Page 4 of When You Saved Me

I looked at it and blinked. No apology. No explanation for why he slammed the door in my face and left me out here in the cold.

Okay, this is how things are going to go then.I can play along with this if it gets me what I want.

Slipping my hand in his, I almost moaned at the warmththat engulfed my palm. But when I peeked up at his face, I saw a flicker of pain dance across his eyes and his brows pinched together slightly.

“It’s nice to formally meet you, Deacon. I’m Charlie Banks.”

“Yes, I know.”

I supposed he did know. Not just from that fateful day we had together but from my paperwork I submitted for the rental.

If there was ever an awkward moment in my life, this one surely took the cake. I pulled my hand away, severing the connection that seemed to cause him distress.

“Are you still okay with me being here, Deacon?” The cold was biting and all I wanted to do was get situated in my new home and snuggle with Casper after this frigid greeting.

His voice was gruff as he said, “It’s fine. Let me show you the way to the cabin.”

As he tried to move past me, I grabbed a hold of his wrist, and I swore he stopped breathing. Avoiding my gaze, he kept his eyes locked straight ahead.

“I can leave if this is too uncomfortable for you.” Not knowing why he was reacting this way toward me, it was all I could offer. I didn’t want to go. But if it was something he needed me to do, I would.

Haunted by some unknown part of our entangled past, his eyes were sullen as they shifted to look at me. “It’s fine.”

With a deep breath, I let go of his wrist and followed him in silence as he jumped into his truck, and I settled back into the driver seat of my sedan.

Casper let out a little squeak of concern. He always had a way of knowing when I was feeling off.

“Looks like we’re in for a bit of a ride with this one, buddy. But I think it’ll be okay.” The hum of his purr settled my nerves as I shifted gears and followed behind Deacon’s truck.

The drive wasn’t too long. Maybe a little more than five minutes. When the cabin came into view, my breath hitched, and my heart fluttered.

“Wow,” I breathed. “It’s so beautiful.”

Still behind the wheel of my car, I stared at the tiny cabin before me. Bright fir wood, the same as the main house, was stacked in layers building up the frame of the home. The porch was much smaller than Deacon’s, but it was perfect with a rocking chair and side table that had a small pot of primroses. Three hanging pots filled with pansies swung in the gentle breeze along the edge of the overhang.

Picturesque didn’t begin to cover it. I was smitten with the cabin and beyond thankful that Deacon decided to let me stay here after his momentary panic…was panic what I saw in his face?

Shaking my head, I let any worries about my new landlord go. The property seemed huge, so I doubted we would run into each other that much anyway.

Deacon appeared from the driver’s seat of his lifted truck, so I grabbed Casper’s small crate and headed toward the front door.

Butterflies struck my stomach when I heard the sound of rushing water. “Is there a river behind the cabin?” I askedexcitedly as I watched him sort through a ring of keys. I didn’t miss how large his hands were and blushed when I thought back to how warm he felt when we shook hands earlier.

Deacon grunted his affirmation. “Didn’t you see the photos online?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t realize the river was right behind it. I thought it was just somewhere on the property.”

He settled on one of the keys and pushed it into the lock. “I wouldn’t suggest going onto the dock. It needs to be repaired after a big storm blew some of the panels off. I’ll be around this weekend to get it back in working order.”

“That would be wonderful. Thank you.”

Those striking green eyes glanced at me over his shoulder and for a moment I wasn’t standing on a charming cabin porch anymore. Heat licked up my ribcage and my lungs burned from smoke inhalation. The only thing keeping me cognizant was the sound of his voice, calling after me. Telling me to stay awake. That he would do anything to get me out.

Meow!Casper let out a whaling note of frustration that broke me away from the glimpse into my past.

Lifting the crate upward, I stroked his paw and told him, “It’s okay, buddy. Almost time for you to run free again.”

“Is that a cat?”

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