Grayson held her gaze for a few seconds. She let herself believe him, if just for that time, and tried to calm down.
“On the plane,” she started, “you never told me your last name.”
He glanced over but looked away to say, “Holbrook.”
“Is that really your name?” she pushed. Grayson Holbrook.
“For this mission…but Grayson really is my first name. The others don’t matter, not as much as they change.”
What did that say about this man? When he looked into her eyes, Grayson came across as more honest than anyone she knew. But it was his job, and apparently he was very highly trained.
The terrain changed to cow pastures and farms, and he found a small back road where he could turn off for a minute. He pulled out her cell phone and handed it to her. “You need to change your message.”
She could spring out of the car while hitting 911. “Change my message? To what? Why?”
“People will worry about you. But we have to stay under the radar. This is important, Robin. People could get hurt. I need you to change your greeting to say you’re taking another week off. You’ll be out of cell service but you’re having fun. Keep it short and vague.”
All of this happened so fast! What was she doing in a car with him, headed out into no-man’s land? Robin was having a hard time comprehending what was going on and she doubted her own ability to make sound decisions on her own; yet she could not fully rely on this stranger. She shook her head. “I don’t have any proof that I should trust you.” He stared her down for a long minute. Finally he took out his wallet and pulled a tiny picture from behind the cards and handed it to her. It was worn and blurry, but she could make out a young woman.
“I can’t always keep people safe. I don’t want another picture in my head. Please, let me keep you alive.”
She hit the button for her voicemail.
Chapter Four
They skirted Gresham and continued on 26, which would cut through a few tiny country towns before heading up into the mountains. Robin made a noise and added, a minute later, “So you do know the area.”
Grayson gave her a slightly quizzical look. “I never said I didn’t…but I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong idea on the plane.”
She laughed a nervous laugh. It must have been contagious. He smiled and added, “I walked back there hoping it wasn’t a horrible place to sit…and then there you were, looking like a winter fairy with your red hair.” At that, he glanced over and drank her in with his gaze.
She liked the attention but looked out the window, wondering what to make it of it now that he was basically holding her prisoner.
“I knew it’d be a sad Christmas, after my break up, but…” She didn’t finish. Hadn’t she planned on skipping the festivities this year anyway? She could feel his gaze on her as she faced the side window.
They reached Sandy, a quaint little resort town servicing vacationers as they headed up to ski. “We’ll stop for a few supplies that aren’t in the trunk or the cabin.”
“Cabin?”
“We have to stay somewhere secluded for a week.” He looked over and raised an eyebrow before pulling into a small, country store on the way out of the town. “Stay put.”
“No, I’m coming in too!”
He sighed and leaned his head back on the seat to look up at the ceiling. Instead of looking annoyed, he was smiling. “We can’t turn everything into an argument, dear. I can put on a hat and blend in. I’ve been trained to. You, however, have beautiful red hair on top of a figure and face no one will forget.”
Her face was red to match her hair at that point.
Although she waited in the SUV, she didn’t like it. But, whether it was because of the way he took charge of the situation or her own fear, she began to trust him on some level.
Grayson bought fresh and canned food and an array of winter clothing that was available in the store. Apparently, quite a few people got this far and then realized they were going to freeze on the mountain; the store was well stocked with food and other supplies.
When he got back into the driver’s seat, Grayson handed her a cup of steaming liquid. She expected coffee but the delicious smell of hot apple cider filled the car. Taking a sip, she was even more surprised to find it tasted home made. “Wow, this is great. Thank you.”
He nodded but he was surveying all around the area as he pulled out and accelerated down the road. She glanced around too, wondering if she would even have a clue about what would look dangerous. Had those men at the airport followed her for very long? Maybe she should be more in tune to her surroundings after this. After this. That felt like a touchy subject at the moment.
He drove and they sipped their cider in silence. The daylight faded outside and a few snowflakes fluttered over the windshield here and there. Robin started to think they were headed straight up the mountain when he turned off. It looked like he wasn’t taking her up toward the ski resort, but they were still headed up and into the Mt. Hood National Forest.
“This is really out of the way…” She looked at him and hoped she wasn’t completely wrong about him.
“It’s safer that way.” He said on a sigh, which sounded almost nervous to her. Fifteen minutes later, Grayson announced, “It’s right up here.”
Ahead, the dirt road took a sharp turn around the ancient, skyscraper evergreens, blocking any view of their destination. Then they arrived at what, for the time being, was their home away from home. The small cabin sat nestled among the trees, barely visible from the road.
“Stay put for just a minute,” he said, again visually checking every nook and cranny of the tree line. “I’ll check things out and then we’ll go in.” He opened his door and hesitated for a second, looking at her.
She wasn’t sure what that look meant, except that it’d been a searching, searing look. He proceeded to check around the clearing…for footprints?
Robin’s weary eyes took in the outside of the cabin. It had a tiny porch decorated with only a battered old wicker rocking chair. The cabin was rustic but seemed to be very sturdy; a seemingly familiar cabin chimney jutted from its roof. After he walked around the back, he returned to the SUV and opened the back. “All clear. I’ll bring our supplies in.”
