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Slow Burning Fire
Date: 11/9/2015, Categories: Love Stories, Author: Soul_Purpose
... better to be on Christmas Eve. I lunge to undo the locks just before he knocks. The metal latch is so cold it hurts my fingers to make it budge. I undo the ancient deadbolt while I worry about him freezing to death before I can unlock the door. I hear him moving around to check in the window when I finally pull the door open. "Hi? Sorry, the locks were stuck," I gaze outside, feeling a sharp sting of wind blown snow hit my face. "Oh you're really here? I'm sorry to show up out of the blue, I was asked to check up on you." "Come inside so I can shut the door! It's freezing out here!" I shout at him, I hear my voice being carried away by the swirling wind. I get Spencer inside in one piece and with his help we get the door shut and bolted. The wind seems like it just got worse in an instant. "It's not much better in here. It's a shame that Henry let this place go so much. It's been in his family for generations. I'm surprised you're not in the hotel." I feel defensive about my cabin, mainly because I can't leave here until my novel is finished. I don't expect Mr. Investment Man or whatever he is would understand. "I didn't really notice it was cold in here, I find the fire really warms up most of the cabin." "I hope you don't mind if I warm up for a little bit. It is a nice place, it hasn't changed much since I was a kid." "Of course, I still don't understand why you came all the way out here tonight. Don't you live in one of those big mansions on the other side of the lake?" I ...
... lie, I do mind a little that he's invading my space. Any minute I'm not thinking about my novel is a minute I'm wasting here. I see his blue eyes briefly reflecting the fire as he gives me a curious look. He senses my unease with the whole situation. "I figured you had a good enough head to take care of yourself, but Ruth from the bakery was worried this cabin wasn't sturdy enough for another blizzard." I see his white teeth when he turns to grin at me. "I should have known she had something to do with this. That woman seems to like gossip." "It's a small town, everyone gossips here." "I can't believe you let her send you out here in this weather to check up on me. I'm fine here, I honestly came here to find solitude." "I can see that, you're doing alright for someone on her own here. I'm just going to warm up a few more minutes and I'll be out of your way. Besides the storm is supposed to get worse tonight. We'll easily get over a foot of snow when it's all over." Now I feel guilty for being icy. It's been ages since I've entertained company before. I watch him putting his thick gloves back on. The wind rattles the windows and makes the single light in the cabin flicker. I'm almost scared to imagine being here alone if this cabin fell apart or the power went out. "Wait, it's Christmas Eve isn't it? I'm sorry I'm not a better hostess, I'm not used to having company over. I think I have some hot chocolate I was saving." "It is, I suppose I have a little time before it's going ...