Chapter 12

“Oh, sweetheart,” cooed Ian, scooting across the wood until he was right beside Stephan. Quickly he covered them both with the blanket, throwing an arm around Stephan’s shoulders and pulling him close. He planted a kiss on Stephan’s cheek. “Babe, you’re cold. How long have you been out here?”

Stephan shrugged.

“Okay, whyare you out here?”

The single room made of wood wasn’t much to look at it but over the years they’d spent many nights hanging out in the branches of the tree. They would carry up bundles of goodies and spend the night sleeping outside, drifting off to the sounds of crickets and owls. Those were some of Ian’s favorite nights, just the two of them cuddled together enjoying one of the simple pleasures of life. The romantic quality vanished when the temperature hovered somewhere in the teens. Ian was losing the feeling in his nose and his toes were cold.

“I couldn’t sleep,” Stephan said, his voice oddly hollow.