Passionately Ever After by Metsy Hingle

Author:Metsy Hingle [Hingle, Metsy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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Seven

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Maria desperately wanted to argue with Steven, but she knew that he was right. She had been foolish not to pay closer attention to the weather. But she'd awakened feeling lonely and homesick and confused, so she'd thrown herself into baking some holiday treats for the Calderones and her family. "I guess I really don't have any choice, do I?"

"No."

She sighed and couldn't help feeling a flicker of annoyance when Sophia waltzed into the kitchen and immediately trotted over to Steven. "Then I'd better see that the extra bedroom has clean sheets and towels."

"While you do that I'll check the phone extensions and see which one's off the hook."

"I'll do it," Maria told him. She already suspected it was the one in her bedroom.

"Fine." He walked over to the chair to retrieve his jacket and Sophia followed him, weaving herself in and out of his legs as he shrugged into the coat.

"Where are you going?"

"To take a look at the generator. Louis showed me where it is and I want to make sure I'm familiar with it in case the power goes out."

"Traitor," she muttered when Sophia darted out of the door and followed Steven. Feeling annoyed with herself, Steven and the cat, Maria headed upstairs. Much to her chagrin, she spied the phone dislodged from the cradle on her nightstand, beeping in distress. Striding across the room, she righted the receiver, then she headed down the hall to the spare bedroom. She put fresh sheets on the bed and made sure there were extra towels in the bathroom that adjoined the two rooms before heading back downstairs.

She'd just returned to the kitchen when the door opened. Sophia raced inside, her gray fur dusted in white, and Steven, who stomped his boots and managed to shake off some of the snow, came in behind her, his arms loaded with firewood.

"Could you get the door for me?" he asked.

Maria rushed over and closed the door behind him, shutting out the gust of cold air that whipped through the room. She followed Steven to the den where he began filling the bin next to the fireplace with wood.

"I checked out the generator and it looks like it's ready to go if we need it," he said as he stacked the wood. "But I figured it would be a good idea to bring in some extra wood just in case."

"You're probably right," she said and realized she should have thought of that herself. While Steven worked, Maria went to the hall to retrieve her coat and scarf. Pulling on her gloves, she returned to the den.

"Where do you think you're going?" Steven asked as he stood.

"To help you carry in some more wood."

"I can handle it. You stay in here where it's warm."

Steven's dismissal did nothing to improve her mood. "Don't treat me like a simpering, helpless female, Steven," she countered. "A little snow isn't going to hurt me and I'm certainly capable of carrying in firewood."

Steven let out a breath.

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