Page 50 of Beauty and the Beard

“I like to think it’s because you feel weightless. All those tiny ropes take your weight. If they can physically carry you, maybe they can work on carrying your troubles, too.”

He hums under his breath and turns back to the sky.

“Breakfast is ready. Pancakes like you asked for.”

A real smile plays on his lips, and my shoulders relax.

“And the man cooks. You’re quite the package, aren’t you, Leaf?”

He shifts and easily maneuvers out of the hammock. Walking toward me, the twinkle is back in his eyes, and he reaches up on his toes to kiss my cheek again.

“So are you, Sasha.”

Before he can brush past me, I snake my arm around his waist and pull him closer.

“You deserve all the things, Sash.” I whisper in his ear and kiss his temple. “Any man who knows you properly would know you deserve to be treated like a prince. I’ll start with pancakes because I’m just a lowly lodge owner.”

His laughter shakes his body against mine and I’m pleased I did that.

“You got me. Let me taste these pancakes and see if they’re fit for royalty or not.”

Holding the door, I let him pass and I don’t miss the soft exclamation of joy under his breath when he sees what I’ve brought him.

“Leaf… this is amazing! I’ve never had breakfast in bed before! How do I do it?”

Laughing, I lift the tray so he can settle on the bed and set it back in front of him.

“Just like when you’re out of bed? Use the utensils and eat. I won’t even care if you spill on the sheets.”

His smile could illuminate outer space as he inspects everything on the tray.

“Oh Em Gee, the syrup is warm!” He pours more than half of it on his pancakes and watches it soak into the small stack I made him. He’s like a kid on Christmas morning.

“Why,” he stuffs another bite of pancake in his mouth, “does this taste so much better here?”

Laughing, I pop a piece of fruit into my mouth. “Because that syrup was made right here. It doesn’t get any better than that. No preservatives and processing and extra flavours that take away from theactualflavour.”

We laugh and talk through mouthfuls of food. My heart is lighter than it’s been in years and my face hurts from all the laughs. When he’s all but licked his plate clean, he fidgets with the dishes on the tray.

“Leaf… I should let you get to your day.”

“You don’t have to rush out. You can even stay here in the hammock if you want to. It’s great for reading.”

A soft huff. “Yeah, probably is. I’ll see you later?”

“I’ll come over when my guided fishing is done. It will be late. After supper, for sure, if that’s okay?”

“Of course.” He slides out of bed and pulls on his clothes from last night. He hesitates while removing my shirt.

“Keep it, Sasha. I don’t mind.”

“It’s silly, I know…”

“Nothing you ever do or say is silly to me.”

He follows me to the kitchen and after placing the tray on the counter, he motions to the stairwell to my private entrance.

“I’ll get my shoes and leave that way, Leaf. Thank you. For last night and breakfast. It was wonderful.”

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