Kindling for the Heart Page 8

  Sam fit in with her family as though they’d known each other for years. Or maybe it was the chemistry. Her mother and Anna had known Jan for years, but in just one dinner, Sam’s visit was much more relaxing than any she’d ever remembered having with Jan.

  Jo let Sam drive her truck into town this morning. When she’d perched behind the wheel and her dimples lit up, Jo knew Sam was enjoying herself. It almost felt domestic, the way Sam dropped her off then was waiting with groceries when Jo’s meeting finished. She liked having Sam as her houseguest.

  “How much do I owe you?” Jo asked as Sam turned into the driveway.

  Sam eased the truck to a stop. “Don’t worry, I got it. It’s the least I can do, considering I’m bunking at your place.”

  “Thanks.” Jo jumped out and slammed her door. She knew Sam wouldn’t be around for long, but bunking made it sound so transient. How could she have forgotten Sam was only here to avoid the woman she’d just dumped?

  “Here are your keys.” Sam’s hand had a slight shake to it as she held them out. “I loved driving your truck. It made me feel special, considering I don’t imagine you let just anyone behind your wheel.”

  “It’s a work truck. Anyone I’m working with can drive it.” Jo grabbed the keys and unlocked her front door. Mollie burst outside and ran up to Sam.

  “Hey, girl, I bought you some treats.” Sam played with Mollie, teasing her with little lunges and bringing on vigorous tail wagging that thrilled even Jo. “Why don’t you go ahead inside and I’ll bring in the groceries? I know you’re busy.”

  “Thanks, that would be nice.” Jo hurried inside, rustling up a cup of tea and a banana for a snack to take back to her office before joining in the fun. She’d hoped to escape before Sam came inside, but the door opened and Mollie bounded in. Sam followed, her face flushed as she struggled to carry all of the bags at once. Jo knew she should help, but needed to get away before having another domestic bliss moment.

  “It’d be great if you could put cold stuff in the fridge for me,” Jo said, avoiding eye contact as best she could. “I can put away the rest later.”

  “No problem. I’ll see if I can figure out where everything else goes.” Sam kicked off her boots and carried the bags into the kitchen.

  “Thanks,” Jo said. “I’m going to be focused on my work for the next several hours, so help yourself to whatever you want for lunch.”

  “How about if I make us some egg salad sandwiches?”

  “That would be nice.” Jo let her eyes wander toward Sam, hinted at a smile, then swung around and left.

  Jo closed the door on her office and plopped in her chair. Elbows resting on the desktop, her head fell into her hands. She had to concentrate. The public open house for the forest management plan was only days away and there was so much to do.

  She’d promised to deliver a ground validation report of a small stand of old growth white pine located in the middle of the proposed harvest area. Her clients wanted recent pictures included in the report, which meant a drive out to the site early the next morning.

  The only problem was she couldn’t stop thinking about Sam and how good it felt to be around her. The way she smiled, her playful interactions with Mollie, her attentiveness to Jo’s needs. Offering to make egg salad sandwiches for lunch even though Jo had just been short of rude to her by rushing away and not helping with the groceries. At a crucial time when she needed to focus on her work, most of her energy was being used to fight off her growing attraction to the woman.

  While a day in the bush on her own seemed like the best remedy for her distracted mindset, Jo yearned to invite Sam along. She’d think about it and make a decision later, depending on how good those egg salad sandwiches were.

  A scratch at her door announced Mollie, bringing Jo back to reality and the need to return her focus to work. Mollie found her favorite sunny spot in the middle of the floor and settled in for a nap, as though things were back to normal. Jo resolved to continue working like nothing was different too.

  An hour later, Jo flinched back to reality at the tap on her door. She’d managed to lose herself in her work, deep in developing her slide presentation for the open house.

  “Hey, Jo. I have some lunch for you. Is it okay if I come in?”

  “For sure.” Jo stretched her back then twirled around to watch Sam confidently carrying a garnished plate of food to her desk. “It looks like you’ve been busy.”

