There's No Such Thing as Second Chances

You're Up

"Hey, you're up and moving. This is great" Eric's face beamed with a smile as he walked into the cabin. "I brought dinner"

"Oh my god, is that a rabbit" his smile was infectious and I couldn't help but to return it, regardless of the poor animal.

"Yup, hope you're not a vegetarian. I make a great rabbit stew" he placed the rabbit down and looked around the cabin "have you been cleaning?"

"Trying to, you said it yourself, I need to be able to make the journey into town so I'm starting slow. Your place has close to no cleaning supplies" I gave him a playful little scowl.

"Well I wasn't expecting company....ever...so" I could see him blush a little before turning around and picking the rabbit back up, "I'm going to go outside and deal with this then pick some veggies and potatoes from the garden. If you're up for it, you can come keep me company. The fresh air might do you some good"

"Hey, I was wondering if you may have any clean clothes I can borrow. I don't exactly feel the greatest in these" it was my turn to be embarrassed.

"Yeah for sure". He walked over to a large wooden chest and grabbed a few things "there's a shower outback which should have warm water. The heating tank is solar powered but only enough for one shower a day so I guess I can let you have this one"

He gave me a wink and my heart raced a little.

"Thanks" I grabbed the clothing and made my way to the back.

The shower wasn't hot but comfortable enough and definitely not hidden from plain view. I felt exposed but figured it was this or nothing. I just hoped the animals in the forest enjoyed the show.

I finished as quick as I could and put on the spare clothing he gave me. Everything was a bit too big but I was grateful to get out of my dirty clothes. I figured I would need to launder them somehow but decided I'd worry about that later. 

As I made my way from the back I couldn't believe how amazing this place was. The forest was thick and green with no civilization in sight. It was like something out of a fairy tale.

I could see the appeal of living here but wanted to know why someone as young and gorgeous as Eric would choose to do so.

"How was the shower?" Eric noticed as I came around the corner and stood up to greet me "feeling better?"

"Like a million bucks" I looked over at his garden and was incredibly impressed. Fenced in were rows upon rows of fresh veggies. I could only imagine the skill and time this would have taken and thought back to my pitiful cactus that died from overwatering. "You grow this all by yourself?"

"Saves me a trip or two from having to go into town" he smiled proudly, "I grow mostly root and stalk veggies, they're the easiest to maintain in the forest, but it gives me more than enough fill"

"Clearly" I took in the basket of potatoes, onions, celery and some other stuff I couldn't identify, "looks like you didn't need any help at all"

"It was more the company I was looking for" he gave me another smile and my insides did a little flip. That man knew how to fill out a t-shirt and I couldn't help but admire the well defined body that was hiding under it. "Ready to go in?"

"Sure" he waited for me to walk up to him and we made our way to the door.

"You sit and I'll cook" he pointed me to one of the chairs and began unloading everything onto the kitchen counter.

"So here's a question for you, why did you choose to live out here? I figured someone as young as you would want to be in the city living it up" I leaned in and watched him work.

"I don't like people so this seemed like a good place to settle down" I could see the question made him extremely uncomfortable so I chose not to push it, "and it's exactly what I need for work so it just made sense"

"Oh, what do you do for work" I was glad he gave me another direction to take this conversation. The last thing I'd want to do is upset my host.

"I test wilderness survival products and write reviews for them." He began cutting the meat and veggies and placing them into a big ceramic pot.

"So you're a writer?" My interest was piqued.

"I guess you could say that, it's more magazines than books but it pays well" he shrugged and leaned down to light the wooden stove. "So what's your story?"

"I'm a writer too, I was going to rent a small cabin on the beach and write my new novel, until this happened. Wonder if the Airbnb will give me a refund?" I tried cracking a joke.

"Oh I think the chances are in your favour" he gave me a small chuckle and continued to season the pot.

I leaned back against the chair and decided to watch him work. The way he moved in the kitchen was soothing and almost hypnotizing. I felt an overwhelming sense of comfort and before I knew it I was out like a light.

"You shouldn't push it too much. Maybe lay off the cleaning" I opened my eyes and saw Eric kneeling down before me clearly looking worried. "The stew is done, I think you should eat a bit then go back and rest"

I couldn't even disagree with him as I felt exhausted. I nodded my head and took the bowl from him.

"Thanks, but I do have a suggestion" I tried to think of how to get this out without sounding creepy, "we're both mature adults and I don't think you sleeping on a chair is good for your health. I think we can share the bed without it being weird"

"I was going to camp outside and give you a bit more privacy" he chuckled in amusement.

"Ok, but what if something happens and I don't feel well? I won't be able to get your attention if you're not here" I didn't know why but the idea of him out there and me in here bothered me.

"Ok fair enough, I can set up a sleeping bag down here then" he pointed to the carpeted area under the chairs.

"No, stop it. This is silly. This is your home and I insist" I crossed my arms and attempted to give him one of my looks. The look of I'm not going to budge.

"Ok ok. You win. I'll get my stuff and set things up."

I watched him leave for a moment before he returned with a bunch of camping stuff.

"I grabbed an extra pillow and a sleeping bag from the shed. That way we're not fighting for the blanket" he placed the stuff on the bed, "you seem like someone who's am extreme blanket hog"

"Hey now. That's not fair...well you look like someone who snores very loudly" I giggled at my own response.

"Like a bear. Have fun with that!" He teased back. "I brought you a toothbrush. I'll clean up while you get ready for bed"

That simple comment made my stomach do a couple more flips. I didn't understand why but I was extremely excited to share a bed with a man I didn't even know.