Page 23 of Beyond Montana's Sky
With a deep breath, she made herself walk briskly to the cabin, step inside, and close the door against the wind. Another glance around the dim interior showed no stove, only the fireplace, with a stack of wood in a nearby box. A hinged metal arm could be swung out from the wall to hold a pot above the heat.
After lighting the oil lamp on the table and trimming the wick, she gathered a few sticks of kindling, some scraps from the newspapers stacked by the wood box, and a long-stemmed match. Before she could light the fire, heavy bootsteps sounded on the stoop, unnerving her. She dropped the match and slid back into the shadows.
Cai came in carrying two sloshing, heavy pails, which he deposited on the counter next to the dry sink. He rummaged in one cupboard and pulled out an ironstone pitcher and some glasses and mugs, filling each with water from a pail.
Once he completed that task, he strode to the fireplace, pulled some wood from the box, crouched, and, using the materials she’d gathered, deftly made a fire. “I’ll need to bring in more wood and the food.” As the flames crackled to life, he stood. “Now, isn’t this cozy?”
“Cozy is one way to describe this situation.” With a frown, Edith made a gesture to indicate the room. “I’d sayprimitive.”
And I’m stuck here with you.
* * *
Cai held in a laugh, knowing starchy Edith Grayson wouldn’t share his amusement. “Could be worse. Us stuck in the snow somewhere, me having to throw up a quick lean-to, an open fire for heat….”
“I would have found a way to survive.”I hope.She huffed. “This…this…situationis hardly proper.”
He slid a half-step closer, leaving only about a foot between them.
Her nostrils flared a little, like a horse scenting battle.Or mating.
Even among the smells of smoke and match sulfur, he caught a whiff of her spicy rose scent with a bit of lavender fromMormor’ssoap. “Now, Edith, what kind of gentleman would I be if I took advantage of our solitude and kissed you?”A kiss that led to more.But even Cai didn’t dare say so.Then I’d really be the cad she thinks me.“However, ifyouwere to kissme….”
She frosted up, her lips pinching and her brows pulling together, causing a little crease in her forehead. “Not if we were snowed in forever!”
Cai wanted to drop a kiss on that crease and then head south, kissing her until those prim lips softened. Instead, he pretended he hadn’t heard her. “I think, despite what you say, you do feel some attraction to me. Shall I prove it?” He tapped his cheek and angled his face closer. “Start easy. Pucker up and smack one right here.”
She sucked in a sharp breath.
Knowing he was inviting a literal smack, Cai angled his face to give her the best exposure.A little danger makes life interesting.
Her answering glare made him want to burst out laughing. But he held to a roguish expression, curious as to what would come next—a kiss or a slap. Either would make his point.
Edith Grayson isn’t indifferent to me.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Mesmerized by the man, Edith leaned closer, inhaling his masculine scent. She almost pressed her lips to his cheek.
What am I doing?Edith pulled back from the rogue, conscious of how her bosom rose and fell with the sharpness of her breaths and the hard thumping of her heart. “This is unseemly familiarity, sir.” She had to stop her hands from flying to cover her breasts, as if to hide herself from his gaze.Ridiculous. I’m perfectly covered up, coat and all.“I’d prefer you keep your distance, Mr. Driscoll.” The request came out husky, sounding not at all like her voice.
The rogue surprised Edith by not dropping his gaze to her heaving bosom, which in turn gave her the ability to ease her breathing, at least as much as she could. She’d foolishly worn her corset as tight as possible to appear attractive to a man she wasn’t supposed to like in the first place.An attraction will only plague me when I leave.
“Cai,” he corrected, seeming not at all abashed by her reprimand. If anything, his blue eyes blazed brighter, and an amused smile quirked the corner of his mouth, inviting her to join in his humor. “Still three letters. Ones, when taken together, apply only to me. C-A-I.” He tapped his chest. “Sircould be any man, and I’m definitelynotjust any man.”
That’s certainly true.Not that she intended to pander to his vanity.
Edith stepped back and swept her gaze around the room. “You take that bed.” She pointed to the one farthest away. “I’ll take this one.”
“You’ll sleep here near the fire,” Cai corrected. “Nice and warm.” He patted the one beside it. “Mine. I’ll sleep between the bears and you.”
She wasn’t sure which was more dangerous—a grizzly or Cai Driscoll.
With a wink, he pulled backed and touched the brim of his Stetson. “I’d best fill up the empty pail, bring in more wood, and carry in the supplies.”
Grateful for the reprieve, she nodded, deliberately not watching as he left, shutting the door behind him, and leaving her in the gloom lit only by the fire.
Without his presence, the room felt…. Edith paused to consider.Flat, like a glass of champagne left out too long, losing the effervescent bubbles.
