They played five games of crib, splitting the first four, with Cam winning the final game by less than three points. Over the course of the remaining games, they discussed their favorite books. Like her, he’d read most of the classics but enjoyed a few other titles from the 2020s before everything normal had ceased. They shared several childhood favorites, ones often considered outdated that few of her acquaintances had read, likeThe Call of the Wild,Where the Red Fern Grows, andKavik the Wolf Dog.
With their impromptu tournament complete, Lissa tossed her cards onto the table since he pegged out. “You’re lucky it was your turn to count first. I had enough to go out too.” She yawned. It must be well after midnight, hours past her usual bedtime.
“Next time.” When he smiled, faint creases appeared beside his eyes, and her stomach flip-flopped. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m beat. I need to call it a night.” Spending time with Cam made him more attractive, not less.
“You can get ready for bed first,” she said as she gathered the cards into a neat pile. “I’ll throw extra wood on the fire, but just to warn you, it will get cool inside. Even with the flue adjusted, when the fire burns down to embers, the extreme cold outside sucks out much of the heat. We won’t freeze, but it won’t be warm overnight.”
“I’ve got my sleeping bag.” Cam’s expression said he wasn’t concerned.
She eyed his pack tucked into the corner by the couch. Unless it held a top-of-the-line bag, it wouldn’t be enough to keep the arctic chill at bay. Not with the way the temperature dropped when the cold snaps hit. Maybe he was putting on a show of false confidence.
“I’ll get you an extra blanket.” Besides her winter duvet, she’d have her cats to keep her warm—each one a furry bundle of heat. She and Cam had been like friends playing cards, but suddenly some of her awkwardness returned. For all they’d had a pleasant evening, it was like the end of a date when you didn’t know whether to hug, kiss, or just leave. She opted for the latter, tidying their dishes while he brushed his teeth and got ready to sleep.
Lissa kept her eyes averted when he emerged from the bathroom in black boxers and a pale blue T-shirt before slipping into bed, his sleeping bag rustling as he shifted on the couch until comfortable.
She brought him a pillow, handing it to him without speaking. Before she turned away, she spread one of her extra blankets, an afghan she’d crocheted, over him.
He smiled and repositioned himself on the couch. “Night, Lissa. Thanks again for letting me stay.”
“Good night, Cam.” She ducked into the bathroom to wash up and brush her teeth. When she emerged, his deep, even breathing indicated he was already asleep.
It was late enough when Lissa slipped under her covers on the bed where Mira and Luna already slept. She didn’t have long to analyze her unusual day before she also dropped into a deep sleep.
Chapter 11: Lissa
The fire snapped, and Lissa glanced up from her crocheting. The latest thick chunk of wood was still ablaze. Though still glacial outside, it must be less cold because the room temperature remained comfortable. Maybe tomorrow she’d have a chance to shovel snow and replenish her porch wood supply—they’d gone through more than anticipated with the intense cold snap.
She also needed to refill her water jugs. Earlier, she’d cleared the path to the well house, anticipating the chore. She glanced at Cam, reading in his usual place on the couch. Already, his presence here seemed normal. Something about his lack of guile made him seem familiar and safe. Absentmindedly, he shoved his hair out of his eyes. Again.
“Would you like me to cut your hair?” The words slipped out before Lissa considered how they might be construed.
He raised his head, his stare warming her cheeks. “Have you cut hair before?”
“Not for a long time, but yes.” She bit her lip. “I can’t promise a stellar job, but I can make the sides even and short enough to keep it out of your way.” When he’d arrived, she couldn’t have imagined being comfortable enough to ask, but after several days inside together, she’d become acclimatized to his presence. They’d read and played cards. A new level of familiarity buzzed between them, making him difficult to ignore.
Cam closed his latest book. “Okay. Right now?”
That’s it? He was trusting. Lissa jumped to her feet, pleased to have something different to do. After being inside for days straight, she was restless and feeling cooped up. Even the cats had barely ventured from her warm room, except to use the winter-used sand litter box kept in the kitchen. She glanced around. Both cats had slipped out at some point this afternoon, perhaps to hunt elsewhere in the house—another sign of thawing temperatures.
“I’ll put hot water in the sink so you can wet your hair.” With oven mitts on, she poured the steaming water, leaving him to adjust the temperature.
While he followed her instructions, she collected her sharp scissors and placed a chair in the middle of the room where it would be easy for her to work from either side.
He slid onto the chair, tugging a second one closer to elevate his injured foot. Already, with continued ice treatment in the evening and keeping off his feet, the swelling was reduced. She checked it daily, and some of the more livid bruising had faded, leaving his ankle and foot pale purple with yellow and green smudges.
Lissa stood beside Cam. “How short would you like it?” Her voice came out breathy. She cleared her throat, a blush creeping up her face. Though she was used to Cam’s presence, touching him and standing so near seemed more personal than anticipated. Up close, his scent was more than just clean and soap, but something masculine and faintly spicy that made her heart rate increase and her long-ignored sex drive take notice.
She swallowed. Cam was a handsome man, and standing this close was suddenly distressing. Perhaps cutting his hair hadn’t been the smartest idea.
“Out of my eyes would be an improvement. I’ll leave the rest in your capable hands.” His voice resonated in her chest.
She swallowed, determined to ignore how his proximity affected her. With a calming breath, she combed his hair, sliding the damp, silky length between two fingers before each snip of the scissors. She repeated the motion with each chunk, measuring with what she’d already cut as a reference. Every few minutes, she collected the fine bits of hair before throwing them in the garbage.
Lissa wasn’t quick but moved methodically. She relaxed, enjoying the feeling of intimacy without expectation. She liked Cam’s company, but their daily interactions reminded her of a million small things she missed about having a partner or companion. Her mind wandered to visions of the two of them working side by side in the garden, dividing the work of gathering firewood, sharing body heat to stay warm. She flushed, heat flooding her face.
Lissa exhaled, reminding herself he’d be leaving in a few weeks. Once more, she’d be alone. She should be relieved to have her place to herself again, but it would also be lonely.
When she finished, she stood in front of Cam, in the V between his legs, to check how she’d done. Running her fingers through his hair, she looked for sections she’d missed and checked that both sides were the same length. She’d hate for his haircut to be lopsided.
