Can't Love Christmas

Forty One

Ash followed Rowan out of the bar towards his cabin. Instead of following the path to his front door, they took a left and headed towards the forest.

"Rowan, where are we going?"

"I want to show you something."

"I'm going to be pissed if you are dragging me out into the woods to murder me."

"I promise, no murder plans. I just want to share something with you." He held his hand out to her and she took it without hesitation. "Stay close and this time I promise you won't get hurt."

"That's a bold statement."

"Don't worry. I can practically get where we're going with my eyes closed. But regardless, I brought a phone so we can watch out for tree roots."

She clutched his hand just a little bit tighter when they entered the trees, but she didn't have to worry. Rowan led her straight and true until they wound up in a clearing. A rather large clearing that was lit up with patio lights.

"Holy shit, Rowan."

"Do you like it?"

"Do I like it? It's beautiful. What is this place?"

"Just a place I come to think and relax."

Ash looked closer at the area surrounding her. The clearing was large, and mostly round, it had a lovely firepit with large muskoka chairs around it, a small covered area to one side, a charcoal barbeque, a woodshed, and a small shed. "Did you do this?"

"Well, my grandad cleared the area, and my dad put up the little pavilion. I made the firepit more permanent and replaced the old stumps with actual chairs and such. Then I built the storage shed so I could put up the lights and everything, and make things comfortable out here without hauling everything back and forth from my house every time I want to get out here."

"Wow."

"Would you like to sit?"

"Don't you want to be inside with everyone at midnight?"

Rowan looked horrified. "Absolutely not. I always come out here for midnight. It's peaceful."

"And your busy bar isn't?" Ash grinned.

"Too many people try to steal a midnight kiss from me, and think they can get away with it because it's midnight."

"Oh, sorry Mr. Popular. That's not what the gossip says inside."

"Yeah, I know what they think. I've never bothered correcting them. I don't broadcast that I come out here to be alone. As far as I know, none of them know this place exists. But yes, I might be avoiding a few people inside."

"Not me?"

"Definitely not you." He goes into the shed and grabs some cushions and blankets for the wooden loveseat. "Will you sit with me?"

She pads over and sits next to him. There's a tension in the air, and Rowan is no longer relaxed. "So. Our bet."

Ash gulps. "The bet." Her heart sinks knowing she lost, how could she not with how awkward things have been in the past week. Maybe she'd have stood a chance if her family hadn't shown up.

He bumped their shoulders together. "Have you figured out who won yet?"

"I think it was you."

"Wait, seriously?" he peered at her, confusion etched in his face. "I thought it was so obvious. I couldn't help it."

It was Ash's turn to be confused. "Help what?"

He pulled out his phone and navigated to a photo album, then passed it to Ash. She flicked through the photos while he spoke.