Page 375 of Steamy Ever After

“Oh.” He looks funny hunching his shoulders and looking apologetic. “You mean, I could’ve given that to you? If you drink the whole bottle, does that mean you get loose as a goose?”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“Not really.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because I’m hoping to get lucky tonight, and that only happens if we’re both sober. So, probably good that I dumped that wine.”

Holy rocking that confidence, he totally thinks he’s getting lucky tonight.

After that kiss in the barn, there’s only one way this evening ends, but I can’t be too easy.

“But it’s an awesome merlot.” I push out my lower lip in a pout, then laugh at his expression. He stomps back to the truck and returns with a flask of whiskey.

“And this is awesome whiskey. I’ll share if you want some.”

“I’m good with the wine.” I cup the plastic wine glass, holding it close to my chest.

Whiskey will knock me off my feet. I plan on staying, if not completely sober, then pleasantly flushed with the wine.

We finish our meal, trading conversation with ease. He asks about the moose and my accident, warning me to be careful on the roads. I thank him for helping me and avoid mentioning the wolves.

“How often do you have blizzards like that?”

“Blizzard?” He pokes at a log on the fire. “I don’t even think we got a foot of snow.”

“If that wasn’t a blizzard, what does one look like?”

“I think you’re going to be in for a shock once winter comes. We need to put together an emergency kit for you. You’ll keep it in your car year-round. Never trust Montana weather. We can have snow in the higher elevations year-round. As the town doc, I assume you’ll be making house calls, and you don’t want a repeat of that night.”

“I suppose so.”

Honestly, house calls never crossed my mind. I assumed my practice would be nearly identical to how it was in Redlands. I’d have an office where I saw routine appointments and something for urgent-care after-hour’s visits. I figure I’ll be tied to a beeper most of the time, taking calls by phone.

But house calls?

That’s something I’ll have to ask my uncle about. There’s so much to learn, and I no longer have the years I thought I’d have to get myself situated. I press a hand to my sternum as a pang of grief rips through me. He’s my last living relative, and I’m not ready to lose him.

“What’s wrong, city girl?” Drake notices the change in me immediately. He’s observant of everything.

“It’s nothing.” I suck in a breath and make a vague gesture.

“Doesn’t look like nothing. You were all sunshine and smiles, then a cloud settled over you. What’s wrong?”

“I don’t want to bother you…”

“You’re not bothering. Anything that affects you interests me. This may be our first date, but I can already tell where this is headed.”

“You can?”

“Sure as shit, I can.”

“Very colorful.” A smile flips my frown around, and Drake eases back in his seat.

“Now, that’s more like it. My girl should never wear a frown. Now, tell me. What’s wrong?”

I’m not ready to talk about my uncle. That’s something I need to work up to, and I have the perfect way to do that.

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