Page 38 of More Than Words
I took a step back, surprised.“You are?”
He chuckled.“I figured you’d already be closed up, but I saw the light and I just wanted to make sure you had everything you needed for the storm.It sounds like it’s going to be a big one.”
“Oh.”I was touched by his thoughtfulness.“The forecast just saidsnow.” I held my fingers up in air quotes.
Ethan laughed.“The weather in the mountains is so unpredictable that the forecasters often just default to their best guess.But I just got off the phone with Preston.He works with the search and rescue crew,” he added, when I looked confused.“He told me the roads are already sheer ice, people are sliding all over, there are lots of cars in the ditch already, and the snow shows no signs of stopping.Our first storm of the season will be a good one.”
“Wow.”I looked past him into the plaza.What was left of the afternoon sun was all but blocked by the dark clouds and the heavy snow.“I must have gotten lucky last year.We had some big snow dumps, but nothing like this.”Truthfully, after my first winter in Trickle Creek, I’d been surprised there hadn’t been more severe weather.“I guess I’m past due.”
Ethan smiled for a moment, but his expression quickly morphed to concern.“Are you okay here?You have everything you need?”
“I do.”I nodded.“What about you?Is Quinn?—”
“She’s with Reid and Avery at the inn.It’ll be safe and warm there.”
“And you?”I didn’t know exactly where Ethan lived, but I did know he lived just on the edge of town.And if the roads were already icy…“You’re not driving in this, are you?”
“Oh no.”He shook his head.“I’m a confident winter driver and I have snow tires, but it’s the other drivers you need to worry about.”He chuckled a little.“Besides, I don’t feel like adding to my little brother’s workload tonight.”He shrugged.“I’ll stay in the brewery.”
“No.”My response was immediate.“You can’t stay in the brewery.You’ll stay here.”
“Delaney.I don’t want to impose on?—”
“Ethan.”I reached for his arm and tugged him forward.“Don’t be ridiculous.There is no way I’m letting you sleep with your beer tonight.You’re stuck with me.”
His smile was warm and sent a thrill through me.“There are worse places to be snowed in.”
I tried not to smile.“Come on upstairs,” I said.“Before you track snow through my entire shop.”
ChapterEleven
Ethan
I’d never been in Delaney’s little apartment before, but it was exactly how I would have pictured it.It was small.Like, really small.But it was cozy.The windows overlooking the plaza let in lots of light.Or they would have if there hadn’t been a huge snowstorm raging outside.
She had a plant on the windowsill and books stacked on every available surface.Not that there were many.There was no kitchen table, just a little eating bar attached to the tiny cooking space that blended into the living room, which was only big enough for a small couch and a coffee table.
“Your place is cute.”I shrugged out of my jacket and hung it on the hook in the small hallway.I’d left my boots at the bottom of the stairs by the back door, where they could dry.
“It’s not much.”She looked bashful but also proud.“But I don’t need a lot and since I spend most of my time in the shop anyway…”
“I really like it.”
“Thank you,” she said softly.She held my gaze for a moment before quickly looking away.“I was just going to heat up some stew I had in the freezer.”She turned away and busied herself in the small kitchen.“It seemed like a perfect snowy night meal.I have enough for two, if you’re hungry.”
“That sounds perfect.”I stepped out of her way.“We should probably eat before the power goes out.”
“The power?”She looked over her shoulder, worry on her face.“You think it’ll go out?”
“There’s a good chance for sure.”I glanced out the window.“Preston said the lines are already heavy with ice, so I wouldn’t be surprised.”
“Well, this won’t take long.Make yourself at home.”
Delaney was already moving around the little kitchen, pulling together the makings of a meal.I couldn’t stop watching her.
She wore another of her oversized sweater jacket things over a black shirt and jeans.Since coming upstairs, she’d pulled her long hair up into a messy bun and pushed her sleeves up.She looked relaxed and at ease in her natural habitat.
And softer than the sharp, confident woman who single-handedly ran Plot Twist.