Despite what he said, she grabbed a bag from the back. He motioned for her to step up onto the porch first, but there he stopped her. “I’ll check out the inside. Stay right by the door so I can hear you.”
She shivered in the cold and his melodramatic act. But, then again, if someone suddenly shot at them or attacked her again, it wouldn’t be so over-the-top.
“All clear,” he said, motioning her inside as he went back for the rest of the bags. Her eyes needed to adjust to the dark cabin, so she turned and watched him pull the SUV up against the brush so it was hidden from an aerial view or the road. He certainly covered all his bases. That should make her feel better…unless he was actually covering his tracks so no one could find her to help her. She shook herself, angry that her mind wanted to go back and forth like this.
Once he had everything inside, he lit a kerosene lamp on the table. A warm, orange light filled the space. The cabin was clean yet simply furnished with only a well worn wooden day bed, a small table with two chairs and a couple of mattresses. The space was completely open and square with one door leading, she guessed, to a bathroom. At one end of the room was a natural fireplace with dried firewood stacked on its hearth.
“There’s running water and natural gas to cook with.”
“Home, sweet, home,” she murmured.
Still, he heard her and said, “It’s not much, but let’s make the best of it.”
“Oh, I wasn’t being unthankful—”
“Don’t worry about it.” He knelt in front of the fireplace. “You can thank me later.” There was a hint of merriment in his voice. What did that mean?
Robin took a quick look out its one rear window and saw that a small brook ran at the back of the property, halfway
under the forest canopy. The snow was beginning to collect, forming a light dusting over everything. She thought, if not for the circumstances which brought her here, the setting could be considered tranquil, even romantic, despite the cabin’s utilitarian appearance. This even qualified for a quaint and magical Christmas scene.
The picture of Grayson in front of the wood and small spark was romantic. Sexy, even. She couldn’t help but compare him with Alex. Grayson was not only handsome, but exciting in a dangerous kind of way; in stark contrast to Alex with his food allergies, fear of commitment and lack of spontaneity.
Even so, Robin wondered if she were being foolish by letting down her guard. As she watched him secure the cabin, she realized Grayson’s presence in her life brought danger to her very existence.
She walked closer to the fire as the wood crackled and popped, and the flames grew. Warmth began to seep across the cabin’s space. Although the weather turned cooler outside, the cabin was warm and cozy as the sky darkened and evening turned to night.
“You must be hungry by now,” he said. Her stomach had growled a few times, but her nerves made her unsure if she wanted to eat. He looked through the cupboards and put the supplies away, except for some he left on the tiny counter.
“By any chance, are you a gourmet chief in disguise?” she asked, some of the flirting from earlier returning.
“Just wait and see, my dear.” He turned the gas stove on with a knob and lit the flame with a match. There was a cast iron pot to cook in, and soon he was adding canned meat and veggies. The aroma of beef stew mixed with the pleasant fireplace smell. It actually smelled like home here, throwing Robin for another loop.
Grayson stood watch over the pot, looking like he was deep in thought. Her mind was still filled with questions about him. Yet she sensed that there were many layers to the man which he kept to himself. This both intrigued and excited her simultaneously.
He turned to say, “I think this is about done. Let’s eat by the fire where it’s warmer.” As she nodded, he pulled the daybed closer to it and arranged the pillows and blankets.
It occurred to her maybe she should have helped with something, but instead she crawled into the corner of the daybed and watched him ladle stew into two bowls and bring them over. He settled in as she took her first bite. Even from cans, the stew was hearty and comforting.
“Good?”
“Perfect.”
The fire popped, sending up a burst of sparks. The flames threw dancing patterns all over the cabin walls while they ate. Cuddled into the blankets, she felt safe and secure. It might have been a false safety, but she wanted to enjoy it. Feeling content for the moment, despite the circumstances that brought them here, she murmured, “Merry Christmas.”
A small smile played on his mouth—his full, kissable mouth. “Merry Christmas, Robin…and I hope you find true happiness in the year to come.”
He meant it. Grayson truly meant that. She glanced around and conceded that this part at least wasn’t a bad holiday after all.
Suddenly she laughed.
Tilting his head, Grayson said, “Apparently you’re not thinking along the same lines as me.”
“I was just thinking…not in a million years would Alex have ever taken me somewhere like this.”
“Oh, so you do like it here!”
She gave him her best Oh, please look. “I mean, he never tried to plan a romantic date, forget a romantic weekend. He just wanted someone to hang out with.” Robin looked around again and then back at Grayson.
His eyes were looking directly into hers; she seemed to have his full attention.
“Truth or dare?” he asked.
She burst out laughing. Then, “Okay, truth.” She wanted to see where he would take this.
“Did you love Alex?”
“Yes—Well, no. I don’t even know. I thought I did, but I’ve hardly missed him.” She looked down at her bowl, wondering what that meant about her. “Okay. Your turn. Truth or dare?”
