Oddly, I was never bored, even though I was always busy in my normal life.

I was enjoying the peace of being away from the world and the constant work pressures for a little while.

Being here with Kaleb just felt…right.

Unfortunately for me, I was wildly attracted to him physically, but I’d managed to tamp down the carnal urge to rip his clothes off so far. But the more I got to know him, the more I craved that kind of intimacy with him.

Dial it back, Anna. That absolutely cannot happen.

Having sex with a man who made me feel safe would be totally insane, but that didn’t stop me from wanting that more than I’d wanted anything for a very long time.

Instinctively, I knew he was the one man who could completely rock my world, but Kaleb was off-limits. Never once had he given me any sign that he wanted anything more than the connection we had right now.

Don’t get too attached. That connection will be broken soon.

The storm had passed, and we were just waiting for the massive amount of snow to be cleared from the roads, which would likely happen tomorrow.

It wasn’t like I hadn’t known that the time I got to spend with Kaleb was severely limited, but it hurt to know that we’d be parting ways soon.

The man wasn’t a stranger anymore, and he’d helped me more than I ever thought possible in just a few days.

We’d healed each other a little by using each other as a sounding board.

Neither of us had definitive answers for the other, but just trying to reason things out together had been helpful. At least it had been for me.

I’d found temporary solace with him, and I dreaded the moment when I’d have to let that go.

I glanced at Kaleb, who was just putting his book away on the other side of the couch, a western paperback that had belonged to his father.

“Your mother has an eclectic collection of books,” I told Kaleb.

“Are you complaining?” he questioned. “You’ve devoured enough of her reading material.”

“Not at all. I have the same type of library. I think I’d probably like her.”

“I’m positive you’d adore her,” Kaleb answered. “You two have a lot in common, and she speaks her mind just like you do.”

I nodded. “Then I’d definitely like her. We even have the same taste in art. I’m actually jealous that she owns so many original paintings by M. Remington. I only have one, and I treasure that painting. Does she know her? I think the artist still lives here in Montana.”

I’d been surprised once I’d gotten close enough to the landscapes on the walls to notice the distinct style and unmistakable signature in the corner.

M. Remington was probably the best known, living, contemporary western landscape artist in the country. Still, it wasn’t easy to lay hands on one of her original paintings, much less a cabin full of them.

I put my book on the side table.

Silence.

I glanced at Kaleb, and for once, he looked like he had no idea what to say.

“Are you okay?” I asked, concerned.

It wasn’t like Kaleb to not say what he was thinking. Once we’d gotten through the getting-to-know-you part of our relationship, he’d been pretty open with me about most things.

He glanced at me and our gazes locked.

“I’m good,” he said in a serious tone. “I’m just not sure how to answer that question without lying, and I refuse to lie to you, Anna.”

“Then she does know her,” I said excitedly.