Double Mocha, Heavy On Your Phone Number Read online

  “Thank you again.”

  He took an afghan from one of the recliners and gave that to her next. “Take this. You have to still be freezing.” He glanced down at her bare feet. “I’ll need to fetch you some socks. That simply won’t do.” After returning, he handled them to her with a smile that warmed her more than the afghan. “You’re lucky I have grandkids that would leave their behinds if I didn’t remind them to take it with ’em.”

  “I really appreciate it. Thank you. You’re very sweet.”

  He waved away the flattery. “How far away did you say your car is?”

  “About half a mile.”

  “I could get ol’ Bessie out to free you, but I’d rather not in this. We best wait till Mother Nature is done doin’ her thing.”

  “Ol’ Bessie?”

  “My Massey-Ferguson tractor. She’s been a good ol’ gal. I know I can get you out, but ain’t gonna do you much good, anyway. I think you’d best plan on hunkerin’ down here tonight.”

  “You think that’s necessary?”

  “I most certainly do. It’s getting nasty. They say eight to twelve more inches will be here before midnight. How far you heading anyway?”

  “On a normal day, twenty more minutes.”

  “It only gets worse west of here. I’d stay put.”

  “I’d hate to put you out.”

  “Nonsense. Way back when, this was called being neighborly. Besides, I don’t see as you have a choice. Why’d you do a darn fool thing like driving out in this anyway?”

  “I just didn’t want to get stuck in town. I thought I could get home.”

  “Didn’t they close Highway Twenty-three?”

  “Yes,” she replied, dropping her head.

  “For a good reason, huh?”

  “Yes.” She nodded, and then sneezed again.

  “I don’t like the sound of that.”

  “It’ll pass. Can’t get sick in just a few minutes of being in the cold.” She heard a small engine go by and it surprised her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a snowmobile zooming past a window.

  “Darned fool,” Mr. Newman said, shaking his head. “Told the boy not to go out in this mess.”

  She heard stomping out in the mudroom, and then the door open and close.

  “There’s a car stuck bout a half mile east, Gramps Some fool…” He stopped talking when he reached the living room and saw Ellie. “You?” His face showed both shock and a wide smile.

  “You two know each other?”

  “Sort of,” Ellie said as she returned her focus to the fire.

  He walked to the fireplace and sat on the rock ledge. “Didn’t they close Twenty-three?”

  “Yes, they did. I wanted to get home.”

  “Hell of a fine if you get caught.”

  “I’m aware of that. I just thought I could make it there in time. It didn’t seem that bad when I left work.”

  “Don’t go giving Noelle here a hard time, Bix. You’ve gotten your ass stuck plenty.”

  “Noelle? Is that what you call your evil other self?”

  “It’s my name.” Again she retuned her attention to the fire.

  “I gotta check on supper. Hot chocolate, boy?”

  “Sure, Gramps. Thanks.”

  “Hope you like venison stew, Noelle.”

  “Sounds great, thank you.”

  Chapter Three

  Ellie smiled at Barry as he walked away, and then gave Bix a hard stare. “I had no idea you lived here. I’m sorry for the intrusion.”

  “No worries. Kinda nice having you on my turf. You gave me the brush off good. Twice, I might add.”

  She said nothing as she sipped her hot chocolate.

  “I see. Ellie is short for Noelle?”

  She gave him a noncommittal shrug.

  “Where did you learn so much about bikes?”

  “I have older brothers.” Ellie picked at the rug, not wanting to meet his eyes. “I was kind of a tomboy growing up. Back then I’d rather hang out with them then play dolls and dress up with friends.”

  When she looked up at him, he stared hard into her eyes.

  “Why did you lie to me at the coffee shop? I knew it was you.”

  Wanting to avoid the question, she merely answered with, “What kind of name is Bix, anyway?”

  “Just a name.” She sneezed again. He picked up the tissue box and offered it to her even though it was within her reach.

  “Thanks. Is it short for something? A nickname?”

  “Nope. Just Bix. You didn’t answer my question.”

  “I didn’t want to be picked up. Same as when I was riding. That’s my time. How do you not know how to jump a bike?”

  “It’s not mine. It was here so I hopped on and went.”

  “Not a machine kind of guy? You seem to like them seeing as how you were out on the snowmobile and all.”

  “It’s all new to me. I didn’t grow up here. I’m from Edina. I’m a freeway and car kind of guy. Not bikes and tractors, except the Bobcat is pretty fun.”

  “Oh, I see. Rich city kid. Every day I need attention.”

  “Sorry?”

  “E.D.I.N.A. We made it an acronym for ‘every day I need attention.’”

  He thought about it for a second then grinned. “It’s not so bad in the city. I’m trying to get used to the smell of cow shit here, though.”

  “Good luck with that. Beats pig shit, anyway. You’re lucky that farm closed up a while back.”

  “There is that, I suppose. So, you didn’t want to get picked up on the bike…how about the brush off at the coffee shop?”

  “You know how many times I get asked out at work?”

  “Sorry. I guess that was a little forward.”

  “A little?”

