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"It is wrong to think that love comes from long companionship and persevering courtship. Love is the offspring of spiritual affinity and unless that affinity is created in a moment, it will not be created for years or even generations." - KhalilGibran

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Chapter 30

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Sam was in charge of slicing the mushrooms while Martin prepared the eggs for the omelets. They worked side by side in compatible silence, each focusing on their own tasks. She glanced over at Martin who cracked an egg and tossed the shells into the sink. He met her eyes, smiled and then proceeded to whip the eggs.

She knew that she had taken a chance in bringing up the subject of what was going to happen when the blizzard was over. After Martin had left to take Milo out she lay in bed thinking how easy and comfortable she felt around him considering that she had only known him a few days. And then she started to think that they only had a few more days together. Her rationale side argued that it was too soon to have that kind of talk but she also knew she wouldn't be able to relax wondering what they were going to do when this unplanned winter retreat was over.

And while they hadn't really decided she felt better just for having brought up the subject at all.

"I'm done. What should I do next?" She asked when she finished the mushrooms. He looked over at her cutting board and pretended to inspect her work. He lifted a mushroom, scrutinizing the thickness of her slice. She smiled and sarcastically asked, "Do they meet with the chef's approval?"

He popped the slice into his mouth and said, "Yes and since you've done such a good job I'll let you grate the cheese."

"I'm honored." Sam said sarcastically, reaching for the wedge of cheese. As she worked, he ran his hand along her back and reached past her to grab some vegetable spray sending a tingling sensation down her spine.

When she was done she moved all of the ingredients next to Martin and hopped onto the counter to watch him work. He poured the eggs into the pan and asked, "So if you weren't stuck here what would you normally do on a Saturday?"

Sam picked up her cup of coffee and took a long drink as she considered her answer. With a tilt of her head she replied, "The usual stuff: laundry, errands, or have lunch with a friend. What about you?"

Before he answered he shook the pan, flipped the eggs and they landed perfectly. Sam applauded and he winked at her as added the cheese, mushrooms and ham to the omelet and folded it in half. When he was done he responded, "Pretty much the same. Maybe head over to the local gym and try to catch a pick-up basketball game."

Sam watched as Martin slid the omelet out of the pan and placed it on a plate. "No hot date?"

He handed the freshly made omelet to her and started making his own. As he worked he replied, "Well, yeah, that's a given. In fact, I can't wait to get rid of you so I can get back out wooing all those ladies."

She laughed knowing that he was joking and took a bite of her omelet.

He watched her and asked, "So, what do you think?"

Sam swallowed and replied, "You weren't kidding, you make a delicious omelet."

"I'm glad you like it." He flipped the eggs again, added the ingredients and asked, "What about you? Do you cook?"

"You're just full of questions aren't you?" She asked before taking another bite.

"I was just thinking that you know a lot about me but you don't really talk much about yourself." He finished his omelet and continued, "I just want to know a little more about you. We are going to be seeing a lot of each other during the next few days."

She knew he was right but the truth was that she was extremely guarded about her personal life. Opening up didn't come easy to her after having been burned by so many men in her past. It seems that whenever she trusted them enough to let them in things fell apart. But he was only asking about general things so she decided to play it by ear.

"I don't have much time to cook but when I can, I like it." She replied between bites.

He walked to the island in the center of the kitchen and sat on a stool. He cut into his omelet and as he lifted the forkful of food to his mouth he asked, "What's you favorite thing to make?"

Sam smiled and replied, "Macaroni and cheese. I know it's a simple dish but I really like it."

His eyes lit up and he said, "Is it your own recipe or from a cookbook?"

"It's actually my mom's recipe. She's the one who taught me how to make it." Sam replied. She could still remember standing on a footstool in the kitchen watching her mom assembling the casserole. She was in awe that her mom never used measuring cups or spoons but worked by memory. She taught Sam to cook the same way.

"Any chance I can get you to make it while you are here?" He asked before taking a drink of his coffee.

"I think there is definitely a good chance." She replied smiling.

They finished eating and started cleaning up. Sam put the unused ingredients into the refrigerator while Martin got to work on the dishes.

"So what do you want to do now?" Martin asked as he stood at the sinking rinsing the plates before putting them in the dishwasher.

"I actually really want to take a nice long hot shower." Sam replied as she rubbed her neck. A thought occurred to her and she moved to stand behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and put her chin on his shoulder. "Care to join me?"

Martin tilted his head so he could see her face and replied, "Oh yeah."

"Meet you upstairs in a few minutes." Sam said before she reached up to give Martin a quick kiss.

As she headed up the stairs she thought that if this was just going to be a brief fling then she was going to make sure every single minute counted.