by Kay Correll
“It was no problem.” Except that every muscle in his body was screaming at him.
“Come in for some coffee. Get warmed up.”
“I’m plenty warm, but I will take some coffee.” They climbed the stairs to the porch and went inside.
Nora stood behind the reception desk, a frazzled look on her face. “Yes, I’ll cancel your reservation. No, we don’t have any openings for next week. I know. Yes, that’s too bad. Well, we hope you can make it here soon.” She set down the phone. “So many calls today and changes to reservations.”
Jason walked over to the coffee urn and poured two steaming mugs. “Nick helped me clear all the pathways to the cabins.”
“Nick, you didn’t need to do that.” Nora scowled.
What she meant to say was thanks for helping. He was sure that’s what she meant… “It was no problem. Glad to help.” He walked over and took the mug, not sure if he was ever going to win Nora over to his side again.
“I’m just getting ready to go pick up Annie and take her home. I’m sure she’s exhausted by now even though she won’t admit it.” The phone rang and Nora turned to answer it. “Just a minute. I’ll see if we have any openings that weekend.”
He and Jason lounged against the reception desk as Nora clicked on the computer. As soon as she hung up, it rang again. She swiped the phone off the hook and answered.
Three young boys came racing in from the snow. “Uncle Jason. You should see the fort we made.”
The boys tugged off their caps, and Nick looked into the startling blue eyes of one of the younger boys. For a moment he was back in time. He closed his eyes for a second, trying to regain his balance, refusing to accept the similarities. He sucked in a deep breath to steady himself.
“These two monsters are my nephews. Connor and Trevor.” Jason grinned.
“I’m Trevor.” The one blonde-haired boy reached out his hand. “And this is our new friend, Bobby.”
Nick’s hand trembled as he forced himself to shake the boy’s hand. He looked so like…
No, put that thought away.
“You coming, Uncle Jason?” The boys turned around to head back outside, a whirlwind of energy.
“Be there in a sec.” Jason turned to him. “They’re a handful. Don’t know how my sister keeps up with them. I better go see this incredible snow fort.”
Nick was just thankful they’d gone back outside. Not that they seemed like bad kids. But the one boy was just—
Nora hung up the phone, pulling him away from memories he didn’t want to think about much less dwell on. Nick set his mug on the counter. “I can see you’re busy. Let me go pick up Annie for you.”
“No.”
“Mom, you are busy. Let Nick do it. I swear you never accept help. Neither does Beth.” He turned to Nick and let out a long-suffering sigh, then grinned. “See what I have to put up with?”
“Nora, it’s no trouble. That is if Annie will ever ride in a car with me again.”
“I don’t know…” Nora’s eyes clouded with doubt.
“Mom, let him. I’ll help you here. We’ll get all the reservations sorted out and we’ll be able to help with dinner at the lodge. I doubt if many of our guests are headed into town for dinner.”
“Okay.” Nora agreed but didn’t look happy. “I’ve got her dinner wrapped up in the kitchen.”
“I’ll get that then head out.” Nick hurried out before Nora could change her mind. He grabbed the meal—enough to feed an army—headed to his cabin, took a quick shower, changed clothes, and headed into town. He couldn’t wait to see with his own eyes that Annie was okay.
Annie looked at her watch. Nora would be here soon. She didn’t want to admit it, but she was tired. Really tired. Her ankle hurt more than ached, and she was wavering on her plan to avoid the pain pills.
The door to the shop opened and Nick walked in. She smiled at him automatically before she could even think about it. He smiled back at her, and the world faded away for the briefest of moments.
“What are you doing here?” She stood and balanced against the counter.
“I came to pick you up. Nora got tied up with work. That’s okay with you?” He looked at her.
“Of course.”
“You’re not afraid of riding in a car with me again?” He narrowed his eyes.
“Of course not. It was an accident. It could happen to anyone. Natural reaction to swerve to avoid hitting the deer.”
“Well, I missed the deer, but the rest of it was rather… unfortunate.”
“It was. But we’re okay. So what did the car rental agency say?”
“Lots of paperwork. Kind of surprised they rented to me again…”
“Accidents, Nick. They happen.” She reached for her crutches and turned to the woman behind the counter. “Lindsey, I’m leaving.”
“It’s about time.” Lindsey shook her head. “And I’m opening in the morning, so don’t you come rushing in tomorrow, either. You’re supposed to take it easy.” Lindsey turned and started to walk away. She paused and added, “Or you’ll have to answer to Nora. Nobody in their right mind crosses Nora.”
Annie laughed. “We’ll see.” She wasn’t about to commit to coming in late to work. She leaned on her crutches.
“Can I help you?” Nick hovered near as she came out from behind the counter.
“No, I’ve got it.” She wobbled over to the door with Nick right at her side.
They went out to his car, and he helped her inside and tossed her crutches in the back seat. He slid in beside her and turned on the car. “All set?”
“I’m good.” Or she was crazy. Trapped in a car with Nick once again…
They headed out of town on those same roads they’d taken last night. They didn’t look nearly as menacing as yesterday. The sun shone brightly, and the workers had done a good job clearing the main roads.
