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She walks into the kitchen and she catches me looking. “What?”
“I still can’t believe you’re real.”
A softness settles over her face. “I still can’t believe you ended up in my cabin. Cami has some explaining to do.”
“Technically,” I point toward the living room. “I stayed on the couch.”
She looks over. “You did.”
“I’m a gentleman.”
“You were also drunk and didn’t seem like you could have made it to the bedroom.”
“Both things can be true. Mostly, I was exhausted after the ride and then helping with the cattle.” It isn’t lost on me that this is her family’s ranch and I’m the help for the time being. That adds another layer of awkwardness to this.
She smiles. “I suppose.”
Outside, snow falls lazily over the mountains. Inside, it feels strangely peaceful. The coffee maker sputters to life, and the cabin fills with the smell of fresh coffee.
Like fate has somehow brought us both here. I’m not complaining.
There’s a knock at the front door, and the door swings open and a voice calls, “Ty!”
Tucker stomps snow off his boots before looking up. He freezes. His eyes move from Jenna to me.
A long silence, then he shakes his head.
Neither of us says anything. We just stare at him as Jenna hands me a mug of coffee.
And I realize this looks bad. I’m in last night’s clothes and in a cabin alone with his sister. The one he is fiercely protective of.
He points between us and says in an eerily quiet voice. “No.”
I lift both hands. “I can explain.”
“I don’t think you should,” Tucker clips.
Jenna coughs into her coffee mug to hide a smile.
Tucker narrows his eyes. “Why do you think this is funny, and why are you here together?”
I answer honestly. “Funny story...”
Jenna snorts. “Good morning to you, too.”
Tucker looks between us again. “How do you two know each other?”
Neither of us speaks, and Jenna brings her mug to her lips to avoid answering completely. Damn it, I’m on my own with this.
His eyes get wider. Then he grimaces. “No...” He rubs both hands over his face.
Jenna looks at me, and I look at her. She smirks, and I put my face in my hands.
This just got a whole lot more complicated.
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