Page 22 of Snow Drift

Inner workings.

Oh,shit.

Dropping my book on the table, I race through the halls until I find Kallie. She's wearing a thick cardigan, running a broom over the polished wooden floor of a tiny sitting room in the guest wing.

Her eyes widen when she sees me and she sets the broom aside next to her cleaning basket. I lead her to a chair and fall to my knees in front of her. "I forgot something really important."

Her lovely blue eyes search mine. "What's that?"

Clasping her hands, I hate that they're chilly. "I was thinking about the physical stuff. Security alarms, locks, cameras. I also need to think about this." Leaning over, I kiss her forehead gently.

"Your mind. The inner workings of your lovely brain are obviously fixated on what happened to you and your mom andit's led to this phobia, still affecting your life even years after it took place."

Kallie is perfectly silent, her lips a straight line.

"Which means as well as the locks and gates, I'll get you a therapist. Somebody to talk it through with, and untangle everything. Some people get phobias and have no idea where they come from. Since you know why you have yours… Well, I'm not saying it would be easy to fix, but assuming you'd like to…let's say, turn down the intensity…I'm sure that's possible."

As I ramble on, her bottom lip quivers. Then she slowly nods. "I've thought about that for years, but… Therapy is expensive."

"I'll get you the very best Oakton has to offer." I shrug. "I know nothing about it. I could drive you into Kingsville once a week, if there are better doctors there."

"You'd do all that for me?" Her eyes become damp, as if a single blink would start spilling tears.

"Of course, baby. I'd do anything to make you happy. To make you feel safe."

She looks down at our clasped hands. "You're the only man I've ever trusted."

I hold her hand over my heart. "And that means a lot to me."

I want to tell her again that I love her and to hold her against me. But being clingy right now feels like the wrong move.

"I'll give you some space." Standing up, I pull her into a quick hug. "Is there anything extra heavy or snowy you need help with?"

"No, this morning is just quiet stuff."

"Did Mrs. H. tell you that we're staying a few more days? The roads are still out."

Kallie's smile makes my heart squeeze. "Really?"

"Obviously I think you should stay in my suite again. Strictly for warmth, of course."

She stretches up to kiss my cheek, then I leave before I can say anything stupid.

I'm so in love with her. Don't know if I'll ever sleep again unless her body is against me. But I have to wait until she decides.

I'm asking a lot of her, asking her to change the way she's lived for years.

Choosing me is only one part of it, even if my ego says it's the most important.

14

KALLIE

One thing about cleaning is that the body goes on autopilot, leaving the mind free to ruminate.

Just two years ago, any time I had a moment to myself my subconscious mind would immediately start wondering whether someone was watching me. Following me. Learning the details of my life. It would take me to dark places where I was terrified of my own shadow.

But I've been getting steadily better. I used to refuse jobs that went longer than three months or so, but now I've started taking longer contracts. Heck, this is my second time back at Wolfe Mountain Chalet, I've felt so safe here.

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