Thank you to my wonderful wife for taking the time to edit this story.
All mistakes herein are my own.
All characters engaging in sexual relationships or activities are 18 years old or older.
***
Short in height, pale skinned, with long hair that was blond to the point of nearly being white, wearing a somewhat worn, green dress that hugged a curved, fit body, the woman walked cautiously out of the tall, dark forest into the clearing, in the centre of which stood a comfortable looking cabin with smoke gently wafting from its stone chimney. She paused, feeling uncertain, and looked at the clearing carefully.
Some chickens scratched about in the dirt, pecking at the ground when they found something. An orderly stack of wood rested against a cabin wall behind a chopping block and an axe. Against another was a long bench, filled with some boards, a vice, and a saw. A robust garden filled with healthy vegetable plants basked in the sunlight that reached just over the treetops. Flowers grew out of wooden planters hanging just beneath the cabin's windows.
Drawing in her breath slowly she let the odours from the clearing waft through her nostrils. The Goddess had commanded. Then she determinedly walked up the path to the front door.
The door, which was a well made door, much like the rest of the cabin, was bound oaken planks evenly fastened together, with a bronze knocker in its centre. It caused her a momentary hesitation as uncertainty took hold again. Her hand hovered at the knocker when the latch turned from the other side and the door swung open.
Her hand swung down to hold the basket draped over her other arm and she smiled her prettiest smile, which was a very lovely smile. It lit up her face, pushed up her cheeks, widened her already wide, blue eyes, and parted her full lips to reveal clean, white, even teeth. It was a friendly, disarming smile that promised happiness, even if she did not feel that way.
A tall muscular man, with dark, mischievous eyes, unkempt brown hair, and a slightly darker beard, dressed in a tunic, trousers, with the straps hanging below his waist, and woollen socks, stood in the doorway regarding her, his hands gripped the doorway as he leaned out toward her. She found him physically very appealing. A friendly smile crept up his face as he looked her over.
"Hello," she said and held out her hand. "I'm Maja."
"I am Johan," he said in a deep voice that vibrated ever so pleasantly in her ear and took her hand in his. His was warm and strong against hers and his callouses rubbed softly against her skin.
"I am truly sorry to bother you." Her hand seemed to reluctantly slide out of his and returned to resting on the basket as a plaintive look fell upon her face. "I was out gathering berries and mushrooms yesterday when I became lost. I have only just found my way again, but I am tired and hungry and would greatly appreciate if I could rest in your home. I have berries and mushrooms to offer." She held up her basket and gestured at the bounty.
His face had fallen into a look of great concern at her story. He reached past her basket and rubbed her shoulder.
"You poor thing," he sympathized. "To spend the night out alone. Please keep your food, it was hard earned."
He moved out of the way of the door to her side, sliding his hand across her back as he gestured through the door with the other. "Please come in. I will give you some food."
She patted his gesturing arm, feeling the muscle of his forearm through his shirt. "Thank you," she said and walked through the doorway.
"And your shoes, where are your shoes? Have you walked barefoot all night?" he asked in dismay. He closed the door behind them and let the latch fall with a click.
"Oh," she said. She glanced down at her dirt flecked, bare feet. She thought for a moment before responding. "I lost them at a stream. I became stuck in the mud and could only free myself by leaving them behind."
A sad look crossed over her face. "It has been a difficult night," she said.
"Let me comfort you," he said, his face concerned. "Please sit at the table closest to the fire. I will get you some porridge."
The interior of the cabin was well lit by the windows. The log walls had been laid over with neatly fitted, sanded, white painted, wood boards, lined at the top and bottom by yellow painted wood mouldings, with carved flowers painted red at intervals. The shelves, cupboards, and fireplace mantle were similar in their colour and carvings. The table was stained as opposed to painted, to bring out the grain of the oaken wooden planks that made its surface.
She looked intently at the decor and ran a hand over the table's polished smooth surface as she made her way to the chair closest to the fireplace. She maintained her smile despite fretting inside.
"Did you build this cabin?" she asked as she sat down. She slid her nails over the surface of the table, feeling hardly a groove where the boards joined.
Johan bent close to her over the fire and spooned some porridge into a bowl, from a pot hanging near the fire. "Yes I did," he replied. He straightened up and set the bowl in front of her with a spoon. "I am a woodcutter and a carpenter. I work at the wood mill nearby. I have done a lot of work in the homes around this area." He spoke proudly as he set a cup of water before her.
"You are very skilled with your tools," she commented. She ate some of the porridge. He was pleasant and charming, but she fretted some more.
