Page 6 of Winter's Kiss

That was the first night I dreamed of Rowland, and something inside me woke. Who was he? The question moved through my mind as though a riddle that couldn’t be answered. I had spoken very little to him, looked him so briefly in the eyes, and yet I could not get them out of my mind. He held this mystery about him that seemed to pull at me. Even in the dream, he remained at arm’s length, no words spoken. As I neared him, a sudden bang brought me from the dream.

I slowly sat up; my hand ran through my thick hair. “What the hell was that?” I asked myself with a light laugh. I had never experienced a dream like that. Even with the simplest of natures my body reacted, my heart left a flutter with his presence.

What did this mean? I asked myself as I flipped the blanket over me. I made a slow glide across the room, my arms crossed in front of my chest from the chill in the air. I glanced outside. There had to be a good two feet of snow. A white blanket stretched as far as the eye could go. Was I stuck in this house with strangers for however long this storm played out? What choice did I have?

“There she is.” I smiled at Anna as I made my way into the kitchen. “Was starting to worry about you dear.” Had I slept in that late? I made my way toward the counter. Theo, with a smile, sat alone at the wooden round table in the corner of the room.

“I guess I needed the sleep more than I thought,” I explained with a sweet smile.

“Well, let us get you a cup of coffee. How do you take it?” Anna asked with a quick spin to the pot which sat on the other side of the room.

“Black, please,” I replied with a clear of my throat.

“Just like Rowland.” She mumbled while she poured the hot liquid. With a quick step, she handed me the cup. Did this woman ever not smile? I couldn’t help but wonder if it all had been a dream? One brought on by the lack of pleasantries I had lived with, mixed with the tiredness from my drive. I nearly had myself convinced when the loud bang from the kitchen’s side door startled me.

There he was, I thought. He stepped into the room, the same black beanie atop his head along with the red and white plaid shirt. I felt my knees grow instantly weak when our gazes connected, and I saw him for the first time in the brightness of the daylight. He had a strong build, where you could tell he had meat on his bones. His beard was thicker than I had taken notice of the night before, perfectly shaped along what I knew had to be a firm jaw.

His steps were heavy, and a small snow trail was left behind his black boots as he made his way across the room. I lifted the mug to my lips. My gaze lingered over the rim as he moved to his mother. Anna leaned into her son as he placed a soft kiss against her temple, his height so much taller than I registered on the side of the road. I felt my cheeks flush with the thought of climbing him, just as he glanced back at me.

“Rowland, where are your manners?” Anna asked as I lowered my mug. “Say good morning to our guest.” He gave me a nod, and I felt like I could melt. Without a word, he slid behind his mother and poured himself a cup of coffee.

“There should be a break with the clouds today, a suitable time to head into town.” Rowland nodded his head with his father’s statement as he turned and leaned against the counter. I found myself staring at him, lost in the beauty this man possessed. “Natasha here needs to see if she gets better service out of the valley here. She must make a call.” Theo had offered to take me and as I planned to let him know I made a call last night, the idea of going with Rowland was something I couldn’t pass up.

“After breakfast, of course.” Anna quickly inserted.

“Oh, thank you. But I normally just have coffee for breakfast.” It had been like I said something comical. Anna looked at me as though confused while Rowland lifted his cup toward his lips to hide the side smile that formed along with them.

“Nonsense. You can’t start a day without a delicious meal. That’s just unheard of.” She continued. Rowland, with an arched brow, pushed from the counter and sat the cup down.

“I better finish outside.” Rowland quickly moved to the door. His efforts to move from the house stopped with the sudden words of his mother.

“Don’t forget the path to the barn.” Rowland nodded his head, his gaze returned to me.

“Enjoy your breakfast.” He smirked at his words and walked from the house. Rowland had played off as the silent type, the smoldering man, but there was something else there. I felt it. My lips curved into a soft smile at the thought, and my attention shifted to Theo as he spoke.

“Have a seat, dear.” Without objection, I grabbed my cup and moved to the table, a smile pulled along my lips as I sat across from the older man. “Tell me, how did a city girl like yourself get so far from home?” I arched my brows with a nervous chuckle at his direct question.

“Well, I was on my way to visit my sister in North Carolina. Haven’t seen her in a long time and wanted to stay for a week.” Theo nodded at my words.

“Is that whom you spoke with last night?” My mouth parted; words lost on the tip of my tongue.

“I, I mean, it was her, but…” Theo chuckled at my stutter.

“I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable, dear. I wasn’t eavesdropping.” He stated with a grin,

“I simply heard the soft conversation when I woke in the middle of the night. It’s easy to hear things in this house at night.”

“If you knew I was able to make a call, why did you?” Theo glanced at his wife as she cooked breakfast. His gaze returned to me with a gentle smile.

“I’m an old man, dear, but I notice things more than I get credit for. I noticed the look you gave my son last night after your arrival.” I wanted to die. I felt my cheeks flush red, and my hands started to shake, while I lowered my gaze. I needed to lie. Lord knows how long I will be in this house.

“I was just thanking him for saving me,” I admitted, Theo with a chuckle in response.

“Sure, dear.” I brought my gaze back to his, those big brown eyes set on me as though they could see right through me. “I can always tell him you were able to make your call if you wish.”

“No, I…” My words trailed off as his grin grew. The idea of spending time with Rowland had piqued my interest more than even I knew it had.

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.” Theo winked and smiled as Anna moved to the side of the table and sat a plate of food down in front of both him and me. My eyes grew wide at the food. I had never eaten so much in a single meal.

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