Frozen: A Winter Romance Anthology

by Melange Books, LLC

  Casey sat in the rocking chair thumbing through old hunting magazines. She didn’t care much for the stories but liked looking at the pictures of the wildlife. Every now and then she thumbed through a fishing magazine. For a change of scenery, she’d steal glimpses of Noah sitting at the kitchen table as he carved on a small piece of wood with several components of his Swiss Army knife and a piece of sandpaper.

  “Come on, tell me, what are you making?” Casey asked for the second time.

  “You’ll see when it’s done.” His soft teasing tone and smile sent her heart into overdrive.

  Casey kept her eyes on him as he worked but keeping her distance as he requested.

  “What?” he asked as he caught her staring again.

  “Nothing, just watching you work. You look so engrossed in your project I can’t help myself.” Her smile drew one from him.

  He winked. “Well, stop it. You’re distracting me, and I can’t be cutting off my finger.”

  Good God, what she’d give for him to wink at her again, but then again, maybe he better not because it might cause her already heated face and swelling heart to explode. An engineer, an artist, and a man who cared deeply about his family...what more could a woman ask for in a man?

  Casey rose to her feet, stepped toward the window and stared into the darkness. Frigid air seeped through the corners of the window. How long is this storm going to last?

  “Perhaps tomorrow you’ll be able to get out of here,” Noah said, glancing up from his project.

  “Being here isn’t so bad.”

  Noah’s intensified gaze bored into her soul. Excitement snapped through her. Even though she didn’t know her situation—single, married, significant other—she wanted him, and she knew by the all-telling look in his eyes he wanted her, too. If he didn’t remove his steaming gaze from her right this instant she’d strip her clothes off and do him right there at the kitchen table. Noah’s gaze lingered for a few beats before he pulled it from her and resumed working on his carving.

  She watched as he ran his fingers over the raw wood, and then blew on it, freeing it of unwanted fragments. She imagined his fingers stroking her as softly and gently as they stroked the carving. Her breath caught in her throat at the mere thought. The window creaked, snapping her out of her sexual reverie, and reminding her to breathe.

  A glimpse at the clock let her know it was only nine o’clock, yet she was tired. She slipped into the bunkroom and changed into the t-shirt she’d worn the night before as a nightgown.

  * * * *

  When Casey resurfaced from the bunkroom Noah’s breath hitched, and he almost dropped his carving. She looked so damned sexy wearing his t-shirt, the same one he’d slipped her into the night before. Visions of easing her lovely body into the shirt flashed through his mind. Sweat beaded on his brow, and his erection nearly tore through his zipper. If it hadn’t been for her medical state at the time, he would have loved nothing more than to run his needy hands over every inch of her as he’d done in the not so recent past.

  He watched as she grabbed another magazine off the end table before she lay on the couch, propping herself up a bit against the arm. Pulling the blanket off the back of the couch, she tucked it around her and then started thumbing through the magazine. Before long, her eyes closed.

  Noah finished his carving of a bear cub climbing a tree, not his best work, but he was under a deadline. He wrapped his masterpiece in a page from the Field & Stream magazine he’d been reading earlier in the day, then he slipped outside into the nasty elements. He made his way through the blustering storm to the old shed where he found the small tabletop Christmas tree, and few measly decorations they’d used in the past at camp when need be. As quietly as he could, he snuck back into the cabin, quickly assembled the meager Christmas tree and placed his gift to Casey under its crooked, dusty, old branches. Truth be told, it was a crappy old tree with inferior decorations, but it was all he had, and he hoped it would do.

  The memory of the first carving he made for Casey rushed back to him. The carving was of a howling wolf. He’d given it to her the first Christmas they celebrated together, and she’d left him with the impression she loved it, animals and the outdoors. Since that time, he’d made several other carvings for her, and each and every time she acted as though she liked them. He hadn’t carved anything, for anyone, in the past year. But tonight, as if his hands had a mind of their own, they worked feverishly to complete a carving for her, to please her.

