Page 30 of A Winter Thaw

“Can I help you make dinner?” he asked, getting up off the floor.

Michelle froze for a moment before turning around and offering him a polite smile.

“You’ve done enough charity work for the day, Theo. You don’t need to stay and help me cook dinner too.”

“Charity?” Theo laughed. “If this is charity, it’s the most enjoyable form of charity I’ve ever experienced.” He made his way over to where she was and looked over her shoulder at the colorful ingredients that she’d lined up on the kitchen counter. “Come on, let me help. What are you making?”

“An enchilada casserole,” Michelle said, pointing at a cute little recipe card that featured a picture of smiling lemons and beautiful handwriting in a bright pink ink.

“Really? I’ve never had that before.”

“It’s really good—similar to enchiladas, obviously.”

“So, is it a secret family recipe or something or may I learn how to make it?” He leaned against the counter.

“It’s not a secret family recipe.” She laughed.

“Yeah? That handwriting is really elegant. I thought maybe it was Elaine’s. In my experience, only older people write in cursive that elegant.”

Michelle’s cheeks flushed slightly. “No, it’s mine.”

“Really?” Theo glanced with interest at the card. “You have really nice handwriting, Michelle.”

She turned away and didn’t say anything as she fussed with the ingredients on the counter. A few seconds later she cleared her throat lightly.

“Arf!”

Theo and Michelle turned around at the same time to see that Puddle had climbed up onto the kitchen table. She seemed to be incredibly proud of her accomplishment and she wagged her tail excitedly, but Michelle squeaked.

“Oh no, buddy, not up there!”

Theo laughed. “I got her. Does she have a kennel she’d like to chill in so she’s not so distracting?”

“She’s got a closet.” Michelle smiled. “In the main hallway downstairs.”

“Okay, little lady,” Theo said, scooping the puppy up into his arms. “Let’s go put you somewhere where you can have a nice little nap.”

Puddle wriggled, obviously opposed to the idea of a nap. Theo carried her down the hallway, enjoying the feeling of being useful to Michelle. He looked around the hotel with admiration as he went, marveling that Michelle had been able to run everything so well on her own.

“Here you go, Killer,” Theo said, setting Puddle down in her little closet bedroom. “Enjoy chomping on all these yummy soggy toys you have on the floor.” He laughed at the sight of a sock that had been gnawed to threads. “Be good, okay?”

Puddle trotted over to her bed and sat down, immediately starting to chew on a plastic bone.

Glad the little dog seemed content to be by herself for a while, Theo returned to the kitchen, whistling. As he stepped through the doorway, his eyebrows lifted as he saw a pair of wine glasses resting on the counter. Michelle had poured a deep red wine into both of them, a velvety-smooth liquid that gleamed in the light.

“Is this for us?” Theo asked, approaching the wine glasses and taking an eager sniff. “Cabernet?”

“Pinot Noir. Do you like it? I wanted to unwind a little while I cooked. It’s been a long couple of days.”

Theo wanted to blurt, “I’m glad I get to help make things easier for you,” but he felt suddenly shy. “I like Pinot Noir,” he said instead.

Michelle picked up her glass and tilted it toward him a little in a “Cheers” gesture. She took a sip and shivered appreciatively.

Theo went over to the radio and turned it on. Sweet, crooning Christmas carols began to play. Michelle lit a peppermint-scented candle, and Theo realized that must be why the kitchen smelled so good.

“Can you chop up these onions and bell peppers?” Michelle asked, setting a couple of yellow bell peppers down onto a wooden cutting board. Two peeled white onions were already resting on the counter nearby.

“Gave me the tough job, huh?” He grinned and picked up the knife.