by Donna Kunkel
Alex took the bottle and followed Peter as he showed her the rest of his house. There were several bedrooms on the second floor with only a couple of them furnished. “If you ever want to, you could stay here.”
“Thanks, but I’m okay for now. I’ve been trying to catch up on some reading.” And kiss Steve again.
Peter nodded. They headed back to the first floor. He showed her the rest of the rooms which included a theater decked out to look like the bridge of a spaceship. His study was an explosion of sticky notes and papers. The walls were covered with dry erase boards, which had writing and sticky notes filling all the space. One large desk was covered with computer equipment while another desk was heaped full of papers. Manuals lay scattered around the floor.
Then she spied it, a diet soda can. She dashed over and picked up the can. “Do you have any you could give me?”
“Sure, I’ve got some in my pantry, come on.” They headed back out through the living room. He went through a door off the kitchen but paused and looked around the floor. “Just checking. I don’t want to find that spider’s brother.”
Alex walked into a large narrow room. There were two freezers and wall-to-wall industrial shelves packed with all kinds of supplies. “No wonder you can share with others.” She walked around looking at everything.
“Yeah, we’ve arranged a pretty good barter system. Steve provides milk and eggs, I have canned goods, and one of the neighbors has a greenhouse where they grow fresh vegetables. Here’s the soft drinks.” He handed her a couple of cans. “I’ll bring more the next time I come over.”
“You don’t know how much I’ve missed these.” She pulled the cans close to her body.
“Don’t need to tell me. I couldn’t live without them.”
“Do your panels always provide you with enough power?”
“Most of the time. I only have problems when we get a lot of snow and they get covered.”
“Like these last two weeks? Then what do you do?”
He pointed to a large cabinet at the end. “My batteries get me by for quite a while if I’m careful, then I have to resort to my generator and fireplace.”
“I guess we’d better get back before it snows again. Thanks for the supplies.” She held up a can.
Peter walked with her back through the house. “Have faith. Everything will work out.”
Steve stood up when they came back out. “Ready?”
Alex nodded and they headed out. She tucked her supplies in the saddlebag and got on. Alex thought while she rode back to the cabin. Why hadn’t I left earlier? Even one hour would have made a major difference. One hour earlier and I would have made it home. How could something that seemed so minor have such devastating consequences? Here I am, I’ve lost my job, and can’t even predict when I might be able to get home. Just one hour earlier.
What if I’d turned left instead of right? I would have found the hotel. I’d have had to stay for a couple of days, but I wouldn’t have lost my job.
No. I turned right and got marooned in this mountain valley. With no idea of when the road will be passable even on a snowmobile. She would find a new job, maybe something even better, and for now just enjoy every day more fully.
Oh well. At least she had a roof over her head. She’d even been able to get a call out to let her family know that she was safe. After all, tomorrow might not ever come. And when it did, who knew what it would bring.
Chapter 10
When they got back to the cabin, Alex said, “I need some time to think. I’ll be in the barn.”
She grabbed the bottle of whisky out of the saddlebags and a box of tissues from the bathroom, tucked both items under her arm, and went into the barn. Tears started to creep down her face. She grabbed the milking stool and carried it into Anna Belle’s stall. She set everything down and unscrewed the cap. “Here’s to my disaster of a life.” She held up the bottle toward Anna Belle then took a swig out of the bottle.
Anna Belle moved close.
The liquid burned as it slid down her throat, making her cough. “That’s strong stuff. I’ve never had it without a mixer before.” She took another drink.
Anna Belle leaned against Alex’s shoulder.
Alex rubbed Anna Belle’s side. “I lost my job today. It wasn’t like I loved it, but it was work. It paid my bills.” She took another drink. The tears came faster. “Then there are people like Peter who love what they’re doing. Why couldn’t I have a job like that? Everyone says you should work at what you love and then it won’t seem like work. Boy do I wish I knew what that was.” She grabbed a tissue out of the box, dabbed her eyes, and blew her nose. “This is the first job I’ve ever lost. It shouldn’t matter so much…but it does.”
She’d reached a crossroads. If she continued on the path she’d been raised up with, she would have to find some way to fit in the magical world. Could she ever find a wizard who wasn’t obnoxious about how much more power he had? So she’d decided to look elsewhere. For months she’d ridden an elevator at work with Jason, a normal, simply nodding to each other. They progressed to “good mornings” or the weather. The last few weeks they actually talked for the short ride. Then she got the nerve to ask him out for a Friday dinner, something she’d never done before. And he accepted. He had even smiled when he said yes.
If she picked someone normal like Jason or Steve, she would have to give up magic forever. Did she really want to go to this extreme? Regardless, she made the pledge to go thirty days without using any magic. If she couldn’t go thirty days how could she ever completely exist in the normal world. Trying to function well in both was wearing her down. There were her college and work friends that she had to continually be on her guard with.
The magical world had to remain secret.
It was the law.
Then there were her childhood friends who remained only in the magical world. She couldn’t figure out why she didn’t fit in. To give up the fight and fit in would be so much easier. But she wanted more. There was a whole world out there. Then she made the stupid pledge and ended up here. One advantage to being here was getting the time to find out what it was like to live without magic. She took some more drinks and blew her nose.
