Page 14 of Snow Drift

In just a few minutes, Mrs. H. has called the guys in from the library, and all eight of us are gathered around the table. Our guests complain hilariously about "these tragic circumstances" of having to struggle through pickles and gourmet cheese as their appetizer. Moore and Dylan keep finding more fancy crackers and other snackables in the cupboards, while Baz pours everyone wine. He sneaks a small glass each to me, Maya, and Rosa, making a big deal of blocking Mrs. H. so that she doesn't see.

Dylan and Maya are clearly officially a couple. He's called her "baby" in front of everyone, and he won't stop touching her.

His friends all act like it's the most natural thing in the world. But even Mrs. H. seems totally fine with it, which completely blows my mind.

Moore returns from fetching another bowl of grapes, and pulls a chair right over to me. "You seem a million miles away."

"Oh? Sorry."

"No no, it's okay." His hand lightly caresses my knee surreptitiously under the table. "Is there anything I can do to relax that racing brain of yours?"

Nobody is paying attention to us, so I lean close and whisper, "The fact that you're always trying to help me is making me…" I'm not sure how to put it. I'm not sure I know the answer myself.

Moore murmurs in my ear, "I'm hoping that it's making you open to a proper date. Or to talking about the various types of natural grasses native to this region." He flashes me a side-eyed grin. "I'm also hoping that you'll consider staying in my room tonight, since I have a fireplace and you don't. You know you can talk to me about anything, Kallie."

His eyes are sparkling in the candlelight, the gray-blue changing to a deep smoky color. It's fascinating to see how many sides he has, not just an avid reader who is slightly obsessed with growing things.

In order to grow, you need to be planted.

"Staying in your room is likely a good idea," I say slowly. "For safety."

"Good." He squeezes my knee. "Now if it snows even more and the roof caves in, it'll save me a lot of time searching because you'll already be in my arms."

My laugh rings out louder than I intend. "You're not supposed to put ideas in my head like the ceiling falling in. You're supposed to tell me that everything's going to be fine."

"Everything really will be fine," Cooper says from across the table. "I had a building inspection done at the start of the season. All of the repairs you've seen me doing have been purelycosmetic. This is a fine old building, in good shape, and we're completely safe."

"Thank you." Mrs. H. smiles at him sweetly. "Now, we'll all have to do whatever's necessary to keep warm tonight. You all know where the fireplaces and extra blankets are. I trust you'll all be careful." Mrs. H. won't meet any of us in the eye. Oh my, is sheblushing?

Moore, Dylan and Baz insist on collecting the plates and cleaning up. Cooper jumps to his feet. "I'll light the guest room fireplaces, and bring in some extra wood."

Maya locks eyes first with me, then Rosa, mouthing the words, "Did she just check out his ass?"

I grin and nod, standing to clear the last of the food. Then I realize that Mrs. H. might have had a double meaning to "being careful", and my cheeks flame.

Once everything is tidied up, Moore takes my hand. "Let's make sure you're warm – that cold is really going to set in fast."

Every thought he has starts with my comfort. I know for a fact that I could go to his room and sleep beside him fully clothed and he'd be totally fine with that. I know that if I told him I was never going to explain my fear of staying in one place to him that he would calmly accept it.

I trust him. Completely.

Which means it's time to tell him a horrific bedtime story.

9

MOORE

I’m thrilled that Kallie will be staying with me tonight. I figure the more time we spend together, the closer we'll get. Not just physically, either. I can feel that she's finally lowering her walls around me. Opening up.

Most importantly, this way I'll know that she'll be warm and safe all night long.

We use a flashlight to light our way to my suite, and when I open the door, she gasps at how pretty it is. Cooper has lit the fire, and set a row of jar candles in front of the mirror, bathing the entire room in a soft glow.

"Did you pay Cooper to make this place look romantic?" she laughs.

"No. But Cooper might be feeling kind of romantic anyway."

I raise my eyebrow, and Kallie nods quickly. "True. Mrs. H. has definitely been making eyes at him, and I think it's getting worse. Or better. Or… You know what I mean."

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