“Have you seen how deep the snow is out there?”
“Yes?” I say, though it sounds more like a question than an answer.
“Yes, we have,” Ethan agrees with far more assertion.
Juniper winces. “Well, um … would it be totally psycho for me to er—”
“Stay?” I offer without thinking.
“Please,” Ethan adds, and it warms me to my core. We’re still on the same team, after all.
“Really?” Juniper beams at us both. “I mean, only if you’re sure?”
I look up at Ethan, then we both turn back to Juniper.
“Our cabin es su cabin,” I say, and Ethan bows his head, looking distraught at my Spanglish.
“What?” I ask, grinning.
He shakes his head and smiles. Then he tells Juniper, “You can stay as long as you want.”
And this time, I totally agree.
Chapter Five
Ethanstandsatthedoor, fully suited up from his goofy trapper hat down to his fancy new snow boots. “Wish me luck!” He braces himself and, for the first time since we arrived, he ventures back outside into the stunning snowy wild.
Juniper presses a hand to her chest. “What a brave soldier!”
“Let us pray he makes it back with all his toes,” I join in, and we both giggle.
Juniper gave him directions to the shed around the back of the property so he can fetch more firewood while we stay inside in the warm.
Unfortunately the wood is pre-cut, so I won’t get to ogle him swinging an axe around, but then again, I’m not sure I would trust my goofball of a husband not to accidentally cut off a limb if he did.
The storm has settled, though it’s been snowing on and off all day. The view is so magical, I feel the urge to pinch myself everytime I look out at the wonderland we’re residing in. It’s almost too good to be true.
Juniper helps me shift the coffee table to one side. Then we drag the indeterminate fur blanket from the bed and lay it on the living room floor.
I put the fire on, eyeing the remaining nest of logs in their basket and hoping Ethan is successful on his mission. Then we set about choosing a boardgame from the selection we found in one of the cupboards.
“I don’t have the best track record withMonopoly,” Juniper confesses, eyeing the box as I hold it up to her as an option.
“No?” I smile. “How come?”
She blushes. “Okay, don’t laugh—”
I hold my hands up. “I make no promises.”
She blushes some more. “It’s just … I have been known to be a little over-competitive at times?” I’m guessing it was her sister who said that.
“Well,” I say. “I have, on occasion, heard the same thing said about me.”
“By your sister?” She cocks an eyebrow at me, and I nod.
“Yup.”
“Same.” She rolls her eyes. “But she’s just a sore loser.”
