Page 25 of Snowed In With the Mountain Man
Dahlia glared at her. Oh, she wanted to see fire? Dahlia could burn the little fashion princess to a freakin’ crisp!
Rose’s hand shot out from under the table, lightly resting on Dahlia’s wrist, as if silently telling her to be calm and not embarrass her.
Clenching her jaw, Dahlia jerked away from the table and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?” Emma asked.
Dahlia was facing away so no one saw her eye roll at the kind concern in Emma’s tone. As if she was actually worried about Dahlia.Please.
“I need some air,” she muttered over her shoulder. Reaching for the coatrack, she pulled the first winter jacket she could find off the peg and stuck her feet in some too-big muck boots that were sitting by the door. “After I’ve reviewed the numbers, we’ll talk again.”
She heard Lizzy start to sputter something, but Dahlia was done. She needed to clear her head. Her throat was too tight, and the sinking sun with its burnt orange glow seemed to echo how she felt.
Like she was fading. Like she was misplaced.
Like if she didn’t get out of this house and this town, she’d lose it completely.
8
Zion was the first to spot Dahlia.
JJ looked down at his horse, who’d come to a halt. “What’s the holdup, mister?”
But then he lifted his head to follow Zion’s gaze, and he saw her.
Dahlia.
Her dark hair gave her away, even though she looked like a big cream puff in a big ol’ shapeless jacket. She wasn’t walking with her usual purposeful strides but rather stomping through the snow in men’s boots.
He nudged Zion forward, the snow giving way beneath his hooves with a satisfying crunch as he ambled toward her. She didn’t seem to notice him coming, so JJ had plenty of time to watch her as she swiped at her face with impatient movements.
Was she…
Was shecrying?
His heart took a tumble, and he urged Zion into a canter. She stopped walking and blinked up at him when he slowed to a stop beside her.
Her eyes were a little red around the edges, though her cheeks were dry. He kept his voice as gentle as he could. “Howdy.”
She flinched, shying away from the large beast who was doing his best to sniff her hair.
“Stop now, Zion. Come on, boy.” He dismounted and walked around, gently pushing the horse’s nose away. Though he couldn’t blame Zion for being curious. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” Her voice and face said otherwise, and he waited quietly for her to elaborate. After a few moments, she crossed her arms and frowned. “Stop staring at me.”
He shrugged. “You’re pretty. It’s hard not to.”
Maybe he shouldn’t have said it, but it felt right. This woman was beautiful; there were no two ways about it. And right about now, he suspected she could do with a little kindness.
She narrowed her eyes. “Is that a line?”
He grinned. So defensive. “Nope. Just a fact.”
Her brows came down with confusion, and she opened her mouth like she wanted to say something sharp and witty.
But then her lips twitched like she wanted to smile. She clamped down on her bottom lip with her teeth instead.
He idly patted Zion’s neck as he studied her. He’d rarely seen her outside the house during her visits. Not surprising since it was bitterly cold this winter. Whatever had her coming out here must have really rattled her.
