Page 45 of Snowed In With the Mountain Man
She pouted, and he…
Well, he laughed. He couldn’t help it.
She planted her hands on her hips, which only made him laugh harder.
Gradually, her lips started to twitch too. “I look stupid.”
“No,” he said quickly, tugging at the ear flaps to adjust the cap. “You look adorable.”
And she did.
Everything was too big on her, and she was all but drowning in the snow pants. Even the hat was too big. “You look like a kid playing dress-up.”
She snickered. “That was more Daisy’s thing.”
“What was your thing as a kid?”
Her gaze darted away, and once again he was reminded of a spooked colt. He gentled his touch as he adjusted her collar, covering every inch of her that she didn’t need for breathing or seeing.
“Personally, I was always outdoors as a kid,” he said.
“Shocker.”
“My mama would be hollering for me on the porch steps long after the sun went down.”
Her smile was small and sweet and… just a little sad.
“What about you?” he asked.
“What about me?”
He narrowed his eyes like he was thinking it over. “I bet you were a tomboy. Am I right?”
Her chuckle was rueful. “I probably would have been, but…” She shrugged. “I didn’t have that luxury.”
His chest constricted at the flicker of emotion in her eyes before she looked away.What does that mean?He stopped the words before they could tumble out.
She’d talk in time… if she wanted to.
“So, how do we do this?” She eyed the gear next to the tent, obviously keen to stop talking and just do. He understood—action was easier than words.
“Ever been fishin’?”
She shook her head.
“Then I guess we’ll start with the basics, city girl.”
“Don’t worry. I catch on quick.” She mocked his accent with a playful grin.
“I have no doubt.” He held up the box of maggots and wigglers. “Does that mean you want to bait your own hook?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Um, how about I watch you this first time.”
He chuckled. “Fair enough.”
He led her over to the hole he’d drilled in the ice and situated a seat for her nearby.
“You really thought of everything,” she murmured.
