Page 16 of Wild in Minnesota

“Chili for Saturday when everyone gets here.”

“Yum. Chili can be for breakfast, right?”

He pointed to a cabinet. “Grab a bowl. Shame though, chili kind of goes with beer.”

“That would be ridiculous, Gabe. It’s not even nine in the morning.” I snuck a look at his bicep.

He shrugged his shoulders. “Bloody Mary?”

“Now you’re talking.”

“How are you feeling after the shit show that was last night?”

“Good, I think. It almost seems like it was a dream. Kind of crazy. It sucks that your truck is riddled with bullets.”

“It’s fine. I have a SUV in the garage here and another truck back in the city.” He put down his spoon and grabbed some bloody Mary mix from the cabinet above the stove while I tried not to inhale the chili.

“This is the bomb.” I looked up to see him shaking his head at me while he pulled out a can of tomato juice from the fridge. “What?”

“I don’t think I’ve known anyone quite like you, Fern Ethel.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m an original.” I tried to fight my grin but failed. “I’m glad you got to meet me.”

He whipped up our drinks as I finished my breakfast. “In a little bit, would you want to help me get the ice shack ready for some bridal party fishing?”

I leaned on the counter. “Now I like fishing, Gabe. Love it really. But do you think the bridesmaids will want to sit in the cold and fish?”

He smiled. “Hell no. But I figure if I make it look nice, invite the chicks, and they say no, well, it’s not on me then. If it’s just my boys and I dropping lines, that’ll be okay.”

I walked my empty bowl to sink. “A man with a plan. I did not see that coming.”

After grabbing our coats and tromping through the snow out the back door, we walked onto the icy lake. About ten feet from the shore, we approached a large fishing hut that was like none I’d ever imagined.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when two llamas shot out from behind the house and appeared to be after me. I hauled ass across the lake as they scurried off toward the forest in the distance. It was then I noticed Gabe doubled over with laughter.

I walked toward him. “You shut up, Gabe.”

He held his stomach and could barely speak. “I’ve never seen anything funnier in my life!”

I bit my lip, trying not to join in. “It’s not funny.”

“Oh, oh, it is.” His voice was high. “The fuckin’ llamas from the barn we hid in after the shoot out and car chase have found their way back to us! What in the hell is going on?”

He was still laughing as he opened the door. Inside, the fishing shack was like nothing I’d ever seen. There were built in benches along two walls and a small wood-burning stove with a crackling fire in the corner, making it as cozy as a hug.

“I’ve never seen such a nice shack.” I pulled my gloves off and put my hand in front of the fire. “This is pretty damn cool.”

“Thanks, I started the fire earlier. There’s a guy in town who designs and delivers.”

“Nice. So what’s your plan out here?” My plan was to try not to imagine what it would be like to kiss his face off next to the fire.

He walked to the corner and grabbed a bag. “I’ve got some white twinkle lights that we could hang around the top of the shack.” He pointed to a little pile of boxes in the corner. “And I picked up tons of wine and chocolate.”

“Lights, liquor, and chocolate.” I clapped. “Kind of an amazing combination when it comes to women.”

“Well, it’s not my first rodeo.” His wink sent little sparks up the back of my neck because I was certain he was a rodeo expert.

“Alright, cowboy. Hand me some lights.”

---