Thanks to all who reviewed and are reading. You know y'all rock, right? Here's the next chapter, hope you enjoy.
Chapter 3
She looked down at the one blanket and one sheet Booth had thrown onto the feather mattress. It was already fairly cool in the loft even with the fire still going.
'There's no way that sheet and blanket are going to keep me warm,' she thought to herself as she remembered the thin cotton nightshirt she had packed.
Booth could see her mind turning as she looked down at the mattress. He smiled to himself as he realized that his comment had left her in quite a predicament.
"Everything okay," he questioned.
"Oh..yeah..sure, why would you ask?" she asked.
"No reason," he tried to sound as clueless as possible.
"Uh..Booth," she started, "Could you turn around so I can change?"
She twirled her finger in the air to better explain her directions. Booth nodded. Turning to look out the window, he tried to focus on something other than her reflection, but was failing miserably.
"Done!" she snapped.
Startled, he did an about face, hoping she hadn't also noticed her reflection. As his eyes fell on her, he felt his jaw give just a bit. Standing there in a button down, blue and white striped nightshirt, the glow from the lantern highlighted her perfect figure. She couldn't help but smile to herself when she realized his reaction. He adjusted his jaw, cleared his throat, and began to muddle through the heap he had previously piled onto the mattress.
"There," he said taking a step back to admire his job, "bed's made and doesn't look too shabby if I do say so myself."
She flipped back the blanket and climbed in, turning on her side away from him. His preparation for bed was a much shorter task. The removal of his shirt and jeans was all it took. He crawled onto "his" side of the mattress, but had already taken note of the huddled lump that was shivering on "her" side.
"Night, Bones," he said through a fake yawn.
"Night, Booth," she tried to hush the chattering of her teeth.
The sheet rose and fell in a rhythmic pattern on Booth's chest as he put on his best sleeping performance. He could hear her inching closer and closer to him. Occasionally he'd stir in his sleep to just hear her gasp and halt her progression toward him. If she knew he was awake, she would have killed him. But he was thoroughly enjoying himself and felt certain that what she didn't know wouldn't kill her or him. Once she was in close proximity, he rolled over and his arm landed nicely around her.
He didn't have to look, he knew that her eyes were as big as half dollars and the shock on her face would take a while to wear off. Much to his surprise, he was wrong.
The small sigh she allowed to escape near his ear made every hair stand on end. She snuggled into his embrace allowing her finger to trace up his shoulder and end delicately on his chest. She nuzzled her face close to his and whispered,
"Booth, you can stop pretending, I know you're awake."
With that he allowed a smile to stretch across his face and he tighten his embrace.
Booth awoke finding himself much warmer than expected. He looked down and saw the perfect fit of Temperance locked around him. He smiled; she shivered. He quietly slipped out of her embrace, slid into his jeans, and grabbed a sweatshirt before heading down the ladder. It was odd how he sprung into action for her. He had always been a gentleman with anyone he dated, but with her it was different. First, they weren't dating. Second, she felt part of him. If she hurt, so did he. It was that way with Parker too.
It wasn't long after he had the fire roaring that she appeared at the top of the ladder.
"Mor," yawning widely, "ning."
"Morning Bones," he smiled at the sleepy figure above him.
"Coffee?" she questioned.
"Afraid not, sleepy head," he began, "Let's head out town pick some up along with some other groceries."
"I haven't had a shower…I mean bath, yet," she stumbled over her words as she remembered where she was.
"Don't think you want that bath right now," he said poking at the fire.
"Why?" she asked
"Running water we have, but we don't have a water heater," he grinned at the wide-eyed look that crossed her face.
"Coffee out town sounds great," she said with a smile and then turned back into the loft.
Pulling on a pair of jeans and sweatshirt, she wobbled down the ladder. Booth was standing at he bottom helping to stabilize the rickety contraption. Once again he expected to receive one of her many alpha male lectures, but no, not this time. She gave a smile as he took her hand leading her off the last step.
Before long they had made their way to Booth's SUV. 'Out town' was much further than they realized, but the scenery was beautiful so neither really minded. They past a mom and pop hardware store, a little country diner, a grocery store, and made it through the flashing caution light. Then nothing, again.
Booth looked over at Brennan.
"That couldn't have been the town, right?" he questioned.
"Humm, not sure, but it looks like the only choice we've got," she snickered.
Making a U-turn in the road, they headed back to town for coffee and groceries.
When they arrived back at Cedar Valley, the grounds keeper was sitting on the farmhouse porch along with another man.
