Page 11 of Two Canes, One Cup
Screw it, they seem nice. They’ve kept to themselves. The hottie with the beard didn’t even act upset when he caught me watching him chop wood.
I just need a little guidance on getting this started, then I can do the rest myself.
Bundling up with an extra sweatshirt under my coat makes me feel like a beluga whale as I waddle out onto the porch.
Holy cow is that wind biting!
My gloves muffle the thump of my knuckles on their door.
It feels like forever as I stand out here turning into an icicle.
I bet they didn’t hear me.
Raising my arm again, I try to knock on air as the wood swings open away from me.
“Oh, hi.” The man with the beard answers with a dazzling smile that reaches his caramel colored eyes.
It sends a sizzle of heat through me.
“Hi. I’m sorry, I hate to bother you. My power is out, and I’m having a hard time getting my fire going in my place.” I gesture across the street towards my cold cabin.
Like he doesn’t know where I came from.
I’m an idiot.
“Yea, come on in while I get my stuff on.” He steps back with a broad sweep of hismusculararm.
“Thank you so much,” I blurt out, following him over the threshold. “I was hoping the electricity would come back on by now.”
“It’s not a problem, I was a Boy Scout.” His grin is infectious, drifting over me with his scent of pine and leather.
A snort comes from the living room. “Don’t let Reece bullshit you. He just liked to party in the woods a lot in high school.”
Reece, huh?
“Ah, how rude of me.” Reece casts a scowl towards the other man. “That cynical grump is Dean. I’m Reece.” He stuffs his hand through the sleeve of his Carhartt coat, then sticks out his palm.
It’s so warm. And big. But gentle.
“I’m Stacy.” An involuntary shiver runs through me.
But I don’t think it’s from the cold.
Reece’s forehead furrows as he watches me. “Do you want to thaw out a few minutes before we go over? It’ll take a while for your cabin to warm up even after we get the fire going.”
Clenching my jaw keeps my teeth from chattering. “Actually, that would be really nice.”
Reece quickly sheds his jacket and returns it to the hook. “Here, let me.” He holds open his hands, indicating my own coat.
My fingers are numb as I tug off my mittens and fumble with the buttons, but thankfully let him peel it from my shoulders.
“Come in, have a seat. Coffee? Tea?” He’s a perfect host, leading me to a hefty leather chair near the huge stone fireplace that encompasses an entire wall.
This place is huge in comparison to mine. Yet it feels cozy. The sheepskin rug really completes the whole picture.
“Coffee, please.” I’m afraid to put my feet up on the cushion. This is much more high end than I’m used to.
“Don’t be shy,” Dean grunts at me, then stands with a thick fleece throw blanket. “Go ahead and wrap up, get comfortable. I promise we won’t bite.” There’s a shadow of a smile over his sharp jaw that carries to his dark eyes as he unfolds the wrap to drape over my knees.
