Page 52 of Out of the Cold

“But nothing did.”

Pulling a throw off the sofa, he wrapped it around her and urged her into one of the chairs near the woodstove. Hilde took a long drink of water, then came and sat by her side. Lucy smoothed her hand down the dog’s wet head and pulled the blanket tighter. She wasn’t shaking so badly anymore, but her toes were still numb.

As if reading her mind, Gabriel knelt before her and stripped off her socks.

“What are you—” she began.

His big hands encased her foot, their warmth spreading through her. Then his thumbs rubbed deep into her arch. She moaned.

“Good?” he murmured, his eyes warm on hers.

“God, yes. That’s wonderful.”

“Mmm,” he murmured.

She let her eyes close. She was safe now and probably had been all along. The problem was not knowing for sure.

“It was so quiet and peaceful,” she said, her head falling back. “I’ve never been out in the snow, but it was so much lovelier than I imagined. Then I saw a bear.”

“Did you?” He didn’t stop massaging, but she could feel him looking at her. “What happened?”

She opened her eyes. “Not much, actually. But it was huge, a male I think, and it was suddenly standing there watching us. I backed away until it headed off in another direction.”

“That was the exact right thing to do. Good thing Hilde didn’t agitate it.”

“I had just put her leash back on because she was ignoring me and trying to get into a fox den. I don’t know what would have happened otherwise. I hate to even think about it. We’re going to be doing some hardcore training.”

She stifled a moan and kept her eyes open, mesmerized by the sight of him. His luxurious eyelashes fanned his skin as he looked down at her foot, so small in his big hands.

Had she been less exhausted, she would have stopped him.

“Better?” he asked, setting her foot carefully on the floor.

“Yes, thanks. I think I’ll get in the hot tub in a bit.”

“Good idea.” He went into the kitchen and set the kettle on the burner, then scanned the tins on the counter. “Tea, coffee, or hot chocolate?”

“Tea, please. But only if you have something, too.”

A few minutes later, they were settled in matching chairs before the stove. They sat without saying anything, but his eyes were watchful.

A log cracked, breaking the silence, and he finally spoke.

“I know you hate me lecturing. Hell, I hate to hear myself. But no one else in the world knew where you’d gone.”

“It would have been pretty easy to find me. All you’d have to do is follow my tracks.”

“Except I thought you were safe inside.”

“Do you tell someone where you’re going every time you head into the woods?”

He glowered at her.

“I didn’t think so. And fine, you’re obviously more experienced, but even so, something could happen to you, too.”

“I don’t want to have to worry about you.”

“So you’ve said, many times. I never asked you to worry about me, Gabriel.”

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