‘Maybe,’ I said coyly, looking up at him from under my lashes.
‘I go hard after the things I want, too,’ he said, his eyes full of longing. He stroked a stray curl away from my cheek, making me tingle. I could barely breathe as his lips found mine, kissing me slowly, the passion almost lifting me off the ground. I clutched my firewood to my chest as he pulled back.
‘What kind of arrangement were you thinking?’ I asked.
He laughed. ‘I’m open to offers. Although Willow really ismytree. Tore planted her the day I was born.’ He looked up wistfully while I got my bearings back. ‘And that one over there – Elmo – was for Jonas. My mother decided ten was a good age to start tree-hugging, when Willow was the right size and shape for my little arms.’
‘That issocute.’
‘I know. Although Jonas has his struggles with the wych elm.’
Elmo was thick with branches from top to bottom. I couldn’t imagine it was easy to get in there and find the trunk for a hug. I giggled. Poor Jonas.
‘Do your mum and dad have trees too?’ I asked, looking around.
‘Yep, over there.’ He pointed to a pair of fir trees; one stood taller than the other. ‘Tore and Audhilda. Their trees didn’t get pet names.’ He paused, seemingly lost in thought. ‘We lost her a few years ago. Cancer.’
I reached out to squeeze his hand. ‘I’m so sorry.’
‘I can feelMa’senergy in Willow,’ Henrik said, nudging a pile of stones with his foot. ‘It’s a comfort, you know? To connect with her in nature, have something tangible and rooted in the ground, growing stronger every day.’
My heart hurt for him. ‘Makes sense,’ I said, squeezing his hand once more before letting go. ‘Sorry for interrupting; I’ll leave you to it.’
‘No, no – were you here to hug?’
I shrugged. ‘Sort of.’
‘Then please… go ahead. I insist. Proof the madness in my methods works. Occasionally.’
I hesitated. After that kiss my head was in a spin. ‘I’ll come back later. I don’t want to interrupt you and your… er, mum.’
His eyes sparkled as he smiled. ‘You’re not. I promise. And this conversation is crazy. She would laugh her head off if she could hear us. I’m done anyway, so it’s up to you.’ He looked so desperate not to ruin it for me, I couldn’t walk away. It felt disrespectful somehow.
‘Sure, I’ll stay for a few minutes then. Thank you for… sharing,’ I said, quietly. ‘Not just Willow. All of it.’
‘You’re easy to talk to,’ he replied, before turning and disappearing into the trees.
I took a couple of deep breaths, then put my arms around Willow and gave her a squeeze. She felt even warmer today. Henrik must have transferred his body heat into her. Maybe that’s what had happened the day I chose her as well. It wassomething he’d been doing ever since he was a little boy. I nuzzled into the tree and closed my eyes, imagining how it would feel to nuzzle into Henrik. That fireman’s lift earlier had caught me by surprise, and being so close to him had been fun and exciting. I’d never had a man sling me over his shoulder like that. He was packing some serious muscles. I could barely pick up a twelve-pack of Diet Coke these days.
But then he couldn’t just leave me behind, buried in the snow. It was basic customer service. I cuddled in further, pretending otherwise in my little Viking fantasy, breathing in the greenery of the forest and feeling my feet on the ground. Would it be inappropriate to invite him over for a drink? I didn’t want to be accused of workplace harassment.
I wandered slowly back to the cabin, my body throbbing as I thought about the two of us together and what we might get up to, his soft lips on mine. And as I walked up the path to my cabin, I already knew the note stuck to the front door was from him.
Sara,
I’m still worried your fire isn’t lighting fully.
Check it when you get in and let me know if you want me to have a look at it.
Henrik