When they got to the part of the road where their car had slid off last night, she looked and saw Nick’s knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel. She held her breath as they passed safely by the site and continued on to her cabin.
Nick got out and grabbed her crutches. She climbed unsteadily up the stairs with him right by her side, his hand inches from her back, ready to catch her if she stumbled.
She handed him her key while she balanced on her one good foot and the crutches. The whole maneuvering through the door was awkward, and she bumped against his chest. He caught her arm and steadied her. “You okay?”
“Yes, of course,” she snapped. A long sigh escaped her. “I’m not very graceful on these things, and I’m tired. Sorry to be so cranky.”
“Hadn’t notice.” He tossed her a smile. “Why don’t you sit? I’ll start the fire and make you some tea.”
As much as she hated being waited on, she was grateful for the help. She hobbled over to the couch and sank down on it, thankful for its welcoming comfort and glad to be off her foot.
“Prop your foot up.” He nodded at her. “I’ll get more firewood.”
He headed out the back door as she shrugged out of her coat and did as he asked. She carefully set her foot on a throw pillow on the coffee table and leaned back. She still debated on taking a pain pill but decided all she really needed was to stay off her foot for a bit and rest. The warmth of the cabin and the comforting sounds of Nick puttering around in the kitchen lulled her to sleep.
She awoke with a start, surprised to see it was dark outside. The flames from the fire tossed cheerful flickers of light around the room.
“Morning.” Nick sat in the recliner beside the couch.
She rubbed her eyes. “How long was I asleep?”
“Couple of hours.”
“You didn’t need to stay.”
“I wanted to. I don’t like you being here alone and on the crutches. You’re… well, let’s just say your talents lie somewhere else than using those crutches.”
“Gee thanks.” She knew she was an accident waiting to happen on those crutc
hes, but she could be careful and manage in her own cabin.
No stairs. She’d be fine.
She grabbed the crutches leaning against the couch to prove her point and hoisted herself up. Nick was up in an instant and by her side. Which was a good thing because she totally lost her balance and went tumbling sideways. He wrapped his strong arm around her and held her close.
“Like I said. I didn’t want to leave you here alone on your crutches.”
He still held her close. Her breath came out in ragged gasps… probably from the near fall. Not because she could feel his heartbeat and his breath was warm against her forehead.
“You win. I’ll accept your help. I am pretty lousy on these things. I’ll get better.”
“I’m sure you will. Now, why don’t you sit? I’ll reheat the tea and I have the dinner Nora sent warming in the oven.”
He took her crutches and helped her settle back on the couch. Like a cold blast of air, all contact with him was gone as he took his hands away and headed to the kitchen.
She watched each step he took as he walked away. The worn floor creaked under the rhythmic thunk of his boots. She’d missed that. The sound of a man walking through this cabin with boots. Who knew a person could miss a simple sound so much?
She wanted to leap up and follow him. Lounge in the kitchen and talk and laugh like they used to. But there would be no leaping in her near future.
Chapter 16
Nick leaned against the counter, steadying himself. His pulse raced and his heart pounded. He grabbed a glass and poured himself some cold water, which he finished in just a few large gulps. He wanted nothing more than to stride back into the family room and take Annie into his arms.
He’d spent a solid hour watching her sleep after he’d made the fire. Sitting and staring at her. He’d watched her grimace in pain when she moved her ankle, and it had taken all his willpower not to go over to that couch and gather her in his arms. He’d watched, fascinated as her lips moved slightly as if she were talking to someone in her dreams. He’d stared at the firelight dancing across her face, curling his fists into balls to keep from leaning over and brushing a lock of her soft blonde hair away from her forehead.
Ah, Annie. What had she done to him now?
He shook his head, chasing away the thoughts. He needed to get dinner finished. That would be something he could focus on.
He methodically set the table, taking way more time than it should take and putting way more effort into it than it needed. He finally took the food out of the oven. A healthy portion of beef stew, rolls, and an apple pie. Nora did nothing halfway. He poured hot water for their tea and surveyed the room.
Then he realized the fatal flaw to his plan.
He was going to have to go back out and get Annie off the sofa and into the kitchen. He’d have her in his arms again.
Which really wasn’t a very good idea.
Or was it?
He scrubbed his hand over his face and turned slowly around to face her. He walked out into the family room and reached down his hands. “Ready for dinner?”
She placed her small hands in his, and he effortlessly pulled her to her feet. She leaned against him while she adjusted her crutches just so. Her hair smelled faintly of lilacs. Her face contorted in concentration as she moved the crutches. They slowly made their way into the kitchen, and she settled into her chair. He could finally step away from her and catch his breath.
“Wow, Nora sent enough to feed ten of me.”
He slipped into his chair, safely on the other side of the table. “Or feed you and me.”
She smiled. “Or that.”
They fell silent as they ate their meal. He wanted to talk to her, ask her a million questions about her life since he’d been gone. But that always brought them back to the fact he’d left…
“Nora’s a great cook, isn’t she?” She looked at him as she reached for a piece of the apple pie.
“She is.”
