Page 9

8

Grant

S ugar fit nicely into my bed. It didn’t seem crowded at all. My instinct was to put my arms around him and bring him close. He smelled so good, even half freezing as he was. Cookies and cocoa. And that fresh night scent of longing that can’t be described.

He had needed me, and I was here for him. But this elf was on his own track.

As much as I’d grown attached to him in such a short time, I was going to have to let him go.

As much as I’d defined myself as a loner all these years, I enjoyed having company. His company. Sugar was special. There was no doubt of my attraction to him.

If not for that damned spell, maybe things could be different. Start out in another way. He would be someone I would want to date. Seduce.

But I was only leading myself down a path of greater difficulty if I kept thinking like that.

Despite another body in the bed and Velvet curled at my feet, I fell quickly into a doze. Everything was warm, comforting and restful. The noise of the storm was mere background. My sleep came smooth and peaceful, like I was exactly where I needed to be.

When I woke, I checked my phone for the time. Almost 9 a.m. I’d slept late.

I didn’t want to move. Everything was perfect. Toasty and soft. Sugar lay at my side like he belonged there, his pink lips slightly open, his breaths shallow. His hair was pushed forward into his eyes. Slowly, they opened.

“You’re awake,” he said.

“Just woke up. I slept later than usual. It’s already nine.”

“And you have to work, right?”

“I have projects, yes, but no impending deadlines. Unless I want to get paid, which is the desired outcome.”

Sugar sat up. “Thank you for letting me in here last night. I got nice and warm.”

“Can’t have you freezing again when we just got you unthawed the other day, right?”

He blushed beautifully. Then he glanced around. “It’s still pretty dark. But the storm sounds less angry.”

“The power is still out.” I swung my legs over the side of the bed. The air was still chilly. “I’ll get the gennie going.”

“I’ll start a fire.”

I smiled at him over my shoulder. He was so eager to help, to learn what needed to be done. “Okay.”

When he got up, his bare legs flashed me. I tried to pretend I wasn’t looking. I was looking.

I washed up in the freezing water and changed, then went out to the garage where it was even colder. In no time I got the gennie running. I had enough spare gas for heat and cooking and lights for a week. Longer if we turned it off at night, which I intended to do. Sugar could sleep with me again to stay warm. Not saying I didn’t love the idea past its practicality.

With the fire going, the front room heated up quickly. No need for the heater. Together we fixed breakfast.

After we were done, Sugar said, “While you work, I could do any chores you might have.”

“What?” I raised my eyebrows at him. “You’re my guest.”

He sighed and turned away.

I went to my desk to answer some emails and get a few hours of work done. I was the sort of person who got immersed, obsessed, and didn’t notice the time passing. It was one o’clock by the time I got up and walked from the alcove that was my work nook and into the kitchen.

Sugar stood at one end with a mop and bucket. My kitchen floor was sparkling and looked like it had been dried with towels. So were the countertops and the front of the fridge. It was at least ten years old but now looked new.

I glanced over the island to the living room and saw he’d straightened up the couch and pillows. It looked like he’d also swept the wood floor. Velvet was lying on her bed, which looked fluffed and clean, before a roaring fire. It looked like the wood bins were overflowing.

“Did you go out on the porch and get more wood?”

“Yes. Velvet came with me. It was snowing hard, but she peed and did other things right beside the steps. I cleaned it all up. She was a good girl. It wasn’t as windy out there, but it still tried to steal the cap and coat you loaned me. Mostly there was a lot of snow still coming down.”

“Wow, you cleaned everything.”

“I made the bed, too. I hope that’s okay.”

“Okay? It all looks fantastic. But you didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to. I don’t care if my father knows or not, or how it might affect the spell. This was for you.”

I moved closer to him. “Thank you. This kitchen is sparkling.”

He smiled sheepishly, as if he’d never had a compliment before. He went to the fridge and opened it. Everything was neatly organized. On the middle shelf were two plates covered with plastic wrap over two neatly made sandwiches.

“I made lunch, too.”

I couldn’t help myself. I reached out and grabbed him up into a bear hug until his feet lifted off the ground.

He started laughing, the sound like music.

When I set him down, he looked up at me as if I was made of gold. My heart lurched. My insides overflowed with warmth.

This was what it was like when someone good came into your life. Too soon, I would have to say goodbye.

“Well.” I spread my hands at my sides. “What are we waiting for? Let’s eat.”

He brought out the sandwiches and set them proudly at our little table, then came back after a second trip with napkins and drink cups. He’d quickly learned where everything was in the kitchen when he’d volunteered his help with the dishes every night.

The sandwiches were delicious. Mainly because I didn’t have to make them.

“The storm isn’t loud anymore. But I looked out around noon, and it was still snowing,” Sugar said.

