a room full of games in there. Cards. Dominoes. Board games. Probably other stuff as well. I haven’t had a good rummage yet.”

“Wow!” Rudolf drawled. “I’m not sure I can take the excitement. It’s like you’ve brought me to a retirement home.”

I ignored the snark to point to the pile of boxes in the corner. “And there’s that stuff I brought.”

Rudolf’s head swung that way. “What’s in there?” He held up a hand. “Wait! Let me guess. Knitting needles and a stamp collection for us to pore over.”

I rolled my eyes. “Knitting’s fashionable these days. Did you not see Tom Daley at the Olympics?”

Rudolf smirked. “I assure you if I’m looking at Tom Daley, I’m not looking at his hands.”

“Is he your type?”

“Young? Fantastic body? Good at what he does?”

“Married with kids,” I added, just to be awkward.

Rudolf shrugged. “Fine. I’ll just have an affair with him. He can use me for sex.” He turned his attention back to the boxes. “What is in there?”

“Christmas stuff. Decorations. I thought we could do the cabin up.”

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