ABBY nodded again to Barb.

“Five days?” Barb exclaimed.

Barb had just learned about the expected delays to clear local roads after the severe snowstorm.

“Yep,” Abby answered again as Barb repeated the question.

“But…won’t those people who do the plowing come out sooner? I mean, we couldn’t be the only ones stuck in this mess.”

“That’s the point, Barb,” Trina spoke up. “We’re not the only ones needing help. Just think of all of Highway eighty, and the roads to and from Truckee and Lake Tahoe. It’s a lot of ground to cover to get to us.”

“God, this really sucks.”

“Think about it this way, Barb,” Trina said. “We could have been out in the snow for that long. Puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?”

“Well, yeah, but this place is boring. Nothing works. It’ll be a long five days is all I’m saying.”

“Yes. And it would be the same if we were stuck anywhere else in this storm,” Trina answered with mild annoyance. “You think it would be any better in Truckee?”

“Ahh, whatever. I’m going to check out the game room,” Barb said, leaving the rest of the group sitting around the living room.

“I’ll be in the library.” Ruth followed, but stopped and turned back at the door. “Abby, do you want me to find you something to read?”

“Sure, thanks Ruth,” she answered.

“Any preferences?”

“Well, I’m not too sure what there is to choose from.”

“I’ll surprise you, then,” Ruth said with a wink and left.

Trina and John were cuddling on the sofa.

“We’re going back upstairs now,” Trina stood up and announced.

John followed her lead.

“See you later,” Abby answered.

“Not to worry, Rob,” Trina called from the door. “John and I will do food duty for dinner.”

“Good call.” Rob turned to Abby. “Well, it’s just you and me, kid. Want to help fold laundry?”

“Sure,” Abby said eagerly. “I’m already tired of being waited on. At least I’ll be useful for something. Bring it on.”

“Sweet,” Rob said, moving off from where he stood at the fireplace. “I’ve got to check the dryer. Be right back.”

Abby was glad for whatever time alone she could get. She was used to being around people, but admittedly, the solitude would allow her to think. She couldn’t think about Andrew without smiling or wondering. He’d been so kind and hospitable, considering her party of students was complete strangers. No one could blame him for keeping some distance. After all, one could never be too trusting these days.

She knew her dad and probably most people living outside Sparks would do the same thing that Andrew had done for them, and had, for many motorists over the years. They lived so close to Highway eighty, people would show up looking for directions, walk to their door with empty gas cans or empty coolant bottles, and the odd few would show up on foot when trucks broke down completely. And her dad had never turned anyone away.

Still, they had never had to host anyone overnight. Abby appreciated Andrew’s gesture of opening up his home to them, in particular as he seemed to live such a solitary existence. How could anyone live alone through the winter down at Lake Tahoe with no neighbors for miles in each direction? She quickly realized she had no right engaging in such post hoc inquiries when she had asked no questions last night. Not before, during or after their kiss.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Rob’s question startled her. She hadn’t noticed his return. He took a seat in the sofa beside her chair and placed the hamper on the side table so she could reach.

“Nothing major. Just thinking how lucky we are.”

“No doubt.”

“Did you get hold of your mom?” Abby was ready to change the subject. She pulled out the t-shirts and sweaters one by one, folding each neatly and putting them in one of two piles. There was no way to know which belonged to whom, so she also separated the girls’ pieces from the boys’, and set her own items to the side.

“Yes, I did for a minute or so,” he confirmed, pulling out the jeans and tights when he noticed her working on the tops. “I told her to let your dad know too, just in case we lost the signal again.”

“Oh that’s great. Thanks, Rob. What did she say the weather was like there?”

“Almost as bad as we have here. And Truckee got a massive dumping of snow, just like here. They had to close down a long stretch of Highway eighty too.”

“I guess we could have been hit going that route too. We should tell Ruth. She felt so badly bringing us this way.”

“She knows. She was there when I got through to Mom. She feels a lot better now.”

“Good,” Abby said with relief. “Should we get the towels from the bathrooms to wash? We should probably do our best not to give Andrew any extra work.”

“I’m way ahead of you,” Rob answered proudly. “There’s a load in the dryer. See? All those years as a summer sports camp counselor have come in handy.”

“I guess they have,” she giggled. For years during high school, the two had worked at Camp SportsQuest Reno-Tahoe.

“Except thankfully this time, there aren’t sweaty socks or grimy clothes to handle.” He laughed and stood up. “These are pretty much done. I’ll go check on the towels.”

As Rob was leaving, Ruth re-entered the living room with a small pile of magazines and books. Abby noticed him give Ruth a nod and a warm smile. Maybe he was finally coming around to her.

“So I raided his library but I’m afraid it’s packed to the rafters with mostly medical journals and business magazines.”

“That’s no problem,” Abby answered. “I’m a nurse, remember? I can handle it. So what did you end up bringing?”

“I found this small stack of sci-fi novels.” Ruth showed her. “It beats complete boredom, right?”

“Whatever you brought is fine. Thanks, Ruth.”

Thinking the timing may be ideal for Rob and Ruth to spend a little time getting to know each other, Abby made a suggestion.

“Hey, Ruth. I think I’ll head back to my room to relax while I read. There’s all this folded laundry here to distribute. Want to do the honors? And when Rob comes back with the towels, maybe you can help him?”

