Wam kissed me gently after saying he loved me. Thing is, I didn't want gentle and quickly took over the kiss, my tongue dueling with his. Oh how I'd missed this. It had only been since Sunday that I saw Wam last, but something about thinking I'd never see him again made this kiss more carnal, more passionate.
Wam lifted me with his hands on my rear and spun me in a circle. I held on for dear life. When he set my feet back on the floor, I kissed his chin, his sharp jaw, and then down his neck with open mouthed kisses and licks. "Wam, you taste so good," I moaned.
I heard someone clear their throat, and I jumped away from Wam as though he was a live wire shocking me. "Sorry to interrupt Kynlee, but is supper finished? Marve said he has been smelling your lasagna all afternoon and can't wait anymore," she laughs with a wink.
My cheeks feel warm, which means they are likely flushed from embarrassment. "I ummm…I just need to take the lasagna out and put in the garlic bread. Should be ready in ten minutes," I reply as I move toward the kitchen.
I hear footsteps behind me before Wam asks, "is there something I can help with beautiful?"
"Yeah, actually…" I paused to pull the lasagna out and set it on the stove top before sliding the garlic bread pan on the oven rack. "You, could go have a seat and stop distracting me with all your sexiness. I spent a long time making supper and don't want to mess it up now because I'm distracted."
"You think I'm sexy?" Wam asks in a growl, no louder than a whisper.
"That's what you took away from what I said?" I shut the oven door, shook my head with a laugh, and turned to place a kiss on his cheek. "You are incorrigible Wambleeska Teton!" I exclaimed.
Wam returned my smile but moved toward the table and chairs without me having to ask again. He also took it upon himself to wash his hands in the half bathroom and set the table from the pile I'd set out. If I met his mother, I'd have to thank her for raising a respectful, helpful man. I probably wouldn't mention how sexy his cheek bones, dark brown eyes, and thick, near black hair were. A woman had to keep some secrets.
Once the table was set, Wam asked, "what else can I do to help you Lee?"
As I cut the rectangular glass baking dish into squares, I nodded my head in the direction of the refrigerator and asked, "can you please grab the fruit salad out and set it on the counter next to this pan?"
"Of course," he answered. Just as Wam set the big bowl of fruit salad on the counter, Jane and Marve entered the dining room and took their spots with Marvin on the end and Jane in the seat to his right. Wam questions, "Lee, do you want napkins or bowls out?"
"Good idea, bowls would probably be better with fruit salad." I pointed toward the cupboard with serving bowls and watched Wam place them next to the big bowl already on the counter. I grabbed a serving spoon and slid it into the fruit salad bowl, then handed a bunch of napkins to Wam to take to the table. Last but not least, I grabbed the garlic toast, cut the two half loaves into pieces, and offered, "Jane and Marve, come and get it."
Marvin rubbed his palms together like he was really looking forward to eating the lasagna he smelled all afternoon. I couldn't help but smile at his antics. I waited off to the side with Wam while the married couple dished up their food. I wanted true love like they have. My parents were the same way, they'd have done almost anything for each other.
It suddenly dawned on me that I was thinking about my parents and I felt more like smiling than crying. That thought alone put a big smile on my face. Jane and Marve turned to walk to the table and Jane quipped, "that smile looks good on you Kynlee. What are you thinking about?"
I walked into the kitchen and motioned for Wam to dish up next, but he said, "ladies first," and waited for me to go.
Dishing up, I raised my voice so that Jane could hear me at the table. "I was thinking about the fact that you and Marve, and my parents, have the kind of love I hope to have….If I ever get married." I head to the table and take my seat across from Jane. "What actually made me smile, was that I realized I was thinking about my parents and felt like smiling instead of crying. I'll always miss them, but it's nice to have memories that don't make me sad. Does that make sense?" I ask as I meet Jane's eyes.
"It makes perfect sense," she replies with a smile.
We all joined hands and prayed before we started to eat. Marve hasn't had much of an appetite the last two days, but put in a good effort when I'd make food and sit down to eat with him. Now however, he took a large bite of lasagna and started making sounds like he just couldn't control himself. "Mmmmm, oh Kynlee…" he took another bite and I watched with a smile. "Oh Kynlee honey, you've out done yourself. You can make lasagna for me any day. No offense Jane, but this is the best meal I've tasted in weeks," Marvin declared. Jane laughed.
