A Spy for Christmas Read Free Page B

she
turned and watched him pull the SUV up against the brush so it was hidden from
an aerial view or the road. He certainly covered all his bases. That should
make her feel better…unless he was actually covering his tracks so no one could
find her to help her. She shook herself, angry that her mind wanted to go back
and forth like this.
    Once he had everything inside, he lit a kerosene lamp on the
table. A warm, orange light filled the space. The cabin was clean yet simply
furnished with only a well worn wooden day bed, a small table with two chairs
and a couple of mattresses. The space was completely open and square with one
door leading, she guessed, to a bathroom. At one end of the room was a natural
fireplace with dried firewood stacked on its hearth. 
    “There’s running water and natural gas to cook with.”
    “Home, sweet, home,” she murmured.
    Still, he heard her and said, “It’s not much, but let’s make
the best of it.”
    “Oh, I wasn’t being unthankful—”
    “Don’t worry about it.” He knelt in front of the fireplace.
“You can thank me later.” There was a hint of merriment in his voice. What did
that mean?
    Robin took a quick look out its one rear window and saw that
a small brook ran at the back of the property, halfway under the forest
canopy.  The snow was beginning to collect, forming a light dusting over
everything. She thought, if not for the circumstances which brought her here,
the setting could be considered tranquil, even romantic, despite the cabin’s
utilitarian appearance. This even qualified for a quaint and magical Christmas
scene.
    The picture of Grayson in front of the wood and small spark
was romantic. Sexy, even. She couldn’t help but compare him with Alex.  Grayson
was not only handsome, but exciting in a dangerous kind of way; in stark
contrast to Alex with his food allergies, fear of commitment and lack of
spontaneity.
     Even so, Robin wondered if she were being foolish by
letting down her guard. As she watched him secure the cabin, she realized
Grayson’s presence in her life brought danger to her very existence.   
    She walked closer to the fire as the wood crackled and
popped, and the flames grew. Warmth began to seep across the cabin’s space.
Although the weather turned cooler outside, the cabin was warm and cozy as the
sky darkened and evening turned to night.
    “You must be hungry by now,” he said. Her stomach had
growled a few times, but her nerves made her unsure if she wanted to eat. He
looked through the cupboards and put the supplies away, except for some he left
on the tiny counter.
    “By any chance, are you a gourmet chief in disguise?” she
asked, some of the flirting from earlier returning.
    “Just wait and see, my dear.” He turned the gas stove on
with a knob and lit the flame with a match. There was a cast iron pot to cook
in, and soon he was adding canned meat and veggies. The aroma of beef stew
mixed with the pleasant fireplace smell. It actually smelled like home here, throwing Robin for another loop.
    Grayson stood watch over the pot, looking like he was deep
in thought. Her mind was still filled with questions about him. Yet she sensed
that there were many layers to the man which he kept to himself. This both
intrigued and excited her simultaneously. 
    He turned to say, “I think this is about done. Let’s eat by
the fire where it’s warmer.” As she nodded, he pulled the daybed closer to it
and arranged the pillows and blankets.
    It occurred to her maybe she should have helped with
something, but instead she crawled into the corner of the daybed and watched
him ladle stew into two bowls and bring them over. He settled in as she took
her first bite. Even from cans, the stew was hearty and comforting.
    “Good?”
    “Perfect.”
    The fire popped, sending up a burst of sparks. The flames
threw dancing patterns all over the cabin walls while they ate. Cuddled into
the blankets, she felt safe and secure. It might have been a