Page 9 of Snowed-in With The Mountain Man
Speaking of storms...
When I emerge from the bathroom, I find Ridge and Chellie in the kitchen, both staring at his phone with serious expressions.
"Weather's changing," Ridge explains before I can ask. "Major system moving in faster than they predicted. We need to make that supply run today, not tomorrow."
I glance out the window where snow already falls more heavily than yesterday. "Will the roads still be passable?"
"For now." He slides a mug of coffee toward me, our fingers brushing in the exchange. The simple contact sends electricity up my arm, my body still oversensitive from my shower activities. "But by tonight, we'll be completely cut off. Forecasting three feet with high winds."
"A real blizzard?" The prospect should frighten me. Instead, I feel a treacherous thrill at the thought of being truly trapped here with him, no escape from whatever is building between us.
"A real blizzard." His eyes hold mine, something dark and promising in their depths. "We'll be fine as long as we prepare properly."
Chellie tugs at my sweater. "Fish, Mama? You promised."
I'd completely forgotten my promise to take her to see the tropical fish at the pet store in town. "I don't know, baby. There's a big storm coming."
Ridge grabs his keys from the hook by the door. "We can do both. Pet store first, then supplies. If we leave now, we'll beat the worst of it."
An hour later, we're pulling into a parking space outside Peggie's Petals and Paws. The snow falls steadily now, already accumulating on the windshield during our brief stop.
"Let's make this quick," Ridge says as he helps Chellie from her car seat. "Storm's moving in fast."
Inside, the shop is warm and fragrant with potting soil and pet food. Chellie immediately spots the wall of illuminated aquariums, tugging us toward the glowing blue tanks.
"Fish!" she squeals, pressing her hands against the glass.
Ridge kneels beside her, large hand resting naturally on her small back. "See that orange one? That's a clownfish, like Nemo."
"Nemo!" Chellie's excitement draws a smile from both of us.
The shop door jingles, and Peggie emerges from the back room, gray pixie cut dusted with potting soil. "Well, look what the storm blew in! Stella Brooks and company, shopping right before a blizzard like everyone else in town."
She peers over her reading glasses, gaze moving from me to Ridge to Chellie and back again. Her eyebrows climb toward her hairline. "And with a little one, no less. When did this happen?"
Heat floods my face. Before I can formulate a response, Ridge's arm slides around my waist, warm and solid.
"We're getting some last-minute supplies before the storm hits," he says smoothly, neither confirming nor denying Peggie's implication. "Chellie wanted to see the fish."
"Well, aren't you the spitting image of your mama," Peggie tells Chellie, who barely glances up from the fish tank. "Would you like to help me feed them?"
While Chellie is occupied with fish flakes, Ridge and I browse the small store, gathering treats for the bluebirds that visit his feeders. His hand finds the small of my back with increasing frequency, guiding me through narrow aisles, each touch lingering longer than strictly necessary.
"Peggie's going to tell everyone in town we're together," I murmur, examining dog brushes we don't need.
"Let her." His voice drops lower, sending shivers down my spine. "Gives Rick one more reason to stay away if he thinks you're with me now."
The protective edge in his tone does something to me, awakens something primal and hungry. I look up at him, finding his green eyes already on me, intense and unguarded.
"Ridge," I start, uncertain what I even want to say.
Before I can continue, the shop door jingles again. A tall blonde enters, stopping short when she sees us.
"Ridge?" Her voice is warm honey, her smile practiced. "What a surprise."
His posture stiffens slightly beside me. "Kimmie. Getting storm supplies?"
"Just some treats for Mr. Whiskers." Her gaze shifts to me, assessment clear in her blue eyes. "And you must be Stella. I've heard about you."
