Page 16 of Hot Winter Nights (Bear Mountain Rescue 1)

She looked up toward her front door and found Dex standing in the doorway. He stooped to pick up the mangled box, giving her a dry look as he tossed it onto the overturned trash can.

“I’ve been dreaming my whole life about a woman who looks like an angel and cusses like a sailor.”

Allie glanced around for something else to throw, but couldn’t find anything worthwhile.

“What is it with you? Don’t you know that cheesy lines and breaking and entering are not sexy?”

The panty-melting grin he shot her almost made a liar out of her. “That’s too bad, ’cause that’s all the game I’ve got.”

“Obviously! What are you even doing here this early?”

Waving at the tool belt on his hips, he said, “I have the day off, so I figured I’d get started on those repairs. After all, the sooner I get them done, the sooner you start paying me.”

“Next time, you need to call and then knock before you just come barging in. I could have been sleeping or in the shower.”

“Now you’re just teasing me,” he said, shamelessly grinning at her.

“Whatever. The first thing you can do is figure out how he got in because your stupid cardboard is still there.”

Dex walked over to stand under the cardboard, turning his head from every angle, as if looking for a weakness. “Huh. Maybe he never left the cabin after all. Maybe he’s in a cupboard or something right now?”

Allie picked up Kermit, her gaze darting around the room in alarm. “Do you think so?”

“Could be. I’ll do a thorough search. Your cupboards, your closets…I should probably check your underwear drawer, too.”

She realized he was messing with her, again, and glared at him. “Ha-ha, I had my door shut, so there’s no way he was in my room.” A lump crawled up her throat, and she hated that she was about to cry, especially in front of Dex. “Please just find him and make sure he doesn’t get in again, okay? I can’t stand the thought that he might hurt Kermit if I don’t realize he’s in here.”

Every trace of humor left his face. “I’ll fix the problem.”

“Thank you.” Grimly surveying the mess once more, she said, “I guess I’ll put Kermit in his crate while I clean up.”

Kermit wasn’t happy about being locked up again, but she didn’t want him underfoot while she cleaned. Especially if any raccoon poop had gotten onto the floor.

As she scrubbed the counter, her gaze kept straying to Dex as he inspected every nook and cranny. He looked good in the white T-shirt and jeans, the tool belt slung low on his hips. He was wearing a dark ball cap that covered his sun-streaked brown hair, and the shadow of the bill gave his face a mysterious edge.

Hunter. Focus on Hunter, remember? He’s the catch here.

“I’ll be gone most of the day, so don’t worry about me being in your way.”

“Working today?” he asked without turning around.

“No, Hunter Gracin is showing me around.”

Did his shoulders stiffen or was that just her imagination?

“Oh, well, that’ll be good. Hunter’s a good guy.”

“Yeah, he seems nice.”

“Plus, he’s a doctor.”

Allie bristled at his tone, as if he were insinuating that was the only reason she’d said yes to Hunter. Okay, so he was settled with a career and that was a factor in her decision to go for him, but that didn’t mean she was a gold digger. She had money of her own.

“What are you saying?”

“Nothing, I just know that most women want to score a man with money and a high-powered job. Doctors are the ideal, right?”

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