Not Expecting to Collide (COMPLETE) - ABP Fanfiction

Chapter 15 - Intention

Bam slept late the next morning. He was surprised at the time on the clock when he opened his eyes. He usually didn't sleep late, especially when not in his own bed. Perhaps he was subconsciously more relaxed here. He did stay up a little later after October's admission. To say he was affected would be a severe understatement. He got washed and dressed quickly, anxious to spend the day learning more about October.

He found August alone at the kitchen. He nodded a greeting and helped himself to a cup of coffee from the machine on the counter.  "Where's October?" He questioned.

August looked up from his coffee and raised an eyebrow. "Well up until you asked me that, I assumed she was with you." 

Bam leaned his back against the counter and shook his head. "No. I haven't seen her since last night." Bam's confession made both of August's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. He said nothing and hid his smile by taking a drink of his coffee.

"She's probably walking the fence." August offered.

Bam looked at him over his coffee cup.  "Walking the fence. Is that a euphemism for something?"

August laughed. "No, it's something she does most mornings. Her property here is about six acres and she walks the fence perimeter just to check on things. She says its her meditation. I've never really understood it but she's been that way since we were kids. I prefer concrete and public transit and people and noise."

Bam glanced out the window at the snow covered mountains in the distance. "She's not really a city girl." 

"I'm guessing that's part of the attraction. You're not exactly the metro type yourself."

"I didn't know that about her until yesterday."  Bam mused. "We don't know each other very well yet."

August looked up from his book.  "Don't hurt her, okay?" 

Bam's voice went very quiet. "That's not my intention."

"She's all I've got." He looked at Bam pointedly. "Since our grandmother died, it's just her and me. She might think I'm being over protective but really it's just my own self preservation."

"Is this where you threaten to break my legs if make her cry?"

"Is that what you would tell your sisters' boyfriend?"

Bam laughed. "I would probably threaten worse to anyone who hurt my sisters. There's a lot of places in the Alaskan bush where I could easily hide a body."

"Then I don't need to remind you that I'm a chef and I'm very good with knives."

"No. You don't need to remind me. I get it."  Bam set his coffee cup on the cupboard.

The back door burst open and a gust of wind followed October into the house. She slammed the door and pulled her toque off. "Good morning!" She greeted them both with a wide grin. "Or I should say good afternoon."

Bam's eyes followed her body as she bent to remove her boots and take off her mittens and jacket. "Is it cold out there?"

"No, it's only about minus twenty." She replied as she hung her coat on the hook by the door.

"Only minus twenty?  Toby, only you would consider minus twenty not cold."  August mused. His phone rang and he left the room to answer it.

Bam watched her walk across the kitchen to where he leaned against the counter. Her cheeks were bright rosy pink from the November wind and her hazel eyes sparkled at him. "You slept late." She observed as she came closer to him.

Bam nodded. "I had trouble falling asleep after -" she raised up on her toes to plant a kiss across his lips. He smiled. "After you came to tuck me in." 

She gave him a sidelong glance as she walked around the island. "I'd apologize if I was sorry." She grinned innocently. "But I'm not."

"You're a little minx." He accused.

She flashed him the same saucy smile as she had when leaving his room the previous night.

"I had planned on spending the day with you today but Jaime called this morning and I have some last minute things to take care of for tonight." She frowned.  "I'm really sorry."

Bam shrugged. "It's all right." Bam shrugged. "Anything I can help with?"

October shook her head. "No but thank you.

August returned to the kitchen with his jacket on. "I've got a lunch date in the city. Be back later."

"Ooh, a date?" October squealed. "Do tell, Auggie! Is it someone I know?"

August grinned and maybe even blushed a little. "Yes." He replied slyly.  "And that's all I'm telling you for now. You might find out who it is at the gallery tonight."

October clapped her hands. "I can't wait!"