Page 26 of Cabin Fever Baby

“Oh, that couldn’t have felt good.”

I pulled one of the throws closer to tuck under my head. “I’m starving,” I mumbled even as my eyes kept closing.

“I’ll cook you the best breakfast you’ve ever had.”

“That sounds really nice,” I said into the pillow.

“Rest now.”

Did I feel her fingers pushing my hair out of the way?

The next thing I knew, there was a watery light filling the living room. It looked much bigger now that the sun was up.

Well, under the swollen clouds roiling over the lake.

I heard someone moving around behind the fireplace, which didn’t make any sense.

Suddenly, Ocean peeked around the river rock wall. “Morning.”

“Hi.” I raked my fingers through my hair and barely resisted the urge to moan at the mistake. The church bells were only ringing, not clanging like the night before.

“How’re you feeling?”

“That shower option still open?”

She grinned and came out with a mixing bowl tucked in the crook of her arm, a whisk in her hand. “It is. There’s four full bathrooms upstairs.”

“Four?” I grunted.

Wish I’d had those options when I was a kid. We’d fought like wild jackals for the two we had growing up.

“I know. This place is crazy. I’d have killed for the five when I was a kid.”

“Five? Didn’t you say four?”

“Well, one is the en suite for my room. You can have your choice of the other four.”

And just like that I was imagining her in a huge shower. It seemed as if she’d already taken another one based on her full winter gear. She had pink corduroys on with another pair of her thick socks over the bottoms. She had a long-sleeved gray top on with a pink plaid over it.

Then I noticed my bags by the door.

“Did you go out there?”

“I shoveled off the stairs and figured you might want some fresh clothes after your shower.”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

She shrugged and went back to her whisking. “Think you can manage your way upstairs or do you need help?”

“I can manage.”

Even if it killed me, I would. She’s gotten my bags, for fuck’s sake. In all that snow. And I’d slept on like a useless houseguest.

Hell, I hadn’t even heard her go out.

I hung my head for a moment before willing myself to rise to my feet. When the room tilted, I made my way carefully to the smaller of my suitcases. I tugged out a pair of black sweats, boxers and a thermal shirt along with my toiletries bag.

I caught her peeking out to check on me and I squared my shoulders even if every single muscle hurt in my body from the couch and the crash. It was a damn good sofa, but it was still a sofa.