"She is a heck of a cook isn't she?" Wam asked Marve and then winks at me.
"Thank you guys. I'm only really good at making a few dishes, but lasagna is one of them."
Wam took a drink of his water and bragged about the fry bread tacos I'd made for him. I wasn't accustomed to this much positive attention. After Mom and Dad's passing, it felt like the only time anyone talked to Kedron or me was if they needed something or wanted to complain. Judging by my discomfort at Marve and Wam's compliments, I'd say the last year and a half obviously took a toll on me. Likely more than I'd realized.
Just as we were finishing our meal, Wam's cell phone rang. He grabbed it and said, "I'm sorry. Excuse me please." Wam walked out into the living room and I heard him say, "hello…yes, this is Dr. Wambleeska Teton…oh my gosh…my cat is in the cabin…oh thank goodness. Yes, I'll be right there. Thank you officer."
Obviously I only heard one side of the conversation, but I heard enough to know something was wrong. Wam walked back into the dining room and looked like he was in shock. I immediately got up and wrapped my arms around him, "Wam, are you okay?" I watched him as I waited for a response.
"That was the Olmstead County Sheriff's Department. There was a…a…fire at my cabin. Thank goodness they found Sammy and she is safe, but I need to go get her and find somewhere to stay tonight," he relayed the information in a monotone voice that proved he was not okay.
I looked at Jane and asked, "is it okay if I go with Wam?"
"By all means, if you feel like you need to go, go ahead." Jane then turned to Wam and offered, "you are welcome to stay in our other guest room Wam if you need a place to stay tonight."
Wam looked up with eyes big as silver dollars and responded, "thank you Jane, Marve. I have a cat though, and I doubt you'll want her here. I'm sure she is terrified. Poor kitty."
Marve spoke up this time, "having a cat around for a while wouldn't be so bad," he smiled sheepishly at Jane.
"A well kept secret is that Marvin loves cats. I've never been a fan, but we have always been too busy for pets. Of course if you and Kynlee are staying here, there should be plenty of us to loook after one little kitty cat," she smiled.
Marve reached his hand over and covered her hand with his before replying, "thank you my love." Marve lifted Jane's hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.
"If I'd have known I'd get kisses for a cat, we would have gotten one long ago," Jane laughs.
Wam smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "I'm sorry I have to go. Thank you, all of you for supper and your hospitality. It's almost 7pm already, so maybe I will take you up on staying tonight if you don't mind. Who knows how late it'll be when I'm done at the cabin and talking to the police. No doubt they'll want to see my camera footage, unless they've already found the cause of the fire," Wam sighed.
I placed my arm around his waist and put my hand out, "keys please?" Wam looked at me funny but didn't argue. I took the keys and told Jane and Marve, we will be back with the kitty later. Sorry I won't be here to put supper away," I admitted with regret.
"Enough already, just go," Jane ordered as she waved her hands like she was 'shooing us out of the house'. Wam and I jogged from the house, I started his SUV, and we were headed to his cabin.
"I'm so sorry Wam. Thank goodness you weren't home when it happened…I don't know what I'd do without you," I said quietly.
Wam placed his hand on my thigh as my hands were on the steering wheel at ten and two o'clock positions to drive. The drive seemed like it took forever, but once we saw the damage in the cabin, the drive also felt too short. The porch and entryway appeared charred, the bay windows to the side of the front door were busted, and the firemen were still checking to make sure the fire was out.
As I followed Wam to the fire truck to speak with the Chief and Sheriff, I heard a "roooowww, rooowww, rowww," that just wouldn't quit. I followed the pitiful meow to Sammy in her crate.
Obviously the firemen had found the crate inside and placed her in it and brought her out of the fire for her safety. "Oh Sammy," I gave a heartfelt greeting, "I'm so glad you're okay." I stuck my finger through the holes in the crate and scratched under her chin. Sammy began to rub against my hand and I could hear her purring. It appeared she was as happy to see me as I was her. Unsure how we bonded so quickly, I just accepted that we had and that Sammy was a very special cat.
Wam must have seen I was with Sammy and meandered over our way before opening the crate and pulling Sam in for a big hug. "Sammy, I was so scared when I heard about the fire." Wam turned toward the Fire Chief and said, "thank you so much for saving my cat. She means more to me than you'll ever know."
The Chief nods and smiles, "it's my pleasure Dr. Teton. I'm so sorry for your fire."