Bitter Sweet by LaVyrle Spencer

Author:LaVyrle Spencer [Spencer, LaVyrle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 9780515105216
Publisher: Jove Books
Published: 2003-08-05T07:00:00+00:00

‘Thank you for bringing her home to me, Eric,’ she said softly and lifting up on tiptoe took him in an embrace.

He folded his arms around her, held her firmly against the sleek silver surface of his snowmobile suit. They closed their eyes and remained where they had wanted to be for weeks, padded full-length, unmoving.

‘You’re welcome,’ he whispered and continued holding her while his heart thundered. He spread his hand on her back and let his feeling for her swell while they remained motionless, listening to one another breathe, and to their own pulses hammering in their ears; smelling one another- fresh air, cold cream, a hint of exhaust fumes, and orange pekoe tea.

Don’t move.., not yet!

‘I knew you’d be up, worrying,’ he whispered.

‘I was. I didn’t know whether to cry or pray or both.’

‘I pictured you here.., in the kitchen.., waiting for Katy while we rode back.’

Still the embrace continued, safeguarded by the presence of another person a mere room away.

‘She never wears boots.’

‘She will after this.’

‘You’ve given me the only Christmas present I want.’

‘Maggie...”

In the bathroom the toilet flushed and they reluctantly parted, standing close, studying one another’s eyes while Eric gripped Maggie’s elbows and wondered at the ambiguity of her statement.

The bathroom door opened and Maggie bent to pick up the snowmobile suit, mask and gloves, hiding her flushed cheeks.

‘Whew! What time is it anyway?’ Katy asked breathily, returning to the kitchen, scratching her head.

“It’s going on two,’ Maggie replied, keeping her face averted.

‘And I’d better be going,’ added Eric.

Maggie turned back to him. ‘Would you like something hot to drink first? Something to eat?’

‘No, I’d better not. But if I could use your phone I’ll call the dispatcher at the fire station and see if they still need me.’

‘Of course. It’s right over there.’

While Eric made the call, Maggie stacked the ‘extra clothing on the table. Then she got out a variety of holiday coloured tins and began filling a plastic bag with an assortment of cookies. Katy followed her back and forth along the cabinets - an eternally hungry college student, sampling from each tin as it came open. ‘Mmm... I’m starved. All I had was a candy bar Eric gave me.’

Maggie gave her a squeeze in passing, and said, ‘I’ve got soup and cold ham for slicing, and meatballs and herring and cheese and fruitcake. Take your pick. The refrigerator’s loaded.’

Eric’s phone call ended and he turned back to the women.

‘They want me to make one more run.’

‘Oh, no.’ Maggie turned to face him, distraught. ‘It’s unfit for humans out there.’

‘Not when you’re dressed right. And I warmed up while I was in here.’

‘Are you sure you wouldn’t like some coffee first? Or soup? Anything?’ Anything to keep him a while longer.

‘No, I’d better go. A minute can seem like an hour when you’re stranded in a cold car.’ He picked up his ski mask and slipped it on, followed by his helmet. He zipped his suit to the throat, donned his gloves and she watched him disappear beneath the disguise.

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