Clove’s face instantly burned, and she knew she was the color of a Christmas stocking. “Forest!” she scolded.
He laughed easily. “Merry Christmas, Clove.” The screen went dark.
Clove contemplated sticking her head in the snowbank outside to cool off. Forest was such a tease! Her eyes darted to Drake—just like someone else she knew. It was nice, though, to have someone give her a hard time and not feel like she had to throw up all her defenses.
Otis approached, a selection of pocket knives in his palm. “You’ll want one of these too.” She picked the smallest one and clipped it inside her pants pocket like she’d seen Drake do with his. “Thanks, Otis. I’m so sorry we’re using all your gear. I promise we’ll get it back to you before the New Year.”
Otis tugged at his beard. “Don’t worry about all that. Just be sure to let me know when you get there safely. Me and the missus will be praying for you every morning and every night.”
She tilted her head to the side as she studied him. “You’re a Christian?”
He grabbed the tops of his coveralls. “I know I don’t look like one.”
“Not true.” She reached out and hugged him. “Besides, it’s not about looking like anything, it’s about what’s in your heart, right?”
“Right,” he said gruffly. He pounded her back. “Daylight’s almost gone.”
Grandma sailed through the door wearing her snowshoes and carrying a brown paper grocery sack in her arms. “Who wants an early dinner?” Clove brightened at her arrival. Drake had filled her in when he went back for tack. Like a true homesteader, she was all for them doing what needed to be done.
Otis’s wife had brought out sandwiches and then hurried back to the house. She didn’t like the cold, winter, or the smell of oil–all three of which were found in abundance in this building. It was obvious, though, that she adored Colter and loved Otis.
Clove hurried over to help Grandma with the food. “Thank you.”
Grandma nodded. “Anything for you and Felix.”
Clove’s stomach clenched at the thought of leaving Grandma behind. “Are you sure you’re okay with this plan?”
Grandma brushed her hand across Clove's cheek. “I’m happy to stay back and keep an eye on things here. You’ll need someone in the know to warn you if Hoffman follows. And no one knows more about what’s going on in this town than Judy.”
That was true. The woman had a phone tree with branches into the next county.
“Besides, you should have some alone time with your man.” Grandma pumped her eyebrows.
Clove contemplated crawling under the worktable and staying there.
Grandma laughed. “You’re blushing.”
“Of course I’m blushing.” Clove set the bag down and started unpacking. “I’ve never felt like this before. It’s a whole lot of warm—” she flapped her hands in front of her face—“feelings going on.”
Grandma laughed again-–softer this time. “That’s how you know it’s good. Enjoy it, dear.” She put her hand on Clove’s shoulder. “If you’re lucky, you only get one time to feel like this.”
Clove put her hand over the top of Grandma’s. “Is this what it was like with Grandpa?”
“I could have baked Christmas cookies. Who-ee! He made my temperature climb.”
Clove laughed, thinking of her Grandma as a young lady all hot and flustered by Grandpa’s attempt to woo her. He was a good man, though he was gone much too soon.
“You heard me, didn’t you?” Grandma shook her slightly. “Enjoy yourself and this time together.”
She bit her lip. “I will.”
Grandma took a serving of pot roast and potatoes to Colter, who dug in with all the enthusiasm of a hungry kid.
Clove carried dinner to Drake. He went to take the plate, and she held onto it. He lifted an eyebrow. “Do I get to eat this?”
She grinned. “It’ll cost you a kiss.”
He swooped down and kissed her soundly, stealing her breath and loosening her grip on the plate.
