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So, I said, “That sounds like it would be a lot of fun.”
He smiled and returned, “Good. We’ll plan a day next week and do it.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
The next thing I knew, Jack reached his free arm out and wrapped it around me. He gave me a hug, which, considering he only had the use of one arm since the other was holding a container of peanut butter bars, was surprisingly comforting.
It also brought me a sense of longing.
After he walked out the door and started making his way back to his cabin, I stood there wondering why I couldn’t have met him years ago, long before I’d ever gotten myself caught up in Tom’s life.
ELEVEN
Dakota
The moment I opened my eyes and felt my body trembling, I immediately grew concerned that I was getting sick again.
I could not handle going through that again, especially so soon after I’d just recovered.
But then I took a minute to think, and I quickly realized that beyond feeling unreasonably cold, I felt fine.
That’s when it all came rushing back to me.
The wood.
The fire.
I climbed out of bed, taking the blanket with me and walked out to find that the fire had gone out.
I had known that I was running low on firewood, but it wasn’t until last night that I realized just how low my supply had gotten. I’d thrown in my last piece of wood and prayed that it would be enough to keep the cabin warm throughout the night.
I was wrong.
Because I had no fire now, and the place was freezing.
I was going to go over and ask Jack if he could loan me some wood that I’d eventually replace when I could get out and buy some, but with the weather we’d been having, I didn’t want to drive out in the snow. I’d never been comfortable driving in the snow, despite the fact that I’d lived in a place that received lots of it every year.
But it was late last night when I’d made my discovery, and I didn’t want to disturb him.
Actually, that wasn’t entirely true.
I didn’t want to go over to Jack’s cabin because I was still nursing a grudge.
The day prior, I’d seen another one of Jack’s women arrive at his place. She was one of his regulars, and the sight of her had me feeling all sorts of things I didn’t want to be feeling. She stayed for a few hours before eventually leaving, looking beyond pleased.
Yeah, I bet she was.
It had been just one day after he’d come over and had dinner and dessert with me, and he had another woman stopping in to spend time with him.
Granted, I knew we weren’t what they were, but that didn’t mean it didn’t sting. I tried my best to remind myself that I had no claim to Jack, but I still hated seeing other women with him.
Unfortunately, I was now going to have to swallow my pride, because I had no choice. It was either I did that and went to Jack’s to ask if he could lend me some wood for a fire, or I was going to freeze to death.
Despite my shaking body, I still managed to let out a frustrated sigh.
Not feeling pleased about it, but knowing there was no other option, I got myself bundled up and walked outside the cabin. Sadly, while I knew there was likely a substantial difference between the temperature inside my cabin and the temperature outside, I was so cold already that I couldn’t feel the distinction.
It was just bitter in the air.
