Page 16 of Snowed-in With The Mountain Man
"Then stay." His voice roughens with emotion. "Build a life here. With me."
"It's not that simple." I trace patterns on his chest, focusing on the steady thump beneath my fingers. "Rick will find out we're in Whisper Vale. We can’t hide forever Ridge. He could cause problems."
"Let him try." The steel in Ridge's voice makes me look up, finding his expression fierce and protective. "I won't let him near you or Chellie. And neither will my brothers nor half this town once they know the truth."
The certainty in his voice soothes fears I've been carrying for months. This is what I've been missing with Rick, with every man I've known since leaving Whisper Vale. This absolute certainty that I'm not facing the world alone.
Dang it, I’m falling for my best friend. Hell, I may have already fully fallen.
In the distance, I hear Chellie calling for me, voice still fuzzy with sleep. The real world intruding on our sanctuary.
"Perfect timing," Ridge laughs softly against my lips.
But there's no regret in his voice, no frustration. Just acceptance that this is our reality now. Stolen moments and shared responsibilities. A family taking shape in the midst of a blizzard.
And as I reluctantly leave his bed to dress, his eyes following me with newfound possessiveness, I realize I wouldn't have it any other way.
CHAPTER SEVEN
RIDGE
The snow continues falling as afternoon stretches into evening, accumulating against the windows in a wall of white. Inside, the cabin feels different now. Charged. As if the air itself recognizes a fundamental shift has taken place between Stella and me.
We move around each other in a new dance, casual touches lingering longer, glances holding deeper meaning. Every brush of her hand against mine sends electricity crackling up my arm, memories of her body beneath mine still fresh and intoxicating.
"Higher, Widge!" Chellie demands from her perch on my shoulders. We're playing "airplane" in the great room, her tiny hands gripping my hair for stability as I carefully navigate around furniture.
"Any higher and you'll hit the ceiling, princess." I steady her legs as I turn in a slow circle, her delighted giggles warming something deep in my chest.
Stella watches us from the kitchen doorway, lips curved in a soft smile. She's wearing one of my flannel shirts over herthermal top, the sleeves rolled up several times, looking more beautiful than I've ever seen her.
"Time for dinner, airplane pilots," she announces. "The stew is ready."
Using the camping stove, she's managed to create something remarkable from our emergency provisions. The rich aroma fills the cabin, making my mouth water. I swing Chellie down from my shoulders, setting her carefully on her feet.
"Go wash your hands, baby," Stella instructs. "Remember to use the water I set aside."
With the pipes at risk of freezing, we've been conserving water, keeping several containers filled for drinking and basic hygiene. The system works, though showering will soon become a distant memory if the power stays out much longer.
As Chellie skips toward the bathroom, I approach Stella, unable to resist sliding my arms around her waist from behind. She leans back against my chest, head tilting to allow me access to her neck.
"Smells amazing," I murmur, pressing my lips to the spot below her ear that I discovered makes her shiver.
"The stew or me?" She turns in my arms, hands coming to rest on my chest.
"Both." I capture her mouth in a kiss that quickly deepens, her body melting against mine as if we've been doing this for years instead of hours.
A clatter from the bathroom breaks us apart, both of us turning toward the sound.
"I okay!" Chellie calls, voice pitched higher than normal.
Stella laughs softly. "Never a dull moment with a two year old."
"I wouldn't have it any other way." The admission slips out naturally, but the vulnerability in her eyes makes me realize how much it means to her. "I mean it, Stella. Both of you. I want this."
She rises on tiptoes, pressing her lips to mine in a kiss that feels like a promise. "Me too."
Dinner passes in comfortable domesticity, Chellie chattering about Sparkle the fish and the snow monsters she's certain are lurking outside. I find myself watching them both, marveling at how quickly they've become essential to my happiness. Three weeks ago I was alone in this cabin, content but incomplete in ways I hadn't fully recognized. Now I can't imagine these rooms without Stella's laughter or Chellie's exuberant presence.
