.. Rayne, how ni ... ni ... nice to see you," stuttered Vanessa nervously still in wide eyed shock as she collapsed into the nearest chair by her. She...was convinced that she was now seeing her final moments."Really? And here I thought I was going to surprise you. I mean the last time I saw you, you were gloating about selling me to the slavers. Now tell me again why that was?" asked Rayne airily, while nonchalantly waving one of her hands. "Something about you finally getting even with me or. Aaron soon had the fire going and, since the stove hadn't cooled completely, the wood stove insert began to give off its warmth.Ethyl busied herself with the coffee and Roger could hear her bustling about the kitchen. Aaron made small talk for a while with his rear backed up close to the wood stove to chase the chill from his bones."Aaron, how about showing me the furnace. I'm a bit handy. Maybe I can think of some way to get it going so that you can at least use it for a while."Aaron laughed. ‘Yes it is and yes you are.’ Was all she responded. I turned to face her and realized she was crying. ‘Hey what’s wrong?’ ‘It’s Sunday and we have to go home soon.’ ‘It’s OK, there will be other times soon, I promise you!’ I took her hands and guided us back to bed. I propped up some pillows and she settled in under my shoulder, her head on my chest and her arms around me. She was holding on tight and I could tell she was sobbing quietly. She looked up at me. ‘John, did you mean what you said. “Let’s get moving, Hon. I’ll wash your back for you in the shower.”Loren took my hand and I helped her up. “Oh, my legs are shaky! You fucked me bowlegged, Stud!”I laughed. “It’s only because I had you to inspire me, Beautiful!”“Flatterer!” She winked.“Just the facts, Ma’am.” I deadpanned.“Look at the puddle on the bed! You’re going to have laundry to do, Mister!”“I’d better pull the stuff off the bed now. I can toss it in the wash later.” I started taking the bedclothes off.“Let me help.”.