The weather was cold... bitterly cold... the kind of weather that made you want to snuggle deep under heavy covers with a cup of hot chocolate, a crackling fire and a warm body to share it with.
A lone woman lugged her carry on bags through the all but deserted airport. Less than appropriately dressed for the drastic change in temperature, she pulled the collar of her thin jacket higher and tighter around her neck before she tugged sharply at the shoulder strap of one of her bags as she made her way down to baggage claim. The trek seemed to be an endless series of corridors, tunnels and moving sidewalks before the escalator carried her down to the ground floor.
*Why didn't I wait to come up here in the summer,* she thought to herself as she moved over to the metallic carousel to wait for her lone suitcase.
~~
"KATIE!" a feminine squeal echoed across the enormous room. Katie immediately smiled, even before spotting where the voice had originated.
"LE LE!" Katie happily squealed back as she hurried over to greet her friend of six years. Katie dropped her bags and threw her arms around Leanne's neck. The pair hugged each other tightly for a long moment before releasing their grasp on each other.
"Girl, where is your coat?" Leanne playfully scolded her friend as she helped her gather her bags.
"You didn't tell me it would be artic weather up here," Katie playfully scowled. "Looks like we are gonna have to shopping!"
"You got it, girly," Leanne grinned, knowing how much fun their infamous shopping sprees could be.
~~
"I see you made it one piece," Dante smiled broadly as he stood just inside the door.
"Barely," Katie grinned when she saw Dante. It had been over a year since the friends had been able to get together for a visit. This time, it had been Katie's turn to make the trip north. "Move your ass and let me in, I'm freezing."
With a chuckle, Dante stepped aside and let the two ladies inside into the warmth of the house. Katie stomped the snow from her shoes before kicking them off just inside the door. Leanne did the same a moment later. They piled Katie's bags in a neat stack in the foyer before stepping into the living room.
"C'mere you," Dante said, finally getting the opportunity to embrace his guest.
"Hiya, handsome," Katie cooed, standing on tiptoe as she hugged Dante tightly and kissed him on the cheek.
"Hey pretty lady," Dante replied in her ear. Katie immediately felt a surge of heat flush through her body as Dante's voice filled her ears. The first time she had spoken to Dante on the telephone, she almost melted in her seat. He had one of those deep, sexy, radio personality type voices. Much to her surprise, however, his voice perfectly fit his appearance. "I'm so glad you could come."
"Me too," Leanne replied, bouncing with excitement. When Dante and Katie broke the embrace, Leanne grabbed Katie by the arm and dragged her to the kitchen. "I made something special for you."
"You didn't?" Katie asked, her eyes wide and a knowing grin. "Is it what I think it is?"
"Yep," Leanne replied as she opened a cupboard door, retrieved three mugs and filled them with labels full of hot apple cider from a nearby crock-pot.
~~
"I hope you don't mind but we invited someone to dinner that we would like for you to meet," Dante said as the three sat and casually discussed recent events.
"Oh of course not," Katie replied with a slight roll of the eyes from Dante's formality. "You know me, the more the merrier."
"Good," Dante smiled over the rim of his mug. "You'll like him."
"Him?" Katie asked, raising en eyebrow ever so slightly. "Who is it?"
"His name is Chris," Leanne leaned over and whispered. "I can't wait for you to meet him."
"Katie, I know that you just got here," Dante said, "But, do you think I could impose upon you to make some of your famous chili?"
Katie thought for a long moment, tapping her finger on her chin, and then the corners of her mouth curled upward into a sly grin. Without a word she sat down her cider mug, walked over to her pile of luggage and unzipped the top bag that had been one of her carry ons. She reached inside and produced a large, square container. Grinning, she walked over to Dante and set the container on the coffee table in front of him. The frost on the outside of the container verified that its contents were frozen.
"Ohhhh," Leanne squealed with delight, "You are the little Girl Scout, aren't you hon?"
"Always prepared," Katie replied with a giggle as Dante literally drooled when he peeked under the lid.
~~
"That was delicious, ladies," Chris said as he patted his full belly and leaned back in his chair.
"Why don't we have dessert in the living room so that we can all get more comfortable," Leanne suggested with a secret wink to Dante.
"Marvie idea, Le Le," Katie replied as she pushed her chair back from the table. "Do you want some help?"
"No, I've got it covered." Leanne replied sweetly. "Why don't you all go on in and I will bring out everything."