Just a quick bridge chapter to peek into the thoughts of our two favourite characters. Both Dave and Em replay the day and night's events and do a little soul searching. And there is a little insight into the existence of Dave out in the middle of nowhere in his woods. And Em decides that it could be possible to attract an angry hornet with a jar of honey instead of a bowl full of vinegar.

Beauty and The Beast

Dave lay on his bed and watched the snow fall outside. It was the way he always spent his nights when he couldn't fall asleep. Like clockwork, the snow always came down at tree in the afternoon, with a blizzard at six. The storm always lasted well into the night…only to be totally vanished by morning. He could set his watch by it. In fact, he had.

The first couple of days it happened, Dave thought he was the luckiest guy in the world. He loved the snow, and he especially loved blizzards while sitting next to a roaring fire with a good book and a good drink. But soon it dawned on him that the glorious scene outside would never be his to enjoy. He had woken up early thinking he would get some hunting in when the snow suddenly disappeared.

Believing it had to be an anomaly, he set his clock for the same time the next morning. And just like a wonderful dream to tease him during the night, the storm was over and gone. Along with the snow, the sun was gone, too. Every day the sky remained a steel grey overcast dreary without one hint of sunlight to break through the heavy clouds.

Yes, the ground was dry and firm, and the forest lush with wildlife galore, but it never rained, the sun never shined, it was like the first day of winter 365 days a year. 365 days a year for ten long years.

One could argue his downside had an upside which was that he lived in a spectacular cabin. And it was with everything he could have dreamt of: warm, snug, every appliance he could need; the fridge was always full, the wine cellar continually stocked…but no one ever came by. Eventually the wonderful meals he prepared became monotonous, and after a while cabin fever was in full force. Even Mudgie had his moments where he chomped at the bit for more excitement in his life although he was more able to adapt to routine.

Not that they couldn't go outside and get fresh air- so long as they stayed in the preset parameter: five miles. He had found out the hard way that five miles meant five miles! after the first time he went tracking a deer and he accidentally stepped over the line. The bolt of lightning quickly reminded him. He didn't have to be told twice.

At first he jumped for joy at the solitude. No ringing of phones to disturb him. No knocking on the door to interrupt his writing. No meaningless conversation he felt the need to continue to keep it from lapsing into uncomfortable silence. He took the opportunity to sleep when he wanted, work when he wanted, and set his own deadlines - he managed to kick out three books in one year. But then the realization that he had nowhere to send them emerged. Eventually the desire to write faded as he and his dog fell into the same repetitive, boring schedule day after day, year after year, in this paradise prison located in hell.

Until she came along.

When she came crashing thru the foliage and stared at him in fear, it had taken a moment to realize that she wasn't a dream. He had no idea where she had come from or what her agenda was, but he was anything but happy to see another human being. Until the bear lunged at her and he had to make a spur of the moment decision. Unfortunately he had to tell her the truth: he had taken the shot to save his dog. It was selfish on his part, but Mudgie was all he had. Though he hoped she might be the answer to his prayers.

The beautiful, mysterious, stranger with her big doe-shaped eyes and raven hair that fell in curls over her small, delicate shoulders, and that beautiful curious smile. It had been so long since he had seen a woman…much less held one, that his body wasn't sure how to respond. Or if he should.

Then he saw the ring. He wasn't sure how he missed it…unless he was too caught up in trying to wish for the impossible. For one whole moment he let himself dream of being able to live a real life, and then it was snatched away as reality hit home that she belonged to another man. She could never be his salvation no matter what happened.

You must do one benevolent and altruistic act on her behalf. And she has to do one for you.

If saving her from the bear had been the benevolent act, his actions tonight at the kitchen table had null and voided it. What the hell had he been thinking? Once again he had let his arrogance take charge and ruin the moment. And with it went the opportunity to finding out who she was and why she was here.

For the record, it's Em. Her parting remark replayed in his head. Stroking his beard, he closed his eyes and let it play again.

Em. Short for Emily? Or Emmaline? Whether she intended to or not, she managed to intrigue him. Right or wrong, now he was going to have to find out more about her before she left his life for good. At this point in his pathetic existence, with a lifetime of hell living alone with nothing but his conscience and a dog looming on the horizon, what could it hurt, right?

Right?

*******

Em lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling and cursed her temper for the umpteenth time. What had gotten into her? There was no excuse for throwing a tantrum and storming off- especially after he had gone thru the trouble of rescuing her and making dinner.

He didn't save you; he saved the dog. You were just gravy, her conscience chided. You mean nothing to him. You're a trespasser trying to find a man who wants nothing to do with anyone; why else would he take off for parts unknown?

True. But Tony looked as though he had lived in the area for quite some time and knew the layout. If anyone had the information she needed, it was he. But how could she approach him after the way she treated him?

The way you treated him? He's the one who jumped down your throat without so much as a warning and then made you feel bad. Hell, he didn't even bother to know your name! The man is an arrogant jerk and it's probably just as well that you're going to be leaving in a couple of days. No wonder Tony lives alone; no reasonable woman could put up with him!

Still… He was rather handsome and charming…when he wanted to be. And his eyes were the perfect shade of brown. And his smile…oh, that smile! It completely knocked her to her knees, although it looked as if it had pained him to make the effort to curve his lips for the brief crooked grin that had captured her imagination. Usually men with crooked smiles set her alarm bells off left and right - perhaps due to all of her years of P.I. work - but his smile not only threw her for a loop, it had her falling fast and hard. She could only wonder what had caused him to never want to smile again.

But more than his smile, or lack thereof, there was his touch. She could still feel where he had had his arms wrapped around her even hours after the fact. Of course all of that was null and void since she went off the deep end tonight. One way or the other, she had to get back on his good side…if for no other reason than to see that smile again.

Delicately, Em. Start with baby steps. Do something that would make him look at you in a different light. Throw him off his game.

How could she do it without raising suspicions? Think Em, think. There had to be something she could do… She sat up. That was it! She could cook breakfast for him. She would get up early and make him a breakfast he would never forget. Then she would ply him delicately and cautiously with questions. She was never going to see him again the day after tomorrow, so what could it hurt, right?

Right?