"Great," Brennan murmured, "I could've lived without seeing him again."
"I'm wondering who the other guy is," Booth stated as he grabbed bags from the back of the SUV.
"Hi, y'all!" a yell came from the porch as the grounds keeper disappeared into the house.
As Booth and Brennan approached the house, a man in his mid-fifties headed down the walkway to greet them.
"Name's Ben, Ben Foster," he said holding out his hand toward Booth.
"Ma'am," he said nodding to Brennan.
"My name is Dr. Brennan," she stated matter-of-factly.
Booth grinned knowing that even with perfect strangers, Brennan had no use for being treated as an inferior even if used with polite manners.
"Oh, yes, you're the team from Washington," he stammered, "And I see that you have been to town."
"No," Booth began, "I think we must have taken a wrong turn somewhere."
"Oh, really?" Ben began, "Did you take this road to HWY 70 and make a left?"
"Yeah," Booth replied.
"Then you found our town," Ben stated, "Ain't much, but we sure were glad when that grocery store came in last spring."
They turned their heads simultaneously toward one another as Ben let out a laugh.
"Anyway, folks, I own this property, and if there's anything you need, just ask. I've got to be on my way now," he shook both their hands and headed towards his truck.
Booth and Brennan continued their trek around the farmhouse.
"Now listen here," came a voice just as they rounded the corner.
Brennan jumped causing her to almost drop the bags she was carrying.
"There's a snow aheadin' this way. So if I's you folks, I'd be hurrin' up or gettin
settled in," the grounds keeper finished as he closed the door to the farmhouse once more.
Brennan grumbled, "Snow? He just wants us out of here. No way I'm hurrying this investigation."
Booth knew Brennan well enough to know that she would not jeopardize anything for this case, but he also respected the people enough to know when to heed their warnings.
Back at the cabin two saddle horses were tied to the railing of the porch.
"What's this?" asked a confused Brennan.
"They're horses," smirked Booth.
She smacked his shoulder.
"I know that," she huffed.
As they proceeded up the steps, Booth found a letter hung on a doornail.
Thought you folks could use an easier way to get about. Figured you'd want to look over the property, too. Paint and Penny are two of the best. You can use the stable in the back for them.
Ben
"He seems nice enough for now," Booth remarked
"For now," she repeated.
Heading on into the cabin, both of them placed the bags on the table. They had picked up several useful items including two large pots to heat water for a bath. She decided a bath would be a pointless task as she heard the humming of the trucks. The team had arrived to work the scene.
"Well, I guess we'd better head on up there," Booth stated putting the last few things away, "Do you want Paint or Penny?" he questioned in a child-like tone.
"Doesn't matter," she managed to squeeze out before he interrupted.
"Ok," he squealed, "I'll take Paint."
He was out the door before she had time to process exactly what was happening. He always amazed her with how he could be Special Agent Seeley Booth, one who never breaks protocol, one minute to Seeley Booth, the excitable kid, the next.
--------------------------------------------
The day was becoming a blur as they hopped on the horses to leave the scene. It had been a exhausting day and Brennan was just glad to be off her feet, even if it was on a horse.
As they arrived at the cabin, Booth slid off Paint and grabbed Penny's reigns. Helping Brennan down, she fell into his arms. Both of them stood perfectly still staring into each other's eyes not daring to breathe. Booth swept her hair out of her face and kissed her forehead. Leaning down he whispered in her ear,
"Why don't you go on in, and start a bath. I'll take care of Paint and Penny."
She nodded, still too afraid that her voice would crack if she spoke.
Entering the cabin, she lit the kenneling Booth had place in the stove, filled the pots with water, and headed up the ladder to retrieve a few necessities. Upon returning to the main floor she heard the water boiling. Walking into the bathroom, she ran the tub a quarter full and set her shampoo and sweats in a chair close to the tub. Grabbing one of the pots with a hand towel, she carried in the bathroom and carefully poured the boiling water into the tub. She repeated the task for the second pot. Just as she undressed and wilted into the tub, she heard Booth open the cabin door. She could hear him rustling about the cabin, and occasionally pausing at the bathroom door. He never attempted to disturb her, and she was grateful for many reasons.
When she emerged from the bathroom, she was caught in his arms. He immediately covered her eyes with his hand as she squirmed to break free from his embrace.
"Now listen," he teased, "I've got a surprise for you, but you can't see it yet."
"Why not?" she asked still squirming.
"First, because it's not done. Second, I want a bath," he stated.
Well...whatcha think?
