Page 4 of Sheltered By the Surly Forester

"Yes. It's beautiful up here."

"Hmm." Josh begins eating slowly. Every movement he makes is hypnotic. He's such a huge presence, with a large, muscular frame that could make him a brute. Yet every motion is deliberate and thoughtful. The opposite of brutish.

And if the local police call Josh to help them, he must be a trustworthy guy, right? Although from the way people keep sneaking strange looks, I wouldn't be surprised if he's a rock star trying to lie low or something. With his movie star profile, he could be anything he wanted.

I take a break from my incredible burger to look out the window at the gathering shadows. The light is tinted blue up here. It's lovely.

"Yeah, it gets dark fast on this part of the mountain. We're always warning hikers and birders about that." Josh lifts his eyes to me. "You wouldn't have made it to Pinesley before dark."

"Oh. Well, thanks again."

His finger is doing that almost-tapping thing again. "Look, Emie. I see two options here." He clears his throat, then murmurs as quietly as possible. "There's an inn that might havea room. I'll foot the bill, no problem. But you'd be all by yourself, and that might get lonely."

He hesitates. "Or, you could take a few days off in a safe place and just…you know. Have a breather." His Adam's apple bobs as he clears his throat again. "I live on the edge of town. What would you say to a guest room in a house where you didn’t have to do any work for once?"

"Oh." I dip my last fry into the puddle of ketchup on my plate. "But how would I earn my keep? Um, are…are you thinking?—"

Josh immediately raises his hands. "If you're assuming anything sketchy, hell no. Ask anyone in town: I'm not that kind of guy. I meant, what if you took a vacation from your system for a real break. Rest. Reset. Figure out some longer-term plans."

"But… What's in it for you?"

He sighs, tugging awkwardly at the collar of his charcoal button-down shirt. His smoky voice is quiet. "Been alone a long time and could use some company. Somebody to have morning coffee with. To cook for. That kind of thing. That's all. Nothing else."

"Wow. Thank you."

Before I can even think it through, Josh points to where the server is filling up napkin containers beside the front cash. "Go ask Gina if I'm trustworthy, over there where I can't hear."

Wow. He's a sharp guy if he knows that women will always tell other women, even total strangers, the unvarnished truth about a man.

I walk over and smile awkwardly, wanting to get this over with. I feel kinda like an idiot. "Hey," I murmur softly, "If a girl needs a place to crash, is that Josh guy…you know. Safe?"

Gina grins. "You know he's a Wolfe, right? Like, Wolfe with an e, not the animal?"

I'd seen the name on a few businesses on the drive here, not to mention the mountain itself. "I didn't. But what's Josh like?"

She smiles warmly. "He's a grumbly grouch sometimes, but he's solid as a rock. You need a piano moved or someone to get a rowdy tourist to leave, he's your guy. His whole family is like that. So, yeah – he's one of the safest men I know." She glances over to where Josh is calmly staring out the window. "He's just…hard to get to know. Usually pretty quiet. He's been talking with you more than anyone else I've seen, actually."

"So it's safe to stay at his house for a few days?"

She laughs. "Oh, for sure! But if you find out anything weird, like he collects ladybugs or something, you have to tell me, right?"

My laugh makes Josh's head snap toward us. "Will do. Thanks." I return to the table with a smile. "It's very sweet of you to suggest getting a reference. She says you’re cool."

He nods. "Ladies need to be careful these days. So – will you stay with me for a bit so I know you're safe?" There's a slight twinkle in his eyes. "Got two houseplants that are on their last legs."

The next few hours are a whirlwind. Josh's house is amazing, with a breathtaking view of the valley from the kitchen and dining room. It's a bit simple, with bare walls and thick wooden beams, but the details are lavish – top-of-the-line appliances and beautiful furniture.

As I snuggle into bed in the charming blue and white guest room after a luxurious shower that melted my tense muscles, I find myself wondering what tomorrow will hold. I want him to like me. It's so kind of him to take in a stranger like this.

A deep part of me stirs every time he looks at me, making me hope that there's maybe something more to this. Maybe if I impress him, he'll want to keep me around long enough for us to explore this…whatever it might be.

3

JOSH

Inormally get up early, and silently. Growing up with two older brothers, it was one of the few times I could have some peace and quiet to read.

But last night I couldn't fall asleep. Knowing that the most breathtaking, precious woman I've ever met was just on the other side of the wall kept me on edge for hours. As a result, I slept past six for the first time in years.

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