Convictions: Kelly and Stephen Read Free

situation, never made a move that wasn’t planned well in advance. Her parents always said she was too cautious, that she needed to take chances in life if she was ever to find a true happiness.  The day she told them she was moving to Alaska they were stunned.  There were adventures, and then there was plain craziness.  A man alone might move to Alaska for adventure, but not a woman. 
    Five years later here she was still in Alaska, but she was the same overly cautious woman in Alaska that she had been in Seattle, at least until now.  What would they think of their daughter if they knew what she was planning to tonight?
    Maybe it had been the right person her heart had been waiting for.  Maybe now was the time and Stephen was the man with whom she could finally take a chance.  She had already made up her mind so there was no sense in turning it over in her head.  The forces that drew her to this man were stronger than her, stronger than anything she could control.  For the first time in her life she threw her caution to the wind as she turned her Jeep onto Old Henry Road.

Chapter 3
     
     
     
     
     
     
    When she stepped inside it was with pleasant surprised that she found the “dilapidated” cabin he had mentioned to be anything but.  The room she entered was a great room, in name only, not size.  It was cozy and comfortably furnished, with a cathedral ceiling that made the room seem larger than it actually was.  The space had been meticulously completed by someone who took great pride in his work.
    There were all the usual finishing touches of a craftsman, like crown molding, wood trim, and real hard wood floors.  It was perfect right down to the bear skin rug in front of a stone fireplace.  Kelly found it strange for a man alone in the Alaskan wilderness to care about such things as pictures on the wall and built in book cases.  She couldn’t help but wonder if a woman had once been involved with this room’s design.
    She knew nothing about this man whose home she had just entered but this great room, his great room, beckoned her in and welcomed her.  Being in this room stirred a desire within Kelly to be in his life.  There was obviously much to learn about Stephen, and the thought of having a chance to do so gave her pleasure.
    He held out his arm motioning her in the direction of two large over stuffed reclining chairs.  She took the chair closest to the fireplace.  The fire was warm and inviting. 
    Kelly was the first to speak “this isn’t at all what I had pictured.” 
    “You don’t like it?” he asked, frowning from concern. 
    She found it somehow comforting to think that he cared about her opinion.  “Oh no, that’s not what I meant; it’s wonderful.” she answered.  “But you told me you bought a dilapidated cabin?  This is anything but.” 
    Stephen’s laugh was low and soft, causing tiny shivers to travel their way up her arms when he replied “it was when I bought it; I’ve done a lot of work.”
    “Would you like something to drink?” he asked as if it was an afterthought.
    “Sure.”
    He disappeared down a hallway coming back a moment later with a sheepish look which only served to accentuate his sexiness.  “All I have is beer, or water.”
    Kelly laughed “a beer would be great.”
    He went back down the hall, returning with two bottles of beer.  He twisted the top off of one and, leaning over her slightly, handed it to her.  Kelly was once again put in the position of having to choose where to focus her attention. 
    Twisting the top off of the second bottle, he took the chair next to her.  They sipped their beers and quietly watched the fire’s flames dance.
    Kelly was surprised that she didn’t feel anxious or nervous.  She was completely comfortable sitting here in front of a perfect stranger’s perfect fire, inside of his perfect cabin.  It felt like being wrapped in a warm fleece blanket on a chilly fall day.  The shivers were spreading,