Kindling for the Heart Read online

  The timer on the oven blared, breaking the trance. The oven door squeaked open and the metal rack scraped as Sam pulled it out. She removed the roasting pan and put it on top of the stove, peeking inside the cover before dropping it back with a clang. She threw her potholders into the sink then slammed the oven the door shut. “Fuck.”

  “What’s wrong?” Jo approached. “Is it burnt?”

  Sam sighed and rubbed her eyes. “Sorry, I thought you were still in the shower. I forgot all about you being vegetarian. And here I hoped making a nice chicken dinner would help with the mood around here. Is my judgment ever off today.”

  “I don’t mind if you eat chicken.” Jo lifted the lids of the other two pots, potatoes and carrots. “The vegetables will be fine for me.”

  Sam went to the fridge and searched inside. “I have some marble mozzarella you could have with them. Do you eat cheese?” She held up an unopened block of mozzarella. “I sure hope so, because I wouldn’t want you any more cheesed off at me.”

  Jo chuckled at the bad pun, but her heart was pounding away as she moved closer to Sam. This was her opportunity. “I’ve been thinking about things,” she said, almost whispering. “A lot.” Sam’s eyes widened. “If you’re still up for casual sex, I’m game.”

  Jo held her breath as Sam’s face relaxed, her dimples expanding. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.” Jo took Sam’s hand, led her to the bedroom, and pulled the blankets back. She wanted to be in control, create her own boundaries. She closed the door to keep Mollie out, then pushed Sam back onto the bed before crawling on top. “No kissing on the lips, okay?”

  “Whatever you say.” Sam rolled them onto their sides, pulling Jo into a soft, but firm embrace.

  Jo clutched even harder, burying her head deeper into Sam’s shoulder and wrapping a leg around her thigh. It felt so good to be close to another woman, to feel Sam’s heart beating against hers, to know they were going to have sex. Her breathing became short and fast, her body suddenly hot as her hands tore at Sam. The soft skin, familiar curves, and scent of sex—it had been so long. Too long, and nothing else mattered except following her lust.

  Jo’s breath caught as Sam’s warm hand slipped under her shirt and gently caressed her hardened nipples before lifting it up for a view.

  “Your breasts are indeed beautiful.” Sam’s tongue tickled each one as Jo moaned with pleasure.

  “I want to feel yours.” Jo slid hands up Sam’s sweater and cupped firm breasts, erect nipples tickling her palms. “They’re so soft, like my mitts.”

  Sam leaned back, gasping as she smiled. “I have another place for you to touch that’s even softer.”

  “I just want to fuck you.” Jo couldn’t let this mean anything. “Only this once.”

  Jo felt Sam’s fingers slip into her pants, searching until they both gasped with contact. “You’re so wet.” Sam’s eyes were closed, concentrating on her rhythm as she rubbed. “I’m going to take you now.”

  “Oh yes.” Jo squirmed in pleasure. Her fingers found their own way into Sam’s moist center, the soft skin swallowing them up.

  Touching another woman like that was so exhilarating, something she craved. Her fingers in the wet heat of arousal and giving pleasure—it was sex for the sake of sex. It had to be that way. Jo determined to keep her focus on the moment, blocking out all emotions other than the physical pleasure of touching and being touched. Sam’s body swayed in tune with hers, their mutual need for release clawing to the brink of eruption.

  Sam came first, her moan shrill and short, and with a convulsion that shook the bed. “Holy fuck, you’re amazing.”

  Jo just wanted her own release. “Show me what you can do.” Jo felt Sam’s fingers bringing her to the verge. She was almost there, come on. Jo stopped breathing and thoughts of kissing Sam brought on a wave that started with a whimper and ended with a squeal as she crested.

  “Wow.” Sam’s breathing was still uneven as Jo rolled away. “That was amazing.”

  “Thank you.” Jo got off the bed, avoiding Sam’s eyes as she straightened her clothes. She wanted to cling to Sam like lovers do in the afterglow of fulfilling sex, but knew she was at risk of falling for a drifter like Sam. Jo couldn’t betray herself and let that happen. “I think I’ll wash up for dinner now.” She rushed from the room and into the bathroom, clicking the lock as soon as she closed the door.