  “Okay. A lot. I really can’t say sorry. My hormones take over when I see a gorgeous woman.”

  She let out a, “Pffft. Lack of caffeine must cause lack of blood flow to men’s brains.”

  “Nope.” He reached out and touched her cheek with the back of his hand. “I don’t think you want to discuss blood flow right now.” She turned her head away, but not just from his touch; she sneezed again.

  “Bless you,” Mr. Newman said, entering the room. “You allergic to cats?”

  “No. You have a cat?”

  “She’s around here somewhere. Sleeps most of the time. Miss Kitty is fourteen years old.” He gave Bix his cup then walked over to Ellie and bent down. “I’m not getting fresh, young lady.” He put his hand to her cheek, then her forehead. “You feel warm.”

  “I have been by the fire for a while.”

  “You feel all right?”

  “Just fine.”

  “I’ll get the thermometer anyway.” He stood up and walked down the hall.

  “Just let him. He goes crazy if he doesn’t have someone to worry about.”

  “Maybe I should move from the fire.” She got up and went to one of the recliners and sat down.

  “You know. Way back when, people began saying ‘God bless you’ when a person sneezed because they believed that you were between Heaven and Hell. If they said ‘Bless you,’ you were saved from damnation.”

  “Is that where I am? Between Heaven and Hell?”

  “Pure Heaven from where I’m sitting.”

  She scoffed, closed her eyes, and then leaned back in the chair. She fell asleep in seconds.

  “What did you do to her, Bix?” his grandfather asked when he came back with the thermometer.

  “Shhh. She just fell asleep. That walk had to have worn her out.” Bix picked up the afghan she abandoned by the fire and covered her. “Let her sleep. You can get some dinner in her when she wakes up.”

  The two men ate, and then Bix sat in the living room on the couch. He tried to pass the time reading a book, but his eyes kept wandering to her sleeping face.

  Ellie woke with a start and took a second to orientate herself; a few glances around the room and she remembered where she was. She felt a s
light vibration before she felt the weight. Looking down, she saw the cat.

  “Hello, Miss Kitty. Make yourself comfortable.” She petted the long-haired white cat. Ellie looked up at Bix as he put his book down and walked over.

  “Hey, you’re up. How are you feeling?”

  “Fine. Sorry; I guess I was more tired than I thought.”

  “That walk in this mess probably wore you out. It’s gotten worse out. There’s been another good three inches since you’ve been asleep.”

  “Shit.” She felt bad for swearing and covered her mouth.

  “It’s all right.” Bix laughed. “Gramps turned in already. He had me on guard duty. Made me promise to report to him right away if you had a fever at all.” He put his hand on her forehead. “You still seem a little warm.”

  “I told you I’m fine. I’m sure it’s just the fire. It feels good; I really was chilled to the bone.”

  “You hungry?”

  “Starved.”

  “Come on.” He offered her his hand. “I kept the stew on simmer for you. It’s still good and warm.”

  She put the cat down and accepted his hand for assistance in getting out of the chair, but dropped it as soon as she was on her feet.

  “This way, milady,” he said with a bow and a sweeping of his arm, pointing her in the direction of the kitchen.

  Chapter Four

  Her sneezing seemed to have stopped. At least she made it through the meal without any more incidents. After she ate, she took her bowl to the sink and attempted to wash it before Bix stopped her.

  “Just leave it. Gramps will have my hide if I let you clean up.”

  “The least I can do is my own dishes.”

  He turned the water off and took the sponge from her hand. “Please, just leave it.”

  She spotted the dishwasher. “Can I at least put it in there?”

  “I got it.” He took the bowl and spoon from her and put them in the dishwasher. “Care for a beer or anything?”

  “I don’t really drink beer during the winter. It’s a summer thing for me.”

  He opened a cabinet above what looked like a pantry. “Captain Morgan?”

  “You have Diet Coke?”

  He opened up the refrigerator. “Yup.”

  “That sounds great then.”

  “All right.” He mixed their drinks and gave her one. “Care for a movie to pass the time?”

  “What do you have?”

  “Follow me.” He led her past the sitting room with the fireplace to a door at the end of the hall. He opened it and hit a light switch. Steep stairs led down to the basement.

  “Careful. The steps are a little narrow and it’s steeper than normal,” he warned her.

  She held on to the handrail and made her way down. The modern look of it surprised her compared to the rest of what she had seen of the house. Against the far wall there was a big screen TV and two shelving units filled with DVDs. There was a brown leather sectional couch facing it. She could see a door to the left. She assumed it was a bedroom. Next to it, there was a bathroom door open. A bookcase at the bottom of the stairs was filled with thick textbooks, but she didn’t want to be nosy and read the titles.

  “Nice. Is this your part of the house?”

  “Yup. Took a little work to spruce it up.”

  “Must have been fun getting your stuff down here.”

  He pointed to a storm door in the far corner. “There’s another set that goes out to the back yard. It’s much wider than these. I had movers take care of it anyway.”

  “Movers? You are a spoiled city boy aren’t you?”

  “Well, it’s not like Gramps’s friends are in sofa- and TV-carrying shape.”

