AN: Thanks for the reviews! I'm still figuring some of this out as I go, but I have a good idea of where I want to end up. This chapter got a bit longer than I anticipated. Hope you enjoy!
Stepping up into her jeep, Olivia set her hat on the passenger seat, on top of the plate of chocolate chip cookies the Johnson's had given her. She was cold and wet, and more than ready to head home after tangling with Ned. The man was just plain mean-spirited. She'd lost track of how many times he had threatened her with a shot gun over the past 12 years. At least this time he didn't pull the trigger. Shaking her head, she put the jeep in gear and pulled back out onto the road.
The snow was starting to accumulate. At least an inch had fallen since she had left the office an hour ago. Munch was going to owe her big. He was probably already at home and warm. She'd be lucky to get home before 7:00 p.m., between the weather and the ten mile drive up to the Cabot Cabin. And given the direction her evening seemed to be headed, she'd drive all the way up there and find out that this writer was long gone and back in Boston. Sighing, she reached over and grabbed a cookie; it would have to tide her over until she got home and made dinner.
Alex was just starting back to the porch with her second armload of wood when she saw headlights flash across the yard. Watching the jeep pull to a stop, Alex wondered who would be out this far in this weather. The cabin was 25 miles from town and at least ten miles from the nearest house. Climbing the steps to the porch, she put her load down before turning to the rail to see who her visitor was.
The jeep's engine was cut and Alex saw a tall figure step down, settling a broad-brimmed hat on top of their head. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding as she recognized the ranger's hat. I don't know what's gotten into me today, I'll be jumping at shadows next, thought Alex. The ranger had reached the bottom of the steps.
"Good evening, ranger. It's a cold night to be all the way out here."
The ranger looked up and Alex felt herself being scrutinized as the ranger's warm, brown eyes traced a path from Alex's boots upward, finally locking with her own vividly blue eyes. My god, she's beautiful. Not your typical ranger! She suddenly realized she was staring when the corner of the ranger's mouth curled up into a cock-eyed grin.
"Yes, ma'am. It sure is cold. But with this storm coming in I was just doing the rounds. We didn't know if you were still out here. Don, my boss, thought you might have headed back to the city already. Since your cabin here really isn't set up for winter."
"I didn't expect winter to arrive quite so abruptly. But I've got plenty of wood to keep warm this weekend," Alex said, gesturing to the wood pile across the yard.
"Well, you're going to need it. This storm just seems to be getting bigger based on what the National Weather Service is saying. Let me give you a hand bringing up a few more loads."
"That's not necessary, Ranger Benson," Alex responded, reading the patch on the ranger's coat. "I don't want to keep you out in this weather. And I'm sure you have others to check on tonight."
"It's no problem. You're my last stop and then I'm headed home. I'd feel better knowing you had plenty of wood and didn't need to venture out for a few days while this storm blows through. But they say there's another front developing behind this one, so you might want to consider closing things up here. I think winter's here to stay, even if it is early this year."
They made quick work of bringing several more loads of wood up to the porch. Olivia clapped her gloved hands together, surveying the pile. "This should get you through the weekend, but you don't have much kindling here. Do you have an axe?"
"I'm sure there must be one in the shed, but I don't know."
"I've got one in my jeep. I'll just grab it and split a few of these logs for you."
"That's very kind of you. Can I offer you a glass of wine when you're finished?"
"Thanks, but I probably ought to head home." Olivia, seeing a flash of disappointment cross the other woman's face, quickly added, "but a cup of coffee would be great, if it's not too much trouble."
"No trouble at all. It's the least I can do. You're helping me even though you're off duty," Alex said. "And it's a Friday night. I imagine you have better things to do."
"No, ma'am. I'm just headed home to my dog, a hot bath, and a book."
A smile lit up Alex's face. "Good!," she said, faintly blushing, "I mean...I... I'll just go start the coffee." But as she turned toward the door she stopped and added, "and please, call me Alex. You're going to make me feel old if you keep calling me "ma'am", Ranger Benson."
"Alright. Then you should call me Olivia."
Olivia retrieved the axe from her jeep, part of her wishing she was just headed home. This was going to be her first weekend off in a month. She had been anticipating doing absolutely nothing tonight but soaking in the tub and starting one of the novels she had picked up at lunch. But another part of her was happy to have an excuse to spend a little more time with the blonde. She couldn't be sure, but she thought Alex might have been asking about her Friday night plans with a little more than a passing interest. And she'd definitely been staring when Olivia had first arrived. Shedding her coat and hat, Olivia made quick work of several logs.
She was just stacking the last of the kindling when Alex came to the door to let her know that the coffee was ready. Standing there in the open doorway, in her stocking feet, jeans and a blue cashmere sweater that accentuated her subtle curves, Alex was more beautiful than Olivia had first thought. When she had first taken in her long legs and her stunning blue eyes. Olivia grabbed her hat and coat and followed Alex inside.