  Jo stared into the mirror above the sink, her eyes avoiding their reflection. She felt sick to her stomach. The vulnerability of her heart was still so raw. Sex with Sam could not happen again.

  Chapter Eight

  Dinner conversation was stilted as Jo picked at her plate of vegetables and cheese. Sam barely touched her food as well, struggling to think of things to say in the awkward silences. She kept her comments focused on Mollie, but even that strategy didn’t help. In the end, she gave up and they finished their meal then cleaned the dishes without speaking.

  Afterward, Jo retreated to a cold corner of the living room by herself while Sam and Mollie sprawled on the rug in front of the fire. It was going to be a frigid night, and Sam kept piling logs into the woodstove.

  Her small batch of kindling was ready to ignite the morning fire, and she stared at it while rubbing Mollie’s ears. If only there was kindling for the heart. She was sure Jo must have had a roaring fire in her heart before her ex put it out. Sam wanted to start it again. Her own heart was smoldering, ready to ignite, and she didn’t know what to do about it.

  “Mollie, time to go outside before bed.” Jo slipped into her parka while the excited dog rushed to the door.

  “Mind if I join you?” Sam sat up, hoping for an opportunity to ease the tension.

  “Whatever you wish.” Jo disappeared outside with Mollie, letting in a cold breeze before pulling the door shut.

  Sam hit a fist against the kitchen counter just as Jo’s cell phone started to ring. She grabbed it and rushed to the door, pushing it open and holding the phone out. “Jo, someone’s calling you.”

  “Let it ring.” Jo paced by the woodshed, kicking at chunks of snow while Mollie sniffed around Sam’s vehicle. “They can leave a message.”

  “Okay.” Sam stepped back inside and dropped the phone on the table. A chill ran through her. What if Jo left without her in the morning? She couldn’t stay at the cottage, buried in snow and stranded on her own. Pride prevented her from returning to Toronto so soon after walking out on Trish. She plopped on the floor in front of the woodstove, and opened its glass door to stoke the fire inside.

  She’d gotten what she’d asked for—sex with Jo, a quick thrill. And it had been thrilling. More thrilling than any sex she’d had in a long time, if ever. As Sam stared at the dancing orange and blue flames, the realization came to her. She’d just had one of the best orgasms in her life without so much as sharing a kiss.

  The cottage door burst open then slammed shut with a gust of air. Mollie’s nails ticked across the floor before her head nudged underneath Sam’s arm.

  “Ooh, you’re cold.” Sam rubbed the frosty fur as Mollie lay down, tail flapping against the rug. “It’s nice and warm here by the fire. There’s lots of room for you too, Jo.”

  “Thanks, but I have to return a call.” Jo headed to the bedroom, staring at her phone as though it held some secret message.

  Jo closed the bedroom door and dialed her mother. She answered on the first ring. “I was starting to worry. Where were you?”

  “Outside with Mollie. I can’t wait to get out of here.” Jo climbed into the bed and pulled the heavy duvet up to her shoulders.

  “Why? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I have lots of work to do.” Like protecting herself against heartbreak.

  “Josephine, I can hear it in your voice.” Her tongue snapped. “What’s going on?”

  “Mom, wouldn’t you be upset too if you were snowed in at some stranger’s cottage and had to share a bed with her for a second night?” Especially after what had just happened.
Sam would be expecting it to happen again, and she couldn’t let it.

  “I hope she’s at least nice. What’s she going to do?”

  “She’s coming in with me.” Jo kept her voice calm, though her heart thumped at the thought.

  “Where’s she going to stay?” Her mother was chewing gum, reminding Jo of juicy fruit.

  “I told her she could crash at my place for now. I don’t imagine it’ll be for long.”

  “Let’s hope not, because I’m sensing you don’t really care for the girl.”

  “She’s a woman, Mom.”

  “It sounds like you’re coming down with a cold. How are you feeling dear?”