“Um, sure. If he doesn’t mind, I don’t either.”

“He won’t.”

“Who won’t?” Rob asked as he walked back in with a second hamper filled with towels.

“You won’t mind if Ruth takes over for me, will you?”

“Um, I guess not,” Rob said. “What are you up to?”

“I think I’ll need a little nap with this novel,” Abby answered, raising her copy of Asimov’s The Foundation Trilogy for Rob to see.

“I hear you.” He chuckled and set down the hamper. “How about I help you to your room first. Ruth, want to take this finished hamper upstairs and I’ll meet you back here in five?”

“Sure,” she answered warmly.

Rob helped Abby up. She placed her clothes over her left forearm, held the novel in the same hand, and rested her right arm on his shoulder to limp to her room. She settled into bed when Rob left, and just as she expected, The Kiss made its way back to her thoughts. She let out a sigh and opened the book to read. Within minutes, she found herself slowly drawn into the story. It was quite a surprise that she found a science fiction story this engaging. She had only ever read romance novels, if she wasn’t studying her nursing manuals and journals. Perhaps it was this story, and not necessarily all of science fiction. She instantly related to the character named Gaal, and how he felt out of place in Trantor. It reminded her of how she felt when she first moved to San Francisco; feeling small and insignificant in such a large city.

As interesting as the novel was, within less than an hour, Abby was drowsy, and soon after that, she slept.

* * *

“Hi there, sleepyhead,” Abby heard Ruth call out, leaning against her bedroom door frame.

Luckily, she hadn’t fallen into a deep sleep.

“Hey,” Abby answered, still in a mild haze from the nap. “What’s up?”

“We’re going out to check out Andrew’s hot tub in the guesthouse. Want to come with?”

“Hot tub? Probably not. Wait a minute. Isn’t it still snowing out? How did you guys swing that?”

“Well, yes, it’s still snowing, but we’re a bit bored. Rob was talking to Andrew and he offered. The place has a steam room, massive hot tub, and a sauna. You should come.”

“Sounds great, but with this ankle, I think I’ll have to pass,” she answered. “Not sure I can even make it down those porch steps. What time is it?”

“After six,” Ruth answered.

“Wow, I was sleeping that long, huh?”

“Yep. I tried to wake you but you were really deep in sleep. You missed dinner too, but we left you a plate. Trina and John made pasta. Want me to bring it in here?”

“No, I think I’ll come out to the living room.” Abby sat up and stretched out her arms while she yawned. “Better if I don’t hide out in here all day.”

Ruth helped her get to the living room.

“So what are you all wearing for your hot tub adventure?” Abby asked.

“Underwear, I guess.” Ruth’s eyebrows were raised high on her forehead.

“You stay warm out there!”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to sit with you?”

Abby sat in what was becoming her usual chair, closest to the fireplace.

“Positive,” she answered.

“And dinner?”

“I’m not too hungry yet. You go have a good time.”

Abby watched as Ruth threw on her winter coat and boots to head out to the front door. The snow was still falling, but the wind seemed to have died down. Only a hot tub can get people to charge through the driving snow for enjoyment, she thought. She smiled and turned back toward the warm fireplace. Soaking up some of its warmth, she opened her book to continue reading.

“Doing okay?”

She heard Andrew’s voice coming from the doorway. “Oh, hi Andrew.” She noticed her breath hitch when she looked at him. “I thought you were out there with my friends.”

“Nah,” he answered, still fixed at the door. “I’m not a group activity kind of guy.”

“I can relate,” Abby agreed.

“So how are you making out with Asimov?”

“Good so far,” she nodded, hoping he would stay awhile. “I’m on chapter three. I never thought I could get into science fiction, but it’s pretty intriguing. Do you read a lot of science fiction?”

“When I’m not poring over paperwork or journals, yes.”

“Okay, then, what does Seldon mean in this chapter when he talks about the psychohistory formula sample?”

“Oh that. It’s supposed to be a mathematical formula that can predict the future. Except it can only offer more accuracy in predictions on a macro level, where the sample size is large.”

“So it can tell the future of an entire city but not one resident?” She smiled when she noticed him take a seat in the chair opposite hers.

“Something like that,” he answered, smiling back. “But I can’t tell you more, unless you like spoilers.”

“Not normally,” she laughed. She noticed Andrew pause for a moment before speaking again.

“So how’s your ankle coming along?”

“Still a little stiff.” She reached down to her leg instinctively.

“Need a change of that ice pack?” He stood up to leave.

“Sure. Thanks.”

“Wait a minute. Have you eaten?” He looked back at her, and Abby did her best to keep her composure.

“Um…not since earlier,” she said softly. “I think they left me some dinner in the kitchen.”

“Okay, I’ll grab that too.”

“I have to admit,” she said with some hesitation. “I feel so helpless, having people do everything for me.”

“It’s no problem,” he answered from the doorway. “You know, every health care practitioner I’ve ever known has become that much more effective in caring for patients after an injury or illness. Wouldn’t you do the same for your friends outside?”

“Of course.” She looked up at him and got his point loud and clear.

“I’ll be right back.”

Abby couldn’t help appreciating his tight, muscular ass under his jeans as he left the room. You held on to those puppies last night, she heard from her naughty side.