Page 6 of Protecting Vidalia
They finally sat down to grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, all compliments of the camp stove. Dax kept the kitchen stocked with dishes and cooking equipment, so no problem there. A guarded camaraderie had developed and it was rather cozy to be sitting in the warming cabin while the rain kept up a steady tattoo against the French windows on the patio deck. It was totally black outside but the lanterns Dax kept on hand, plus the fireplace, cast a comforting glow over the room.
“So, how long do you plan on staying here?” Jake asked softly as they were finishing dinner.
“I've got the cabin for the next two weeks, if I want it that long,” she replied. “I'm just taking it one day at a time.”
“Do you mind if I visit you?”
Vidalia shrugged her slender shoulders. “I guess you can come over now and then. I really don't care.”
Jake winced. “Ouch...that hurt.”
“You asked,” she replied. Her eyes were huge in the firelight—and very wary.
Jake made a mental note to call Dax tomorrow when he went to get his jeep. If it wouldn’t start, he’d have to haul it back to his cabin where he could work on it. But first of all, he wanted to know exactly what had happened to Vidalia Minton. It was obvious he wasn't going to get any information from her.
***
AFTER CLEANING UP DINNERremains, they moved to the couch and each sat in their respective corners sipping hot chocolate and staring at the fire. The silence wasn’t actually awkward, it was almost peaceful. Vidalia enjoyed the warm glow and the dim lighting; it hid a lot of emotions she’d rather not deal with. She didn’t mind talking about her family or other common subjects, but she drew the line at her job. That was a minefield she staunchly stayed away from.
“So how do you know Dax?” She finally asked.
“We went to the same high school in Denver,” he explained. “After that I joined the service for eight years and then bought the property my cabin sits on. The adjoining property belongs to my parents. It’s close enough to the main road that I’ve spent most of my time there this last year or so.”
“What about in the middle of winter when the pass is closed?” she asked.
“I’m staying with my parents in Denver until I decide where I want to buy a house,” he explained. “Right now, I’m not sure what I want to do yet, so I’m taking some time off.”
“What did you do in the service?” Vidalia was really curious now. At dinner he’d been peppering her with questions and saying nothing about himself. He hesitated briefly and a shadow crossed his face. It occurred to Vidalia that maybe Jake was doing some hiding of his own. His reply was tight.
“I worked in the medical tents,” he said frankly. “I’m not going to lie—it was pretty rough. I was an EMT before I went in so that’s where they put me when I signed up. When I wasn’t on call, I was studying medical training online.”
“It’s interesting that you and Dax both ended up in the medical field,” she mused, watching the fire sending dancing shadows about the room.
“Well, I can’t say it’s really a medical field. More like emergency training, I guess. Although, I was planning on going to med school when I returned. But I’m not solid with that yet.” He got up and put some more logs on the fire.
Vidalia watched his smooth, fluid movements, the muscles tensing in his strong thighs when he crouched down. Attraction stirred restlessly once again in her abdomen. When he returned to the couch, she was hyper aware of him. Her skin prickled when he sat down closer to her than his corner. She glanced down at her watch. “It’s almost 9:30 pm no wonder I’m tired. I think I’ll just go to bed.” She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep, but sitting here with Jake so close wasn’t an option either. She could feel his interest. At any other time, she’d be interested right back, but not right now.
“You might want to sleep here on the couch tonight, since the electricity is still out,” Jake replied with a nod.
“Where will you sleep then?” She stood up and gazed down at him.
“I’ll sleep in the loft. Heat rises and there aren’t any doors to close except for the bathroom.”
“I’ll just sleep in the bedroom and leave the door ajar,” she decided. “That way some of the heat will get in there. You can have the couch and keep the fire going.”
His eyebrow arched. “You’re a bossy little thing, aren’t you?”
“You invited yourself over,” she reminded him with a grin. “The least you can do is keep wood on the fire.”
He stood up and towered over her with a gleam in his eye. “I can think of few other fires I’d like to start.”
Vidalia blushed and quickly headed for her bedroom. Her heart rate had picked up and she was half afraid he might follow her.
“Coward,” he taunted softly.
“Bully,” she retorted, glancing over her shoulder just as she slipped inside. Against his advice, she closed the door and locked it. How could she sleep without fear with that testosterone overload sleeping on her couch?
“Leave the door ajar, Vidalia,” he ordered through the wooden barrier.