  “I’m sure not as busy as you. Sorry, Mollie, I didn’t bring anything for you.” Sam skirted by the jumping dog, holding up the plate to show Jo. “I boiled four eggs, mixed them with mayonnaise and a bit of salt and pepper then slathered the mix onto sandwiches. I put some baby carrots, a few pieces of cheese, a handful of almonds, and green grapes to round out your lunch. I hope you like it.” She put the plate down, her arm brushing Jo’s shoulder as she leaned forward.

  “Oh wow, this looks yummy. Thank you.” Jo stood, avoiding Sam’s eyes. “Can you watch my food so Mollie doesn’t help herself while I skip out to wash my hands?”

  “For sure.” Sam’s dimples teased with a smile. “I’ll keep your chair warm for you.”

  Jo needed to get out of there before she lost it and did something like hug Sam for the lunch. She deserved one for sure, presenting that plate as though Jo meant the world to her.

  When she got back, Sam was bent over, rubbing Mollie’s belly. She looked so sweet, her sweatshirt pulled up at the rear and exposing her lower back. “Not only looking after me with an amazing lunch, but also taking care of Mollie with a nice massage. I could really get used to this.” Her cheeks burned as she realized how that must have sounded. “Sorry.”

  “No need to apologize.” Sam stood, pulling down her shirt at the back. “I should let you get back to work.”

  “Thanks.” Jo sat into Sam’s lingering warmth. “I have to go to the bush tomorrow morning. Would you like to come along for the ride and a short walk on snowshoes? It’s supposed to be cold, but sunny.”

  Sam smiled as she backed out of the room. “I’d love to. You can tell me more over dinner. Would you like me to close your door?”

  “Dinner.” Jo sighed. “I haven’t even thought of it.”

  “Let me worry about that.” Sam’s eyes sparkled. “I’ll cook up a batch of brown rice and stir-fry some of my leftover vegetables from the cottage that we need to eat up. How does that sound?”

  “Perfect.” Jo turned back to her laptop. “And yes please, close the door.”

  Jo dropped her head with the click of the door latch sliding into place. Things were becoming too ideal with Sam around. She would most likely be back to her life in Toronto next week at this time. Jo had to keep that in mind, front and center.

  She took a bite of her sandwich, savored the taste, and then forced her thoughts back to the task at hand. Deadlines aside, work helped Jo avoid thinking about how much she wished Sam could stay longer. Forever even. If only the woman was trustworthy.

  Sam stood at the kitchen sink window, watching chickadees as they flitted around the cedar hedge near the garage. She thought about returning to Toronto. She could easily crash with a friend until Trish moved out of her place, but she wanted to spend more time with Jo. There was just something about being around Jo that felt good, like she brightened life. Sam’s place back in Toronto was just a house to her—a building to live in. Jo’s place was so much more than that. It was warm, welcoming and had a sense of family. It was a home. It made Sam feel comfortable, as though she belonged.

  Sam was about to turn away from the window when a truck pulled into the driveway and a handsome young man jumped out. He flung open the side door on Jo’s garage and was inside before Sam could react.

  “Hey, Jo, someone’s in your garage,” Sam called out. She jumped into her boots and grabbed her parka to find out what was going on.

  Mollie barked and followed as Jo came to the kitchen window. “That’s Robert’s truck. He must be here for his gloves. I’ll go
out too.”

  Mollie slid through their legs and got outside first. Sam bolted to grab her collar and attached it to the leash.

  “Hey.” A clean-cut, well-dressed young man came out of the garage, pulling the door locked behind him and holding up a pair of black leather gloves. “They were on the plow seat, just where I figured I left them the other night.”

  “Good,” Jo said. “It’s too bad I didn’t know yesterday, or we could have given them to your mom at dinner.”

  “I had a few minutes to kill before my dentist appointment. You must be Sam.” He smiled and held out a hand.

  “Sorry, I’m forgetting my manners,” Jo said. “Sam, this is Robert, my kind nephew who plowed the driveway for us.”

  “Nice to meet you Robert.” His aftershave wafted in the air ahead of him, and he folded Sam’s hand into a firm shake. “Thank you for making it so much easier to get in here the other night when we were both exhausted.” Yet another caring family member—Jo was lucky.

