Page 19 of Flirting with the Scrooge

“Okay. Okay. Spending the evening with you sounds better than freezing to death. Let me get my things. Come in.”

She steps into her house, and I follow her lead. I stay on the small rug inside the door, so I don’t track snow everywhere. “What’s that smell?” I cover my nose with my hand.

“What smell?” She dumps the blanket onto the couch and throws her coat over her shoulders.

“I don’t know. It’s a mix between vanilla and ass.”

She chuckles. “Well, the vanilla is probably from a couple of the candles. But I’m not sure about the ass. I don’t have an ass smelling candle.”

“Oh God, I’m going to be sick.” I gag. “I threw up a little.”

“Help me blow out all these candles, then.” She blows out two on an end table.

I point down at my boots that are still on my feet.

“It’s fine.” She continues to blow out a few more on the coffee table and I help her.

“Oh shit.” I retreat from the offensive odor. “I figured it out.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a mixture of that pine tree smelling one, mixed with that rosemary one, mixed with pumpkin.” The little wisps of smoke fill the room, making it even worse. “Why did you think it would be a good idea to light every single candle you have?”

She steps into her boots and laces them into a bow. “I needed light, plus I figured maybe it could keep me warm.”

“Yeah, when your house goes up in flames, I’m sure that would keep you warm.”

She narrows her eyes at me.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I shake my head. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m saving you right now from either freezing to death, nasty candle smell inhalation, or burning yourself alive.”

She stands to her full height, which is still half a foot shorter than me. “I don’t need saving. I’m only going because you offered, and it sounds better than staying here. But if you keep talking, I might take my chances.”

“Your call.” I yank open the door and a blast of wind and snow smacks me in the face. Clearly, the weather hasn’t let up any. I step outside, the snow already several inches deeper.

“Wait for me!” Tatum rushes after me while tugging her hat on her head. She fumbles to close and lock the door with her mittens on, so I give her a hand.

We trudge our way back across the street. My previous boot prints are barely visible anymore. I lead the way while she follows in my tracks. Once we’ve reached my doorstep, I open the door for her to move past me and I follow her inside.

She unzips her coat. “Wow. You’ve done a lot of work in here.”

“Yeah. It’s kept me busy.” I pull my jacket off and offer to take hers. I open the closet next to the entryway and hang both of them up. She toes off her boots, and I do the same.

“The last time I was in here, three out of the four walls were covered in that old, dated wood paneling. You’ve really brightened it up in here. This looks like all of Mrs. Hendrickson’s belongings. Did it come fully furnished?”

“Yeah.” She doesn’t need to know Mrs. Hendrickson is actually Grams. The less we know about each other, the better. Unsure of what to say or talk about next, I glance around the room. “Um, you’re welcome to take a seat.” I grab a log from the rack next to the fireplace and toss it onto the fire.

She curls up on the couch, her legs tucked under her. “It’s actually cozy in here. The fireplace puts off a lot of heat.”

“Yeah. I’m glad it’s still functioning. Definitely saved us tonight.” I stoke the fire.

“Do you know when the snow is supposed to let up?”

Rising to my feet, I flop down on the opposite end of the couch. “When I checked the news, they said it will taper off after midnight, but it’s expected to pick back up tomorrow.”

“So, we’re in it for the long haul. At least until the power comes back.”

“Sounds like it.”

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