Page 24 of Cookie

I wasn’t a great cook, but I had a few things I could do really well, and I had a few tricks up my sleeve. I took two steaks out of the freezer and after washing two potatoes and putting them in the microwave, I turned on the air fryer to preheat. Glancing out the window, I caught sight of the pile of wood we still needed to split and stack but didn’t have it in me to be annoyed. Ryan was here.

Once the steak was slathered in olive oil and spices, I placed them in the air fryer and started cooking them. A few minutes later, Ryan walked out of the bedroom wearing a pair of pajama pants and a T-shirt. “Hey those don’t fit too bad at all,” I said, when he walked over to me.

“That smells amazing. What are you cooking?”

“Steak and a baked potato. I was about to make a salad too,” I said and opened the refrigerator.

“Give me everything. I’ll take care of the salad.” I watched as Ryan chopped lettuce and vegetables before the microwave dinged and turned off.

“These are done.” Using a towel, I took them out and placed one on each of the plates Ryan had used to assemble his salad.

“You put this together so fast. Were you expecting me to stay?” he asked.

“I was hoping,” I said, and kissed him. After checking the steaks were done, I put them on the plates and both of us added butter and sour cream to the potatoes and chose a salad dressing. We decided on ginger beer to drink because it had been a long ass day, and we both had to work tomorrow. “Let’s eat in front of the fire.”

We took our plates into the living room and sat on the floor in front of the couch using the coffee table to eat at. The fire crackled as we ate a good meal and chatted about the day. “Charlie, thank you so much,” Ryan said and turned to face me, pulling his knees up while he relaxed back against the couch.

“For what?” I asked and kissed his cheek.

“For being you. You’re the best you I would have ever dreamed of,” Ryan said. It sounded a little clumsy, but I knew exactly what he meant. It was a perfect day, followed by a perfect night. Even if the wood still needed to be split. It gave us an excuse to have another day together, just like today.

Twenty-Two

Ryan

Not long after dinner we ended up in Charlie’s big, comfortable bed, and after making love, I slept better than I had in weeks. The stressful days and sleepless nights worrying about anything and everything faded away. Being away from work for the night was wonderful. His arms held me close, making me feel safe and protected, something I never thought I wanted, but was more than willing to enjoy.

“Ryan,” Charlie whispered from behind me. “Are you awake?” He shook my shoulder slightly, but I was so warm and comfortable I didn’t want to wake up, and when I cracked my eyes open, it was still dark out.

“Is it time to get up?” I asked.

“Look outside,” he whispered against my ear.

I managed to sit up enough to see out the window, and when I saw the heavy snow that was falling outside, I shot straight up wide awake. “Oh my god, when did it start? Was this predicted? How will we get to work?” I rambled, both excited to see more snow and worried about what it all meant.

“It started just after you fell asleep. They were expecting snow, but not this soon and not this heavy. Don’t worry about getting to work. My truck can make it through just about anything,” Charlie said, and I tried to ignore how excited he seemed to be.

I turned to look at him propped up on his elbow while rubbing my back, trying to get me to calm down. “It’s the first actualsnow,” I said, and hoped he understood. This was all still new to me.

“It is. But don’t worry, we’re ready for it,” Charlie said.

“Are we?” I asked, because I wasn’t sure I was.

“We are. We’ll take a little more wood to the store so you can keep it warm. I’ll help you shovel the entrance, and we’ll throw down some salt. Don’t worry, people here are used to it and it won’t slow down business.” He smiled that sweet smile at me, and I relaxed back into his arms.

“It really is beautiful,” I said, as my hand glided across his chest.

“It is. The first heavy snow is always fun and exciting. By the end of winter, everyone is ready for it to warm up. I love it during the holidays.”

“Even Thanksgiving? I really didn’t expect it so early,” I said, and my mind raced with everything I’d need to buy to be prepared.

“Even Thanksgiving. The ski resorts love it. They’ll get an early start and all the businesses in Grace will get an early start to the holiday season. This is a good thing, Ryan,” he said.

“I don’t even have snow boots. I think I need to go shopping for some proper snow gear.” When I was younger, I skied regularly and had the gear then, but not since I’d graduated high school,and I’d been so caught up in what I needed for the store I’d neglected to think of what I needed for myself.

“Don’t worry, we can get you some on the way to work,” Charlie said, as though boots and a coat were available anywhere, and I suppose in the mountain town of Grace they were.

“Maybe we should leave a little early,” I said, and turned to get out of bed.

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