  “Anytime.” Robert bent over Mollie and rubbed around her ears. “Hey girl, are you behaving yourself?”

  “Of course she is,” Jo said.

  “She’s the best,” Sam said. “Jo’s fortunate to have her.”

  Robert put the gloves on, his breath blowing clouds into the cold air. “I heard you’re lucky the two of them came along when they did.”

  “I am indeed.” Sam looked at Jo and smiled. Her hero. “They saved me for sure.”

  “Well, I’d better get going.” Robert moved toward his idling truck. “It was nice meeting you, Sam. Safe travels if I don’t see you before heading back to Toronto.”

  “Thanks.” Sam forced a smile.

  “Don’t worry about me for dinner,” Jo said as they headed back inside. “I’m not very hungry. I’ll probably just get myself a snack before bed.”

  “It’s no bother.” Sam kicked out of her boots, stepping in a puddle and wetting her socks. “I promise not to put any meat in my stir fry.”

  “No, please do. Use up the beef you have left otherwise I’ll have to throw it out once you’re gone.”

  Sam stood alone in the kitchen, abandoned even by Mollie. Her feet were wet and heart heavy as she pondered her situation. It was expected she’d be leaving as soon as her vehicle was plowed out. Was that based on a desire for her to leave or an assumption she would never stay? Sam knew her own history of not sticking around for long so what did it matter if Jo wanted her gone before she was ready to leave? She spent the rest of the day struggling to decide when best to depart.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jo crept around the kitchen in the fading darkness of early morning, making herself a coffee and grabbing the second to last blueberry muffin before heading to her desk. She’d avoided Sam for the rest of the day yesterday, choosing instead to bury herself in work and hide out in her office. Jo had really wanted to be near Sam, get to know her more and enjoy her companionship. Sam would be gone soon, though, and she needed to protect herself.

  Mollie kept her company for most of yesterday afternoon, sprawled on the wool rug in her office, but abandoned Jo just before dinner. Sam had offered to take her outside for a short walk and she eagerly accepted. Jo yearned to join them, too, needing some fresh air on an otherwise stale afternoon, but she refused to indulge. She stayed closed up in her office, focusing on her work long into the evening until Sam had gone to bed. Only then did she emerge, tiptoeing to her bedroom for a restless night of wishing they were back at the cottage and Sam was in bed with her.

  The morning air outside was frigid, even too cold for Mollie. She’d hurried outside for a quick pee then rushed right back in. Jo knew they’d have to wait until later in the morning before heading to the bush, when the sun would at least offer some relief against the frosty winter air. The trip would be all business and even then, she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to capture all the pictures she needed for Saturday. She at least hoped to get a few good pictures of Sam.

  By the time Sam stirred, Jo had already been working for two hours and was ready for a break. Sam was playing with Mollie in the kitchen, squeaks from a stuffed toy, ticking nails against the floor, and the occasional laugh sure signs they were having fun. Jo wished things were different. That Sam lived in Timmins and was interested in settling down. No such luck. She closed her laptop, grabbed her empty mug, took a deep breath, and headed out to the kitchen.

  “Good morning.” Sam was spreading peanut butter on some toast.

  “Hey.” Jo rinsed her mug. “It’s freezing out there this morning. I’ll understand if you’d rather stay here, where it’s nice and warm.”

  “I’m looking forward to it. I know you’ll keep me warm, considering you’re such a good bushwhacker.”

  “You think so, eh?” Jo sifted through her assortment of herbal tea, her face straight as though totally engaged in selecting the right one.

  “Of course I do.” Sam touched Jo’s arm. “I know I can trust you with my life out there.”

  “Would you like some tea?” Jo continued as though Sam’s touch meant nothing, although her heart was thumping. “How about some raspberry, or maybe chai?” She held up a few choices.

  “No, thanks.” Sam stepped away, her socks dragging on the cork floor. “I can get a hotel room in town if my staying here is becoming an inconvenience.”

  “It’s not. I’m just very busy with my work.” Hot water splashed against her hands as she washed out her mug.

