“Pfffth,” she giggled. “I can take him. He’s putty in my hands.”
I pulled away and looked down at her. Her vivid blue eyes gazing up at me, cheeks pink from the cold, the bruises finally starting to fade. “We both are,” I smiled and kissed her warmly. The thermos hit the ground as she wound her hands into my hair, pulling my head back down to her lips. I went willingly and lost myself in her, savoring her taste. All too soon Bear distracted us, pushing the thermos around with his nose, thinking it was some sort of new game. After the third time of knocking into us and almost sending us both onto the floor, Rabbit broke away laughing. She bent down and grabbed the thermos. “Not yours, Bear,” she scolded sweetly. Then she dug into the pocket of my hoodie that she was wearing, and handed him a biscuit. “This is for you.” I watched smiling as he gently took the biscuit out of her small hand, set it down on the floor, and rubbed his head up against her in thanks before picking it back up and trotting away.
Rabbit opened the thermos and poured me a cup of the steaming liquid. I took it gratefully and drank it swiftly, holding it back for more. Rabbit’s eyebrow arched but she silently poured me another cup. This time I sipped it, offering to share. She took a sip and handed it back to me, and started wandering around the space. I watched her stop by the car and look at it, studying it, only to shake her head and move away. “You can’t force the memories,” I reminded her.
She shrugged. “I know. I’m not trying to. I just keep thinking something will bring my head back into focus.”
I watched her, feeling worried. She’d had some nasty headaches the past couple days and I was worried it was because she was trying to push the memory loss issue too hard. I hated seeing her in pain.
Her eyes moved around and, for the first time, she noticed the staircase. “What’s up there?”
Grateful for the distraction, I held out my hand. “I’ll show you.”
Feeling rather self-conscious, I took her upstairs and showed her my art studio. I sat on the bench, watching her take it in.
She was silent as she walked around, stopping to gaze at a canvas or one of the charcoal drawings that were tacked on the wall. “Joshua, these are marvellous!”
I shrugged. “It was part of my therapy with Maggie while I was in the hospital. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it, and when I built the barn, I added this space.”
“Do you sell your work?”
“I have sold some, yes. It’s more a hobby than anything.”
“Watercolors and charcoal; are those your favourite mediums?”
I nodded. “I tend to do more between the spring and fall. But sometimes I fire up the heaters and work in here in the winter. The views from up here are amazing.”
She came and stood in front of me. “They are beautiful, Joshua. Thank you for showing me.”
She shivered and I stood up from the bench. “Let’s go back to the house. I don’t want you cold." Hand in hand, we trudged slowly back, Bear running ahead only to stop and come barrelling back towards us playfully barking and circling around us. Rabbit laughed in delight at his antics and I grinned at her reaction. I loved seeing her relaxed and carefree no matter how briefly. Once in the house we made our way into the main room and I smelled the aroma of something sweet.
“What do I smell?”
“I … umm ... baked some pies. Apple. You have so many and I didn’t want them going bad so I thought I’d try.”
I walked over and examined the pies sitting on the counter cooling. I grinned widely. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had homemade pie. Or pie of any sort. “When can we eat them?”
Rabbit laughed. “Don’t get too excited, Joshua. I did them without a recipe, just from an idea in my head. And we both know that my head isn’t very reliable these days. They might not be very good.”
I shook my head. “Impossible. They smell fucking amazing and I want a piece. Now.” I looked at her pleadingly. “Please?”
She laughed and went to the cupboard to get me a plate, and then cut me a generous slice. She watched anxiously as I cut into it and chewed. “I used butter in the pastry since you didn’t have lard. Is it okay?”
I shook my head. “No, it isn’t actually.”
Her face fell. I leaned forward and kissed her. “It is beyond okay, Rabbit. It’s the best pie I’ve ever tasted. Thank you.”