I chuckled. “You aren’t wrong. But the two kids inside building gingerbread houses and our dog Peanut would beg to differ.” I nodded towards Peanut, who had managed to cover himself in the freshly fallen snow as he rolled around in it.
“Two kids building gingerbread houses? Hmm, that sounds a little too good to be true.”
“I’ll show you. If you get creeped out after coming in, you can go back to your car. Though I highly suggest you don’t. It’s not safe, and you’d be much warmer and comfortable inside my cabin.”
A corner of her lip turned up in a smile. “Why do I feel like you’re trying to convince me?”
“I look out for others, that’s all.” And maybe a small part of me wanted to tuck her under my arm and never let her go.
“Okay, fine. I need to pee anyway.”
“I promise no funny business.”
“Okay. I’m trusting you, stranger.”
“Good. My name is Cedar, by the way. Figured we should be on first name basis if you’re planning on spending the night.”
“I’m Aurora. Or A for short.” She walked around to the driver’s side and pulled open the door. Reaching in, she killed the engine and grabbed her bag from the passenger seat.
“Here, let me help.” I took her bag and hoisted it onto my shoulder, along with her pillow, while she grabbed her purse and blanket. She followed me up the driveway and I stopped to unhook Peanut, who went crazy smelling Aurora.
“I know, buddy. New scents. It’s okay.” I rubbed his head as Aurora giggled at the dog’s affections.
Peanut and I led her to the front door and inside, both of my kids waiting by the front door. I should’ve known. The nosy little things couldn’t help themselves.
“Well, hi, there kids. Are the houses ready?” I asked while unleashing Peanut, who immediately ran over to Aurora to sniff her butt.
“Yep!” Auggie said. “We even did yours!”
I forced a smile, as one so often did while parenting. I could only imagine what the kitchen table looked like. “We have a new guest. Her name is Aurora. Auggie and Lola, can you say hi to our guest?”
“Hi!” They both said in unison before scrambling off to the kitchen.
“And there’s the proof. Two kids and a dog.” I set Aurora’s bag on the floor by the entryway and took off my boots. I took her blanket and pillow and set them down on the entryway table while offering to take her coat.
“There must be a wife around then, yes?” Aurora asked, her eyes holding mine steady.
I liked her boldness. Getting straight to the point.
“Nope. No wife. Just a single dad.”
Her mouth dropped open slightly, but she quickly recovered. I grinned inwardly. My night took an unexpected turn. A very unexpected one.
But I liked it.
A lot.
CHAPTER TWO
Aurora
I looked around the bathroom,the kids’ toys scattered inside the bathtub, three toothbrushes in a cup on the sink, toothpaste streaks in the sink, and instead of being grossed out like I thought, it pleasantly filled with warmth.
All the crazy mornings, brushing teeth and getting ready for school, and all the bedtime routines, baths and pjs, and more tooth brushing. A million stories could come from this one lived-in room of the house.
My bathroom at home…not so much.
I lived alone, in a small apartment in the city, and it was only me. Only me who got ready for the day or for bed and was kind of…boring.
