Page 35 of Cayden

“I will.” She left the kitchen to go and get dressed. Rising, he went to pour some more coffee and took it with him to look out the window. Bill, the caretaker had already sent someone to clear a path along the driveway and the thick white snow, untouched by dirt and footsteps, was piled high on either side of the walkway.

The vehicle was covered with the powdery stuff and as far as the eye could see, the glaring white was everywhere.

He felt a touch of melancholy as he continued to take in the spectacular scene. It was perfect picture card. And something his wife would probably want to put on canvas. Up here, they were away from the hustle and bustle of their very busy life.

They weren’t surrounded by family and friends, not influenced by outsiders. It was just them. And it felt right and perfect. He dreaded returning home and wished fleetingly that they could stay here forever.

But that was not practical. He had responsibilities. He was Vice President for a huge company. He loved his job; wine was in his blood. He knew everything there was to know about the fermentation – from start to finish. But now things had gotten complicated or more so.

His wife was carrying four babies. He had noticed the thickness of her waist and had no idea what to feel or how to navigate around it. He was aware that they were both avoiding the subject altogether and that was fine with him. He wanted this time with her, where there were no others involved, not even the babies she was carrying.

He was so deep in thought; he did not hear her approach until she was standing behind him. Staring at her reflection in the window, he smiled slightly at the picture she made.

She was wearing dusky pink, a fluffy hat jammed on her head and covering her ears. The sweater was thick, and the scarfmatched the hat and gloves. He stood there while she came and wrapped her hands around his waist, leaning her head on his back. He used his free hand to clasp hers.

“Ready?”

“Hmm.” She murmured. “I just want to stay like this for a bit.”

“Be my guest.” He stroked the silk of her skin. “I suppose we’re going to have to root around for supplies to make your snowman?”

She laughed at his disgruntled tone. “I already have berries for the eyes, and I think I have seen carrots. Speaking of which, I think I will make stew for supper. There’s beef and a ton load of vegetables in the fridge.”

“Sounds lovely. Shall we?” He finished the coffee and turned to face her. Tugging the hat further down, he tipped her chin up and kissed her lips gently. “Let’s do this.”

The sound of her laughter echoed around the space, shattering the serenely like stillness that enveloped the cottage and its environs. Cayden felt the pleasure blooming inside him at how carefree she was.

And the simple pleasure she had with such a mundane task of stacking the snow. She was covered from head to toe in layers, with only her face visible and looked like a teenager up to no good.

No other woman in his past had ever suggested they venture out into the cold to do anything like this. The women he was used to would have been horrified at the very idea of staying somewhere so rustic and isolated.

His wife brought out the child in him. He had the opportunity of witnessing her interaction with her ‘kids’ the one she taught and had been amazed and amused at the length she went through to impart her knowledge.

“What do you think?”

Stirring himself, he focused on the huge bulk of the snowman with the enormous head and beady eyes.

“I think the head is too big.”

“It’s not.”

“You asked for my opinion, and I am giving it.” He reminded her.

“It’s proportionated to the size of his body.” Stepping back, she squinted at it. “Okay, maybe, I went overboard with the shape. Why didn’t you stop me?”

“And end up spoiling your fun?” He asked with a grin as he came up behind her and wrapped his hands around her waist. Resting his chin on top of her head, he studied the object more closely. “It looks ominous. Enough to scare away any predators. Like bears.”

Her head drifted back to stare at him, a frown touching her brow. “You said there were no bears.”

“I might have lied about that,” he grinned at the quick dart of fear in her eyes.

“Don’t worry darling, the snowman and I will protect you.”

“You might think that is funny, but it’s not. And bears hibernate in the winter.”

“Not here, they don’t.”

“Stop trying to spoil my fun.” Tugging his arms from around her, she went about collecting the twigs he had managed to find and started to make the arms. “There.” She packed more snow in place and stepped back to view her work.

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