It's as if he can see into my head. Hear the thoughts that are rolling around inside. "Okay, I promise not to get in your way."
"You're not going to get in my way."
Swallowing hard, I lean against the counter. "No, you're wrong. I do. It's what I do. All the time."
His dark eyes meet mine. "If someone's telling you that you get in the way, then they're assholes."
A small grin plays at the corner of my lips. "You're right. They are assholes. Take a seat over there." He points to the kitchen table. "Is there anything you don't like to eat?"
"I'm not a huge fan of mushrooms or cabbage. Anything else, I can stomach if need be."
"What about pizza?"
"Frozen?"
"No, I make most everything by hand out here. It's easier that way. My grandmother taught me how to make a sourdough starter, and I use it in almost everything," he admits, ducking his chin into his chest.
"You make sourdough?" I grin over.
It amazes me that I'm grinning after how this day started. The truth is I never thought I'd have these moments. Beyond anything, I was prepared to end it all in that field. Looking up at the clock, I think about what it would mean if I didn't see those numbers. And it's all because of this man and the dispatcher on the phone.
"I do." He smiles over his shoulder at me. "What I normally do is a sourdough pizza in the oven, on cast iron. Is that good for you? I've got some homemade pizza sauce a neighbor made earlier this year, that I've been going through. I've got cheese, and pepperoni's." My eyes track his movements as he goes over to the fridge. "Ton of vegetables in here I need to use up. I normally eat one pizza on my own. When I make two, I don't want you to think I'm assuming you eat as much as I do."
It's cute, the way he's stumbling over his words. It's exactly what I need after the day I've had. "Whatever you make, I'll eat. Thank you for worrying about me."
"No problem."
And then that silence comes back, but at least this time it's not as uncomfortable as it was before.
Four
Chase
We're quiet as we sit in the front of the fire an hour later, our food digesting.
"When will we know if we're stuck here?" She asks softly. "You said something about the bridge probably washing out? Will we find out for sure, or will we need to go check it out?"
I've got a toothpick in my mouth, and I roll it around thoughtfully. "Should know tomorrow morning. Emergency management will be out at first light, and since I live out this way, they usually check it first."
"And to make sure I understand, if the bridge is out, we're stuck here until spring?" She raises her eyebrows.
"I know it sounds crazy, but the first snow'll be coming probably in the next couple of hours. The water will have to recede, and by then, the snow will continue to fall. It'll be too dangerous. If you want me to get you out of here, I can. It's not going to be easy, and your car will have to stay..." I watch her, trying to gauge where she is with all of this. "So you tell me what you want, Paisley. I'm okay either way."
Her voice is rough and ragged as she speaks. "Do you have someone who needs to be here with you? Like a girlfriend, wife, maybe a boyfriend who's going to show up and accusing me of causing issues?"
A chuckle works its way out of my chest. "No, there's no one that'll be coming out here to check on me. Maybe my best friend, but that's about it. I'm single as fuck. Have been for longer than I care to admit. Having said that, you won't have to be concerned with me making a move. I've never been the type of man to force myself on someone who wasn't interested. You're safe here, Paisley." I take a drink of my coffee. "If you want to stay here, you're safe. In fact, I might like the damn company. Gets awful lonely."
She tilts her head to the side, looking at me as if she really sees me. Her green eyes turn hazel in the light of the fire, and I can't help but wonder what she's thinking when she looks at me this way. "Okay, I think I need this...need a break. It's not like I'm running from my problems..."
"Who gives a fuck if you are?" I growl, taking another drink of my coffee. Normally it'd be a bourbon, but I need to keep my wits about me tonight, and I'm not sure if alcohol will be the best thing to bring out after her day. "Are you living your life for fuckers who didn't even know what you were doing this afternoon? I can't believe nobody was lookin' for you."
Her eyes are wet in the dim light, and she clears her throat loudly. "It's complicated, Chase."
"Life is fuckin' complicated, but if I knew someone I care about was on the edge like that, I'd be there." Those words are the truest ones I've ever spoken. "So either they didn't know, or they didn't care."
Reaching up with her knuckle, she swipes the moisture away. "They knew."
"Then they didn't give a shit, and you don't owe them anything. What do you want to do, Paisley?"