“She learned to cook huge amounts of food when she had to do all the cooking for the lodge. Now she has a cook, but she used to do almost everything there.”
“She and her husband split? I mean I’ve met her kids but haven’t seen any glimpse of a husband.”
“He’s… gone. He died when the kids were small.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Annie nodded. “I’m sorry, too. It’s been rough on Nora. They had just bought the lodge. Only had it a few years before he passed away. After he died, she threw herself into the lodge. Building a few more cabins when she had a good year. Rehabbing the older ones. I helped with some of that. So did Dad while he was still alive.”
So Nora was just as hard a worker as Annie and had done most of it on her own. Both the women impressed the heck out of him.
Here he was hiding out with his safe little teaching job. He really should make a note to call the research center in Houston about the job he’d applied for and see where they were on hiring decisions. He could still make a difference, help find some cures or ways to lessen the pain. He could at least do that.
Annie, oblivious to his self-chastising thoughts, handed him a piece of pie. “Nora’s husband died of cancer. He found out he had it and within a year was gone. It was very sad.”
He didn’t even know what to say to that. He’d think, being a doctor and being around death so much, he’d know what to say. But he didn’t.
“Anyway, it’s been over twenty years now that he’s been gone. A lifetime, really. Nora has managed to find a life on her own. Well, she has the kids, of course. Though they are grown and have their own lives.”
“Jason works at the lodge full time?”
“He does. He got a business degree in hotel management and came back to work with his mom. He seems to love it. He’s a whiz with numbers and really helped turn the lodge around. They’ve been able to do a lot of things to update it, but still keep the rustic vibe it has.”
“It really is a beautiful property.”
“It is. Just wait until it warms up. Nothing nicer than sitting on one of those benches by the stream or going out to sit by the lake and watch the sunrise. So beautiful.”
He’d like to do just that, but he’d like to do it with Annie…
She put down her fork. “It’s getting late. I should help you clean up these dishes. You don’t need to be hand washing dishes because I don’t want a dishwashing machine.”
“Nope. I’ve got them. You go back and sit by the fire.”
“I can’t just sit.”
He grinned at her. “I remember that about you, too. Let me help you back to the sofa, and we’ll find you a crossword puzzle to do. You still do those, don’t you?”
“I do.”
Annie let Nick help her get settled back on the couch. He stoked the fire and went back into the kitchen. She could hear him rattling around in there, cleaning up. She wasn’t used to people waiting on her. She didn’t think she liked it much. She liked to be self-sufficient and do things for herself.
But the sprained ankle had really cut into that. She should just sit back and let him help.
She reached over and picked up the crossword puzzle and started in. Playing with fire. Nine letters.
Dangerous.
Very funny, universe. I hear you. I’ll be careful.
Nick came out of the kitchen with two glasses of wine. “I thought you might like one?”
“That sounds great.” She reached for the glass, careful not to brush his fingers, not to touch him.
He sat next to her on the sofa, and that ruined the not touching thing. He settled back, oblivious to her desire to scoot just a few inches away from him. Though she’d probably look like an awkward fool maneuvering away with her hurt foot.
She wanted to lean back on the couch, but Nick had his arm casually draped across the back of it. If she leaned back, she’d be right in his arms.
He looked at her and laughed. “Relax. You can lean back. I promise I won’t bite.”
> She slowly did as he said and relaxed against his arm. Suddenly the world seemed to fall into place. Everything felt right and perfect. Here with Nick, sitting by the fire, his arm around her.
No matter what the crossword puzzle had warned her.
She turned to look at him and saw the fire burning in his eyes. He reached his hand over and tilted her face up. Her heart pounded, and her lips parted. He leaned in and pressed the gentlest of kisses against her lips.
“Ah… I’ve wanted to do that since I first saw you on campus.” His low voice lured her, wrapping her in its seductive charm.
Emotions rolled through her. Panic, need, fear, want. “I’m not sure this is smart…”
“I think—I think it’s the smartest thing I’ve done in years.” He leaned over and kissed her again. This time taking his time until she was breathless and clung to the front of his flannel shirt.
He started to pull back, and she stopped him, pulling him closer. He deepened his kiss.
This. This is what she’d been missing for so many years. Nick’s company. Talking to Nick. Sharing with Nick.
Nick’s kisses.
He pulled away and trailed a finger along her cheek. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.”
“I’m so glad I took this job at Mountain Grove. I’m even glad we had the storm so we could spend so much time together.” He touched her lips. “But I am sorry you got hurt.”
She tried to concentrate on his words, but mostly her mind demanded to know where he would touch her next.
He pulled his hand away and tucked her against his side. She had to keep herself from reaching up and stroking her lips where his fingers had just burned a trail.
She was probably a crazy woman for letting him kiss her, but she was certain nothing could have stopped it.
She’d wanted it.
He’d wanted it.
She’d needed it.
And she wasn’t sure she liked needing anything from Nick Chambers.
Nick was certain he could just sit here with Annie tucked up against him for the rest of the night. Or forever. Whichever came first. All his feelings that he’d stashed away when he’d left. The assurances he was making the right decision leaving all those years ago. Those decisions were mocking him now.
