She nodded. “I stowed them away and just use the largest, the smallest, and the griddle. They’re blackened from the fire, but quality.”
“Let’s get to work. I want to take the stovepipe too. There are a few pieces at your place we can use, but I need more.”
It took over an hour to dismantle the stovepipe and wrangle the stove onto the sleds. They fastened the sleds together, side by side, and after tying on the load, they set out after a quick lunch.
“Wrestling a stove uphill will be quite the feat.” He was tired already, and his foot ached. Probably because he hadn’t used it much in weeks. He might be sore and limping tomorrow. He might need to delay his departure for an extra day or two.
The return slog was exhausting, and he worked up a sweat, drenching his clothes beneath his jacket. He unzipped the front and kept moving. Though the first few miles were flat, the stove was heavy and awkward, causing the sleds to sink deeper into the soft snow with their load. At least they were both wearing snowshoes this time, following their packed trail back to Lissa’s place. It eased the strain somewhat.
When they reached the bottom of the driveway, he sent her ahead while he hid evidence of their passage. Before he followed, he surveyed the smoothed sections of snow. It wouldn’t hold up under scrutiny, but it was okay for now.
Light flakes of snow fell for the last hour while they trekked up the hill as dusk approached.
By the time they reached the house, the snow on the ground appeared blue in the fading light, and the sun sank low on the horizon. It had taken them quite a while to get to town and back. He revised his estimate of how long his trip to xTerra might take—more like four or five days. Not three. Plus, the days were stillgetting shorter. He calculated the date, deciding it was probably early December. Even with snowshoes, trekking through the deep snow was harder than he’d expected. The return trip would take more than three days, and it was difficult not to feel daunted.
Chapter 13: Lissa
After Cam and Lissa’s trip to town, they rested for two days, allowing his sore foot to rest. Then, they took three more days to hook the stove into the kitchen’s ductwork. They’d cut the new hole for the stovepipe before insulating and patching the wall. On her own, she would have worried about making a hole in the house, but Cam had no trouble judging the size, filling the gap, and re-insulating the house. She would miss his handiness and willingness to pitch in.
On the third night, to test the stove, Lissa fried potatoes in a frying pan while she boiled water on the other end. She loved how easy it was to regulate the temperature by moving her cookware to different sections—all while standing. The new stove also impressed her with how much heat it threw. She might not use it much in the coldest part of winter. She preferred one fire to feed, rather than two, which seemed a waste.
However, in the summer, when she only required a fire for cooking, the stove would be fantastic. Canning would be so much easier too with a stove, and she would enjoy using the kitchen more. Not having a fire in her main room when it was sweltering outside would also help her keep the inside cooler. Lissa was touched that Cam had thought of how to make her life better once he was gone. She sighed. She’d think of him every time she used the stove. A blessing or a curse?
Either way, when he left, she was going to miss him.
On the constant verge of tears at his imminent departure, she avoided looking at him while she finished cooking. Mira and Luna were excellent company and were her family. But they weren’t human and didn’t speak. They’d been substitutes for people for so long that she’d convinced herself humans weren’t all they were cracked up to be.
But Cam felt like the right person.
For nearly her whole life, she’d felt alone. Until now. Cam understood her in a way that no one else ever had. Growing up, she hadn’t felt like she belonged anywhere. Her family had moved every year or two, following her father’s jobs. Then, her mother had left the two of them, not wanting a nomadic life. She’d never called or come back. After her departure, Lissa’s quiet father had become closed off and distant.
After graduation, Lissa had lost touch with her father when she’d gone to university and trained as a nurse practitioner. Later, she’d taken a job at a hospital and met Derrick, who’d sold medical supplies. He’d been smiley and fun and made her laugh. For a short time, she’d been giddy and swept off her feet. She’d fallen hard, and they’d gotten married six months later. They’d had ten months of wedded bliss before the asteroid. Her time with Derrick felt more like a fleeting dream with every passing day.
Then she’d gone back to being alone.
On her own, she’d fallen back on relying on herself. Then, Cam had found her. While quiet, he was warm. He didn’t smile often, but his laughter lit him up inside and made her feel included. Something about him made her want to open up, to share her thoughts. Probably because he seemed non-judgmental. He also made her believe that being herself was enough. She didn’t have to pretend or mask to be accepted.
Though she’d shut down physical intimacy between them, they’d talked about their histories and secrets, becoming genuine friends. Perhaps more than friends, even without kissing or sex. Sometimes she caught herself watching his large hands as he fastened or fixed something, or stealing glances when he emerged from the bathroom wrapped in only a towel. His hard muscles and corded forearms were things of beauty. She would bite her lip and look away. His quiet strength was difficult to resist.
She’d maintained physical distance to protect her heart, but she’d been stupid. She’d been so focused on day-to-day, she’d forgotten something important. There was more to life than survival. She should be living. Caring about someone else, having someone to look after and to rely on, meant a lot, and she was about to lose him.
Her stomach churned. Maybe she’d wasted the only time she and Cam would ever have. As they ate, her leg jiggled under the table. She couldn’t sit still, and she couldn’t concentrate on tonight’s card game. Adrenaline coursed through her, and she didn’t have an outlet for her energy or emotions. Tonight was his last night, and she was wasting it.
“You’re distracted tonight,” said Cam after winning a third straight game. “I know what you need.” He got up with a smile and grabbed their usual mugs, spooning hot chocolate powder into them.
Lissa’s heart thumped faster, seeming so loud it might pound out of her chest. How could he not hear it? This was her last chance to act on the feelings overwhelming her. It was now or never. She walked over to Cam, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him. For three seconds, he froze, his eyes wide. Then, he took her face between his palms and kissed her back. Her head emptied, and the rush of confusion slowed. This was what she was born to do. Their breaths mingled as they sighed into the kiss.
When he stepped back, his hands dropped. “You must really want hot chocolate.” His warm voice was amused.
She shook her head. “I want you. Please.”
His faint smile faded. “I still have to leave in the morning.” He reached for her hand.
She blinked back tears. “I know. You said you need to go home. I respect you too much to change your mind, but tonight, I want to feel everything I’ve been denying.” She swallowed, losing herself in the depths of his steadfast eyes.
From his expression, he looked torn.
“I want this. I want to remember this.” Her chin trembled, and she struggled not to cry as once more, her emotions boiled. She clenched her jaw. Damn. If she spoke again, her tears might break free.
