Page 29 of A Very Merry Mistake

“Yes,” she whispers, moving her gaze away.

A fire ignites inside of me; the attraction is undeniable. I place my hand under her chin and force her attention back on me before she puts up her wall. “I’ve got plenty of food and water. Unlimited firewood. And a gas stove. Moonshine. And board games. Just think of it like a mini winter adventure.”

She doesn’t look convinced. “I’ve never not had electricity.”

This makes me laugh. “Outages happen often around here durin’ this time of year. If there’s a lot of ice, it will snap power lines. High winds will knock over poles. It’s just a part of country livin’ that you learn to deal with.”

“Or you get a generator that will run your entire place so you don’t have to worry about it.”

“It’s on my list of things to buy. Maybe one day, but for now, we’ll rough it.”

“I don’t like the sound of that.” She sighs.

“At least you’ll have a fun story to tell your friends.”

This makes her roll her eyes. “Corny.”

“Maybe so, but you’re safe. I’m not gonna let anything happen to you.”

“Thank you. You’re a gentleman.”

I start preparing us for what’s to come as Claire finishes her espresso at the island. First, I work on the fireplaces, and as soon as the wood catches, it lights the room. I’m thankful I brought extra wood inside last week when it was clear we’d be experiencing severe weather. It will be important to keep the house as warm as possible, because the forecast predicts we’ll hit the lower teens by tonight. I close the thick curtains, knowing the fabric will keep most of the cold out of the house.

“I need to get some supplies from outside. I’ll be back.”

I put on my boots and head to my workshop, where I do my woodworking projects throughout the year. Inside are a few lamps and an oversized battery tank I bought over the summer for my camping trips. I’ve kept it charged, but the cold can affect its efficiency, so it’s better it comes inside with me anyway.

With hands full, I glance over at the motorcycle that’s covered in the corner of my shop, then shake my head. Hank is an asshole.

When I return to the cabin, I take off my boots. My shadow dances on the wall as I walk across the living room to the kitchen. Claire is on the stool where I left her. I turn on a lamp and hand it over.

It lights her face, and I smile as I hold up the battery that’s shaped like a small ice chest. “This is if you need to charge your phone.”

“Shit,” she hisses. “I need to text my sister so she doesn’t worry. At least she knows where I am.”

“Oh, really? You told her about me?”

Her mouth twitches. “I did.”

“And did she tell you that you’d lost your mind for coming home with me?”

Claire crosses her leg and tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. This woman is a flirt as she bats her long lashes at me. “Actually, yes. And she’ll really lose it when I explain I slept in your bed.”

“She’s going to call the authorities. Going home with a stranger. Sleeping in his bed with him.”

“Moving in with him for a month.” She shrugs.

“Are you?” I ask, hoping she’s not kidding. “Because the offer is one hundred percent on the table.”

“I’m considering it.”

I lift my brows. “Wait, you’re serious?”

“As long as you don’t mind.”

I can’t hold back my wide smile. “I think it would be fun.”

“There’s only one problem, though. I don’t like owing anyone anything. So I insist on paying you something.”

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