Chapter 17

[Pear]

On day ten, Brock makes his own To-Do list, which includes splitting ten stumps he found that needed chopping to replenish our firewood stack.

He starts out in his winter jacket but quickly shifts to that heavy camel-colored sweater he wore earlier. Then he’s down to only a flannel which hugs his form. Biceps bulging. Back muscles straining.

There is something ridiculously sexy about a man chopping wood.

The ax. The power. The split.

It so primeval and my body is on fire as I sip hot chocolate and watch him through the window.

This is better than reality television. It’s reality.

And when the day ends, we’re making our own heat again.