Kimber Chin

She slipped off a monster glove, holding it under her arm. “I wish it wasn’t so wintery.”

“I was thinking the same thing until a couple minutes ago.” His skin was warm and rough on hers. “Oh, I see you have human hands after all.” He held up her hand to better examine it. “No giant lobster claw.”

He was crazy, this stranger, but he made her smile. “Not on that hand.” She held the other behind her back.

His eyes crinkled at the corners. “And what about the feet?”

“Overly warm.” She sighed. “I guess we should call the tow truck.”

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The tow truck arrived three short hours later. Short because she didn’t want to leave. She was having too much fun listening to Ben’s stories of his childhood, back on a farm. How he’d have to run in the middle of winter to the outhouse. And how when it was too cold, they’d bring some of the livestock into the house with them.

She told him about some of her whacky sales calls. The time a CEO of a major company changed his clothes in front of her. He shared tidbits about his side projects. He was always working, he confessed, but that didn’t bother Asta. She was the independent type

Except, now as they stood at the glass doors, watching the car get levered up, she didn’t feel that independent. “I should go out now.” If only she could stay. “You have more hours to put in?”

He grinned. “I could. Or not. I come and go as I please.”

What type of security was that? Asta decided to let that go. “You know.” She shuffled her huge boots. “I wouldn’t mind it if… well… you know…”

Read Part 4 January 28th

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“We’re closed.” A giant of a man declared.

Tell her something she didn’t know. “I’m stuck.” She blinked up at him. A good natured giant. He was smiling at her. And he looked warm.

“To the ground?” He studied her feet. “My little Nanook of the north?”

“My car,” she gritted out, the wind blowing at her back. Sure, laugh as she froze to death. “Can I come in?”

“Of course.” He stepped aside, holding the door open.

She stomped in, glaring at him. He was good looking, dressed casually in a denim shirt and jeans, and she was well aware she looked ridiculous.

Not that he was looking. At her. “That your car? The one stuck in the snow bank?”

The security guard position obviously didn’t need higher learning. “Yes.”

“Not the right car for a day like today.”

Asta gave him her most intimidating scowl. “It is the only one I have.”

“Then you shouldn’t be driving.” He picked a chunk of snow off her hair, squeezing it into water in his fist.

“I thought I had an appointment.”

“So important that you risked your life?”

That did sound idiotic. “The customer always comes first.”

“Ahhh…” He nodded, eyes crinkling at the corners. “A saleswoman, Missus…?”

“Miss.” Should she tell him? She crinkled up her nose. No. Not her last name. Her first name couldn’t hurt. “And you can call me Asta.”

“Asta, that’s much better than Nanook. Asta, I’m Ben.” He stuck out his bare hand. “Nice to meet you on this wintery Thursday morning.”

Read Part 3 January 21st

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