by Katie Dowe
******
He'd fallen asleep with one arm thrown over her stomach. The jello had melted by the time they'd finished but they had drank what was left, not minding that it had melted. He'd taken her back to the bedroom and they'd showered together, where he leisurely nibbled at her skin and ended up splashing water all over the place. Now he was asleep and she was finding it hard to close her eyes. She was in love with him. She closed her eyes briefly. He didn't feel the same way. She'd come here to recover from a broken relationship and to get her head on straight but instead she'd gotten herself into a more difficult situation.
Chapter 6
“What’s this?” Addison pulled herself up on the pillows as he came into the room bearing a tray.
“Breakfast. I figured that since you're the one who's always done the cooking it’s my turn now.” He sat on the side of the bed and put the tray over her lap.
She looked at it and raised her brows. “Toast and cereal? You couldn't come up with anything more inventive?”
“My culinary skills are very limited,” he told her with a grin. Addison couldn't tear her gaze away from his face. He had a fresh growth of beard and his hair was rumpled, caused mostly by her fingers running through them and gripping them at some point as his mouth went all over her body.
“Are you going to eat with me?”
“I already ate.” He got off the bed. “I figured I would go and take a look outside to see what we're facing.”
“I want to come with you,” she protested.
“Eat first and then get dressed. Join me when you can.” He was already dressed in jeans, boots and a thick jacket. He reached for his gloves and giving her one last look he left the room.
Addison drank the orange juice and left the coffee for last. The toast was cold and slightly burnt so she ignored it, besides she didn't really feel like eating. There was a feeling in the pit of her stomach that wasn't going away. She put away the tray and went to put on her clothes.
She had to push the door to get it open because the snow was blocking it. She found him near the shed, knee deep in snow. “Wow! It really came down!”
He looked up at her. “Everything's covered. I don’t think you're going to make it back to your cabin today.”
Addison’s heart skittered as she thought about spending another day and night with him. “I can work with that.” She shoved her hands in the pockets of her jacket.
He looked over at her for a moment and smiled. “I was thinking of shoveling. You up for it?”
“Aren’t the people who rent us this place supposed to take care of that?”
“I guess, but I think they're cut off. “
“Sign me up. Where are the shovels?”
They worked in tandem and it was only after they'd cut a swathe through the thick whiteness that led to the cabin that they decided to take a break. “I'm making lunch. How do you feel about a thick ham and cheese sandwich with everything on it?” Addison asked him as she passed him the shovel.
“I could probably eat two of those and a gallon of coffee,” he told her with a grin as he put the shovels back into the shed.
“Done.” She linked her arm through his as they went back towards the cabin. They stopped when they reached the porch and looked at the still whiteness around them. Everything looked so clean and dazzling. “It’s so beautiful,” she whispered.
He released her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist. “It is,” he agreed quietly. For one infinite moment she could pretend that this was all normal. That they were a couple and the outside world didn't exist. But it was just for one moment. “Let’s get inside,” his tone was a little grim as he released her and went ahead of her. Addison stared after him for a moment and then followed him, the despair heavy inside her.
*******
She woke up the next morning with violent cramping in the pit of her stomach. Since she'd been at the cabin she hand't gotten her period and she'd hoped that it wouldn't appear to spoil the vacation. She moaned softly, not wanting to wake him. But she was not successful. “Hey,” he rolled over and turned the lights on. “You okay?”
Addison nodded but at that moment she felt as if her entrails was being squeezed by a very tight fist. She gasped and grabbed the sheets into her fists. He turned the lights on and looked at her in alarm. “Addie?”
She breathed in sharply. She was going to have to go to the bathroom and find something to take and get a pad out of her purse. “My period,” she told him through clenched teeth. “I have a hormonal imbalance and I see my period every three months or so and when I do it's brutal.”
“What can I do?”
“A warm towel and some tea, if you don’t mind,” she told him. “But first I need a little help getting into the bathroom.”
He helped her off the bed and when another spasm overtook her he just picked her up and carried her in, putting her onto the toilet seat. “I'm sorry about this,” she whispered as she hunched over.
“No problem.” He looked at her in concern. “Sure you'll be okay?”
“Yes. Just get the tea and the warm towel. I'll be fine.”
Addison closed her eyes and leaned against the toilet warily. If she wasn't feeling so much pain she'd be acutely embarrassed. But he was being so helpful.
She got up and took a hurried shower before putting the pad on. By the time he came back she was in the bedroom and propped up on the pillows. “Your tea,” his light green eyes scanned her face. “Any more pain?”
“Not right now. Thanks.” She reached for the cup. “As soon as I drink this and put the warm towel on my stomach I'm okay.”
“How about I do that for you?” he suggested.
“Are you sure?”
“You took care of me, so it's my turn now. I hate owing a debt,” he told her lightly as he sat on the side of the bed.
“Fair enough.”
He lifted her nightgown and placed the towel on her tummy. “That feels so good,” she sighed.
“Do you always suffer this way?” he asked her.
