Page 49 of Single All the Way

“That was rude,” I chided once I caught my breath and avoided driving into the ditch. “And not safe at all.”

That was apparently the wrong thing to say, because the llama began groaning, sounding like a long, drawn-out moo that kept on going.

“You don’t have to be a drama queen,” I said, noting that the snow had started sticking to the road, making it slick and slushy. “If you land me in the ditch, we’re eating llama for Christmas dinner.”

Ben’s driveway was less than ten miles from town, but between the snow pelting the van and the llama groaning nonstop, the drive was the longest ten minutes of my life.

When I pulled up as close as I could get to the barn door, I realized the fun had only just begun.

ChapterFourteen

Emerson

Two hours and a glass and a half of wine later, I’d finally calmed down from the llama business. Now I was worried about Ben driving in bad weather.

The storm had only gotten worse, with the wind picking up and the snow falling harder. By the time I’d walked from the barn to the house after locking Ms. Llama Pants in her pen, there was close to two inches on the ground.

I’d come into a house empty of humans, let the three dogs out to do their business, loved on the cats, who were nestled together in one of the chairs, then poured myself some merlot I found in the cabinet above the fridge. I’d turned on the fireplace and collapsed on the sofa to come down from the llama antics.

Less than three minutes later, I’d popped up off the sofa and funneled my restless energy into cooking chicken and rice soup.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a house—any house—to myself. It was an odd feeling.

Berty had texted when she and the kids made it to her home in town after the play. I’d talked to Xavier and Skyler both on her phone, letting them tell me all about the production and the cocoa and popcorn they got before bed.

Berty’s idea for a sleepover had been fortuitous, preventing her from having to drive them out this far. We agreed there’d likely be a snow day tomorrow, so we’d touch base midmorning. Despite my misgivings, she seemed genuinely happy to have her four kiddos, as she called them, staying over.

Once I’d put the leftovers in the refrigerator, I changed into my most comfortable pj’s, went back to the couch, pulled a blanket over my legs, and stalked the weather app on my phone, fretting over Ben’s safety instead of diving into my cozy mystery.

When I heard his key in the lock, I threw off the blanket, startling the cats, then hurried to the kitchen, the dogs at my heels. I waited by the counter, the only light the dim one over the sink, while he greeted the tail waggers one by one in the mudroom, then let them out one last time for the night. Finally he came in from the entryway, having shed his boots and coat, looking exhausted but so damn handsome.

I was so relieved on multiple levels, I couldn’t help it— I rushed over and wrapped my arms around him, burying my head in his chest and breathing in his masculine scent.

“Hello,” he said with a low laugh.

It hit me we weren’t on a hugging-hello basis, but then I felt his arms go around me and let myself soak in the feel of him.

“It’s bad out there,” I said. “I’m glad you made it okay.”

His scent was alluring, no hint of soap or shampoo, just the unique smell of a man who’d been working hard all day. Leaning on him after an evening that had tested me made me feel safe. Protected. No longer so alone.

He let out a quiet groan and didn’t move away. “You had quite an evening.”

“Your llama’s home safe and sound.”

He loosened his hold enough to look at me and chuckled. “I got yourthe llama has landedtext. Thank you, Ems. That had to be an ordeal for you.”

Ordealwas one word for it.Trial. Nightmare. Trauma. Those were others, but I’d made it through. There was no reason to draw out the drama for Ben.

“She’s relaxing in her pen,” I told him.

“I checked on her before I came inside, filled up her hay trough,” he said. “You did great. She looked no worse for wear.”

“It took me three cookies to get her from the van to her stall.” I made myself untangle from him and give him space. “How’s the horse?”

“Holding his own. I got some meds in him. We’ll see how he does over the next twenty-four hours, but I think he’s going in the right direction.”

“I’m glad. I’m having wine. Can I pour you some?” I went to the counter and held up the half-full bottle.

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