“You know, Anna Belle, now that I’m getting used to the work, I actually enjoy it. I like how my muscles respond while lifting the buckets. My body is getting in better shape than any of the exercise programs I’ve tried. Then there’s Steve. I’m attracted to him and he seems to feel the same, if that kiss was any indication.” She touched her lips, remembering the sensation. “I’d like to do that again, and maybe more.”
She remained silent for a minute. “I guess there’s one good thing that came out of all this. I’ll get the chance to decide what I really want to do.” She looked up; the henhouse door stood slightly ajar. The demon hen was standing in the opening, eyeball glued to her, as if she’d been listening. Alex waited without moving. The hen turned around and went back inside. Alex dashed over to the door and nudged it shut. The latch clicked and she let out her breath.
Alex ambled back over to Anna Belle. “That was a close one. Last thing I’d want to do tonight would be to chase that hen around the barn.” Alex rubbed Anna Belle’s neck. “You sure are a good listener.”
They turned their heads when the cabin door opened. Steve eased over to her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m doing better now after talking to Anna Belle.”
He pointed to the much emptier bottle. “You might want to save some for another day. As soon as I’ve finished the milking, I’ll fix dinner. You need to eat something or you’ll have a bad hangover tomorrow.”
She picked up her tissues and the bottle. “I’ll go wash my face. I’m sure it must be a mess.”
Steve reached out and stroked her cheek. “Not to me. You’re beautiful even when you first wake up and your hair is all over the place.”
She shrugged and headed for the cabin.
He watched her stagger toward the cabin,
then started his milking. After he’d finished, he patted Anna Belle’s side. “Now she’s talking to the cow. What next?” He finished up and went in to fix dinner.
After they’d finished the dinner, he asked, “Are you feeling any better now?”
Alex nodded but remained slumped. “Sorry about that. This is the first time I’ve ever lost a job, and it isn’t even my fault.”
“Maybe you’ll find something better.”
“Maybe…I’ve been wanting to get a different job.”
“What are you interested in?”
“After college I was interested in becoming a book editor, or something related.”
“You need to meet the other residents. They might be able to help.” He reached across the table and took her hand.
Alex nodded. She’d take any help she could get. It was always easier to get another job when you had one, not when you really needed one.
The next day, she entered the henhouse and all the chickens flew down and approached her like they’d been doing ever since she started popping the corn. She reached in the bucket and felt a surge. All the kernels popped at the same time. They flew everywhere, all over the floor, the nesting boxes, all over her head and shoulders, and even on the hens. The hens pounced. Frantic chaos ensued as they tried to get as many pieces as possible. The demon hen paused and eyed her. Alex swiped at the front of her clothes, leaned over and shook her head, and brushed her shoulders off. Anything to get the popcorn off. She could just picture the hen jumping on her and searching for some plunder. As soon as she’d finished, the hen resumed its search and destroy of the other pieces. Alex breathed a sigh of relief. She checked her clothes one last time and removed a couple of pieces she’d missed.
After they finished with all the chores, Steve approached her and turned her around. He picked something off her back and showed it to her. “Where did you get this?” he asked, holding up a piece of popcorn.
She shrugged and walked back into the cabin. There wasn’t any way she could explain it to him. Maybe he’d forget about it or figure she’d brought some popcorn back from Peter’s. If he insisted on knowing, that’s what she’d tell him—it was from Peter’s.
Chapter 11
Most mornings now, Alex had an arm draped across his chest when they woke up. She would try to pretend she hadn’t done anything and quickly pull her arm back while he wished for more. He would grin which would make her flush. She was definitely getting better with the chores though. This morning she actually volunteered to help spread the hay around the barn and relocate any unused bales. He wanted to see how she’d cope with the heavy bales. She started by using half of an open one so she had a full bale left to move over to the others. He knew she wouldn’t be able to actually lift the bale of hay. It was a struggle for him. Curiosity made him slow down and take a lot more time to clean Anna Belle’s stall. What would she do? Would she lose her temper? Immediately ask for help? This would be interesting.
Alex walked over to the bale, placed her arms around it, and tried to lift. Nothing. She took a couple of deep breaths then tried again. This time the bale twitched. After several more tries, she let go and kicked the bale once. She turned around and sat down on the bale.
He lowered his head to be below the top slat of the stall. This way he wasn’t clearly visible but could watch her every move.
Alex slowly scanned the barn, occasionally stopping on one item. She’d shake her head then continue her search. She’d disregarded the obvious pitchfork.
She probably wouldn’t know how useful it could be.
She got up, got the empty wheelbarrow and an unused two by four and shovel. She tipped the wheelbarrow down next to the bale, shoved the shovel under the opposite edge, pushed down, then kicked the two by four in the gap. She used the board to get the shovel under the edge of the bale. She practically lay down on the shovel’s handle before the bale started to turn. On her first attempt the bale rotated but kicked the wheelbarrow away. On her second try it ended up in the wheelbarrow.
