Page 67 of A Chance at Forever
Victoria shot him an odd look. “I’ll help you.”
A chill crept through him, and he shivered. “Okay.”
Rusty washed the dishes and pots and pans, and she dried them and put them away.
Both grew sleepy after they cleaned the kitchen. Rusty threw a couple of pillows on the white bearskin rug, and they lay entwined in each other’s arms in front of a crackling fire. He covered them with a throw blanket, and they napped.
Later, they ate leftovers and more pie and played cards and read until they parted for their separate bedrooms.
*
Rusty’s cough grewworse. His body broke into a cold sweat, and he began to shiver beneath his blankets. Then his fever rose. Out of sheer desperation he climbed from his bed and sneaked into his old room. He told himself over and over that he could beat this. He could drive it from his body through intense physical exercise. He started with his arms and lifted weights until his limbs felt like spaghetti. Working through a coughing fit, he stepped onto the treadmill and ran. Sweat flew from him.
Afterward he took a quick shower and dressed in a pair of sweatpants. Driven by an inexplicable need to see Victoria, he crept into her bedroom and towered over her sleeping form. She lay curled on her side, hands tucked beneath her face.
“I love you,” he whispered. “I didn’t intend to, didn’t intend to fall in love with anyone. The moment I looked into your eyes I knew I was lost. How can I tell you what’s in my heart? In my soul?”
Afraid of waking her, Rusty tiptoed out of the room. Unable to sleep, he sat in front of the fire in the great room and wrapped a throw blanket around his shoulders. He stared at the wild, dancing flames, his faith and hope like the illusive shadows cast on the cabin’s walls.
Victoria discovered him there a few minutes later. She knelt behind him and held him in her embrace. “Aren’t you cold? You’re not wearing a shirt.”
“Not really,” he answered in a raspy voice. “The blanket and the fire are enough.”
“What are you doing out here by yourself?”
“Philosophizing.”
“I’ll go back to bed and leave you alone.”
He patted her arm that lay across his chest. “No. Stay.”
In one swift movement Rusty dragged her onto his lap. His mouth found hers in a lazy exploration. The softness of her body drove him wild with need. He wanted to unbutton the flannel robe she wore and discover what lay hidden under it, but he’d made her a promise and wouldn’t break it.
Rusty tore his mouth away from hers. “Tori, I don’t want to be alone tonight. Will you trust me to hold you in bed and nothing else?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
He lifted her into his arms and carried her into the master bedroom. Together they slid beneath the comforter, and Victoria rested her head on his shoulder. Rusty drifted into a contented sleep, his last conscious thought being he was right where he belonged. In Victoria’s loving arms.
*
During the followingweek, rehearsals forA Christmas Caroldominated Victoria’s attention. She arrived at school early and stayed as late as nine o’clock some evenings to work on the production. Although they didn’t see each other much except in passing, Rusty wanted her to know he was watching over her. He texted her every night, telling her he’d taken care of Bud and she’d find dinner in the microwave. Victoria returned his text messages with thanks and gratitude for his thoughtfulness.
On Friday, though, Rusty waited on her front porch for her to come home. She dropped her things and walked straight into his open arms. He ravaged her mouth with hungry kisses which she returned in full measure.
“Hi, baby. Close your eyes. I have a surprise for you.”
She smiled and complied. “Okay. I’m ready.”
He took her arm and led her into the great room. Turning her toward the huge, frosty plate glass window, Rusty instructed, “Open your eyes now.”
Victoria obeyed. She stared in stunned amazement at a seven-feet-tall Douglas fir tree. The soft scent of pine filled the room as she touched the perfect branches. “Oh, Rusty! I love it. Where did you find such a magnificent tree?”
“Yesterday after school I drove into the mountains and searched until my eye fell on it. I knew I had to bring this tree back for you. I thought we could go shopping for decorations tomorrow, unless you brought some with you from New York.”
“No, no, I didn’t. I’d love to go shopping for decorations with you. In fact, let’s invite our friends over for a tree trimming party.”
“Good idea. We’ll call them after I give you another surprise. Close your eyes.” Bending his head, his mouth claimed hers in a tender kiss. “I’ve missed you this week.”
