“What was what about?”
“The thumbs-up.”
“Oh, you know, they like using human gestures. It makes them feel bilingual or something.”
It was true. The aliens of Artisan’s Loft had picked up the thumbs-up hand signal from their little group and used it atevery opportunity. “Good thing we didn’t teach them how to flip the bird.”
He laughed and tucked their clasped hands into his pocket. She slipped her other into her own pocket, not wanting to break contact to put on her gloves. Refuge had entered its not-quite-so-cold season, so the wind didn’t bite quite as hard, but the sun had gone down, dragging the temperature with it.
“Actually…” He paused. “I fibbed about the thumbs-up. I have a little surprise for you. Chartreuse and Lucento helped me out. They gave me a thumbs-up to tell me they were done.”
“What is it?” she said.
“You’ll find out when we get to the cabin.” He practically jittered with nervous excitement.
“It’s not my birthday.”
“I know.”
“You got me a present?”
“No hints.”
“I have a surprise for you, too.”
“What is it?” he repeated her words.
She chuckled. “See? It’s a natural question. You’ll have to wait to find out until after I getmysurprise,” she said as if making light. In truth, if she went first with her news, it would derail anything he had planned. He was obviously excited about his gift to her, and she didn’t want to spoil it.
They turned down their street. Their cabin windows glowed with welcome. The significance took a moment to register. “We didn’t leave the lights on.” Was there someone in their cabin? She craned to her neck to try to see.
He leaped behind her and covered her eyes with his hands. “Don’t look!”
“What? Why?”
“Lucento and Chartreuse delivered the surprise while we were at dinner. That’s how they helped. I don’t want you to seeit through the window. You walk; I’ll guide you. Don’t worry. I won’t let you trip.”
She hung on to his wrists and shuffled forward. It seemed to take a long time to reach their unit. Finally, he said, “The porch is in front of you. Step up.”
She took a step.
“One more.”
Another step.
He guided her forward. “Keep your eyes closed while I open the door. No peeking until I say, okay?”
“Okay,” she agreed, curious and amused.
He removed one hand from her eyes. She heard the door open. The scent and heat of their cabin wafted around her. “Move forward.”
She entered. The door clicked shut behind her. He covered her eyes again. “On the count of three,” he said. “One…two…three!” He dropped his hands.
She opened her eyes. “Oh my god, it’s a sofa,” she squealed. Positioned against a wall was a generous-sized, padded wooden love seat.
“I made it,” he said. “With a little help.”
“It’s beautiful. Amazing! You’re so talented.” She kissed him then trailed her hand over a smooth, flat wooden arm then across a blue cushion.It’s even padded!She sat, bounced, and sighed with comfort. Mentally, she rearranged the furniture, moving the bed to put the sofa next to the stove so they could snuggle and read next to the heat source. She leaped to her feet and hugged and kissed him again. “I love it. It’s the best surprise ever. Thank you.”
