Threize

 

Leona found two cans, one of kidney beans and the other tuna fish. Mixing beans and tuna hadn't been on the syllabus during her culinary training. But at least with the beef jerky she'd found in the duffel and these items, they'd have some type of Christmas Eve dinner.

Despite the horrible conditions, she wasn't worried. As soon as the storm passed, Cameron's dad would find them. Or Cameron could take the snowmobile back to the lodge and get help. Things would be fine. She had faith all would be OK.

A blast of cold shot into the cabin as Cameron stacked the firewood next to the door. "It is cold out there! Really cold." He removed his gloves and stood in front the fireplace.

"How's our wood situation? Is this it?" She stared at the meager stack he'd brought in.

"It'll last through the night if we need it to, but I'm sure the storm will pass over soon, and we'll be able to head back. If not, I'm sure there's an ax somewhere in here. I'll go get more."

While she was grateful for his confident words, the worried look in his eyes betrayed him.

"Well, I've prepared a gourmet meal for us. Cold kidney beans, tuna and bits of beef jerky." She'd found a can opener and a couple of enamel plates and cups. The meal looked pretty paltry, but it was better than nothing. Thank You, Lord for Your provision of this meal and this cabin.

Cameron stood next to her in the tiny kitchen. "Looks like a gourmet meal to me."

She smiled. "I hope you don't mind, I gave the other beef jerky stick to Max."

Cameron shot a glance toward the sleeping dog. "Looks as if he's happy. Belly full, warm fire. What more could he need?"

Being here with Cameron, regardless of the circumstances, gave her hope that she could get to know more about the man's heart and not so much about what he'd done the last few years. While hearing about his work was exciting she longed to know him again. Only this time in more depth than a nine year-old could care about.

After they'd eaten the meal, Cameron tended to the fire. The flames licked around the log he'd added and before long, they grew in brightness and warmth.

They returned to the loveseat and Leona unlaced her boots, removed them, and rested her feet on the tiny hearth. She allowed the heat to seep into her socks and warm her feet. "This feels wonderful." She nudged Cameron with her elbow. "Try it."

He followed her lead and placed his feet next to hers. "Nice." He linked his fingers through hers. "Thanks for the prayers."

"What prayers?"

"When I told you I had a full bank account but an empty heart, you offered to pray for me. That means a lot. I've made other things in my life idols and I want to change that." He kissed her fingertips.

Despite the warmth of the fire, his kiss sent a series of jolts along her arm. She searched his eyes. Was he sincere? The Cameron she'd known as a child had never lied to her. She'd trusted him. But now—this new Cameron? A sliver of doubt snaked its way through her.

Had he become accustomed to telling people what he thought they wanted to hear? He had thanked her for praying which meant he still recognized the importance of prayer. Maybe he'd been astray for so long, it was hard to talk about his faith.

She placed her other hand on his. "Cameron, I'll keep praying. I'll pray that you get a clear nudge about going through culinary training and about talking with your dad."

His excited gaze rested on her face. "What do you think about me working with you and Julian? Maybe you and I can partner together and open Leo's again?"

She swallowed. She and Cameron in business together? Opening her family's restaurant together? Her mind darted back to the days in the tree house when they'd had similar discussions.

Sitting so close to Cameron, she clearly saw into his crystal, aquamarine eyes, fed off the excitement he had, and felt as if anything was possible. That gave her courage. But she didn't want a business partner in Leo's. It was her dream and her family's legacy. "It's definitely something to think about."

He untangled his fingers from hers and placed his arm around her shoulder. "I don't want to lose you again. I've never stopped thinking about you. At first, I thought we were just a couple of crazy kids excited over our attraction. Besides, what do kids at nine and eleven know about love? Right?"

A smile crept across her face when she recognized his words as her own thoughts.

"But you've stayed in my heart all this time." He circled his index finger through a strand of her hair. "I was excited about moving to New Orleans. I honestly planned to look you up. But there was a part of me that was afraid to—afraid that you had married someone else, and I'd have lost you all over again." He leaned close to her and brushed a gentle kiss on her temple.

His breath and the warmth from the fire heated her whole face. She turned to him and offered him her lips. He pulled her closer and slowly kissed her. She basked in the tenderness of his touch. How many times had she dreamed of being with him? Too many. He'd never left her thoughts. All these years.

He pulled away and caressed her jaw while he studied her eyes. "What are the odds that you would be here in Colorado cooking for my dad? God made sure our paths crossed again. If that's not enough to make you believe we belong together, I don't know what could."

Her spirit soared.

Could they make it together as partners? Not just business partners, but maybe more?

 

****

 

Cameron eyed the dwindling stack of wood and then turned back to Leona. While his heart swelled to have her in his arms and he could stay there forever, he knew he needed to do something. If they had to spend the night in the cabin, it would be extremely cold. The temperatures were expected to dip far below zero tonight. He slipped his boots on, tied the laces, and stood. "There should be an ax in here somewhere."

"What? Are you going out there?"

"Yes, we need more wood, and the storm doesn't look as if it's letting up." He found the ax in the closet in the bathroom. When he returned to the sitting area, Leona, with her boots on, stood near the front door.

"I'm coming with you." She blocked the doorway.

"Stay here and keep warm. I can get this."

She shook her head. "Nope, if you're going, I'm going."

He smiled at her. "Yep, you are definitely René. Still have that hard-headed streak your mom always complained about."

"I prefer the term strong-willed, thank you." She slipped into her coat and donned her gloves.

Cameron knew better than to argue with her. If she wanted to be next to him seeking firewood in the snow that's what she'd do. "OK, but you stay close by."

They trudged out into the hammering snow and biting wind. Under the large trees were bits of branches and broken limbs. Together, they gathered as much as each could carry and brought it back into the cabin.

Back in and warm, Cameron turned to Leona. "We make a pretty good team."

"Yes, we do." She nodded and laced her arm through his.

"I've been thinking," he said. "What if I went to culinary school in New Orleans? You and I can open Leo's together as husband and wife. Just like we planned when we were kids?"

She sat up and turned to him. "Cameron George Fleming, II, did you just propose to me?"

He kissed her cheek. "I believe I did. So what do you think?"

She smiled and looked deep into his eyes. "I think it's a great idea"

He took her into his arms and kissed her.

In the distance he heard the hum of his dad's snow cat coming up the trail.