Kindling for the Heart

by Karen Legasy

  “I know it can be lonely.” Sam paused, her sparkling brown eyes locking onto Jo’s and causing a zing. “Hey, we’re stranded out here and could help each other out with the loneliness. I do find you very attractive.”

  Jo startled Mollie as she jumped to her feet. “I’m not the least bit lonely or interested in having sex with you.”

  Sam laughed. “There’s no need to panic. Just thought I’d put it out there. I don’t do that for everyone, but we’re stuck in the middle of the bush with a warm fire, lots of wine, and a raging storm outside. And you’re not only beautiful, but you saved my life.”

  Jo stood by the door, trying to see through the frost on the window. So now she was special. Great. When she turned on the outside light, a laser show of whirling snow confirmed she was definitely staying for the night.

  “Fuck.” She hit the door. “I’m stuck here.”

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so bold.”

  Jo crossed her arms and glanced at Mollie, who had a definite look of expectation. “Time for outside?”

  Mollie jumped at the door, her tail wagging with eagerness for a walk. Jo put on her parka and boots as fast as she could. “We’ll be back.” She yanked her wool toque down over her ears and opened the door wide enough to let in a gust of cold air. Then slammed it shut with a bang as she stepped into the blizzard outside.

  Sam stayed by the fire, disheartened by the chill of the wind and sudden departure of her guest. Maybe she needed another glass of wine or, better yet, a hot drink to warm her insides. She was cold and numb. Not only from the stormy winter weather outside, but also from the tempest she’d unleashed on herself by suggesting sex. And then there were the events of the afternoon. She could have died if it weren’t for Jo.

  Sam liked Jo; there was no doubt about that. She was surprised at how quickly she’d become attracted. She’d never felt sparks like that before. Perhaps it was a sign. Could Jo be her hero and savior in more ways than one?

  She took a breath. She needed to slow down, get to know this woman better. There would be no more mention of sex. Sam wanted to talk the night away instead, to find out more about Jo and her real passions in life. She got up to make some hot chocolate.

  Biting snow hit Jo’s cheeks as she stood outside the door. Even Mollie didn’t wander far; she probably could have been let out on her own, but Jo needed an escape. The nerve of that woman! Another heartbreaker was all she needed now that hers was finally put back together.

  Dammit, it had been a long time since she’d thought about sex. The taps had been turned off a while ago, but here she was, standing outside in a freezing blizzard and feeling things starting to flow again. What would it hurt if she gave in to Sam? They were both single, consenting adults stuck in the middle of the bush during a raging blizzard in a cozy cottage with a warm fire and inviting bed. If Sam asked again, Jo was certain she’d say yes.

  Jo felt herself warming with the decision. It had been over three years since she’d last had sex, and Sam was certainly attractive, even though Jo had pretended not to notice. Who was she kidding? Of course those dimples caught her attention right away. And then taking off her clothes…Sam’s comments had taken her by surprise and almost offended her. Now here she was, wanting to retreat from this blizzard and get naked with Sam. She called to Mollie, a skip in her step as she headed in.

  “Hurry up and get inside, Mollie.” Jo pulled off her toque and ruffled her hair. The flames were roaring in the woodstove and Jo wondered if they’d make out right there, on the braided rug in front of the fire. “It’s freezing outside.”

  “I’m making us some hot chocolate.” Sam was at the kitchen counter; her back turned to the room. “I’m hoping it’ll help to warm us up.”

  “Sounds good.” Jo removed her heavy clothing and followed Mollie back to the fire, warming her hands near the flames. “I hope you have some marshmallows too.”

  “Of course.” Sam smiled, jiggling the bag.

  “It’s cozy in here. You would have never survived the night out on the ice.”

  “Thank God you came along.” Sam placed two steaming cups of hot chocolate on the floor and knelt beside Mollie.

  Jo picked up a cup and blew at the steam. “Mollie’s the one you need to thank. She heard you calling before I ever did. This looks good, by the way. Thanks.”

  “Careful you don’t burn your tongue.”

