Page 65 of The Runaway Bride of Blitzen Bay (Blitzen Bay)

“It’s amazing. I have never been this warm,” I say as I take the tray from him. “This is a lot of food. Do you want some?”

“I already ate breakfast—when it was still morning,” he says, raising his eyebrows, “but yeah, I can always eat more.”

I pat the bed and motion for him to sit next to me. He hesitates.

“What? Are we in Victorian England? You can sit next to me in bed without me losing my virtue.”

He smiles as he scoots over next to me. “Yeah, especially in this bed. I don’t think I could find you under all these covers even if I tried—”

“Hmm. I was hoping a Ranger would have better search skills than that.”

“You were hoping that, huh?” He smiles down at me.

“Maybe, but apparently you’re not willing to put in the work.”

“I definitely didn’t say that. Just give me the signal and I will start searching immediately. I mean, now that I know you’re wildly attracted to me and all.”

His eyes are sparkling mischievously at me. I change the subject.

“Are you just going to eat bacon?” I slap his hand as he reaches for another piece. “You know there’s fruit on the tray, too. Maybe a banana to go with all that grease.”

“That’s judgment I don’t need right now,” he says, nudging me with his shoulder. “And don’t think I didn’t notice you changing the subject, Miss Open Book.”

“I’m sorry, Nash,” I say. “I’m not ready.”

“I know you’re not and you don’t have to ever apologize to me,” he says as he takes another piece of bacon off the tray. “Kit told me to back off. I should probably take her advice. Honestly, I’m a little scared of her.”

“That’s very wise. She doesn’t mess around where I’m concerned. Although, she told me to stay away from you, too. I think she kind of likes you. She said she doesn’t want you to be my rebound guy.”

He laughs. “I don’t want to be a rebound guy. Does it have to be like that?”

“I think that’s all it can be right now. I mean, I’m still technically engaged.”

“Only technically?” He locks his eyes with mine. “He’s coming up today, right?”

“He’s supposed to be. I haven’t talked to him.”

“Do you want him to come up here?”

“I don’t care either way. Does that sound horrible? I have to break up with him and I’m being a wimp about it.”

“No, it doesn’t sound horrible, but yeah, you should probably do it sooner than later. He needs to move on with his life, too.”

“You’re right. Everything’s so crazy right now. It makes me want to stay in this bed and never come out.”

“Well, we definitely can’t have that,” he says, standing up. “I came to get you. I have to run some stuff over to Big Bear. Why don’t you come with me?”

“What stuff?”

“Just some stuff Sam and I made that we sell over there. C’mon, get up.”

He tries to pull the duvet off me. I tug it back from him and sink back into my pillows.

“I might go with you if you tell me what we’re delivering.”

“Quit being so nosy. And there’s no ‘might’ about it. You’re going if I have to pull you out of this bed.” He grabs the duvet again. “Elle, are you going to make me pull you out?”

I sigh and roll my eyes. “I will go, but only because you’re making me.”

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