  He shifted his gaze from the tree to his sleeping beauty. Her delicate features didn’t fully tell her story. She was of strong mind and will behind that soft, milky white skin. The camouflage was just one of her many features he loved. Soft and feminine at times. Tough as nails at times.

  After stoking the fireplace and throwing another blanket over Casey, Noah slipped into the bunkroom, but sleep didn’t come easily. Worry for Casey’s wellbeing and anxiety over her reaction if and when she figured out who he was jockeyed for position, playing havoc on his heart, mind and soul.

  Chapter Eight

  Casey rolled onto her side and pulled the covers up around her neck. Embers glowed in the fireplace. The fire needed more split wood, but she was too comfortable and toasty to get up. Darkness still loomed through the living room window. She wondered what time it was. As her eyes adjusted, she noticed a small Christmas tree on the end table by the rocking chair. A lone present resided under the branches decorated with plain blue and gold colored ornaments and a string of plastic red berries. Not only did she wonder who the present was for, she realized she’d obviously forgotten it was Christmas. Why else would Noah have put up a tree?

  Curiosity got the best of her. She flung the covers back and tiptoed toward the tree to check out the present. Though the present was wrapped in a word-filled page from a magazine, she could still easily make out her name written with a thick black marker.

  She slid her thumbnail under the small piece of electrical tape binding the wrapping. Her nail wasn’t strong enough or sharp enough to slice through the tape so she decided to go with the ‘five year old child’ method of unwrapping presents, tearing the paper off like a madman.

  The carving Noah had spent the evening working on rested in the palm of her hand. She studied the intricate detail of the bear cub climbing a tree. The elaborate features were absolutely amazing. Oddly, she wasn’t totally stunned by Noah’s remarkable talent and couldn’t help but wonder what other surprises he held.

  Casey ran her fingertips over the carving, like she’d seen Noah do earlier in the day. The feel of the smooth wood felt refreshing. How sweet was this man? First, he rescued her from the jaws of death, then without question, he comforted her when she needed it, and now he saw to it that she had a gift for Christmas? And a wonderful gift it was.

  With her little bear carving still in her hand, Casey spun on her heel and headed for the bunkroom. Noah lay on the bottom bunk, his back toward her. When she slipped in beside him, he rolled to face her. Their gazes locked. Her heart thudded in her chest. She wanted him, and she was pretty sure by the intensity of his gaze he was of like mind.

  Casey held the carving in front of his eyes, “This is beautiful. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “I didn’t realize it was Christmas,” she stated as she placed her hand on his warm cheek. Even in the black of night, she saw his gaze darken, yet he didn’t move toward her. Shy? Casey edged toward him and pressed her lips to his, and he responded as she had hoped, with soft light kisses. It didn’t take long for his kisses to turn hotter, wetter and more passionate. He didn’t seem to be holding back at all, kissing her as if his life depended on her reaction. She’d be a liar if she said she didn’t welcome his growing hunger for her. His skilled lips knew just what to do, unleashing her desires, causing her to crave him more with each passing moment.

  He pulled his mouth from hers and trailed light kisses over her jaw, down her neck and to the sensitive skin at the hollow
of her neck. Her soft moan echoed in the small room. His hungry mouth returned to hers so quickly he swallowed the last of her sound. Their tongues danced in a knowing rhythm, as if this was nothing new to them.

  Casey ran her hand over Noah’s thick chest and lowered it to his abdomen. His soft skin and firm ripples sensitized not only her fingertips but created a yearning in her core so strong she was already about to burst. And he had yet to really touch her. She draped a leg over him and continued downward with her hand. She wanted to touch him, feel his hardness.

  His tongue dove deeper as his hands began to glide fluidly over her. God, how she wanted them on her breasts. Her taut nipples nearly cried out for his touch.

  She eased her hand under the waistband of his shorts. All at once, he pulled his lips from hers and wrapped his hand around her wrist. Shock rippled through her. She stilled, waiting for some sort of further response or explanation from him. His eyes filled with panic. She actually heard him gulp. What was he afraid of?

  “I’m sorry, Casey. I can’t.” His body shook. “I just can’t.”

