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This day started off well and ended in disaster.
I just hope staying with Logan doesn’t have the same fate.
“Let me get a fire going,” Logan suggests when we’re finally inside the cabin.
It has been the longest evening ever. Between talking to the authorities about the fire, calling my parents to assure them I’m fine, and then going to Logan’s to pack up a few bags, it’s almost nine by the time we arrive at his cabin. My feet are killing me and I’m starving, despite having food handed to me while we were talking to the Red Cross.
The scent of burnt wood and plastic is tattooed in my nostrils, and to be honest, I’m not really a fan of fires right now. But I’m also freezing and have been for a while, so adding the warmth a fire would offer doesn’t sound so bad.
I take a seat on the couch and watch while he builds the small fire and lights it easily. My entire body is chilled, so I draw my legs up on the couch and wrap my arms around them protectively. The flames dance in front of me, growing larger and filling the room with heat. I continue to watch them as the sadness of what I’ve experienced washes over me once more. It’s an odd feeling, a numbness really, and I don’t really know how to handle it.
I’ve taken the rest of the week off from work. Once the pastor of the church that houses our small preschool heard about the fire, he insisted I take the time. He helped me secure a substitute through Friday, with the understanding I can have more time if needed. I don’t think I’ll need it, but it’s nice they offered.
“Here.”
I startle, not realizing Logan had gotten up and gone to the kitchen. He was in there long enough to heat up some water and make me a cup of tea. The warm mug feels amazing against my fingers and the calming scent of chamomile floats smoothly to my nose. “Thank you.”
“I’m going to heat us up some of the food Frannie brought over,” he says, referring to the bags of food she delivered to the firemen and first responders. She also had a large white bag she personally brought over to where we were standing after talking to the Red Cross.
I sip my tea and continue to watch the flames move. Considering the cabin is probably seven hundred square feet and there’s a large walkway between the living room and kitchen, I can hear everything Logan does as he prepares to heat up whatever was in the bag. My stomach growls angrily, reminding me it’s been hours since I’ve eaten anything.
Fortunately for me, he returns a minute later carrying a tray. “We’ve got two grilled cheese sandwiches and bowls of tomato bisque soup.”
“Oh my God, Frannie’s tomato soup?” I ask, reaching for the closest bowl. “This stuff is the best.”
“The sandwiches are probably a bit on the soggy side, since I had to use the microwave to reheat them, but if you dip them in the soup, I’m sure it won’t matter.”
Already on it. I have one of the triangles in my hand and dunking the corner into the warm soup before he even finishes his sentence. My senses explode as the combination of soup and cheesy sandwich settle on my tongue. “Oh God, this is so delicious.”
Logan laughs and makes sure the tray is closed. “Eat, Hal. Then, we’ll get showered and ready for bed.”
My throat goes thick at the thought of showering and going to bed together, and no matter how hard I try to push it aside and focus on my dinner, I can’t seem to evict those ideas, especially when I look down and see the rug in front of the fireplace. It looks comfy and cozy, perfect for lying down with someone and making love in front of the fire.
Yeah, this was a terrible idea. Unless I can shut off my brain and my hormones—and fast—this is going to be one hell of a long night.
Chapter Twenty
Logan
She fell asleep almost immediately.
The moment her soup was devoured, and her tea mostly consumed, she curled up on the couch, her head on my leg, and promptly passed out. I could tell the fire made her uneasy but being the quickest way to heat the small space, I took the chance it wouldn’t completely freak her out. Plus, I don’t want her to be scared of fire, especially since it’s a big aspect of life in the northern part of the country throughout the winter.
Now that she’s sleeping peacefully, I feel like I’m able to fully relax for the first time since Gabe called me. Tomorrow, we’re hoping to find out a little more about the fire and the damage her condo sustained. Even if the fire was contained to the condo beside hers, there will be significant water and smoke damage, and to be honest, I’m not sure her place will be saved. If half of the building is destroyed, why not take them both down and start over.
That’s what I’d do if I was in Mr. Fitzgerald’s shoes.
But we don’t have to worry about that now. She has a roof over her head and is safe, and that’s the most important thing right now. Everything else will be figured out along the way.
I let her sleep for about another thirty minutes and then decide it’s time to get her to the shower and bed. I’ll give her the master bedroom and take the smaller one across the hall. The twin bunk beds won’t be ideal, but I refuse to let her sleep in there. She and my baby will be comfortable. Period.
“Hallie,” I murmur, reaching down and running my hand along the side of her face. “It’s getting late.”
“Hmm?” she murmurs, her gorgeous blue eyes slowly opening.
“It’s getting late, honey. I’m sure you want to shower off the smoke smell.”
“Oh. Yeah.” She slowly sits up and swings her legs off the couch.
