Page 10 of Cabin Fever

"I said I was sorry for breaking into your home. But I honestly believed I was in danger. And as for the can of beans I ate, I was hungry. I hadn't eaten since breakfast yesterday. If you wish me to pay you for the beans, when I finally get a hold of my purse, I can pay you for them. How much is a can of beans? Thirty? Fifty dollars? Whatever it is, I will pay it."

The man stared at me as if I had beans dripping out of my ears. Here I was apologizing and trying to make things right, and he's acting like a jerk.

"I apologized. Told you my name and now I'm left standing here with no way to get back to where I was staying at The Lodge. Nor do I know your name. And then, on top of everything, you and your dog eat your breakfast in front of me without offering me even a tiny morsel of sustenance."

"Okay." Was all he said. I waited for more, but nothing came.

"Okay? Okay? I've had a pretty shitty twenty-four hours. I was running for my life and now I'm hungry."

"Then grab yourself a plate of food. I made plenty." He waved his arm toward the kitchen.

"It's about time you offered. Kind of rude you hadn't before. I was beginning to wonder if I was going to have to beg to get food for Christ's sake."

I moved over to the kitchen and found the white porcelain plates. Rustic, indeed. After I overfilled my plate with the food, I turned to make my way back to the table. But something large was standing in my way, the sheep farmer with no name.

"Excuse me, I'd like to sit—"

I was cut off with a glare and finger jab into my shoulder. "There will be no cursing in this house. It's the language of criminals. Now I know that I am no criminal, but the question is, are you, Ms. Love?"

I was shocked and couldn't speak, so I shook my head.

"Good. I am willing to feed you and keep a roof over your head as long as you are here. But understand that this is my home. Here, foul language is not allowed."

Okay . . . My eyes slid sideways, and I noticed Kitty's stare was unusually judgy. This guy was serious. He must be one of those overly religious nuts who cut himself off from society to be closer to God.

I didn't care if he thought God spoke to him and told him the world could only be healed by surrounding himself with copious amounts of oak. As long as he fed me and kept me safe, I'd be the perfect saint.

"I apologize. No more bad language, I promise." I stared up into his eyes as his hardened features began to soften. This close, I noticed how handsome he was, in that sheep farmer sort of way. Even his thick, dark auburn beard was well-maintained.

And as he stared his sea-glass green eyes darkened and dipped to my lips. My heart picked up and I wondered,was it fear or something quite different? Derrick had never looked at me the way this man was right now.

It was thrilling and worrisome at the same time. He stepped forward so our lips were merely an inch apart and his hot breath warmed my cheeks.

"My name is Carter. Eat your food. When you're done, I'll try to get the truck started and take you back to The Lodge." The corner of his mouth lifted. "Around here we serve ourselves, unless you're a dog. And you don't look like a dog to me."

He stepped back and left the room. Kitty followed, and I was left there stunned. Was that his idea of a compliment?

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