Page 66 of Lucky in Love
“Yeah, I should have forced you to the rec cabin.”
“This is more fun,” he said with a smile. “What’s for breakfast? I’m starving.”
“I don’t usually eat breakfast,” she said. “Just coffee. But help yourself to whatever you can find.”
She used the hot water from the kettle to make two cups of instant coffee. It wasn’t the best, but it was definitely better than nothing. Brody made peanut butter crackers and ate them with hard-boiled eggs.
Once the cabin was warm, they took turns shoveling the porch. Alex cleaned the enclosure while Daisy waddled around, Brody keeping a close eye in case she tried to make a break for it.
After lunch, she started a puzzle, and he started a book. She liked that he didn’t feel the need to interact with her every second.
When it got dark, they turned the battery-charged radio to a soft rock station, opened another bottle of wine, and snuggled on the couch, basking in the heat of a blazing fire.
“So, how’s your vlog coming? Done a video yet?”
“Nah,” he said. “I’m still in the planning stages. I need to record like a dozen before I even start the channel.”
“That’s a good idea. Won’t you have to travel to do the videos?”
“Probably. Yes. I don’t know.”
“You sound conflicted.”
He sighed. “I guess I am. I say I want to travel less, but how can I start a travel vlog without going places? I have money to last a while, maybe I should lean into the book idea first.”
“Okay.” She untangled from his arms and sat up. “This is something Faith taught me, so you know, it may or may not work, but sit up straight and close your eyes.”
He smiled and did as she said.
“Take a few deep breaths.” Once he had, she continued. “Pretend you are no longer tied to the travel industry. You can start fresh and do anything. Quick, what do you want?”
“To settle down and get married. Have some kids.” His eyebrows shot up in surprise. When he turned to look at her, she was sure her stunned expression matched his own.
“Um. Maybe we should wait for Faith and try again,” Alex said. “I’m not sure I did it right. She could bring her tarot cards.”
He ignored her offer. “Wow, I’ve never said that out loud, but now that I have, I feel better. I think that’s what I want. A family.”
Surely, he didn’t mean right this second. Like with her? No, of course not. He was killing time before he figured out what to really do with his life. And once that happened, he’d be gone, and she’d be a memory. Any idea that this was more than temporary needed to skedaddle on out of her head.
“That convo took a wild turn,” Alex muttered, causing him to laugh.
They played a few games of gin rummy and talked long into the evening, finishing the wine. Then they spent the night wrapped in each other’s arms by the fire. Only this time, therewassome skin-on-skin contact. Not because it was too cold, but because things got really hot.
By the weekend, three days later, the snow began to melt, and the power flickered back to life. Brody stood at the threshold, holding Daisy’s house—Daisy inside, ready for the free ride to the lake.
Tess had radioed that the roads in town were plowed and most businesses were set to reopen later that day. They agreed to convene at Faith’s for their weekly watch party.
“Well, it’s been fun,” he said. “Seems weird to say goodbye after basically living together.”
“Yeah, that was a wild first date,” Alex said. “Honestly, I’m surprised I tolerated you so long. I thought for sure I’d wanna throw you headfirst into the snow after a day.”
“Thank you?” His brows knitted.
“No offense. I even get tired of my friends after a while.” She paused, realizing she’d said too much. “Don’t tell them I said that.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “I warned you I was irresistible.”
“Oh, dear.” Alex’s eyes popped open. “You realize we’re falling smack dab into the romance writers’ plan, right? I mean, snowed in together? That’s the oldest trope in the book.”
