upon it, all kids everywhere should hurtle downstairs as fast as they could.
I grinned as I stood up, hugging Adara to me. I knew she wasn’t hurt, just a little shocked. As I stroked her hair, she settled.
“I think you’ll make an excellent lawyer, Egan.”
He shrugged but smiled. “Maybe. I haven’t decided what I want to do. I like the artifacts Dad brings in.”
“I just meant that you were very good at defensive arguments.”
He grinned up at me, full of eight-year-old hijinks. “I knew that already.”
All of us had a laugh, and Adara started smiling and laughing, so I put her down. She was a tall girl for four years old, almost ready for big school. It was easy to forget that sometimes she just wanted to be cuddled.
“Don’t we all.” I whispered to myself as I headed back to the porch. As I followed the kids outside, I noticed suddenly how dark the cabin was. Even if Aleksy hadn’t been here for long surely, he would have gotten the place warmed up.
As I got to the porch, I heard the kids protesting.
“Daddy, the Xbox isn’t working.” Adara crossed her little arms across her chest and frowned up at him.
“Yeah, my TV’s not turning on and I wanted to watch a movie.” Egan pouted, looking like a normal kid. Just like it was easy to forget that Adara was young enough to need cuddles, it was also easy to overlook that Egan wasn’t as mature as he wanted adults to believe.
“Yeah, Aleksy. It’s pretty dark in there. I was going to get the kettle on.” Even though my clothes were slowly drying, the sticky, itchy feeling was starting up between my jeans and skin. My damp hair was sliding down my neck, giving me chills. I was trying to be a good sport about it, but if I didn’t get a hot shower and dry clothes soon, I wouldn’t be responsible for my actions.
“Well.” Aleksy used a tone I’ve only heard in the office when a shipment is late, and the client has already paid. “I haven’t been able to get the power on.”
A couple of steps away from the cabin, I saw Zavier stop and turn his head slightly.
“What’s wrong with it?” I tried to be polite, but seeing the warm shower receding away from me put an edge on my voice.
“I don’t know.” His voice had a hard edge too. I knew he hated saying ‘I don’t know’.
I shivered violently in my damp clothes.
“Aleksy, I’m freezing. The kids must be cold too. We were on the road awhile. I got drenched while I was trying to move the car and—”
“Look, we can still build a fire,” he said quickly. “That I can do without electricity.”
“But my Xbox!” Wailed Adara.
“My DVDs!” cried Egan.
“Okay, okay.” Aleksy drew a hand over his face.
“Seems like we could use a port. We’re out in a storm, after all.”
I let my voice carry deliberately and when Zavier turned around, I was relieved. Yes, a fire would be great, but I didn’t fancy being huddled around it trying to boil water.
“Come and stay with me.” His tone was casual, his body language relaxed. There was nothing in him but compassion, a desire to help. Still, I heard Aleksy take in a sharp breath, ready to argue.
“Thank you.” I spoke loudly over any protest that Aleksy might voice. “That’s a very kind offer and we’ll take it.”
Even though Aleksy shot me a look I turned my back on it and went to get my bags from the foot of the stairs. The kids ran upstairs to get their games and movies and Zavier confirmed for them, yes, he had an Xbox and a DVD player.
As I reached for my bags, Zavier came out of nowhere, picking up my duffel bag and suitcase.
“You shouldn’t have to carry your bags, Whitney.” His smile was toothy and wide, very big bad wolf in the woods. I could feel myself blushing as my cheeks got rosy.
“It's okay, really I—”
“No. I insist. You’ve had a hard-enough day.”
The kids came flying out the door and chased Zavier down the stairs. Aleksy paused a moment more, then shut the cabin door. I started walking after Zavier as Aleksy picked up the kid’s bags.
Egan and Adara ran after Zavier, asking him lots of questions he tried to answer and ended up just laughing at. Like most kid questions, they were intended to distract rather than a need for knowledge.
I could hear Aleksy breathing up