AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The heater’s not working?”
“I left it on. But now it’s not coming on.”
“Dammit. I bet no one remembered to fill the tank while I was gone. We do it every fall so we can leave the heat on low to protect the pipes from freezing.”
“Well, they did have other things on their minds.”
“Like where the hell is Jake?”
“Does the woodstove work? And if it does, is there wood around here somewhere?”
“It should be fine. We have the chimney checked every year. But as far as wood, no. I should’ve brought you some already.” He turned on the light. “Hang tight for a few minutes. I’ll throw some wood in the truck and bring it to you. And get the woodstove going for you.”
“Are you sure? I can come pick up some wood. You’re probably already in bed.”
Jake looked at his turned back blankets. “No. I was just headed upstairs.” Rosie looked at him and he scowled at her.
“Well, if you don’t mind.”
“Ember, I’m not going to let you freeze all night because I’m ready to go to bed.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“I’ll be there soon.”
Jake got dressed, then looked at Rosie. “You stay here and keep the bed warm for me. I won’t be long.” Rosie groaned and thumped the bed once with her tail. “Good girl.”
As he headed down the hallway, Sawyer opened his door. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. Ember’s heat went out. I’m guessing the propane tank is empty.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah. I’m going to bring her some wood and get the woodstove going for her.”
“Do you want me to go? You’re still not a hundred percent.”
“No. I got it. Thanks, though.”
Jake headed for the stairs and Sawyerretreated into his room. Jake went to the mudroom and put on his coat, a stocking cap, and some work gloves, then went outside to the wood pile. He grabbed an armload of split pine, along with a couple pieces of oak, and tossed it into the back of his truck. He returned to the woodpile for another piece of oak and some kindling. He put it in with the other wood, then checked his pocket to make sure he had a lighter, before getting into the truck and driving toward his grandparents’ house.
Ember was on the porch waiting for him, wrapped in a blanket. Jake got out of the truck.
“What are you doing outside?”
“It’s not any colder than it is inside.”
He went to the bed of the truck and took out the pine and the kindling. He carried it onto the porch and through the front door Ember was holding open for him.
“Do you have some paper we can use to get the kindling going?”
She nodded and went to the kitchen while Jake set the wood next to the stove and opened it. It was an old stove, but it was in good shape. He couldn’t remember the last time it had a fire in it. But like he’d told Ember, the chimney was brushed out every winter when the two at the main house were checked. He was confident he wasn’t going to fill the house with smoke.
He opened the damper and started building a foundation of kindling. When Ember broughthim some newspaper, he wadded it up and tucked it in under the pile. He lit the paper and watched it for a few moments. When the kindling caught, he put two smaller pieces of pine on top of the kindling, then closed the door and latched it. He took another moment to make sure it didn’t fizzle out, then stood and looked at Ember.
“It might not warm up your bedroom. But the living room will be toasty in no time.”
“Thank you.”
