Can't Love Christmas

Forty Three

Ash was still sitting in the booth when she got a text from Rowan.

The Grinch:
You can go to the cabin if you'd like. I won't mind and I'll meet you there as soon as I'm done here.

Ash:
Are you sure?

Yes. Please go be comfortable.

Okay. See you soon

She slipped out of the booth and through the back door. The walk to the cabin was quick in the cold air. He'd left the door to the cabin unlocked and she slipped inside. The room was pitch black and she fumbled for the light switch. When she finally found it, the room was bathed in warm light. She took the opportunity to take a better look around the room. She knew it wasn't right to be snooping, so she only looked at what was already out in the open.

The punching bag was still hanging in the corner, the couch had a cozy blanket draped over the back, and more throw pillows than she expected. There weren't many pictures on display, but there was a full bookshelf along one wall, a large painting opposite, and the television was the focal point of the third wall. Drawn in by the books, she ran her finger along the spines, reading the titles as she went. She found the titles to span nearly all the genres, and wondered if all of them were Rowan's, or if they'd been inherited from his family. With the staggering number of them, many must have been left behind by others.

She sighed, and hoped she would have lots of opportunity to explore these shelves in depth. She imagined plucking a book from the shelf, and cuddling with Rowan on his big, plush couch under a cozy blanket.

Without Rowan, she did the best she could. She grabbed one of the John Grisham novels, not her first choice but something she was familiar with. She flopped on the couch and pulled the blanket over herself. She glanced at the remotes lined up on the coffee table, and reached for the one for the stereo.

It was an old cabin, and very rustic, but it was not lacking in the latest technological creature comforts. She pressed the power button and the soft sounds of indie rock filled the cabin.

It was almost eleven o'clock when her phone beeped with a new message.

The Grinch:
I have a surprise for you.

Ash:
Is it you coming home to join me?

It involves going out. I'll be back soon, but you should start getting ready to be outside for like an hour.

What are we doing?

I'm taking you somewhere, but it's a surprise, so just be ready to go.

Alright

She put down the book and got dressed in the warmest clothes she had with her. She had her hat and gloves placed beside the door, and waited for Rowan to return.

The door flew open and Rowan bustled in.

Ash turned and greeted him with a shy smile, "Hi."

He grinned in return. "Hi, yourself." He leaned in for a kiss which she happily provided. "Are you pretty much ready to go?"

"Yes. Will you tell me where we're going now?"

He smirked. "No. In fact," he pulled a bandana from his pocket, "you don't even get to see where we're going."

Her jaw dropped. "Uhm, what's that for?"

"Well, typically people wear them when someone else doesn't want them to see something. In this case, I don't want you to see where we're going. So once we get into the truck, I'm going to put this on you. Unless there is a reason you can't."