HARMONY
Bright light spears through my eyelids. Slowly I open them to find the sun streaming through the windows not blocked by the tree. It’s the first bright and sunny day I’ve seen since I came here.
I clamp my eyes closed again refusing to leave the warm nest I’m curled up in. Where am I? I open one eye and look around. Beau is sitting in the chair with a large sketch pad on his lap.
“Good morning,” I rasp.
“Mmm,” he grunts, bent over his pencil. Reacher walks over and licks my face. At least someone’s happy to see me this morning.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Working on something.” Thank you, Captain Obvious.
“Anything interesting?” He shrugs. So much for witty morning reparte.
“Do we have electricity yet?” I try again.
“No.”
“How about is the bathroom still working?” He puts his pencil down and looks at me. His scowl smooths into a smile. That’s better.
“The water hasn’t frozen, but there’s no hot water left.”
“No using a bucket at least.”
“Not yet.”
The mere image of me squatting over a bucket makes me shudder. I throw the covers back and climb off the bed. Somehow, I managed to pull my fuzzy socks off in the middle of the night. He holds them out to me. I slide them on before standing.
It’s not as cold in the room as I thought it would be. The fire crackles as I stretch my limbs. It’s been a long time since I’ve slept on a pull-out couch. They never get any more comfortable.
The bathroom isn’t horrible. The little space heater is working its guts out trying to keep the pipes from freezing. It does nothing, however, to warm the toilet seat. Would have been nice if he’d warned me about that. Then again, he’s a man. He probably just peed out the front door. I wonder if it freezes?
Lord, I might have to read a book today. My intelligent thoughts seem to be leaving me in droves. I finish and hurry back to the living room.
“Hold on,” I say, coming to a stop halfway through the room. “When did the presents show up?” There are a handful of packages sitting under the tree. I think I’d remember if they were there last night. Although I was pretty focused on how sexy his bare feet are. I could have missed them.
“How long have you been awake?” I ask.
He shrugs.
“Were you watching me sleep the whole time?” Another shrug. “Creeper.”
“Hey, you’re in my house. Fair game.” It’s my turn to shrug. I guess he makes a good point there.
“Where did these come from?” I move closer to the tree. There are a couple labeled with Travis and still more with Trace and Reacher. Trace is Travis’s boyfriend. Based on the fact Beau bought him Christmas presents, they must be serious.
Looking closer, I find a couple with my name on them. Shit! Why didn’t I think about grabbing a few gifts on the way here. Because I thought I’d have time to do some shopping later is why.
“How?” I begin spinning around to ask how he managed to buy me something. Instead of answering, he thrust a large mug of hot chocolate into my hand. He’s even put whipped cream on top and peppermint in it. Once I’ve taken it, he returns to the kitchen. A few minutes later he returns with leftover coffee cake.
“How what?” he asks, settling back in the chair.
“How did you go shopping?” I sit back on the opened bed again. Reacher sits next to me hoping for a piece of cake. I break off a small bite for him. Beau huffs but says nothing. I think he’s given up when it comes to me and his dog.
“Who says I went shopping?” he answers.
“I guess no one?” He smiles as he cuts a piece of cake with his fork. His eyes twinkle with mischief. Hmm, that starts my wheels turning. “Are you going to give me a hint?”