  Their gazes stayed locked. She wasn’t sure what to do or say, but the pain in his eyes was unmistakable and heartbreaking. He’d obviously been hurt in the past and feared being hurt again. Her heart went out to him.

  “It’s fine. It’s okay,” was all she could muster as tears burned in the back of her eyes. Oddly, the tears weren’t generated as a result of being rejected by him. Rather, they were a result of the severe pain radiating from his eyes.

  Casey lifted the covers and rolled away from him with the intention of returning to the couch. He snatched up her wrist. “Please, don’t go.”

  Glancing over her shoulder, she caught his desperate, watery gaze. “What?”

  “Please, stay here with me for a while... I’d like to just hold you.”

  The vulnerable look in his eyes nearly shattered her heart on his behalf and hers as well. He looked as exposed as she felt. She eased down, and he rolled onto his back pulling her along with him. As she nestled in to the crook of his arm, he took one of her hands in his, placed it on his chest and laid his warm hand over hers. His heart thudded against her palm. A familiar comfort blanketed her as he tightened his hold. She could get used to this.

  Before too long, the daylight peeked through the light fabric of the curtain and somewhat lit the bunkroom. Casey opened her eyes to find herself alone in the bunk. The faint scent of Noah lingered in the bedding material, pleasantly teasing her nostrils, or perhaps tormenting. She wasn’t sure which. Though she would have liked to lay entwined in his sheets all day, preferably with him in the bed as well, she fought the urge to snuggle in deeper. A moment later she flung the covers back, rolled out of bed, grabbed her bear carving off the small table next to the bed, and padded off to the kitchen.

  Noah stood by the sink, looking out the kitchen window. He gripped a mug of coffee. He didn’t sense her presence until she stood behind him and wrapped her arms around him, pressing herself against his back. “Good morning,” she whispered.

  He spun in her arms and hugged her, but only momentarily before he gave her a light peck on the top of her head and separated himself from her. “Morning.”

  Concern rippled through her at the sound of his flat tone. She worked to catch his gaze, hoping to read something—anything—in his eyes, but he avoided her gaze and began laying out their snowmobile attire. Her tightening chest and churning stomach made her aware she’d done something wrong, but what?

  “Noah?” The desperation in her voice must have easily revealed her state of mind, causing him to pause, but still not look at her.

  “The storm is over. I can take you back to town now,” he stated flatly as he stuffed the liners into her boots.

  “What about my snowmobile? It’s still in the river, right?”

  “Yeah. I’ll take care of that later, but right now we need to get you...”

  “To a doctor,” she finished for him.

  His shoulders sunk. “Yes.”

  Still no eye contact.

  Following Noah’s lead, Casey changed into her clothes and then slid into her snow gear. As they were about to head out the door, she took one last look around the cozy little cabin. She wished she wasn’t leaving, but she could tell by Noah’s behavior she wasn’t staying.

  After stuffing her bear carving into her pocket, she pulled on her gloves and helmet and followed Noah through the deep snow to the shed. The gloomy overcast day matched her spirit.

  The snowmobile engine roared. Noah climbed on and then gestured for her to do the same. It was going to be an uncomfortable ride, two people on a single seat sled, especially when one of them was as tall as Noah.

  The track’s long, thick paddles and Noah’s skilled driving carried them over the ungroomed and unmarked trail with ease. Casey was sure if she had been driving, she would have been stuck before they left the yard. Within minutes, she caught sight of her snowmobile on the riverbank. A lump formed in her throat at the thought of her near-death experience. No sooner did she swallow the lump than her heart swelled at the thought of Noah saving her. She hoped this wasn’t the last she’d see of him, but the stabbing pains in the pit of her stomach told her differently.

  Noah drove the sled up the steep slope, landing on the marked trail. Not surprising, the railroad bed wasn’t groomed. After all, the storm had just ended. But ungroomed trails didn’t appear to be a problem for Noah.

  Within minutes he pulled up to a hotel connected to a gas station and cut the engine. She wondered why he stopped here. They got off the machine and pulled the helmets from their heads.

