Page 49 of Snowed In With the Mountain Man
Even back home in New York she couldn’t recall many occasions like this, where she didn’t feel like she was putting on an act or had to impress someone.
But that was all the more reason she ought to go. The voice of reason was nagging at her to leave before she got any more attached to this man or the way she felt here in his home.
It was his home, not hers.
And the main house was Rose’s home… and Emma’s and Lizzy’s. But not hers.
“I should get back.” She picked up her jacket by the door, then slid her feet into her boots.
“I’ll walk you,” he said.
She knew better than to argue. He’d walk her back no matter what.
The chill hit her as soon as she stepped out of the bunkhouse, and she buried her hands in her pockets and hunched her shoulders, hiding her mouth behind the tall collar of her jacket.
They walked most of the way in silence, and Dahlia was enchanted by the way the full moon lit the snow.
“Looks like it’s glowing.”
“Mmm,” he murmured.
She tipped her head back to take in the bright, clear sky, the stars twinkling overhead. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything so pretty.”
“Neither have I.”
His voice was so low she almost missed it, and when she glanced over, his gaze was fixed on her, not the sky.
She dipped her head, grateful that he likely couldn’t see her blush in this dim light. As they drew close to the main house’s back door, she found her footsteps slowing.
“Well,” she said, coming to a stop at the edge of the back porch, “I guess this is good night.”
She nearly rolled her eyes at how silly she sounded. She’d never once gotten nervous at the end of a date, so why was she acting like a total girly girl right now? She cleared her throat as she turned to face him.
“Thank you for a lovely day,” she added.
Oh heck. Now she sounded like a prissy schoolmarm.
His lips hitched up on one side, and she felt the warmth of his smile like a bolt of lightning.
“I’m the one who should be thanking you.” He inched a little closer. “Ice fishing has never been so fun.”
She smiled and edged toward the door.
“Now hang on one second.” He smiled as he spoke, and that Southern drawl of his had never been so prominent.
She arched a brow as he moved in closer again.
“Isn’t it customary to end a date with a kiss?”
Heat rushed through her at the mischievous glint in his eyes. And then his gaze dipped to her lips.
Her mouth went dry, and her knees felt suspiciously weak as she tripped over her words. “Oh, um, I don’t… I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
A hysterical laugh nearly exploded out of her at that understatement. Her lips tingled with the urge to lean forward and touch his. She had to clench her hands into fists to keep from reaching for him.
Goodness, what had come over her?
She stumbled back a step.