“I'm afraid so. The doctors told me that the awful pain will lessen as soon as I have a child.”
“Ever thought about having one?”
“I've been too busy and the relationship I was in wasn't conducive to having a family,” she said casually as she sipped her tea. The warmth permeated her body and she could feel the pain lessening. She'd also found pain killers in the cupboard and taken two.
“I see,” his eyes met hers for a moment but he didn't say anything else. “Want something to eat?”
“Not yet. After an episode like this I usually sleep to recover.”
He nodded and got to his feet. “Finish the tea and I'll leave you to sleep.”
She drained the cup and handed it to him. “Cameron?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks.”
“You're welcome.” He turned and left the room, closing the doors behind him.
Addison stared after him. She'd shared moments of intimacy with him that she'd never shared with another person, not even her sister. She slid downwards and removed the towel, placing it on the table. Maybe he was starting to feel the same way. Why else would he be doing all these things?
*******
Preston sipped his coffee slowly, his expression hunted. He'd enjoyed taking care of her, he had to admit. He'd been at the cabin almost a month now and he knew he was going to have to go back home within the next few days. As soon as the weather let up he was probably going to have to make his way back home. He hadn't bargained for this, for her, and he had no idea what to do about it. He could chalk it down to a holiday fling but he knew without a shadow of a doubt that it was much more than that. When he made love to her it was unlike anything he'd ever experienced before and even though they didn't talk about anything personal he enjoyed spending time with her. He got up to pour himself some coffee and wandered over to the window. The storm had let up but the snow was still heavy on the ground. He was probably going
to have to do some more shoveling. He sipped the coffee and continued looking outside. It was so still and serene that he could continue to pretend that this was his life and he did not have a company to run and people who depended on him. He could pretend that they were the only two people in the world and that this was their home. He could continue to pretend that very soon or maybe later down the line they would have a child to complete the family. He could continue to pretend that he would never have to leave her and go away. He drank the now warm coffee in one gulp, his expression bleak as he turned away from the window. He put the cup inside the sink and walked swiftly towards the bedroom. He opened the door quietly and walked into the room. She was sleeping with her head burrowed into the pillows. He went over and pulled the blankets over her and stood there looking down at her for a moment before he left the room.
*****
When she woke up three hours later the pain was gone, leaving a slight soreness in the middle of her stomach. She removed the blankets and reaching for the robe put it on over her nightgown and went to find him. He was outside shoveling. She put her boots on, grabbed her jacket and went out there. He looked up as she came towards him.
“You're going to catch a cold.”
“No I'm not. Need help?”
“Are you feeling better?” He stopped and rested his hands on top of the shovel.
“I am. Thanks to you.”
“Hungry?”
“Starving!” she told him with a laugh.
“I made some soup.”
“You made soup?” she cocked a brow at him.
“From a can,” he said with a grin. “And I also warmed up the lamb chops and there's a loaf of bread.”
“Sounds yummy.”
“Let’s go.” He put away the shovel and taking her hand he walked with her to the cabin. “You sure you're okay?”
“Pretty much.” His hand tightened on hers as they went up the steps. “The worst of it only lasts for a few hours, thank goodness.”
“It must be rough having to face that every time.” He took her jacket while she took off her boots and hung it up with his.
“Thankfully it doesn't happen every month.” He made sure she was seated before going to the stove.
“It smells good,” she said, sniffing the air.
“It’s nothing like yours but I figured it couldn't be half bad.” He ladled out a bowl and handed it to her.
“This isn't half bad,” she smiled at him with her mouth full.
He stared at her for a moment and then turned away abruptly to get the bread and the lamb chops. “Want to make a sandwich?”
“I have a better idea.” She pushed away her bowl and got to her feet. “Sit.”
“What are you doing?”
“You’ll see,” she said in a mysterious tone.
She put pieces of the meat onto the two plates and then taking out the slices she put two on each plate. Next she got the leftover salad and put some on the plates. “A complete meal.” She passed a plate to him. “Just dunk the bread in the gravy and eat the meat with the salad.”
He did as he was told and looked at her with his brows raised. “Good, huh?”
“Very.” He continued eating as she came to sit next to him.
“Doing things a little differently,” she murmured as she ate her meal.
“You're an interesting woman.”
“Why thank you, sir.”
He leaned over and wiped gravy from the side of her mouth. Addison caught his hand and licked it off.
“What are you doing?” he asked her hoarsely.
“Nothing.” She put his finger inside her mouth and sucked hard. With a groan he pulled her over to him and took her lips with his in a rough kiss.
*******
“I don’t want it getting dark before you head back to the cabin,” He told her lightly as he watched her pack her overnight bag. She'd cooked them a meal and they'd eaten. She wished she could suggest that she spent another night but she had no fresh clothes and she had a feeling that he wanted her to leave.
“Of course.”
“And you need to get some rest in your own bed.”
“I wasn't complaining.” She zipped up the bag and took it off the bed.