She smiled and started whistling once the bale was in the wheelbarrow. Even with the wheelbarrow, she struggled getting it to the other end of the barn. A couple of times Steve raised up slightly when it looked like she might slip and fall. But she’d regain her balance and start shoving again. Once there, she dumped it next to the other bales and shoved until it ended up right in line. She brushed herself off and headed inside the cabin to get ready to go to Peter’s.
Anna Belle stood at her stall’s opening watching Alex’s every move. Steve moved over to Anna Belle and started to brush her down. He leaned over and whispered in the cow’s ear. “That was entertaining. She sure has gotten a lot better at the chores. Maybe she should stay here for a little longer.”
Anna Belle turned her head and nudged Steve with her nose.
“I know, I know. No women.” He continued to brush Anna Belle’s side and started humming. When he started on the other side, he whispered again. “Shame though. She might be worth trying to figure something out.” Anna Belle nudged him again. “Okay, I get the message. I’ll keep my distance.” Shame though. She was one great looking woman, even bending over a bale of hay. He was comfortable around her, and for the first time he could open up and talk with her. He trusted her. He’d do anything to help her. And hell, I want her. He’d been taking more cold showers lately. But it sure would be enjoyable to kiss her again and maybe even—
Anna Belle leaned against him, almost knocking him over. He concentrated on finishing brushing her then went inside for another cold shower.
****
That afternoon they went over to Peter’s again for lunch. Alex had packed up her toiletries and a change of clothes. Today she was going to take a long hot shower. She could get clean with a quick rinse, but she missed being able to soak under the hot pounding spray. The moment she got there she took off for the guest bathroom. After she’d turned into a beet, she got out and dressed. Now this was the way to live out here. She looked around the guest bedroom and had to admit that she liked Steve’s place. It might be simple, but it fit him. She couldn’t picture him living comfortably in a place like this.
She headed downstairs and stopped in the hallway when she heard her name. She took a step back into the stairway, unable to stop listening.
“You know, I’d be more than willing to have Alex stay here,” Peter said. “I have a lot more supplies and she’d be more comfortable.”
“No,” Steve said. “I like having her with me.”
Some dishes rattled, covering up part of Peter’s comment. “At the end she stayed with him.”
“I know, but that can’t happen.”
“Why not, man? You deserve to have someone.”
“You know I can’t because…” More plates clattered. “But for now, I enjoy her company.”
“Just don’t get too involved. I don’t want to see her get hurt.”
“I know…You spoil these cats rotten.”
Why couldn’t he be with someone? They started talking about other things so she moved down the hallway. When she entered the kitchen, two tabbies were sitting on the island watching Peter fixing a salad. Every so often he’d toss them a piece of carrot or cheese which they’d catch. She managed to catch a glimpse of a white fluff ball before it took off for the other part of the house. She took a seat next to Steve at the counter. “How many cats do you have?”
“Three,” Peter answered. He pointed to the gray tabby, “This is Minerva and the tan one is Albus. You just missed Misty, she’s really bashful around strangers.”
“Why did you give them those names?”
“I didn’t, Caroline did. She’s a big fan of the boy wizard.”
“Then why Misty?”
“You know, that book about the ponies on the island. She names all the animals after book characters,” Peter added.
“I haven’t let her in the barn or she’d have all my chickens named,” Steve said.
“Did you enjoy the s
hower?” Peter asked.
“Yes, thanks,” Alex said.
“Your hair really looks good.” Steve reached over and fingered a strand near her face. “It smells like apples.”
“It helps when I can use a hair dryer.” Alex blushed but didn’t move away from Steve.
“Maybe it would be worth getting a solar panel.” He barely brushed her cheek with his finger as he released her hair.
Alex’s breath quickened as she watched his eyes soften.
Peter missed the interaction as he finished the salads. “That’s what I’ve been telling you. Your guests could get a reasonable shower if you had one.”
Alex looked away and focused on the cats. Steve got up and went around the counter to collect the salads. He carried them over to the table and held out a chair for Alex. She went over and sat down. Steve lingered a hand on her shoulder then sat on her left. Peter sat across from them and chattered on. Steve’s leg moved over to touch Alex’s leg. She licked her lips and quickly picked up her fork. Alex didn’t hear much of what Peter said as she concentrated on the sensation of Steve’s body against hers. Steve moved his foot so it crossed hers as he listened to Peter.
After the salads were finished, Peter collected the dishes and fussed with the chili on the stove. As he dipped up the bowls, Alex slipped her left hand on top of Steve’s leg. He reached down and placed his hand over hers until Peter approached with the bowls. Then he repositioned his napkin so it covered her hand. Alex gently squeezed her fingers and turned to face him for a moment and he smiled. She tried to engage more in the conversation but was too distracted. After they’d finished the chili, Steve moved his right hand down to his lap then over to Alex’s thigh. His warm hand crept upward and her breathing increased. Her body responded with heat and moisture at her core. She could see his nostrils flare as he took a deep breath, as if he could smell her arousal. She wanted to move his hand onto her, but this wasn’t the time or place so she jumped up and started clearing the chili bowls.