Finding Home

Chapter Five

After dinner I made sure Devon's room was all set up for him in case, he wanted to get some sleep. He followed me in, and we talked a little bit about why he was in the middle of nowhere in Alaska.

"I just needed some time away, my fiancé broke things off at the last minute. So, I figured a nice two-month break from the real world to clear my mind and to just get back to the basics of life" Devon said as he sat on the bed.

"I'm really sorry to hear that happened to you, well the way this winter has started out I honestly don't know how long it will be till I can get you to a plane to get you back home" I said looking at him.

"It's okay I'm in no rush to get back there, but I don't want to be a burden on you though" he said, and I could tell he was being sincere.

"I do know it will be at least two weeks before anything is running in this area, they always concentrate on the fundamental areas first, there is a ranger station about five miles north of here they have most of the medical equipment if needed.

So, for the next two weeks it will be fine, after that we can see what happens and see how things are going if that is an okay setup for you?" I asked him. I did not want him to feel fully trapped.

"Sounds perfect to me" he said and stood up and before I knew it, I was swooped up into a hug that if I let myself feel, it was nice for a moment having a man's arms around me.

I hugged him back; we will be stuck together for two weeks and might as well make the best of the situation.

"How about I cook your dinner tonight as a thank you for all of this?" He asked, how could I say no to that, it has been a long time since someone has offered to cook me dinner.

"You know I would really like that, thank you" I said leaving the bedroom and going to mine to check on the fire. Devon walked out and into the kitchen. I put a couple more logs onto the fire and sat on my bed listening to him rummage around looking for things.

Watching the fire was always relaxing, except I could hear the wind hitting the house with the snow that was still coming down with no end in sight. Laying down for a moment and stretching felt good.

I knew after dinner I would have to try and make it out to the barn to make sure they were settled and that it was warm enough for them in there. I could hear Devon humming while he was cooking something that smelt sweet and inviting as I thought as my eyes drifted closed.

"Athena" I could hear my name being whispered, and I liked the sound of it coming from a man, at first, I thought it was my husband but then reality struck me, and I remembered he is not here, but Devon was.

I opened my eyes and saw Devon standing at the foot of my bed, "dinners ready sleepy head" he said with a smile, stretching "I didn't realize I fell asleep. I can never do that easily" I said as I got up and followed him to the kitchen table.

I sat down and Devon placed my plate in front of me, it was filled with a juicy looking piece of steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a salad. "This looks really good" I said as I started to eat.

We sat there for the next hour talking and eating, learning all about one another. Where we were from, what we did or do for a living, what we want out of life. "I will say this Athena, I am really impressed that a woman is doing this all on her own" he said.

"I don't mean it to sound bad or that a woman couldn't, it's just unheard of usually" he finished before I could say anything.

I laughed, "it's okay Devon I knew what you meant and your right, most women wouldn't do this on their own full time just because" I said. I got up and started to clear the plates.

Devon stood up and he helped me bring everything in and the stove was already going with the kettle filled with water for the dishes. He planned on this which made me smile.

This just might work out for the two weeks that he is here. We ended up working as a team to wash and dry the dishes. As I was putting them away Devon went to put more logs on the fire.

Once I was finished, I joined him in the family room, "I heard you humming earlier, what were you humming?" I asked, settling down on the couch that was facing the fire.

"It was a song that I wrote awhile back, sometimes it just sticks in my head when I'm cooking, and I just end up humming it" he said staring into the fire. "Oh, do you sing or play an instrument?" I asked.

"I play the guitar and sing" he said, "one of these days I will bring out my guitar and sing for you if you wish" he said quietly. "I would love that, Devon; I have always enjoyed music but sadly I don't get much out here" I told him as I snuggled down into the covers.

"You going to fall asleep again?" he asked with a smirk, "No just resting a full stomach before I have to go out to the barn one last time for the night" I said with a yawn.

I heard him chuckle, "I will wake you in a few so we can take care of it" he whispered as I closed my eyes. I heard the tractor start up and the garage door close.

I sat up and went to the window and watched him clear the path around the house and to the barns. He went inside with the animals. My nerves amped up a little bit not knowing how they would react to him and not me.

I was about to get dressed when I saw a few minutes later he closed the door and locked it. He cleared the areas by the sheds and pulled the tractor back in, closing the door.

I heard the side door open, and he went to the woodshed and carried arm loads of wood into the garage. I smiled and went to put on the kettle for some hot water to make some tea or hot coco which ever one he wanted.

I noticed the fire in the family room was also taken care of, this man, this stranger out of nowhere might just be a blessing and I might not know it. So long I have been without a man around to help with everything.

Even though I was married to my best friend, he was always busy with work or when at home, he was working then also. I always did everything around the house.

One of the reasons why we never had kids, besides the fact that he did not want any, I just was not in the mood to be a single parent or even being married. I wish I had a few kids, but I cannot regret that, it would eat me up with the world of, could of.

The kettle was starting to go off and I pulled it out the flame, just then as I was getting the cups Devon walked in and went to the fire to warm up. As I turned to say something, I saw he was watching me with a look on his face that I never saw on a man before.

It was not lust, but it was a soft, tender look that made my heart beat a tad faster, my butterflies start to stir that I thought were long gone. How handsome he looked with the fire reflecting off his features.

He was broad shouldered, muscular built, mahogany brown eyes, black hair that when it was cut was short but being out in the wilderness it was getting that shaggy look, but it looked good on him.

I took a breath and realized I was staring right back at him with the same look he was giving me. I realized then that I wanted this man, I wanted to spend the night with him.