Over the River and Through the Woods by Lacey Weatherford Read Free Book Online Page B

know that?”
    “What?”
    “Your infinite love for all things chocolate. It compliments mine so well.”
    He laughed. “Well, I’m happy there’s something you’ve always loved about me. That’s encouraging.”
    By the time I left the pantry, he had the lamp lit and burning brightly. Somehow it made the whole place feel even warmer and brighter. He’d already managed to find a mixing bowl and a spatula, as well.
    “There are several different kinds in there; you can pick the soup, if you’d like,” I told him. “I’m okay with whatever you want.”
    “The beef minestrone looks good to me.” He handed me the large can.
    “That sounds perfect. We also have that gift basket of sausage and cheeses I was giving to my dad. That would go well with the soup, I think.”
    “I think you’re right.” He glanced toward the door. “I’m going to need to go back outside for a bit, though, while you’re doing this.”
    “Why?” My head jerked up as I stared, horrified, at him. “You just got dry clothes on!”
    “I’ll dry again; or I can put my wet jeans on. We need some more wood from the shed to get us through the night. There’s also a fireplace in the upstairs bedroom. I thought maybe we could sleep up there together, unless you’d rather I stay down here on the couch, so you can have the bed to yourself. There is also another bedroom through that door.” He pointed. “There’s no fireplace in it, though. I figured it would be easier to heat the place if we kept as many doors closed, as possible; but I’ll do whatever you’re most comfortable with.”
    “There’s no way I’d kick you to the couch or a cold room after all we’ve been through today. And truthfully, sleeping in a warm bed sounds divine.”
    “It’s a big one, too; so you’ll have plenty of space to yourself.”
    I snorted. “If I can’t trust you now, Micah, when will I ever be able to?” I knew he was simply trying to help me not be nervous. “Besides, it’s not like we’ve never fallen asleep together.” My memories drifted to a campout we’d gone on with some friends, a few months before we broke up. Our parents’ hadn’t known there was mixed company and all of us had paired off with our significant others for the night. I was pretty sure Micah and I were the only couple who hadn’t had sex together, judging from the sounds occasionally drifting from other tents. But we did have a pretty hot and heavy make-out session before finally forcing ourselves apart. That had been one of the hardest nights we’d ever spent together. I was still amazed that we’d managed to put the brakes on our feelings.
    Micah sat in one of the chairs and shoved his feet back into his boots, grimacing as he did so. It made me want to shiver just watching him. I was sure they were still pretty soaked and cold. He didn’t even bother trying to put socks on first.
    “I’ll be back shortly,” he said, grabbing his small flashlight.
    “Okay. This shouldn’t take too long to prepare.”
    As I watched him walk out the door, I suddenly had the most domesticated feeling wash over me. Is this what it would feel like to live together? Just the two of us, all the time? In the few short seconds he’d been gone, I already missed him. Feeling fortunate to have him here, I wondered what the future would hold once we escaped this place. Would things get weird again or would this comfort between us continue?
    My thoughts continued to plague me as I slid the cake pan into the oven and began searching the drawers for a much needed can opener to start the soup. Sighing, I gave up on worrying about what might lay ahead. For now, I would just concentrate on tonight, and making it the best it could be for the two of us.

 
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    Staring at the table, I surveyed my handiwork, feeling very pleased with myself. I’d managed to scrounge up a fairly decent looking red tablecloth, some bowls, spoons and a serving plate. I’d artfully cut and