The crackling sounds from the fireplace, a sweet pup cuddling into my side, and a mystery I’ve been dying to read are the perfect recipe for a cozy morning. As a journalist, my life is controlled chaos. Most people don’t understand that moments of silence and nothing worth reporting happening are rarities in my line of work.
Normally, I’d be checking the latest news and assignments that might have been sent to me throughout the night. This morning, with no cell service, nowhere to be, and snow piled high outside the window—I’m choosing to enjoy this quiet time.
“Morning,” a voice calls out.
I look up into Andrew’s swollen, red, just waking eyes. Ouch. That pepper spray really does pack a punch. I’m surprised the man hadn’t put me in cuffs for assaulting a police officer, but then again, it was a justifiable mistake based on the circumstances.
“Morning,” I reply with the brightest of smiles as my hand rubs Angus’s head.
“I see you’ve made amends with themenacingdog.” He cocks his head at Angus.
“I might just be a friendly place to rest his head,” I retort, biting my lip to keep from laughing.
Angus digs his head in closer for more snuggles. He’s still a puppy who craves every ounce of attention. I look back up to find Andrew squinting his eyes at Angus that, I’m sure, is intended to be intimidating but instead causes fluttering in my stomach.
I know, I just called off my wedding, and the first guy I run into I’m already getting butterflies. But let me tell you, Daniel never made me feel this way. Daniel Pearson was nice and treated me well, but we didn’t love each other. Not in the way we should have. Isn’t love supposed to sweep you off your feet? Isn’t love supposed to be unconditional? Daniel and I had more of an agreement and understanding than a love. And we both realized it the night of our wedding rehearsal.
“Did you get a look outside yet?” he asks with a groggy voice.
“I did, earlier, and all I saw was white. I figured you would know better how to navigate the snow when you got up. So, I grabbed the book I brought with me and got comfy then Angus joined me.”
“Well, let’s take a look.” He heads straight to the front door.
I pivot on the sofa in time for him to open the door. I gasp at the half-wall of white. There is an impressive snow drift blocking the door. You can see past it to the blizzard conditions still in effect beyond it. Andrew backs up and closes the door as he spins in my direction.
“Well, looks like this storm isn’t stopping anytime soon. We might be stuck together here all weekend.”
“Good thing we both brought food.” I chuckle nervously.
My journalist’s brain is always searching for the seedy side of a person or situation. I was initially hesitant to stay here with Andrew, but he doesn’t seem like a threat or weird. At least not beyond the normal amount, because everyone has their quirks.
“Guess we’ll really get to know each other then.”
“Oh! I have just the way to do that,” I tell him.
Andrew gives me a curious look that tells me he is worried about what might be coming next. I find it sort of endearing…and worrisome at the same time. I’m not sure how little ole me has turned this detective so suspicious. He’s probably just as cautious about me being here as I am with him.
“I just figured that since we are stuck together in this cabin for the next couple of days, we might try to find out some things about each other.” I walk to my room to grab some cards. “I got these at a meet and greet I did recently. Seems odd to need cards to ask questions about people, but there are actually very interesting questions.”
“Okay, I’m game,” he says with a lopsided grin.
“Perfect. Breakfast first.”
It feels easy between us as we find a flow to cooking our second meal together. We set the table, and I shuffle the “Get to Know You” cards, glancing up at Andrew as he takes a sip of his coffee.
“Alright,” I say, pulling a card from the top of the deck. “You ready to tell me your deepest darkest secrets?”
He raises an eyebrow, that crooked grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I think I can handle it. Hit me—I’m an open book.”
I read the card aloud. “What’s the oddest thing you’ve ever eaten?”
He leans back in his chair, arms crossed with a dimple flashing on his right cheek. “Oh, easy. Once, on a stakeout, I ate cold anchovy pizza with peanut butter.”
I wrinkle my nose, laughing. “That sounds absolutely disgusting. Was it a dare or just desperation?”
“Desperation, pure and simple,” he says, shrugging like it’s no big deal. “I was starving.”
“Okay, I get pizza. Although, anchovies? Ew. But where did the peanut butter come from?”