  “My friend Brian, the one from the photos you saw, is meeting us here to take you to the clinic.”

  Tears pooled in her eyes. Did she hear him correctly? He wasn’t taking her to the clinic? He was dumping her off on his best friend? Furthermore, how did Brian know they’d be here? “How...” was all that escaped her before her throat closed.

  As if he read her mind, he answered. “I finally got cell reception this morning. The storm had been blocking it. Anyhow, I called Brian and asked him to meet us here.” His voice trailed off. Regret, guilt and shame not only oozed in his tone, but flashed through his watery gaze. Something was seriously wrong with this sweet softhearted man, and Casey felt a compelling need to fix what ailed him. She decided to do what he asked without giving him any grief, then she’d find him later, after she dealt with her own issues. Like her health. And her identity.

  Casey forced a smile in hopes of easing his pain, regret or whatever he was going through. “Okay, let’s find Brian,” she said as she led the way through the glass doors of the hotel. Only one man was seated in the small reception area. He sat on the leather couch facing the fireplace. Noah pointed at him.

  The clunk of her boots against the tile floor drew the man’s attention. He stood and spun to face her, Noah trailing her.

  Oh, how she hated his judging eyes. “Dammit, Brian, just tell me where he is, and you’ll never have to see the whites of my eyes again!” Casey demanded, drawing a shocked look from Brian.

  “What?”

  “What in the hell do you mean, what? We’ve been discussing this for the past five minutes. Just tell me where he is. All I need is for him to sign the stupid divorce papers, and I’ll leave him and you alone for the rest of your lives. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted? I know you never liked the idea of me and him, so just help me out this one time.”

  Brian pulled a frown, “You know who I am?”

  Casey shook her head. “Brian, I don’t have time for your stupid games. Why do you hate me so much? What have I ever done to you?”

  He lessened the gap between them and looked her straight in the eye. “Casey, it was never about what you did to me. It was about what you did to my best friend. He treated you like a queen. He loved you, and you left him because he didn’t live up to your rich bitch standards. You married him knowing who he was, and then you left him for those ve
ry same reasons.”

  After taking a few seconds to mull over Brian’s comments, Casey decided a battle with him wasn’t worth fighting. “Believe me or not, I’m truly sorry it all ended up this way, but there are two sides to every story. Can you just please tell me where he is so we can finish this and move on with our lives?”

  Brian’s gaze softened. “He’s standing behind you.”

  She didn’t know whether to be pissed at Brian for putting her through all that arguing just now rather than just telling her that her husband had come into the room while they were talking or if she should just shut up and be happy because she could finally put this all to rest.

  Casey spun to find her rescuer standing behind her with a wad of papers gripped in his hand. Confusion filled her. Brian said her husband was behind her, yet the only other person in the room was her rescuer. His concentrated gaze bore into her soul. Adrenaline coursed through her veins as the memories of her past flashed before her eyes—her childhood, her wedding, her pending divorce...her past two days. Her weak knees nearly failed her.

  Noah stretched his arm toward her. “I’ve signed the papers. I found them tucked inside your jacket when I brought you to camp after I found you overturned in the river.” He delivered his words slowly and flatly.

  After she took the papers from him, he simply turned and walked out the door. Not another word. Not a goodbye. Nothing. She stared after him until he disappeared out of sight. Unsure what to do, she sat on the couch where Brian had been and stared into the fireplace while gripping the divorce papers in her hand. Brian sat as well.

  She replayed the events of the past couple days through her mind. Why did she suddenly remember everything once she saw Brian? She now remembered arguing with him in the bar, renting a snowmobile and driving to Noah’s camp. Anxiety snaked down her spine as she recalled every minute detail of her snowmobile accident. Pleasure seeped into every cell of her being as she recalled being rescued by Noah, her husband. She now understood why he had rejected her earlier in the day. It was because he still loved her. Her heart nearly cracked in half as she recalled the pain she’d seen in his eyes on a couple of occasions in the past two days. Pain caused by a woman— caused by her.