Nell giggled. "I don't think you need to worry," she said. "You're much nicer to snuggle with at night." As if that was the only reason, when really there were more than she could ever put into words.

She disentangled herself from the vines and brushed her feet off before standing. "Come on, I'll show you the house."

The cats scattered to the edge of the porch as they approached. "These are the cats," she said, "not like the kittens. There mousers and mostly stay outdoors." She scooped up an armful of wood to bring in one she'd opened up the door. "There should be enough electricity stored to give us light for a while. I'll just get the stove going to warm up the place."

She'd told Brother Rankin that she'd be in tonight so she want entirely surprised to find a loaf of banana bread and a note on the table welcoming her. He and his boys had managed to keep her pipes from freezing all winter, so she was grateful for him.

"Make yourself comfortable while I get this started and then I can heat up some water for us to have some Cup Noodle if you want."