  “And if I do?” Jo tried to meet Sam’s gaze, but Sam quickly dipped her head and sipped her hot chocolate. Strange…

  “Why don’t we get to know each other? What does a forester do?”

  “Um…a lot of planning.” What was going on?

  Sam avoided her gaze, turning to Mollie instead and playing with her ears. “Do you work for the government?”

  Jo yawned, hoping Sam would get the hint she just wanted to get on with things. “Sometimes.”

  “And at other times?” Sam looked sincerely interested, and completely innocent. Was this the same woman she’d just stormed out on?

  “It depends.” Jo took off her sweatshirt, stretching her arms, and placed it on the rug beside Mollie. She wished Sam would get the hint and just seduce her, because there was no way she’d do it.

  Sam looked away, staring at the woodstove as her fingers played with a loose stitch on the braided rug. “Depends on what?”

  Jo straightened. “The need for forestry consulting services.”

  “So you’re a consultant? Running your own business?”

  “Yes.”

  “This sounds impressive. I’d like to hear more about what you do.”

  Jo ate the marshmallow floating in her mug; almost relieved they weren’t going to have sex after all. “I provide forest planning advice because I’ve always loved the bush. There’s just something about being out in nature, and I feel blessed to have a job that often takes me there. It’s sometimes like a magical place being out in the forest, except maybe for the bugs, and I always feel good when I’m there. Breathing the fresh air, experiencing the changing seasons, helping trees grow again after stands have been cut or burned, all the animals it sustains, the wildflowers, there’s just so much to enjoy and I love it. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.” She yawned. It was difficult to put into words. The sensations of just being outside, alone, nothing to worry about, except the moment.

  Sam shifted closer to the fire as the wind howled outside. “So, do you have a business partner?”

  “Yes. Mollie. She’s the only partner I need.”

  Sam grinned as she massaged Mollie’s back. “I see that. I’ve always admired people who can work by themselves.”

  “I work for myself, but that doesn’t mean I work by myself. I’ve done a lot of work with forestry companies, landowners, cottage associations, and whoever else might need forestry expertise.”

  “Sounds impressive.” Sam glanced up as Jo covered another yawn. “It looks like you’re ready for bed.”

  Jo grabbed her sweatshirt and stood. “I am. It’s been a long day.”

  “For sure. Go ahead. Choose whatever side of the bed you want. I’m going to stay up for a while longer and keep the fire stoked. I’ll try not to wake you when I come to sleep.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Jo bent over and patted Mollie’s head. “I’m going to bed now. You can stay here by the fire.”

  Mollie’s tail wagged against the floor. She let out a little yelp. Sam laughed. “It looks like she understands you.”

  “Sometimes I think she understands me more than any other person ever has. Right now, though, I believe she loves the heat. And the back massage.” Jo shuffled toward the bedroom. “Good night.”

  Sam sat by the fire until long after Jo had gone to bed. Howling wind pounding on the door and blowing snow ticking against the windows added to her stress of thinking about next steps. The morning would bring more deep snow. What was she going to do?

  She wouldn’t allow herself to return to her home in Toronto just yet. She had been
so looking forward to spending time in the bush, at her cottage, in the middle of winter, to hibernate while her heart healed. Hers wasn’t broken, but it was lonely and just needed to mend from yet another failed relationship.

  Jo saved her from falling through the ice. It had been reckless, stepping off the dock without checking the conditions. And to be rescued by someone like Jo was almost unbelievable. The way she’d lit up when talking about her work was amazing. Her eyes sparkled; Sam could see the passion. It almost made her want to get a job in the bush.

  The mere thought of this beautiful blonde cuddled up in her bed brought on chills. Just the thrill of being close to Jo as they slept would be enough. She needed a friend right now more than a lover.

  By the time Sam slipped between the flannel sheets, Jo’s breathing was steady. She was fast asleep. Sam closed her eyes and let out a sigh as slumber took over.

  Chapter Five

  Daylight crept behind Jo’s eyelids as Mollie’s usual morning panting and whimpering roused her out of a deep sleep. She arched her shoulders and twisted her back, groaning with an elongated stretch that awakened her senses.