  “I’m fine,” Jo lied. She should have just left things alone, not tempt fate and risk getting hurt again. “I’m worried about all the snow. It’s going to be a long enough day tomorrow without having to plow when I get home.”

  “I spoke to Anna this afternoon and she said Robbie can plow your driveway.”

  “That would be great. I’ll give Robert a call.”

  “I’m making a pot of butternut squash soup tonight.” Her mother’s chair squeaked with the sound of her standing up. “It should be done by now. I’ll bring some over tomorrow and leave it in your fridge so you and your guest can have some for dinner.”

  “Thanks, Mom. Her name’s Sam.”

  “Samantha. Of course, that’s it. I’ve been wracking my brain all day trying to remember her name.”

  Jo heard a scratching at the door and got off the bed to let Mollie in the room. “I should let you go so I can call Robert.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Her mother hung up.

  Jo buried her face in Mollie’s fur and groaned, as the dog’s tail whacked against the wall. What had she just done? She ran a hand across the bed. Sam was a fantastic lover, even though they hadn’t kissed and the sex was quick. She’d known exactly where to touch Jo. She also broke hearts, and Jo had to protect hers. Any more sex would be off limits.

  Jo dialed her sister’s place. “Hey.”

  “I hear you’re snowed in with a woman,” Anna said. “What luck. I hope she’s single and sexy.”

  “She’s both, but I’m not interested.” It had to be that way. “Mollie likes her, though.”

  “That’s a good sign,” Anna said. “Animals have a way of sensing good people. You should follow Mollie’s lead and have some fun.”

  “I’m not looking for fun. I’m looking for your son to see if he’ll plow my driveway.”

  Anna’s microwave beeped in the background. “He’s already over at your place. He offered before I even asked.”

  “What a great guy. Tell Robert I’ll pay him.”

  “He’s not expecting anything.” Anna’s microwave door clicked open, muffled sounds as she lifted something out. “I’m so glad he didn’t take after his father. What’s she like?”

  “Who?” She didn’t want to talk about Sam.

  “The woman you’re stranded with, of course.” Anna’s movements stopped, and Jo knew she was going to fire away. “She must be a bitch if you’re not interested after all this time on your own.”

  “You’re a fine one to talk. How many years have you been divorced now? I seem to think it’s somewhere around ten and you’re still single.”

  “I’ve put my kids first.”

  “Anna, Robert’s twenty-four and Sarah’s twenty-two.” Jo shook her head, fingers sieving fur on Mollie’s back. “They’re not children anymore. You were already married with two kids at that age.”

  “They’re still babies,” Anna insisted. “What time will you be home tomorrow?”

  “I don’t know. It all depends when they get the road plowed. I’ll find out in the morning.”

  “Okay, well, enjoy your night and don’t be afraid to have some fun. Besides, the temperature is falling off the scale tonight and you’ll probably want to cuddle with someone to keep warm.”

  “Good night, Anna.” Jo ended the call. Sam certainly could keep her warm, but Jo was terrified. She couldn’t let lust override common sense. She had protected her heart well; she wouldn’t risk having it broken again.

  Jo forced herself to leave the safety of the bedroom, Mollie following.

  “I was beginning to think you’d gone to bed already.” Sam was sitting in front of the fire and stoking the flames with an old brass-handled poker. Mollie bounded to her side and lay down near the stove. “I have some marshmallows here. Why don’t we roast some?”

  “No, thanks.” Jo went into the bathroom and leaned against the wooden door as she closed it behind her. It was going to be a long night. She knew she was behaving badly. Sam had done nothing wrong. Actually, she did everything right. Oh so right.

  She really needed to apologize to Sam, but there’d be no hug and kiss to make up. Maybe she’d accept a marshmallow, but that was it.

  Jo left the bathroom and sat on the floor beside Mollie, petting her back. “I think I might take you up your offer of a marshmallow. I owe you an apology.”

  “For what?” Sam opened the bag of marshmallows.

  “I’ve been acting like a bitch and it has nothing to do with you. I’m sorry.”

  Sam flashed her warm brown eyes and smiled. “I’m sorry for getting you stuck out here with me. How do you like your marshmallows?”

