Page 6 of Cold Snap

Dylan chuckles. "Baz always complains about having to patch up hikers on his property. Here he is on vacation and still finds someone to bandage."

There's a noise under the table, and I suspect Baz gave him a swift kick.

"I didn't mean to interrupt your appetizers. Now, how would everyone like their steak done?"

They all agree to simply go with my recommendation, and I can feel Baz's eyes on me as I hurry from the room. He's facing the kitchen hallway, and before I turn the corner, I glance back at him. He winks at me.

Oh my God. He's interested.

It's absolutely ridiculous. But then again… He's not one of those jerks from high school who teased me mercilessly and spread those filthy rumors. He's not the kind of guy to listen to strangers. He's direct.

At least, I think he is.

Well. The only way I'll know for sure is if I find some way to get to know him.

5

BAZ

There is more than a little lurking going on at the chalet this week. Dylan and Moore have been making all sorts of excuses to take walks around this rambling old building. It's painfully obvious what's up.

But I can't exactly call them on it, because I'm about to do the same thing.

Looking up from my book at Dylan and Moore, they seem just as distracted and unfocused as I am.

I wonder why our guy's retreat this year has been overtaken by three sweet young ladies. Maybe we're so comfortable here that we've finally let our lonely shields down. Or the electricity from the oncoming storm. Whatever it is, the urge to see Rosa, to reach out and pull her into my arms… I need to find out if she's interested.

I suppose I could walk into the kitchen on the pretext of getting a glass of water or something, but I don't want to disturb Rosa while she's working. Or get her in trouble with Mrs. H., come to think of it.

Setting my book aside, I stand up and walk from the room without saying a word. Turning toward the kitchen, I slinksilently down the hallway. I'm used to listening for cracking twigs indicating that there are deer or other animals around in my forest. Now I'm listening for my beautiful cook so that I can place where she is.

I stop in my tracks. Am I already thinking of Rosa as mine?

That's not right. Just because I feel such a deep connection to her, it doesn't mean she feels the same way. I was hoping that I was getting that vibe from her, but I need proof before I start thinking like that.

The kitchen is empty, but there's a sound from the basement, and I look down a short hallway to see the stairs leading down. Is she there? Only one way to find out.

The basement was not built for my height, and I have to duck to avoid bashing my head on the thick beams. To the left is a workshop, where it looks like the maintenance guy Cooper has been refurbishing some furniture. To the left is a laundry room, where I hear some shuffling. Just as the dryer starts spinning, I lean in the door.

"Hey." Even though I softened my rough voice as much as possible, Rosa jumps, spinning around as her arm flings out to grab the wall but grabbing my arm instead by mistake.

"I'm sorry to scare you," I practically whisper.

She smiles, shaking her head and sending wisps of hair fluttering around her cheekbones. "It's my fault. I get jumpy down here."

Stepping closer, I notice she's still holding my arm. "I'm here if you need any spiders or a basement Boogeyman taken care of."

Her giggle is adorable. "It's just the daily load of dish towels. Nothing exciting enough to warrant a knight in shining armor." I step closer, my hand reaching slowly to wrap around her waist as her chin tilts up. "Um, thank you for the snowman. He's adorable. I've named him Fred."

"Rosa…" I hesitate. I have no idea what to say in a moment like this, so I may as well just spit it out. "I think you're incredible. There's a beautiful halo of sweetness around you, and your cooking is so creative. You're obviously talented, and lovely, and I need to know if you feel this…I don't know how to say it…this magnetic pull that I feel toward you."

Her lovely eyes are wide as she freezes. Then her deep pink lips curl up in a smile. "Yeah. I feel it too."

Leaning down, my thumb caresses her cheek as her beautiful face turns up to mine, while the dryer spins and whirrs beside us.

I stop, stepping back. Rosa blinks in surprise, until I shake my head and smile. "Sorry. This kiss is too important to happen in a basement laundry room."

Taking her arm, I escort Rosa upstairs and toward the back porch door. Somebody's parka is hanging on a peg, so I take it and wrap it around her as we go outside. We're sheltered from the wind, but it's still pretty cold.

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