The snow was falling gently in the mountains and the windows were covered in a thin layer of ice. The fire roared in its place, warming the small cabin, as a young woman stares out into the darkness.
Elizabeth was 20 and visiting her home in the North Carolina mountains. She loved it there when the winds turned cold and her cheeks remained flushed. She smiles at all the memories of sledding and skiing she had. But tonight was going to be different...
Over the past few months, her desperation and lonliness for complanionship had driven her to post a personal on an internet dating site. To her pleasure, she found much interest. Yet, one man caught her eye. His user name was "theoneandonly" and he was an older gentleman who held many promises for her. He was 45 and had just gone through a divorce, his picturing smiling at her everytime she opened her webpage. Since he was in the Eastern part if Tennesee, they agreed to meet when she moved to her winter home.
And here was the day. She felt like a school girl, anticipating her boyfriend to come running down the path. She had prepared as he told her he liked. Her blonde hair was down and curled, her lips painted the slightest shade of pink and her grey eyes had the faintest lines of make up. Her cheeks were rosy from the fire and her clothes were simple, knowing her words would be jewelry enough for this man. Suddenly, she heard a car door slam.
Out from the whirling snow approached a figure. He had a coat clutched tight around himself and a scarf up to his nose. His figure was slightly unsettling. What was under his coat?
As he knocked on the door, she knew it was now or never. She cautiously opened the large oak door and saw the smiling face she had come to expect.
"Hello," Darwin chuckled. His face was icy cold from the frost and his hair had been dishelved by the wind. He smiled at his young companion, his breath taken away by her beauty. She did listen, as his sprakling green eyes scanned her curvy body. Just the way he liked it, cushion for the pushin'! Wait a minute, he was here for wine and dinner...or was he?
Elizabeth smiled, "I am so glad you could make it. It gets so lonely here in the mountains. I guess I have grown slightly accustomed to it, however!" She motioned to the table, littered in wine and roasted chicken, snow peas and garnish. There was warm bread and chocolate mousse in the fridge. She was prepared.
Darwin took one look at the table and didn't care. He must have her. "Let's skip dinner. Save it for later...perhaps tomorrow. Let's pour the wine now though, for the bouquet is only as good as the moment it is opened. Then all is lost."
Elizabeth nodded and smiled. She grabbed the bottle and glasses and went into the living area, in front of the fire. Their conversation added to the warmth of the room, both of their faces being warmed with blushes and smiles. He then asked if she would do something for him.
"What can I do for you?" she asked.
"You know that country story on the corner of the mountain?"
She knew it well. But it was about an hour round trip away. "Do you need something?"
"If you can, go and get some flowers for our centerpiece."