“I checked the weather. It will probably let up tonight.”

“Oh good. Because I want to try chopping more wood. I thought I was getting the hang of it. I can help shovel the drive, too.”

“You have a lot of energy.”

He laughed. “A side effect of youth.”

Again, the music of his laugh. I was happy to hear it today. He had barely smiled since I’d brought him home. It seemed he liked being busy and feeling needed. Who didn’t?

I went back to work for a couple more hours, then joined Sugar who was in the front room tending the fire and petting Velvet.

I taught Sugar some different card games than rummy. He won each one the first time playing. My friendly coaching might’ve helped.

We had leftover stew for dinner, with hot buttered rolls again.

“I think the stew is even better the second time around,” Sugar said, rubbing his stomach.

“It had time to set and soak in all the flavors.”

Once we were done, I set out lanterns and lit candles all over the front room. With the fire roaring, we didn’t need the gennie and I could turn it off, saving fuel. The Internet said power would be back tomorrow, but I liked to be prepared.

“It already looks like Christmas,” Sugar exclaimed.

“I haven’t got a tree, yet,” I replied. “I usually hunt around the forest for just the right one.”

“I’ll help you get one. You can show me how.”

“I usually don’t go until closer to the end of the month.”

He finished my thought. “When I won’t be here.”

I nodded slowly.

Velvet prodded her head under his hand. He petted her absently and her ears went back in a delighted smile. She was going to hate seeing him go, too.

I wanted to tell him I wanted him to stay, that I found him a great companion. And that I wanted more. I wanted to care for him. I wanted to touch him. I wanted to love him.

He’d asked me if falling in love could happen quickly. I replied that I didn’t know because I’d never been in love. But that was all changing for me right now. If I could go back in time and change my answer, it would be: “Yes! It can. Because it is happening to me right now.”

I wouldn’t say it aloud, though. I wouldn’t allow myself to coerce him like that. Or make him feel guilty if he didn’t feel the same. Yet, I wondered. Did he have feelings? He’d given me some very strong looks. He’d told me he did the housework because he wanted to and not for any reason to get ahead with the spell or to please his father. He wanted to help me, not just please me.

“May—maybe I could come visit.” Sugar said quietly.

“Any time. I would love it.”

His smile was painful. It stabbed straight through my soul.

I tried to lighten the mood. “Anyway, you’re not leaving yet. Probably not until the day after tomorrow at the very soonest.”

“Yeah.” His feet shuffled.

He didn’t want to go. That much I could read off him. Such a lovely elf. In this moment, I couldn’t imagine him being so naughty, so bad that someone would ever want to send him away.

We played more games by candlelight. The ease of our companionship didn’t bypass notice.

When it came time for bed, Sugar started to grab his folded sheet from beside the couch.

“You don’t have to do that,” I said.

He looked up.

“You can sleep in my bed. It’s fine. And much warmer. We still don’t have power, remember? And if you sleep out here you’ll be up and down tending that fire, or it will go out again and you’ll wake up freezing.”

He looked skeptically at the sheet in his hand. “You sure you don’t mind?”

“Of course not. There’s room. And I liked knowing you were there.”

“You did?”

Maybe I’d gone a bit too far. It was more than that. I liked having him close, knowing he was safe. I liked the touch of him, the warmth. He fit in perfectly with my household and in my bed.

“Well, I’m the one who rescued you. I want to make sure I see you all the way through this.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I know. It’s my pleasure.”

“I never slept better,” Sugar admitted.

“Good. Then it’s settled.”

In the bedroom, Sugar sat on the side of the bed to take off his socks and pants. His shorts underneath were cherry red, and very cute the way they fit his body. I couldn’t help but peek.

I went into the bathroom to change into my usual tank and drawstring pants. I didn’t need anything warmer than that. The blankets were sufficient.

When I returned, Sugar was already under the covers, propped on a pillow, his blond hair in disarray. He looked too cute for words.

“I took a look out the bathroom window.” It was the only one I hadn’t shuttered. “It’s still snowing.”

“Good. Then we can hibernate. I like the sound of it.”

“Me, too.” On impulse, I reached out and ruffled his hair.

He made some funny sounds that were almost giggles. I liked it.

“Also, if your feet freeze, feel free to shove them on my side.”

Just then, Velvet jumped up. She had her own bed, and was usually very independent, but in late fall and winter she liked to sleep up on the bed away from the cold floor. She was very welcome.

Sugar reached out to pet her, then settled on his side facing me. There was one candle I’d brought with me into the bedroom, still burning. It flickered in his steady gaze.

“Have a good sleep, Sugar.” My voice sounded rough to my own ears.

“You, too. Grant. And thank you. Thank you so much for everything.”

“You’ve thanked me a dozen times. No need anymore, my friend.”

I turned and blew out the candle.