Page 13 of The Mountain Man's Christmas Bride
No.I shake my head and once he’s in the door, I get it closed behind him. There’s a pile of wood already by the fireplace, so dropping his keys on the counter, I start for it.
“Leave that to me,” Rhett says from the small kitchen. “You should check on the kittens.”
Right. But I’ve already set my sights on being helpful, not just someone who lazes around someone else’s home while they take care of everything. I refuse to be a terrible guest, and it doesn’t take rocket science to build a fire.
“I’ve got it,” I call back, trying to keep my voice light. “Anyway, it’s the least I can do.”
“Sage,” he warns, voice sending shivers down my spine.
But I grab the first piece of wood, and it splinters into my hand.
I hiss, dropping it back onto the pile, and stare at the nail sized piece of wood protruding from my palm. “Shit.”
One moment Rhett is in the kitchen, and the next he’s beside me, one arm going around my waist while the other gently takes my hand.
For a brief moment, I expect him to be mad. Scott would have been. He would have shouted. Called me a stupid bitch for not listening. Told me to fix the problem because I made it, not him.
My heart pounds, racing erratically as I wait for him to snap. Wait for the inevitable shoe to drop. Because surely, he’s not always so kind and caring.
But Rhett never does. Because he’s not Scott.
“We can get this fixed up,” he says, gruff voice gentle. “Come. Sit and I’ll get the first aid kit.”
“I am so sorry,” I reply, voice shaky as I stare at the splinter. “You said?—”
“Hey.” He captures my cheek, forcing me to look at him. The deep colour of his eyes is almost calming. “Don’t be sorry.”
I can’t get my racing heart under control, and the way he’s looking at me now only makes it worse. There is not a single ounce of anger in his gaze. Such a silly accident would have had Scott muttering under his breath about how stupid I could be, but Rhett actually looks concerned—worried about me.
Why does a man I’ve known for all of two days look more concerned over my splinter than a man who was supposed to love me did about my last miscarriage?
Why does Rhett already care more for me than Scott ever did?
It’s terrifying and electrifying all at once. And it betrays everything I set out to do when I came to Willow Ridge. When I decided to leave Denver, I told myself I wouldn’t fall for anyone ever again. No more love, no more dreams of a grand wedding and babies and a husband who actually loves me and treats me right.
When I got here, I gave up on the dream of being a Mom. And yet here he is, showing me he could be the perfect father for the children I’ll never be able to have.
With every kind act and soft look Rhett passes me, all those promises I made myself go out the window.
SEVEN
RHETT
The sound of her footsteps draws me out of my thoughts of yesterday. Of running into Scott, the marriage license, and then our kiss.
All night, I’d been staring at the photographs. Not just the ones of our kiss, but the ones that came after. Her shocked yet happy smile. My own. The rosy colour of her cheeks and the way her lips had tasted still play on my mind even now as I drink my coffee.
In the reflection of the kitchen window, I catch sight of Sage and go stiff. She’s wearing nothing more than an over-sized t-shirt, legs totally bare except for the socks that roll down her calves.
“You should put something warmer on,” I say without looking at her. “We’re snowed in.”
Sage stops beside me, smelling far too tempting, humming under her breath. “I sleep hot,” she says, staring up at me with those wide, gorgeous eyes. “And the fire makes this room so toasty.”
“Toasty?” I eye her warily, trying to keep from getting distracted by her legs. “It’ll get cold. Fast. Go put something warmer on.”
Her eyes narrow, hands going to her hips. “Just because we’remarried,” she says, doing air quotes aroundmarried, “doesn’t mean you get to tell me what to do or boss me around, Rhett. I’m a grown woman. The cabin is so small, the fire is warming the entire place perfectly. And I don’t feel the cold once I have socks on.”
Setting my coffee mug down, I turn to her. “I’m notbossingyou around, princess. I’m warning you:it will get cold.”
