Dark Fall

Chapter 28 - Association

Refreshed after a long, pleasant sleep and wearing one of Will's t-shirts as a nightgown, Terra ambled outside. She leaned against the porch railing, letting her long dark hair flutter in the cool breeze. Will weeded the garden with a hoe, apparently long overdue, as judged by the large pile of weeds. His sweat-dampened t-shirt clung to his muscular chest even in the morning cool. Afraid of being caught in a longing stare, she shook her head and returned inside to fix breakfast, first rummaging through the chiller and pantry.

Hmm, what can I cook? Eggs Terra it is.

Will appeared as the eggs sizzled, putting on a grin. "It seems your string of sunrises was broken at two."

"Normal brain function has returned."

He poured tea as she scooped the scrambled eggs on slices of bread and topped them with cheese. Spreading his arms over the plates, he exclaimed, "A culinary masterpiece!"

Terra turned her eyes up to him. "Will, we promised each other to tell the truth."

"Okay, not gourmet, but I like it."

As they ate, Will looked up at Terra and asked, "You seem to be healing well. How are you feeling?"

"Good," she said after finishing a bite. "Not quite ready for ditch digging, though. You have taken such good care of me. There must be something I could do to help around here?"

"Well, there is this ditch that needs to be cleaned out..."

A piece of bread bounced off his forehead. She giggled as he threw it back at her.

"So you are feeling better. All right, I'll help you clean up and then go shoot some edible critters. The supplies we looted from Ginny are a bit short on meat."

With a grin, Terra replied, "Ah, my great provider."

After two hours, Will returned, holding up the results of his hunt.

"Squirrel?" Terra wrinkled her forehead.

"I used to hunt squirrel with my dad. They are actually tasty. So, how would you like some squirrel chili?"

"Well," she said with a smirk. "I can honestly say that this will be the best squirrel chili I ever tasted."

After cleaning the game, Will put the meat in a pot to slow cook, then gathered the other required ingredients, some from the pantry and some from the garden. He took a bite from one of the small peppers brought from Ginny's supply. As he chewed, his eyes grew wide and his cheeks reddened. He spat it out and ran gasping to the sink for a cup of cold water.

Terra grinned and took a bite herself.

"Terra, those are really hot!" Will warned.

After chewing, she pouted her lips as the spicy heat spread in her mouth. "Ooh, this is good."

Will froze, gawking in amazement. "You're a maniac, Terra Lorr."

That evening, they devoured squirrel chili, quite tasty, to Terra's surprise. She added the extra hot peppers to her bowl as Will shook his head in disbelief.

Later, they huddled around the fire pit, laughed at jokes and tall tales, and gazed at the stars. As the fire dwindled to coals and the night chill moved in, Terra moved closer on the log bench, leaning her head against Will's shoulder. As if in response to her unspoken wish, he wrapped an arm around her, drawing her even closer. Terra nearly purred as a tingling warmth swept through her.

This is true bliss.

As the last ember faded, Will and Terra returned to the house. A half-moon created a shimmering light streak across the pond below and faint illumination on the porch. Stopping at the door, Terra gazed up into Will's eyes, holding them in visual embrace.