Page 11 of Fired Up By the Mountain Man
“Morning;” she didn’t see herself as one of those chipper happy-to-be-awake morning people, but she liked waking up to his smiling face. Something she definitely could, but probably shouldn’t want to get used to.
“What time is it?” She felt all out of sorts with no clock, at least not one she could get her eyes to focus on, but the sun was up at least.
“It’s pretty early yet, 6:45.” She felt her face go sour.
“I know, I can’t help it. Something of an internal alarm clock, I guess. Drives me crazy but I can’t seem to sleep much past 6:30. Did you want some breakfast?”
“Oh no, thanks. It normally takes me a while to get myself awake so I hold off on food but the coffee tastes great, thank you.”
“My pleasure; I’m guessing Mr. Howard will be calling you pretty shortly. I think he’s an early riser as well.”
“Good thing I charged my phone last night then; thanks for that too. Seems as if I’m at your mercy.”
“Nah…just doing what friends do…wearefriends right?”
Maeve didn’t get a chance to answer that question as her cell phone blared out a loud ring-tone version of Hey Soul Sister. She assumed that would be the fire inspector.
“Hello Mr. Howard, yes this is Maeve Woods. What can I do for you?”Ugh…way to act dumb, you already know why he’s calling.
Cole came to stand right in front of her which was more of a distraction than anything because he smelled wonderful. She could tell where the ends of his cropped hair still looked a little wet. If his hair were a little longer, she wondered if it would curl on his neck.
“Maeve!” Cole was whispering loudly. Dang daydreams.
“Yes Mr. Howard, I’m sorry…yes I’m here. What do you need me to do?”
“Wow this guy is uptightandimpatient” Maeve whispered to Cole with her hand cupped over the receiver. “Will you talk to him for me?” She gave her saddest puppy dog face in order to convince him.
“Oh, good god, give me the phone.” He smiled and he grabbed it out of her hand.
“Mr. Howard this is Cole Abbott from the Brystal Bay 109, right across the street from The Sand Bucket. I’ll be bringing Maeve over today so just let us know what time is best for you.”
Cole talked to the man for another minute about some things Maeve needed to bring with her just for proof of ownership but then they’d meet before lunch.
“I’ll walk you home so you can get your things.”
“Thanks Cole. It means a lot that you’re doing this with me. I know Chloe wanted to be there, but she’s always been more of a silent partner when it comes to the legalities anyway. I’d like to take a quick shower once I’m home if you don’t mind waiting a bit.”
“Not at all, as long as I can raid your frig. I’m starving.”
***
Cole locked his apartment, and they made the two-block walk to Maeve’s lower-level duplex.
“Great place!”
“Thanks, kitchen’s over there” Maeve motioned as she passed a doorway headed for the bathroom.
“I’ll be back out in ten or fifteen minutes. Help yourself to whatever you find.”
Maeve’s refrigerator was a smorgasbord of food. He could die a happy man if he could eat in her house every meal butthat’s a thought he’d save for another day. He found some cold cuts, grabbed the mayo and a bag of onion buns. He’d make two just in case Maeve was hungry. She hadn’t eaten either and there wouldn’t be any time til after their meeting and who knew how long that would last.
Maeve emerged from her room looking refreshed and he was sure she got more beautiful each time he saw her. He’d wrapped both sandwiches in napkins so they could eat while they walked, and he stuffed a water bottle in the pocket of his shorts.
“Gosh, you’ve thought of everything. This sandwich is good, you found all this in my frig?”
“Well, the buns were on top of the microwave but yeah the meat was in the bottom drawer.”
“Two meals in less than twenty-four hours, how do I rate? I’m gonna have to keep you around awhile I think.” She made light of the comment but that’s exactly how he liked her to think.