  “I suppose not.” They settled on the couch. “What did you move here for? You can’t say you found a better job here than in the twin cities.”

  “You’re right. I can’t. I was laid off.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No big deal. I have quite a bit banked and received a great severance package. I can take my time job hunting. I was ready for a change of pace anyway.”

  “But to get settled in the middle of nowhere and try to find work. Gonna be tough here.”

  “I’m toying with going out on my own. Like I said, I’m okay for money right now and Mom kinda liked the idea of me looking after Gramps.”

  “You going to farm for him?”

  “He doesn’t farm anymore. All the land is rented out. He keeps a couple acres to justify keeping his tractor, but he’s been retired for a few years.”

  “How long has he been a widower?”

  “Twelve years.”

  “That’s so sad. He seems like such a nice man.”

  “He’s the best. I thought we were going to lose him when Grandma died.”

  “Women do seem to do better after their men die than men do after losing their women.”

  “Is that a fact?” He crossed his arms, taking offense at her comment.

  “Sorry, it’s been my observation anyway. I’m not starting a fight, it just seems that way.”

  He let the subject die there and took a sip of his drink. “What kind of movie do you feel like?”

  She stood up and wandered over to his collection. When she showed him her action selection, he seemed surprised.

  “I thought you’d go for a chick flick.”

  “I like this kind of stuff. Besides, your selection is lacking in that department.” He had a serious look on his face. “What?”

  “You’re not gay are you?”

  She laughed. “Why? Because I ride a motorcycle and like action films or because I wouldn’t give you my phone number?”

  “Yes, to all of that.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Just wondering.” He looked embarrassed for even saying it.

  “You do hold yourself in high regard, don’t you? What’s the matter? Don’t get turned down often?”

  “Often enough,” he admitted.

  She turned around and put the DVD in the player without answering his question then returned to her seat. He hit the appropriate buttons and started the movie Jumper. There was a crocheted afghan on the back of the couch and she covered herself with it, still feeling a little chilled.

  “Sorry, I keep it cooler down here. Want me to turn the heat up?”

  “That’s all right. This is fine.” After a few minutes she turned to him. “So, lemme guess. Computers.” She had noticed the fancy setup in the corner, but hadn’t addressed it when she first came downstairs. He had a desktop, two laptops, three different printing stations and five layers of equipment she wasn’t even going to try and identify.

  “Yup. Had my nose in ’em since I was five. Built my first one when I was eight.”

  “What exactly do you do?”

  “Everything. Web design, hosting…you name it. I can repair anything, too, but it’s not really my thing.”

  “You going to try to do that from here?”

  “Toying with the idea. I don’t need a real office to do those kinds of things. I can conduct the whole business from right here and over the Internet.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “Hmmm, what?”

  “Doesn’t sound like you get your fingernails dirty much.” She picked up his hand and turned it over and gently rubbed at his palm. “Yup. Pretty boy hands.”

  “You’re all talk for someone who slings coffee for a living.”

  “I’ve paid my dues in the fields.”

  “You drive a tractor like you do a bike?”

  “I can run anything on the farm, sure. When push came to shove I got down and dirty like everyone else.”

  “You didn’t mind?”

  “Not like I had a choice, but no. It’s all I knew.”

  “Past tense? You don’t do it still?”

  “No. I like this part. Can we watch for a while?”

  “Sure.”

  Ellie tried to keep her focus on the movie, but could feel him watching her. Turning
to face him, she said. “No, I’m not. Okay?” Before he could respond to her and ask which question she was finally answering, everything suddenly went black.

  “Shit. We lost power.”

  “You have candles or flashlights?”

  “Plenty. Stay put, I’ll be right back.” He found her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

  She heard him walk into a night table and curse. “You all right?”

  “Fine.” He grunted. “Just knocked my shin. I’m still getting used to this layout myself.” She heard him rustle around in a drawer then saw the beam of a flashlight. He held it under his chin. “Muuuaaaahhhh.”

  “Nutcase.”

  Bix walked over to a wall cabinet and came back with a couple of candles and a pack of matches. He held the flashlight while she lit the first candle. Ellie noticed the coffee beans half way up the candle and smiled at him.

  “We sell these where I work.”

  “I know. That’s where I bought it.”

  “So you did go back looking for me.”

  “Just once. I was busy getting things moved in and didn’t have a lot of time to go stalking you.”

  “Stalking me?” She laughed as she said it. He seemed very nice, as well as harmless, thus far. When she leaned back after placing the candle on the coffee table, she jumped at how close his face was to hers.

  “Stalking you.” He leaned forward and gave her a gentle kiss. She was too shocked to know how to react.

  “Sorry. I couldn’t take it any longer.” He stood up once again and held the flashlight so she could light the next one.

  After lighting it for him, she took off the afghan, stood up and walked over so she was standing in front of him.

  “Don’t do that again.”

  “Scout’s honor.” Bix held his hand up. “I’m really sorry if I crossed the line. Go ahead and slap me.”

  She did; it was just hard enough to let him know she meant business. She wouldn’t have done it on her own, but was almost defiant in accepting his challenge.