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After dinner, he stayed to help clear the table and heard Gideon’s well-timed cough covering what he said under his breath.
“We’re going hunting in the morning – can you be ready at four?” Houghton said, interrupting his thoughts as he watched Lena carry a few plates into the kitchen, mesmerized by the sway of her back.
Oh gosh, he had it bad…
“Yup.”
“Ever been?”
“Several times.”
“Sounds good,” Houghton agreed and pulled him aside. “I left only the one muscle relaxer in your cabin last night. Did you take it?”
Lena froze as she entered the dining room at a very untimely moment.
“Yeah, I did,” Jake said simply, not looking away from her mortified expression and the hurt in her dark eyes. “I wasn’t worried in the slightest, and we don’t need you to babysit us. I trust Lena completely.”
Houghton clapped him on the shoulder and walked away, leaving them there. The table was nearly cleared between them already, and he could hear the others talking in the kitchen while Houghton was dressing down Gideon in the distance for leaving the back door open too long and yet, all of that was a blur.
There was so much gratitude shining in Lena’s eyes as she stared at him, glittering like stars, that he gave her a slight smile.
“Thank you,” she breathed. “I really appreciate that.”
“It’s true.”
“It’s still nice to hear.”
“Do you have anything left to do today? I know we got a late start and…”
“No,” she interrupted softly… and his smile widened.
“Want to go for a walk with me this evening?”
Lena chuckled softly, her cheeks turning pink as she looked away shyly.
“It’s cold out.”
“Then it gives me a reason to hold your hand,” he countered easily. “I can help keep them warm.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“Maybe I want to?”
And her brown eyes slid back to him in amazement and wonder as she nodded, smiling at him once again.
“Let’s finish up here and…”
“I’ll get it,” she murmured quietly. “Could you get my gloves from the cabin?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then I’ll see you in a few.”
“I’ll be right back.”
Walking out of the dining room, he started out the back door – only to have someone grab him by the shoulder, pushing him up against the side of the cabin.
“Look, it’s cute that you two are getting along,” Houghton began bluntly. “But that girl needs more time before you go testing her to make sure she won’t fall off the wagon.”
