AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I have an app I use to turn on the A/C or heat before I get to the cabin, depending on the time of year.” Charlee grabbed three fluffy towels from a linen closet and handed two to Ace. “One for you and one for Ossie.”
“Thanks,” Ace said. “Ossie will appreciate getting dry.”
She pointed to his duffel. “Extra change of clothes?”
He nodded. “And energy bars in case I get stuck somewhere and need fuel to keep going.”
She smiled. “You can save those. The cabin is well stocked and I brought plenty of perishables.”
“Good.” He gave her another grin. “I’m starving. Flirting with you is hard work.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m going to put on something dry in my bedroom. After you change into dry clothes so you’re more comfortable, come on in and make yourself at home.” She gestured to a basket on the floor. “You can put your wet things into that basket.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” he said and she smiled.
Charlee left through the doorway and he worked on drying off Ossie. He rubbed the dog thoroughly before tossing the wet towel into the basket.
Ace stripped out of his wet clothing and dropped everything into the basket before toweling off. He pulled on clean dry clothing and grabbed the bag of groceries before he padded out of the laundry room in his sock feet, Ossie trotting behind him.
The house was roomy with a large entryway, vaulted ceilings, and comfortable furniture in the huge great room that was as big as some cabins. He found his way into an expansive kitchen area and set the groceries on the countertop next to the other bag.
Ossie trotted around and explored, sniffing everything.
Charlee arrived a few moments later, with her hair dry and wearing a little makeup. She looked even more adorable in a fuzzy red Christmas sweater, worn jeans, and fuzzy red socks.
She opened a door that opened into a large pantry. “I have plenty of things that come frozen, in a can, jar, or box, as well as what I brought up.” She held up a box of pasta and looked over her shoulder. “How’s spaghetti with sauce and homemade meatballs sound? I like to cook, and meatballs are one of my favorite things to make.”
“Sounds great.” He nodded. “Point me to your stock pot and I’ll get the water boiling.”
Charlee gestured toward a bottom cabinet, and the pot banged against another as he pulled it out. He filled it up to a third of its volume as Charlee found a package of hamburger in the freezer and thawed it in the microwave.
In no time Charlee was making homemade meatballs with fresh herbs she’d brought with her, and Ace was stirring sauce made with tomato paste he found in the pantry and dried herbs he got from her spice cabinet, as well as the fresh ones from the grocery bag. He got the pot of water on the stove—he’d turn the burner on once the meatballs were just about finished baking.
They talked about the new construction in Prescott as they fixed dinner, Charlee clearly relaxed and at ease. It was comfortable between them, like they’d done this a thousand times.
He had the sauce simmering by the time she got the meatballs ready to slide into the oven on a tray. She also had a cookie sheet with thick slices of bread, covered with butter and fresh garlic, to brown once the meatballs were done.
Wind howled outside and battered the house, but it was cozy and warm inside. Ace peeked out into the back where a light flooded the deck as Charlee put the meatball tray into the oven.
“Snow’s starting to come down,” he called over his shoulder as he saw snowflakes swirling in the light.
She moved close to him and watched snow spin across the deck and drift into a corner. “It’s sticking,”
“Weather report said we’d get quite a bit of snow in the Bradshaws.” Ace glanced at Charlee. “There’s a real good chance we’re not going anywhere for the next few days.”
Charlee bit a corner of her lip and didn’t say anything for a long moment. “There are worse people to be cooped up with.” She looked at him and smiled.
Ace flashed her a grin. “As long as you behave, we’ll be okay.”
Charlee laughed. “I think you’re the one who needs to behave.”
“My mama taught me to be a gentleman, so that’s what you’ve got for the weekend.”
She grinned in return. “You’d better be.”
The sparkle in her eyes and her smile just about drove him to his knees. How the hell would he make it being alone with her, and be on his best behavior?
He liked the heat he felt radiating from her when she stood so close.Keep your thoughts off her sexy body, McBride,he told himself to try to avoid hardening from her presence as they stared outside. He gritted his teeth. Not an easy task.
