The woods around them were darkening and the urgency of getting back to their cabin quickened their pace. Sherlock and Joan, investigating the disappearance of a local beekeeper in rural upstate New York, were caught off guard by the sudden storm and ill prepared for the change in weather.
His gloved hand covered her head as much as possible and brought her closer. They walked, buried into each other's side, holding on against the blinding rain and sleet that the icy wind drove into them.
"Just a little further," he reassured her. Joan had refused to take his jacket and her cloth coat was soaked and of little warmth.
"There," she pointed ahead, "there's the trail."
Sherlock squinted and confirmed, quickening the pace.
Small hail stones pinged around them as they reached the door to the old cabin the beekeeper's daughter had lent them for their investigation. The hinges whined and the wood moaned as they pushed their way in and closed the door behind them. The cabin lacked all amenities - no water, electricity or cell service. It was ice cold and dark, but at least dry.
They stood shivering for a moment assessing their situation. Both were soaked, hair plastered and bedraggled, flesh ice cold down to the bone. Intending this to be a day trip, they'd brought no supplies, no clothes or food.
Sherlock removed his gloves and scanned their surroundings, "Good. Firewood. I'll start a fire. See what you can find in terms of clothes. You need to take that coat off immediately before it freezes on you."
Joan was already in motion, shaking with cold but sorting through the towels and blankets their client kept in a small cabinet. She grabbed several towels and took one over to Sherlock where he knelt before the hearth. Joan placed it on his head and gave his hair a quick rub to sop up the dripping ice water.
"Thanks," he muttered, as she draped the towel around his neck.
"There are sheets, blankets and towels," her teeth chattered as she talked. "Nothing else."
He looked up at her, "Let's not stand on ceremony here. Take your clothes off and wrap yourself in the warmest blanket you can find."
"Way ahead of you," she held a dark wooly blanket in her hand. "This one's yours. It looks too itchy for me." She dropped it beside him and he smiled as she ran off towards the tiny bathroom grabbing a fuzzy green plaid blanket as she went.
The wicker sofa was dragged closer to the hearth. Sodden pants, shirts and coats were hung around the fireplace and from the mantel like Christmas stockings in hopes that they'd dry by morning. Dinner consisted of a can of beans they'd found in a cabinet and heated over the fire.
An exhausted Joan and Sherlock, attired in blankets, sat nestled up against each other on the sofa, a third blanket draped on top of both of them. The fire blazed, providing light and warmth; it's crackling competing with the sound of sleet pelting at the windows.
In quiet tones they discussed the case, their current situation and the likelihood of walking back to their car tomorrow morning without too much hardship. Eventually, they fell into companionable silence.
The flames began to die down. Sherlock placed the last log into the fireplace and returned to Joan who re-covered him with their mutual blanket as he sat.
"The fire won't last much longer." He looked towards the hearth as he spoke. "This may sound presumptuous but I assure you the intent is ..."
Joan shook her head and smiled, moving closer to him until her legs were tucked up and on top of his, "Just put your arm around me and shut up." Her tone was kind and teasing.
Sherlock did as he was told, opening his blanket up so she could cuddle in. She wrapped her arm around his waist and he brought the blanket back around both of them. Her head fit tidily beneath his chin. A content warmth filled both of them.
"One could get used to this," he whispered.
Joan looked up at him, and caught his eye. "One could... " she replied softly before snuggling back into the crook of his neck. He held onto her a little tighter.
They watched the fire slowly die out and gradually fell asleep.