She didn’t so much as blink. Like her father’s home, this place was old enough to be post and beam construction, which always swayed slightly with the wind like a well-built ship, so she wasn’t worried.
Glancing outside, Jett could see that the wind had picked up significantly, and the snow was now coming down almost sideways. She hoped Trask was getting closer. If he and her dogs weren’t traveling right now, she’d be enjoying the hell out of this weather without reservation. There was nothing better than a good winter storm.
Except for…
A good winter stormwitha fire crackling in the fireplace.
And sex in front of that fire.
Just like any good antique farmhouse, the Sothards’ happened to have one right in their country kitchen, whichwould work for everything but the sex. A wooden floor might mean splinters in her ass. A definite deal-breaker.
Checking the clock, Jett washed her hands once she had the shrimp prepped, and saw that she had time to get a blaze going.
Again, she didn’t hesitate, because fire-building was another of her A+ skills. She’d learned how to make one at an early age, both in the house and camping; how to get the kindling to paper ratio correct, and when to add logs so that the base layer wouldn’t go out.
Looking around, though, she didn’t see the supplies she needed, other than a lighter on the mantle. And dammit, the hearth was swept clean. Maybe there was a problem with the flue, and it wasn’t safe to make a fire?
She decided to call Ellen.
“Hi, Jett,” the woman answered. “How are things holding up?”
“Great on this end. And I heard from Trask a while ago. He’s on his way and taking it slowly so he’ll be safe.”
“That’s good to hear.” She could hear the relief in Ellen’s voice. “You never stop worrying about your kids, even when they’re old,” she laughed. “And even though I know Trask has been in a lot of dangerous situations while he was in the Marines, I still can’t quite let go.”
“That’s because you’re a great mother,” Jett returned easily. “I can see that with the way you talk about all of your boys, and the way you and Guy are still so involved in their lives. I love that. For you and for them.”
“Why thank you, Jett. Now, I’m sure this call wasn’t just to stroke my ego, so what can I do for you?”
Jett didn’t hesitate. “I thought I might make a fire, but looking at how clean everything is, I wasn’t sure if the fireplace in your kitchen is operable.”
Ellen laughed. “It’s clean because we had the chimney sweep out to take care of it right before the season started. And we haven’t had any fires this winter because it’s been so unseasonably warm. Until now. Which means it’s all set for you. Enjoy.”
“Great,” Jett enthused. “Do you have a woodpile?”
“Indeed, we do,” Ellen assured her. “As well as everything else you’ll need. There’s newspaper in the breezeway recycling, there’s a big box of kindling on the back porch, and we have wood stacked in the basement. Down the stairs and to the left.” There was a moment’s hesitation. “You, uh, do know how to build a fire, don’t you?”
Jett laughed. “I’ve been doing it practically since I could walk. And during deployments, the team always put me in charge of it, because they said I could make fire from a hank of hair and a rock.”
Ellen laughed. “Well, I don’t think you’ll have to be quite that creative to get one going in our fireplace. It actually works really well. You’ll find that since the house isn’t air tight, the chimney has a great draft. So build a fire and have fun.”
“I will,” Jett replied, then thought to ask. “How are things going with you? Is everything okay there?”
“It is. Guy, who can’t sit still for a minute, has already been out twice to clear off the porch, and my mother-in-law is currently making us a lovely smelling seafood chowder, with her homemade bread in the oven.”
“That sounds awesome,” Jett told her. “I’m making a stir-fry for me and Trask using the shrimp that was in your freezer. I hope you don’t mind,” she added.
“Not at all. That’s what it’s there for. As I told you before, feel free to use or eat anything that strikes your fancy. Trask has an enormous appetite, so keeping him full is an undertaking, but it also makes him happy.”
Jett knew aboutoneof Trask’s appetites that made him happy, and as soon as they were finished with dinner, she was going to do her best to satisfy that craving.
But first things first.
“Speaking of Trask, he should be here within the hour, so I’m going to say goodbye now, make a fire, and get cooking. I’ll have him call you as soon as he gets in so you won’t worry,” Jett assured her.
“Thank you so much, Jett. For everything. And I hope I’m not overstepping here, but I hope things work out between you and my eldest. He’s been alone and set in his ways for so long, that he’s missing out on so much. I can already see that you’re good for him. There’s a definite spark between the two of you.”
“I appreciate the compliment, Ellen, but…”
