Convictions: Kelly and Stephen by Delinda Dewick Read Free Book Online Page B

were still quite cool, normally only in the forties.  No cabin or home in Alaska was complete without a woodstove or fireplace.  Kelly retrieved and opened two bottles of beer, handing one to Stephen, as she took a chair in front of the fire. 
    Just as they had done their first night here, they sipped their beers and watched the fire in silence.  No words were necessary, as both of them were completely content to be here in the cabin alone with only each other.  
     
    ***
     
    Kelly opened her eyes with the sun’s rays.  The nights were getting shorter and she had always had trouble sleeping soundly during the summer months, when the sunlight lasted for as much as eighteen to twenty hours.  Waking early with the sun was her normal routine and often her most productive time to write but on this morning climbing out of bed was last on her to do list; she wanted to linger with Stephen as long as he would let them.
    She reached over to the bed side table to retrieve her cell phone.  There were two messages.  The first from Charlie informing her that he had made it back home without any problems.  Kelly felt a pang of guilt that she had not checked for his message last night. 
    The second, from her literary agent Dale, was an inquiry into whether or not she was still alive.  She smiled at Dale’s flair for drama but felt another pang of guilt.  Taking a two week hiatus from writing each summer when Charlie visited was not unusual for her. Her agent knew that.  But even prior to Charlie’s visit, starting with the first time Stephen had entered the store and her life, Kelly had become so distracted by her new attraction that she hadn’t produced anything of value.  She was now several chapters behind in her submissions to her publisher.  Kelly knew that she would have to deal with this message sometime; but not today. 
    She felt Stephen stirring behind her.  It was Sunday.  Stephen normally allowed himself time for relaxation on Sundays.  More time for lounging, but at this moment lounging was not what was on his mind. 
    Kelly put the phone back and turned toward him as she felt his arms reach for her.  He was already so tuned into her pleasure points that it wasn’t long before he had her moaning with desire, but it was still another hour before they made their way back to the kitchen.  When they did, they were both famished.  Kelly went straight to the coffee pot and began preparing it for a fresh full pot.  Stephen headed to the fridge.
    After the breakfast dishes were done and the kitchen cleaned up Stephen inquired “feel like a hike?”  Kelly thought that the exercise would feel good.
    It was a beautiful June day with the promise of near summer like temperatures.  They set out across the back yard towards a clearing at the base of the woods where one of several of his hiking trails started. 
    Kelly asked “how much land to you own?” 
    “Two hundred and fifty acres” he replied.  “I usually try to walk at least part of it each Sunday.  There’re a few special surprises back in here.”
    Kelly got a work out trying to keep up with Stephen’s stride but she wasn’t about to complain.  The trail leveled out a bit after a while.  Stephen slowed his pace and they walked side-by-side holding hands for a while. 
    Not wanting to broach the subject but needing to Kelly started “I asked Bill for a couple of extra days off but I really need to go home tomorrow.  It’s not fair to leave him short-handed.  Plus there are a few things that I need take care of at home.” 
    Stephen’s frown was an unexpected response.  His heart stinging he had been unable to hide his disappointment. 
    Noting his frown Kelly continued “you didn’t really think I could stay all week did you?” 
    As usual, he did not know how to respond.  He could tell her the truth; that he was falling hopelessly in love with her already and that possibility of spending even one hour apart from her caused him