  “Just out of the package, actually.” Jo reached for the bag and took one. “I never liked the burnt flavor and the sticky mess they can make if they drip.” She stuffed it into her mouth and forced a grin.

  “What an appropriate description of our situation, don’t you think?” Sam took two and shoved them between her lips, ballooning her cheeks.

  “How so?” Jo was relaxing.

  “It’s like we’re cooked marshmallows.” Sam covered her full mouth as she spoke. “You’ve been burnt by your ex and I’m in a sticky mess with mine.”

  Jo raised her eyebrows.

  Sam took a breath and swallowed. “Look, I could really use a friend right now. Can we at least be that?”

  Jo reached for another marshmallow, avoiding Sam’s eyes. “Yes, but there’ll be no kissing to make up.”

  “For sure.” Sam touched Jo’s arm. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For being here for me. And for offering me a place to stay tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow. Yeah. It’s going to be a busy day and you should think about what you want to pack out with us. It may be a while before you can get your road plowed. I’m heading off to bed. Come on, Mollie.”

  Chapter Nine

  Sam stayed sitting alone next to the fire, feeding logs into the stove and wondering about her future. Being rescued by Jo had been one of the best things to happen to her in a long time, if ever. She had the sense the woman could do so much more than just pull her off crumbling ice. Her destiny, she was sure, was now somehow linked to Jo. Sam’s stomach churned with excitement that kept her awake long into the night, until she finally fell asleep on the floor in front of the fire.

  It was midafternoon the next day before Jo got confirmation her truck had been plowed out. They would have to hurry on their walk through the bush to make it to the road before dark. Sam packed only the essentials, as they’d have to carry everything.

  She had already turned off the water system. The plan was to return once the cottage road was plowed to get the rest of her stuff. Jo even offered to help, their friendship budding after shared marshmallows and a night of sleeping apart.

  “The fire’s almost out.” Sam closed up the woodstove and took one last look around. The kitchen counter was clean, the table bare and the quilt draped over the back of the rocking chair by the woodstove. “I think we have everything for now.”

  “Good,” Jo said. “Let’s get going. The wind is starting to pick up and I want to make it to the truck before we get any more snow.”

  They meandered through the trees without speaking. Jo kept the lead on their trail that had been blazed the day before. Mollie skip
ped along, darting on and off the packed path as though chasing some imaginary prey, while Sam struggled to keep up.

  The weight of Sam’s pack was slowing her down, even though she only took a change of clothes and a few food items that would go bad if not eaten soon. If it wasn’t for her excitement and anticipation about going to Jo’s place, she would have been downright depressed. She liked to be in control and wanted to impress Jo, but instead felt like a loser as she trudged at the rear.

  “We’re almost there.” Jo stopped and turned around, waiting for Sam to catch up. “How are you doing? You look tired.”

  “I’m a city girl.” Sam panted as she reached Jo’s side.

  “I can see that. You look like you’re going to collapse. Why don’t you catch your breath for a minute while I go ahead and start the truck? I’ll come back while it’s warming up and carry your pack the rest of the way.”

  “I think if it was me…I’d just want to…get the hell out of here.” She forced a smile, struggling to control her heavy breathing. “You will come back, won’t you?”

  Jo grinned. “I don’t dump women and leave them stranded in the middle of the bush.”

  “It’s a good thing we’re opposites then.”

  Jo held her eyes for a minute, a tease in her grin. “For you, yes.” She turned to Mollie. “Come here and stay with Sam while I go to the truck.” She pointed to a spot near Sam’s feet and the dog rushed up and sat down.

  Sam took off a mitt to greet Mollie. “I can’t believe how she listens to you. I think I’m falling in love with your dog.”

  Jo swung around. “Don’t you dare break her heart.”

  “That’s impossible.” Sam chuckled, but Jo’s reaction stung. “She’s totally dedicated to you. Despite what you may think about me, I’m not into home wrecking. I only date single women.”

  “I’m glad my sister Anna’s not a lesbian then, because she’s been single longer than me. I wouldn’t want her to get hurt.” Jo started walking away.