"Out there." She pointed towards the side of the house. "Has to be a log store somewhere near the house."
"Are you sure that's wise?" Rosa worried her lip between her finger and thumb.
"We don't have much choice if we want to stay warm."
"The electricity might come back on." Rosa's eyes widened, trying to look hopeful.
"And it might not." Billy pulled her hat on and down over her ears. "I'll be fine. I've got the torch and I'll just be outside." She pulled one boot on. "Pass me that basket, though, so it'll be easier to carry them in." She pulled her other boot on while Rosa quickly emptied out the basket and brought it over.
"Here."
"Thanks." Billy hesitated, and then leant in, kissing Rosa on the cheek. "Don't worry, I'll be back in a jiffy."
Chapter twenty
Rosa stepped back, admiring the small fire in the wood burner. She'd bundled kindling around some balled-up newspaper and sprinkled one of the firelighters over it, before lighting the little pile and adding the logs. The small fire was blazing just as the door opened again. The wind howled, snow blasting through the opening along with Billy, swearing loudly as she staggered in under the weight of the basket.
Moving quickly, Rosa crossed the room and pushed the door closed. "Goodness, me, that's bad out there.
The snow was drifting with the wind and piling up against the sides of the house. “We might have to dig our way out if we need more." Billy laughed, but the humour didn't touch her expression.
Logs toppled from the basket as Billy lowered it to the ground. "I got as many as I could. There are still loads out there, but…"
"You can only carry so much."
"Yeah." Billy sighed and stood up, brushing the snow and splinters of wood and bits of dust from herself. Rosa moved in,taking the zipper between her warm fingers. She lowered it, their eyes on each other the entire time.
"Let's get these off and warm you up."
"I want another chance with you," Billy said.
Rosa froze, the zip now halfway down.
"You don't mean that," Rosa said.
"I do." Billy's voice was steady. "I want another chance, Rosa."
Finishing the task, Rosa stepped back, but not far. "We're divorced."
Billy shrugged off the coat and got tangled when she realised she still had her gloves on.
She smiled. "I'm aware of our current marital status." Finally, the coat and gloves, and then the hat, were all in a wet pile on the floor. "And I'm not proposing we get married again, I'm asking that we try and see if we could maybe make things work…now that we are more emotionally mature and I'm capable of being the person you always deserved me to be."
"Are you… Did you fall over out there and hit your head?" Rosa chuckled, fidgeting with her fingers.
"You just kissed me…right there." Billy pointed back to the couch. "Youkissedme."
"Yes, in the moment. In a moment of…"
"Of?" Billy said, stepping closer. "Desire?" Her head tilted a little when Rosa looked away. "Need…want…because I'm finally saying all the things I should have said before?" She reached out, finger and thumb either side of Rosa's chin, guiding her eyes back to her. "Look at me, Rosa."
Rosa inhaled, her breath stuttering.It was always Billy Fisk, wasn’t it?
"I don't know."
"You do," Billy said, leaning closer. Their lips met once more, gentle pressure, nothing too much, just a reminder as they brushed against one another. "You know…" she whispered. "Iwant to know you again…all of you." Her lips moved slowly. "Every inch worshipped until you…"
"Until I?" Rosa whispered back.