“Oh, boy,” he said, but smiling. “I opened a can of worms here.”
“Only if your past is full of worms… so yes, maybe you did! Now, truth or dare? We’ll go with truth. Why did you start flirting with me like that? I mean, when you have a dangerous job and can’t settle down.”
Whoa. She had loaded that one. And did she really want the answer? It wasn’t like there was even a hint of commitment to their chance meeting on the plane. They were just two strangers flirting and having fun.
Grayson watched her with serious eyes. “I couldn’t help myself, Robin. I normally keep my distance, but you broke through my defenses.”
Now she watched him with somber and surprised eyes. He leaned over to set his bowl down on the floor. As she watched, frozen in place, he rolled up on his knees to take her bowl and set in down too. That brought his face right in front of hers. “Truth or dare?” he said, but didn’t let her answer. “We’ll go with dare. I dare you to kiss me.”
She thought about answering, and even opened her mouth when he leaned down closer. The wild flames reflected in his rich brown eyes.
Robin could hardly breathe by the time his mouth touched hers—softly at first, just like her fantasy. Then he slid a hand under her head, tilting her head back, and deepening the kiss.
For a few seconds, the earth stood still with a crackling fire as its soundtrack. Grayson kissed her hungrily, his body lightly laying against hers, his free hand sliding up her arm. She pressed her body up against him, embracing the reckless need to escape; the need for a strong male’s comfort and protection. Her body shuddered, already hurtling over the edge of passion. Somehow, without realizing it, she’d wrapped her legs around his long, lean body and was pulling him intimately closer. When she whimpered, wanting more, he responded with a guttural moan. His mouth slipped down to her neck, setting it on fire and sending shock waves of icy pleasure right through the core of her.
But who was this man? She couldn’t…
She pushed back against his shoulders. “Grayson! We can’t!”
It broke the spell.
Alarmed, he looked at her with confusion in his eyes. “Robin…?”
What she saw in his eyes confused her even more. Grayson’s brown eyes reflected a caring for her that she couldn’t believe. It was far too premature. But he was searching her face, even as he breathed heavy from their passionate kiss while slowly sitting up to give her room.
She pushed away and stood up, unwilling to see the vulnerability in his expression that was in such sharp contrast to the invincibility she had seen just a few hours before.
A range of emotions flooded her and her first instinct was to run away from the confusion she felt. Robin paced back and forth looking for somewhere to escape the intensity of the moment.
They couldn’t do that again—it was much too dangerous to lose focus like that. It would have to be a Christmas kiss, a little moment of reprieve.
Grayson remained silent but kept his gaze upon her. He silently waited for her to realize the inevitable; and after a few minutes Robin too understood they were both trapped in the tiny cabin in the woods with nowhere safe to go.
Chapter Five
Robin awoke to an empty cabin. The fire was burning warm, so Grayson must have added wood. Despite the awkwardness and uncertainty of the night before, she had slept fairly well. Once she realized there was nowhere to run, Grayson had silently prepared separate sleeping places for the both of them; again changing into the take charge man from the day before. Her final thought had been that she could not deny her attraction for this multidimensional man.
She’d made one nice discovery the night before: the bathroom had a tiny shower. The water ran cold but she hoped there was a way to heat it, if maybe there was natural gas running to the heater. It irked her that she couldn’t ask Grayson right then. Where was he?
What would she do if he disappeared? Her heart hammered hard enough to explode, but then she realized she could simply drive out herself. If th
e SUV was there. If she could find the keys.
She took a peek outside to find an inch of snow on the ground. It lay on tree branches, decorating the top of the pine needles, and hid the SUV even more. So Grayson hadn’t driven off on her. That thought seemed a bit silly now.
The world was silent, but a loaded silence of beauty. It was so breathtaking that she quickly shoved her bare feet into her shoes, opened the door and stepped out.
About then she realized Grayson wasn’t out here either. He had been, though. Grayson’s footprints showed green in the snow where the thin layer was melted by his steps. His steps made a trail from the cabin for a few feet and even her untrained eye noticed more footprints coming from the other direction. More foot prints? Who would be out here? It looked like Grayson had followed them.
“Robin!” His voice was quiet, right in her ear. He used his body to guide her right back inside.
“Was someone out there?” she asked, her face burning from the warmth inside the cabin. “Or were you meeting someone?”
He shut the door. “No, I wasn’t meeting anyone… that might have been a hiker.”
“A hiker in the middle of winter?” she asked, holding his gaze.
“We’ll stay indoors, just in case.”
She pushed his shoulders. “I deserve to know what’s going on!”
Grayson stepped back and went to the tiny side window to peek through the curtains. “You’re right. But I don’t have an answer, just suspicion. It might have been someone sent to find us, but I doubt that because they kept going, off in a different direction into the woods. They didn’t poke around the cabin or go near the vehicle.”
She paced in the small space. Finally she asked, “What about getting help?”
He shrugged. “I managed to get one bar of service on the cell phone. My superior knows about the prints.”
A Spy for Christmas Page 2
