Page 4 of Snowbound Mountain Man

I pause, leaning on the handle of the shovel to catch my breath, and glance up at the cabin.

There—a soft flutter behind the front window pane. The blinds flutter shut so little, I almost miss it. Without realizing, I've been watched.

I hold my breath, watching the front porch next, hoping there will be more movement. The door stays firmly shut, but an involuntary tug hits the corner of my mouth. It’s fine that she doesn’t come out. She doesn't owe me a conversation or even a glimpse of her beauty again.

Hell, I'm willing to bet she has her hands full right now to entertain me in any sort of way.

I tighten my grip on the handle and dig back in, driving the blade deep into the white powder. If all I can do for her today is clear her path, then so be it.

Once I'm numb to the touch and shuffling back toward my cabin, I happen to glance toward the side of hers. Before I can even cross the property line, I stop and stare at the few logs left over and the axe that had been left out and long forgotten.

I wouldn't be surprised if the blade is long rusted and dull. No one has needed to chop wood for the cabin in weeks.

She wouldn't be able to cut any wood with a weapon like that. Does she even know where to get wood? Rather, how much will she need? Do I need to make a call to get her stocked up for the rest of the season?

That'll take too long with all of this snow. For now... I've got plenty to give.

What she currently has won't be enough to survive through a second night.

Without thinking twice, I return home to swap out my shovel for a few chopped pieces of lumber. Sharing is caring, and it guarantees that I'll be able to sleep through the night without worrying about her teeth chattering.

By the time I've given her a decent chunk of my stash, I'm finally feeling exhausted enough to settle inside my home. Hoping that what I'd done will be enough to help her get by, I'm abandoning everything to lie back on my couch. Seeking a little relief by taking a nap, sleep comes easily the moment my eyes slide shut.

Unfortunately, peace is the last thing waiting for me. My mind immediately drags me back to her—to the flash of her pink lips, the mouthwatering curve of her hips, and the soft, maddening look in her eyes.

I try to pull back, telling myself she’s off-limits, but my subconscious doesn't care about honor.

She haunts every corner of my sleep until I’m burning up in my own skin and fighting a battle I'm already losing.

It's the sudden knock at my front door that brings me out of my sleep. Wondering if I'd imagined it, seeing as my list of people who would visit is now nearly empty, I hear it again. Another string of polite knocks that's impossible to deny.

Stumbling to my feet in a daze, it's a miracle I don't trip over my feet by the time I reach the front door. I pull it open, and a cool breeze clashes with the heat radiating from my skin.

Juniper is standing on the other side, the tip of her nose and cheeks pink from the cold air. In her hands, she's holding a tray of what looks like cookies.

"Sorry to bother you, but I saw what you'd done. I don't really have much to return to show you my appreciation, but there were enough ingredients to make some of these cookies." She bites her bottom lip like she's nervous.

Did I startle her that badly during that first conversation?

"If it's not strange or anything..." Releasing her lip and wetting it with the swipe of her tongue, she shifts her weight from one foot to the other. "I'm used to repaying favors with sweets where I come from. They should be pretty good, despite how limited I was."

She continues rambling, revealing something new about herself. The plastic wrap crinkles under her grip as she clutches it tighter.

Looking at the platter, at the cookies that look like they've barely had enough time to cool off from the steam clinging to the top, I swallow thickly.

"You don't have to—" I start but pause when I notice the soft fall of snow suddenly drifting from the sky. The way the small flakes cling to her dark strands has me swallowing hard. "That's kind of you. I've heard good things about your baked goods."

Taking the platter from her hands, I feel its warmth against my touch.

"But don't worry about going out of your way. I was happy to help. I would've done it for your father." Trying to pull away from the force that's keeping my eyes on her and failing terribly, a new thought crosses my mind. One I shouldn't entertain.

Yet, once it's there, the damage is already done.

Without thinking twice, my next question slides right off my tongue.

"Would you like to come inside?"

Her brows lift in surprise, but she doesn't immediately shake her head. Instead, she wraps her arms around herself and nods. "Yeah, I could use a break anyway."