Page 18 of Merry & Wild

“Usually,” he agrees with a nod. But he’s still not smiling, so I leave the batter for the toast and walk out to the living room. John’s standing in front of the fire, and I wrap my arms around him from behind and rest my cheek on his back. “I didn’t mean to sound like a jerk.”

“You didn’t.” He turns around to hug me back and kisses the top of my head. “This is new, and it’s weird because although I’ve really only known you, in the biblical sense, for roughly twelve hours, it feels like it’s beenyears.”

“I feel it, too,” I admit softly. “Itiskind of weird, but it’s also really…great. I don’t remember the last time I felt this comfortable with someone. Maybenever.So please know that I was really just surprised and not upset that you mentioned me to your mom.”

“I understand,” he says and kisses me once more. “Now, when is breakfast ready? Because I’mstarving.”

“Give me fifteen minutes.”

CHAPTER 11

JOHN

The wind has died down, but the snow doesn’t seem to want to stop falling.

“At least the power’s back,” Lucky says as he walks out of the barn behind me and closes the door. “I’ll be sure to refill the gas tank on the generator as soon as the roads are clear.”

“Good idea. If this is any indication of how the rest of the winter will be, we’ll need it. Fill up a few extra gas cans, too.”

“Will do,” he says with a nod. “I’m going to go catch a nap until my next shift in the barn.”

“Another good idea.” I offer him a wave as he sets off for the bunkhouse, and then I turn toward my cabin. With most of the wind gone, it doesn’t feel quite so bitterly cold out.

Maybe I can talk Joy into a ride around the ranch. I can’t wait to show it to her.

“Sorry I was gone so long,” I say as I open the door, but my words get stuck in my throat when I see that Joy’s wet, obviously from the shower. She has my towel draped around her, and she’s checking the clothes that hang by the fire to see if they’re dry. “Well, hello there.”

“I decided to take advantage of the power being back on,” she says, not even looking my way. She bends over, and I canalmostsee all the way to the promised land. “So, I took a shower. Do you want me to put these clothes through the laundry? Or do you think they’re okay? They seem to be dry, but maybe they need to go through the washing machine. What do you think?”

When I don’t answer, she turns around and frowns.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone more beautiful in my life.”

The frown stays in place, but she bites her lip, and then her whole gorgeous face floods with color.

“It was just a shower,” she mutters, squirming next to the fire.

She’s fucking adorable.

“For real, though, pay attention. Should I wash these?”

“I bet they’re okay for now.”

She nods and, with her clothes clutched to her chest, she sets off for the bedroom.

So, I follow her.

“How do you feel about a ride around the ranch?”

With her back turned to me, Joy starts to dress, and that makes me chuckle.

“I’ve already seen everything there is to see, sweetheart. Several times.”

“Yeah, well, I can still be a little shy.”

She finishes dressing and then turns to me, pushing her wet hair over her shoulder. “If we’re going to tour the ranch in your truck, then yes. If by foot, no thanks.”

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