  “Okay, girl, I’ll get up in a minute.” Jo rolled over, shifting her legs for one last bit of rest until her foot hit another person. Her eyes popped open to the unfamiliar bedroom and realization she was in someone else’s bed.

  “Good morning.” Sam stretched, raising her arms above her head. “The air is a bit cold in here, so you’ll need a heavy sweater until the fire gets going. You can borrow one of mine if you like.”

  “Thanks.” Jo rolled over and sprang out of bed. The wooden floor was cold against her bare feet. “Sorry for the kick. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “No worries.” Sam threw back the covers and pulled a heavy fleece jacket over her red flannel pajamas. “I was already awake. I’ll get the fire and coffee going while you look after yourself and let Mollie out.”

  “Thanks again.”

  Jo shivered and quickly pulled on her clothes. It was awkward, like a morning after. That they refrained from sex didn’t make it any less awkward. “I hope having me in your bed wasn’t too uncomfortable.”

  “Not at all.” Sam winked as she left the room to light the fire.

  Jo hurried to finish dressing and stepped outside just as Sam was putting the coffee on. She made her way up the cottage driveway to the road, trudging through the fresh snow. A lot had fallen overnight, so she knew her truck would be buried too. The temperature had dropped with the arrival of a clear blue sky; it was going to be a frigid day. She would have to make the trek out to her vehicle so she could at least start it and let the engine run for a bit to avoid it totally freezing up. She hoped to drive it out by tomorrow afternoon, once the road was plowed.

  As she walked back from the road, she dialed her mother to let her know she’d be stuck there for at least one more day. She let on as though she just wanted to get back home, but the thought of another night at the cottage with Sam was kind of appealing. She was starting to like Sam, probably even more so because they kept things platonic last night.

  “How did you survive the night?” Concern in her mother’s voice. “Were you warm enough?”

  “It was fine,” Jo said. “The place is very cozy, and Sam was a good host, but I’ll be happy to get home.”

  “Is Samantha from around here?” Jo heard the clicking of her mother’s knitting needles, imagining the phone now on speaker and in her lap.

  “No. She’s from Toronto, just visiting the cottage.”

  “What about food? Did you have enough to eat?”

  “Plenty. Sam had a big pot of chili on the stove and I had more than enough.”

  “That’s good.” Her mother’s living room wall clock chimed for the half hour. “What about Mollie? I can’t imagine you would have fed her chili too.”

  Jo shifted the phone in her big mitt. Mollie was bounding through the snow, jamming her head under it, then stopping to listen and sniff.

  “No of course not, Mom. Mollie had chicken for dinner.”

  “Oh, that’s nice.” The clicking of the needles stopped. “Where did you sleep? Isn’t there only one bedroom in the cottage?”

  “Come on, Mollie!” Jo started to head back to the cottage. “I slept with Sam in her bed.” She braced for her mother’s response.

  “Oh, Josephine. Please don’t get hooked up with someone from Toronto. Your life is here, in Timmins.”

  “Mom, just because I slept with her doesn’t mean we had sex.” Jo appreciated her mother’s concern, but hated having to explain herself. Especially when it involved her sex life. “There was only one bed, big enough for the two of us, and neither of us wanted to sleep on an uncomfortable couch.” They didn’t even sit on the faded forest green couch against the living room wall last night.

  “I’m glad you clarified. What about Mollie?” Her tone raised a pitch, indicating the inquisition about Jo’s sex life was over. “How’s she doing?”

  “She loves it here.” Jo smiled as Mollie bounced through the fluffy snow, her snout covered in white from chasing rabbit tracks and following scents. “She was the center of attention by the fire last night and didn’t even come to bed with me.”

  Her mother’s knitting needles resumed clicking. “What about today? I don’t imagine the roads will get plowed that soon. Do you have enough food to last another night in the bush?”

  “Sam has a fridge bursting with food. She was planning to stay out here for a month until I told her the road doesn’t get plowed over winter.”

