Page 20 of His One True Wish

“No, not tonight, but in the morning, and you can’t tell me what to do,” she said, though her tone was playful. I liked it.

“That’s fair.”

“I need to get home to Denver tomorrow and help my mom pack up her house. I shouldn’t have driven out here. It was a mistake.”

“How much shit, I meanbeautiful items, of your mother’s are you planning to store in the barn?”

“As much as I want because it’s my family’s barn,” she sang.

“Your barn, which I lease,” I sang in return.

“For now,” she said, eyebrows dancing.

We both turned and stared out the window. She didn’t say a word. She stood beside me and glanced up from time to time. I didn’t speak either. I wasn’t sure of the score. It felt like a stalemate, though I considered her commitment to leaving in the morning a win.

I wanted my cabin back. I did not want to relocate for the winter. It was too disruptive. I also hadn’t realized how attached I was to this house. I had no intention of leaving one day before my lease ended. What was she going to do, drag me out? I glanced down at her tiny, tight body. I’d like to see her try.

“It wasn’t supposed to snow,” she said, her voice wistful.

“Says who?”

“My weather app.”

“Oh, darling. You grew up here. You know as much as I do that nobody can predict what happens with the weather at Smoke River.”

She rolled her eyes. “I did grow up here and don't call me, darling.”

I glanced back at the kitchen. “Weren’t you looking for some whiskey earlier?”

“Yes. I was going to make a hot toddy.”

“Nice,” I said. “Well, why don’t we get you a nip. We both warm up a bit, and I’ll help you unpack your truck. It’s the least I can do. The sooner we unpack it, the sooner you can get going in the morning.”

“Right,” she said, eyes fixed on the snow outside.

“It’s not that bad,” I lied, not to be an asshole, but to give her hope. “I’ll also shovel the drive in the morning. We’ll get you out of here.”

“You will?” She turned to face me. Her eyes brightened, and a smile lit up her face. “That’s a lot of work.”

“You saw the driveway. I don’t fuck around when I shovel snow.”

“It did look good.”

“Let’s unpack, and I’ll make up the bedroom for you, too.” I pointed down the hall.

“I couldn’t,” she said. “Isn’t that where you sleep?” She looked a little uncomfortable with my offer.

I nodded at the couch by the fireplace. “It’s fine. I’ll sleep out here with Cam. I was going to build a fire after my bubble bath anyway.”

“The bath I interrupted. I’m sorry about that.” She bit her lip.

“It’s okay.” I paused. “I’m sorry I scared you on the drive.”

“You sure about tonight? You don’t have to give up your bed for me.”

“Well, now that I know you’re my landlord’s granddaughter, there is no way I’m relegating you to the couch.”

She nodded, her expression hard to read.

---