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“Morning. Find something to eat?” Had he known he was going to have company for breakfast, he would’ve picked up something decent for them to eat.
“Just these,” she said and uncovered the container of canned biscuits she’d made. Then she pointed to a jar of raspberry jelly on the counter. “And this.”
Caleb noticed she hadn’t bothered trying to say biscuits or raspberry, because they were difficult words for her to pronounce. He didn’t care one way or the other, he was just happy that she’d fixed herself something without waiting for him to get up.
She grabbed the container of orange juice out of the refrigerator and poured him a glass. “This is really good,” she volunteered and added more to the glass she’d already been drinking from.
“Have you spoken to your parents yet?” he asked, genuinely concerned if they were going to be able to make it back.
She looked away for a moment as though his question upset her. Then she replied, “It’s really bad out there. Not able to drive on the roads yet. Maybe not tomorrow either.”
“At least they’re somewhere safe.”
“But tomorrow is Christmas,” she said sadly. “What if they don’t make it home in time?”
She had a valid reason for her concern. Obviously, her family had plans and he hated knowing they might not get to spend the day together in their traditional way of celebrating. But safety was what was most important.
“I’m sure they’ll try to come home as soon as they feel it’s safe.”
She nodded. “I guess so.”
Caleb had wanted nothing more than to be alone during this time, yet here she was worried she’d have to spend the time without her family. Well, God willing, he’d make sure she wasn’t alone. Even if it meant spending the day with her himself.
They hurried to get ready so they could go outside. Naomi might be used to this kind of weather during the wintertime, but where he came from in south Alabama, snow and ice were rare.
When she stepped out of the bedroom with his hoodie on, Caleb felt like he was back in high school again, staring at his crush. Though the oversized shirt hung down to her knees, she was the cutest sight. And with his flannel shirt on underneath, she was quite honestly, breathtaking. The way he felt when he looked at her was the way he’d wanted to feel about his wife when he was married. Too bad that had never happened.
Once they were outside, Naomi pulled her phone from her coat pocket and motioned for him to stand beside her. When Caleb realized what she was doing, his first instinct was to put his hand up and refuse. Taking pictures wasn’t his thing at all. But why should he say no to her? So, he stepped up as close as he could and smiled into her phone.
She checked the image then turned it around for him to see. “Great picture,” she said pointing to his smile then over at him.
Caleb nodded as he checked out the shot. He had to admit, it was a pretty good looking photo. He supposed it really didn’t matter why she’d wanted one made unless she just liked having photos.
Before she could return her phone back to her coat, he placed his hand on her arm then shook his head. “No, better to put it inside the cabin. Doesn’t need to get wet.”
“Ahh, right,” she agreed understandingly.
“I’ll take it inside for you.” Securing her phone in his hand, he carefully made his way back to the cabin. The layer of snow and ice was super slippery and several times he had to stop to regain his balance.Good grief, we’re going to break our necks out here,he thought to himself just as he made it to the front door.
On his way back to where she was standing, a piece of ice crunched underneath his heavy boot. He tried to gain traction with his other foot, but it was no use. Caleb braced himself for the fall and landed with a hard thud on the ground.
“Oh, my God,” he couldn’t stop laughing. “Nothing like busting your butt!”
Standing up on his own was useless at that point, and before he knew it, Naomi was on her way over to rescue him. “Let me help,” she said as she slowly slid her feet across the frozen surface.
He felt silly sitting on the ground, even more so becauseshewas the one coming to rescue him.
Naomi extended her hand when she was close enough, but her glove slipped against his and she toppled over right on top of him.
Now, who was laughing!
Caleb tried to catch her so she wouldn’t hit her head, but it was no use. The two of them were giggling so hard, there was no way either of them was any help to the other. Suddenly, Naomi grew quiet, her hazel eyes zeroing in on his. And then, from out of nowhere, she brought her lips to his mouth.
Caleb lay there completely stunned.Thatwas the last thing he’d expected her to do.
Despite the cold, her lips were soft and warm. Without realizing what he was doing, he parted his lips then slipped his tongue inside her mouth.
“Mmm,” she moaned and slid her hand towards his face.