“I know. It’s just that it’s getting late—”
“Not need to say anything else,” she told him with a forced casual tone as she walked towards him. “I'm ready to go.”
“Let me grab the jackets.”
They walked in silence. He'd insisted on carrying her bag for her and she'd let him. She'd used the opportunity to shove her hands inside her jacket. Too soon they came to her cabin and he was walking with her up the steps. She opened the door and turned to him. “Thank you for everything.”
“Yeah.” He stood there looking down at her. For a moment she thought he was going to ask to come in but he stepped back. “Go in and lock up.”
She opened her mouth to ask him when she could see him again but closed it instantly. Somehow she had the feeling that he was cooling things off to tell her goodbye and she wasn't going to beg him. That was not who she was.
“Well, see you.”
He nodded and when she'd locked the door he bounded down the steps and made his way back.
Addison walked into the cold living room and turned on the heat. She sat heavily on the sofa and stretched her legs out. She felt bereft, as if she'd lost a limb or something. She had pretended that they were a couple. She had pretended that it was not just sex because to her it wasn't just sex. She didn't know anything about him and he never asked anything about her. Would you have told him the truth? The voice whispered in her head. “I would,” she whispered back. “Oh God, I would.”
*****
Preston trudged through the snow disconsolately, his shoulders hunched. He'd wanted to go back but had willed himself not to. He reached his cabin and stood outside for a moment, breathing in the cold air. It had gotten dark pretty quickly, the snow lighting the way. Today was Tuesday, and he should be heading home on Friday. He'd rented a car to get him here and he needed to turn it in at the airport where his plane was holed up. He had a pilot on call even though he could maneuver the aircraft himself. He needed to get back. He'd come here for healing from his grieving and had instead found someone who made his heart beat faster and made his life different. He would never be the same again. He pushed the door open, took off his jacket and hung it on the peg. He walked into the kitchen and smiled as he remembered her sitting on the stool with her head tilted to one side as she talked to him or as she ate. He stood there staring at the space she would have occupied. Shaking his head he turned and walked into the bedroom where the rumpled bed met his eyes. The towel he'd placed on her stomach was still on the table. With a groan he headed to the bathroom.
*******
Addison made it into town the next morning. She'd spent a sleepless night tossing and turning in bed before getting up in the middle of the night to make herself some tea and take something for the pain. Then she'd remembered that he'd made her tea and she had immediately left the rest of the beverage on the counter and gone back to bed. She'd drifted off to sleep in the early hours of the morning.
“I see you survived the storm,” the woman said as she came over to refill her coffee cup.
“I did. Thank you.”
“I told that handsome young man when he was in here before the storm hit that he should batten down. How is he?”
“He's okay,” Addison’s hands tightened around the cup.
“Storms up these sides can be pretty brutal. The one we got the day before was mild compared to what we usually have.” She perched her hand on her hip. “You staying around long?”
“No,” Addison shook her head. “I'm leaving in a couple of weeks.”
The woman nodded. “How about a slice of peach cobbler?”
“Thank you.”
She nodded and went off to get the pie.
Addison left there in another few minutes and w
ent to the only grocery store in town. She wandered the tiny aisles and smiled as she thought about the huge supermarkets she was used to. She picked up some supplies and went to cash them. She'd told the lady at the diner that she was leaving in a couple of weeks but suddenly the idea of staying if Cameron left didn't exactly appeal to her.
She left the store and went to her car. The place looked deserted for a weekday and the few people milling around looked as if they had nowhere to go and nothing to do. She could never be in a place like this for very long or she would go stir crazy. But it was nice if you wanted to get away for a couple of weeks.
She got back to the cabin and let herself in. It was approaching late afternoon and the sun was already going down. She hadn't been out for her usual run or power-walk in a few days and figured she might go later on. She took out the veal and the fruits she'd bought at the store, but the interest to make dinner for herself wasn't there. She'd enjoyed making dinner for both of them. For the first time in her life she hadn't minded being domestic. She looked around for a bottle of wine and saw the Merlot he'd brought a couple of nights earlier. She poured herself a full glass and wandered over to the window. A shadow caused her heart to slam inside her chest as she though that it was him coming to her but it was just the wind moving the trees. She sipped the wine bleakly. Leave it up to her to fall in love with a man who was either emotionally unavailable or totally not interested in her.
*****
Preston packed his bag. He might as well get a head start on it as he was planning to leave at the end of the week. He was going to go into town to make the arrangements and to call the woman in charge of the cabins to let her know that he'd decided to leave a little earlier. The money he would lose by leaving earlier didn't matter. He had to get back to his life and to sort things out. He might even start dating again. He cringed at that as his mind drifted to Addie. He'd found strands of her hair on the pillowcase she'd rested her head on and he'd picked them up, staring at them intently. He was going to tell her goodbye before he left. He wouldn't feel right leaving without doing so, but he wasn't sure how he was going to do it. He prowled the living room restlessly. He hadn't thought about his brother since she'd been with him and he wondered about that.