  “She didn’t know that?” Her mother’s tongue clicked. “What’s she going to do?”

  Jo wondered that herself. “I don’t know. Go back to Toronto, I guess. That is, if she can ever get her vehicle plowed out.”

  “What does she do in Toronto that she can take off work like that?”

  “I don’t know.” Jo brushed a mitt across Sam’s buried SUV, uncovering shiny black paint.

  “Didn’t you ask her? How do you know she isn’t running from the law or something? You’d better be careful.”

  “Mom, I’ll be fine. I have to let you go because my hand is cold and I’m sure my battery is freezing up.”

  “Keep in touch and pet Mollie for me.”

  “I will. Bye, Mom.”

  Jo studied the interior of the late model Lexus SUV as she brushed snow from its windows. Nothing had been left in the vehicle, and it was as pristine as it must have been on the dealer’s lot, with the exception of dirty salt stains on the driver’s mat and a chocolate bar wrapper on the passenger side floor. It had hardly been driven.

  Sam stuck her head out the cabin door. “Coffee’s ready!” she called.

  “Time to go inside, Mollie.” Jo moved toward the door, admiring the log siding that made the small building look more like a bush camp than a cottage. Smoke billowed from the chimney and the smell of melting butter wafted out the door as she stepped inside.

  “It’s frigging cold out there,” Sam said. She was flipping pancakes on the electric grill. “You must be frozen. I hope you like pancakes. I’ve got maple syrup and blueberries.”

  “Mmmm. I sure do.” Jo rubbed her hands together, coming to stand beside Sam. “What can I help with?”

  “Pour yourself a coffee and sit down. I want to provide a proper breakfast for you and Mollie. I’ll cook up some bacon and eggs for her, if that’s okay.”

  “That would be nice. She’ll be good with just the eggs.” Jo plopped into the rocking chair by the woodstove and sipped her coffee. “I have some food for her in the truck. I’ll head out to get it right after breakfast.”

  Sam took a dozen eggs out of the fridge. “Isn’t it too cold for a long walk just yet?”

  “Nah. Us northerners are used to it. You just have to know how to dress and where to walk.”

  Jo rocked in the chair, admiring Sam as she worked at the stove. Her short brown hair was neatly spiked, and a heavy navy woolen sweater graced her slender
figure. “I’d love to come on the walk with you.”

  “And how do you plan to do that, especially with your snowshoes and boots frozen in the lake by now?”

  Sam sighed. “Thanks for reminding me. It’s a good thing I brought an extra pair of boots with me. I should be okay for a walk.”

  “Not without snowshoes, you won’t.” Jo rocked, careful not to squish Mollie’s tail as she lay by the chair.

  “I know, but there’s another pair in the shed I can use.” Sam began to dish up, a few eggs frying on the grill for Mollie. “They’re my grandfather’s, so they’re ancient, but they work well in deep snow. Ready to eat?”

  Jo moved to the table and examined the maple syrup, expecting an imitation. “Wow, the real stuff. I’m impressed.”

  Sam turned off the grill, leaving Mollie’s eggs to cool while they ate. “Of course,” she said, sitting down. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “You’d better have a good breakfast if you want to walk with me this morning. You’ll be pressed to keep up, especially since there’s no clear trail.” Jo poured syrup on her pancake. It was perfect, cooked to a golden brown.

  “That sounds like a challenge.” Sam’s eyes glistened. “I’m always ready for a test of my abilities.”

  “Like yesterday, on the lake?”

  Sam dropped her eyes. “Touché. I guess we should eat up.”

  “Yes, we’ll need our energy because it’ll be a long, cold walk.” Jo smiled into her food as she realized that she was really looking forward to Sam coming along.

  Chapter Six

  Sam’s nostrils constricted from the frosty winter air. They had been walking for nearly an hour, focusing on finding the easiest path through the thick conifers, and barely spoke. It had given her time to think as she followed the trail set by Jo.

  Sam knew she couldn’t go back to Toronto. Yet. She also couldn’t stay at the cottage if the roads weren’t plowed. So what was she going to do?