  “I feel like I’m disturbing you.”

  “You’re not.” That was a lie—Jo was definitely disturbed.

  “I hope you’ll let me know if I am then.” Sam tapped her knee to call Mollie. “Come here, girl.”

  “The road into your cottage will be plowed out Friday. You might as well stay here until you head back to Toronto.” Jo stared out the kitchen window as though looking at something important when all she wanted to do was return to her office before starting to cry.

  “What if that’s not for a few more weeks?”

  “I thought you’d want to head home as soon as your vehicle is free,” Jo said. “Especially with this deep freeze we’re having right now.”

  “I’m warm when I’m with you.” Sam was suddenly at the window, brushing up against Jo’s hip as she leaned over the sink to look outside. “Are there more birds in your hedge?”

  Jo took a step back. “No. We should probably get going shortly so we can return early this afternoon. I need to finish my slide presentation.”

  “Sure.” Sam returned to the table. “Whatever you say. I’ll follow your schedule.”

  They left soon afterward. Jo’s truck was warm and the ride picturesque. She loved being in the bush on sunny days like this, and Sam kept oohing and awing as they drove by many wintery vistas. The landscape sparkled like diamonds on the snowy drive through narrow roads and mature trees. A few times Jo had to pull over to let a fully loaded logging truck pass by. The sweet aroma of fresh-cut pine in winter always reminded her of Christmas. The drive seemed shorter than Jo remembered, and they were soon at the site.

  “It’s only a short walk in off the road,” Jo said as she stopped the truck. “I’ll let you out here then pull up tight against the snowbank in case someone wants to get by while we’re in the bush.”

  “Sure.” Sam jumped out, hugging herself in the cold air as Jo squeezed the passenger side of her truck up against the snowbank. Sam had forgotten her toque on the seat and leaned into Jo’s door as soon as it was opened.

  “I figured you’d want this.” Jo reached for the hat, careful to keep her fingers away from Sam’s as she handed it over.

  “It’s freezing out here.” Sam pulled her toque on then squeezed in beside the open door and eased it in against her back.

  “Here, take my seat and jump inside until we sort ourselves out.” Jo felt sorry for Sam in the cold. She struggled across the middle console, pinching her knees while trying to keep her boots in the air as she slid into the passenger seat.
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  “Oh my God, it’s cold.” Sam jumped into the driver’s seat, slamming the door shut. “Is it just me and my southern blood or are you freezing too?”

  “Have a sip of hot tea.” Jo opened her vacuum bottle and offered the steaming beverage to Sam. “Sorry, but I forgot to bring an extra cup. We’ll have to share. I hope that’s okay.”

  “For sure.” Sam took the thermos and sniffed the steam. “Oh, this feels good.” She took a sip then flinched. “Ouch, it’s boiling. I think I burnt my tongue.”

  “Then I guess you’ll have to stick it in the snow.” Jo fidgeted with her camera.

  “As long as it’s not yellow.” Sam took another sip then handed the bottle to Jo and winked.

  “Thanks.” Jo took a sip of her own, careful to keep her tongue aside and lips away from where Sam’s had just been. “It’s not that bad.” She put the lid back on. “Okay, let’s head out and get this done.”

  The frigid air and frosted trees made them hustle through the dense bush, twigs snapping and grabbing onto their snowshoes as they searched for the small stand of old growth white pine marked as a value to be preserved from harvesting. Sam spotted the bright orange flagging tape first, waving an arm to point the direction.

  “You have a good eye,” Jo said. “I was the one who marked it so I can’t believe you saw it first.”

  “You did a good job of marking it then,” Sam said.

  “Will you model for me while I take the pictures?” Jo looked for the best angle to capture the trees.

  “That depends. It’s too cold to take any clothes off.”

  Jo swatted at Sam’s arm. “Not that kind of modeling. I need to get some perspective on how big the trees are.”

  “So you’re just using me today.” Sam smiled.

  “Why not? I may as well take advantage of the situation before you try to take advantage of me.”

  “Is that an invitation?” Sam tilted her head toward Jo and blinked, her lashes covered in frost.