Page 23 of Declan (Men of Clifton, Montana #53)

Declan didn’t reply, just increased the throttle, sending snow spraying up around them in a glittering arc. Elise leaned into him, her face pressed against his back, feeling the rush of the cold wind and the thrill of the ride enveloping them both.

As Declan threaded the snowmobile between the towering pines, the engine’s low rumble rolled beneath him like a caged beast. He glanced over his shoulder to see Tank bounding through the drifts behind them.

He eased off the throttle so the dog wouldn’t expend all his energy too soon.

Branches, heavy with fresh snow, arched overhead, shedding soft white shards onto their path with each gust of wind.

After twenty minutes of weaving downhill and over frozen streams, the trail opened onto a gentle rise.

Declan throttled back, and the snowmobile coasted to a halt.

Leaning so Elise could catch every word, he swept one arm toward a clearing.

There, half-hidden by birch trees, stood a rustic cabin of weathered logs, its dark-green roof frosted with snow.

Twenty feet from its porch lay a pond the color of smoked glass, its surface distorted by occasional swirls of wind.

“My cabin,” Declan said after raising the visor of his helmet.

Elise dismounted, her boots crunching in the crusted snow, and stood speechless. She raised the visor, and her wide eyes reflected the scene. “It’s stunning,” she whispered, voice soft as falling snow. “Like something from a Christmas card.”

He nodded. “This pond alone spans over two acres. The ones farther down the ridge are smaller, but this spot…” He squeezed her mittened hand. “I come here when I need to clear my head, especially after a rough day.”

She drew in a breath so deep the crisp air seemed to tingle in her lungs. “I can see why. It’s so peaceful.”

“I’ll pull up to the porch,” he said, tapping the throttle. “We can warm up inside.”

“Does it have a fireplace?” she asked, as she climbed back onto the snowmobile.

“A big stone hearth, huge cedar beams overhead. I’ll get a fire going in no time.”

Elise nodded again and pressed her face into his back, melting into his coat as he guided the snowmobile toward the steps.

He killed the engine and the forest fell silent except for the distant creak of ice.

He hopped off, reached back, and helped her, then looked around for Tank.

He called, “Tank!” but the dog didn’t appear.

“Where is he?” Elise murmured, her breath pluming white in front of them.

“I don’t know, he never wanders—” Declan stared out into the woods.

Elise pointed. “There he is.” Tank burst from the trees, dispersing a puff of snow as he skidded up to them.

Declan exhaled in relief. “Damn, boy, you had me worried. I don’t need you chasing wolves—”

“Elise’s eyes snapped toward him. “Wolves?”

His jaw tightened. He shouldn’t have said it, but the warning slipped free. “They’re out there,” he admitted in a low voice. “But they shouldn’t bother us.”

“Please don’t lie.” Her voice was taut with tension. “If they’re hungry—”

He guided her onto the porch, brushing snow from her coat. “Trust me,” he said, as he opened the door, reached in and turned on a light. Tank padded onto the porch then shook his body, throwing snow everywhere.

Inside the cabin, the air smelled of old pine and the tang of wood smoke. Elise peeled off her mittens and removed her helmet, her hair spilling free in dark waves. She unbuttoned her coat and glared at him as if daring him to hide anything. He resisted grinning.

“The snowmobile’s roar will keep predators at bay,” he said briskly, squatting in front of the hearth, and adding kindling. “I’ve spent dozens of winters here—”

“Don’t even try telling me you’ve never seen a wolf,” she interrupted.

“I’ve seen several,” he said, stacking pine logs on top of the kindling. He stood, lit a match and set the wood ablaze. “But I’m always on guard. Mostly for Tank’s sake. A full pack would try to take him down if they thought he was a food source.”

Her fingers curled into fists. “It’s terrifying. I know food’s scarce in winter, but to attack a dog—”

“In desperation, they hunt anything,” he replied, sliding another log into place. “Cows, horses… even a moose if they’re hungry enough.”

She frowned. “A moose is enormous.”

He exhaled slowly, recalling old warnings.

“I told you about Noah Conway? His horse was in a snowy pasture with her foal when a pack struck. They circled her, but she defended the foal until she couldn’t stand.

The wolves killed her, then turned on the foal, until Noah arrived just in time.

He rescued the colt and nursed him back to health.

That colt, Smoke, is still marked by those attacks. ”

Elise’s lips trembled. He drew her closer, his voice softer now. “They’re cunning. They spread out and converge. I’m not trying to frighten you, just want you to be aware.”

She glanced toward the frost-rimmed window. “What about us? If we were on horseback—”

“But we weren’t. Anytime I ride in the winter, I always carry my weapon. I won’t shoot one of them unless I have to, but one shot overhead usually scatters them.”

He turned to her, cupping her cheeks with rough, warm hands.

“Elise, nothing in this world matters more to me than you. If danger ever came close, I’d protect you with my life, no question.

” He brushed his lips against hers, and around them the cabin, smoke swirling up the stone chimney, logs crackling, felt like a sanctuary in the silent winter forest.

“We can’t stay here tonight though. We both work tomorrow,” Elise said, her voice tinged with reluctance.

“I know, but it’s still early. We’ll spend a little while here, then head back. Do you want to go to the diner for dinner before I take you home?” Declan asked.

“I’d like that,” she replied, wrapping her arms snugly around his waist. “I like you.”

Declan grinned, pressing a tender kiss to her lips before gazing into her eyes. “I more than like you.”

“You like me a lot?” she teased with a playful smirk.

“I’m on the verge of falling in love with you. You’re all I think about. I know we haven’t been together for long, but I’m sure of what I feel.”

“I feel the same way,” she admitted softly.

“I’m happy to hear that.” He kissed her again, deeply.

Elise pulled back slightly, her eyes scanning the small cabin. “Do you sleep on that cot?”

“Yep. It’s not the most comfortable, but I don’t have to sleep on it every night,” he said, shrugging.

“Too bad you don’t have a bed,” she said, a hint of mischief in her voice.

“I was right.” Declan chuckled.

“About what?”

“You’re going to kill me.” He laughed as she giggled in response.

“You have spoiled me for any other man, Declan.”

“Damn good thing, darlin’. I don’t want you with any other man. Just this one.”

“This one is the only one I need,” she affirmed, her voice soft but resolute.

“What is it?”

“What?”

“You sounded different there for a second.”

Elise sighed. “I need to talk to you.”

“About?”

“The other day when you walked me back to the studio after lunch, Stephen came in.”

“I thought you told him to stay out?” Declan clenched his jaw.

“I did but it was cold and he was only there to pick up Jenny.”

“But?”

“He made some accusations about you. He said you were only seeing me because I had gone out with him. It was payback because he took Dawn from you.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“He said one day he went home early and saw you leaving and she was in her robe, so you were having an affair.”

Declan frowned. “She was in a robe?”

“That’s what he said. He told me he asked her why you were there, and she said you fixed a busted pipe for her.”

“And you don’t believe that?”

“Of course, I do. I’m just telling you how he’s trying to ruin this between us.”

“I was there to fix a pipe, but I sure as hell don’t remember Dawn being in a robe, and even if she had been, I never would have touched her. For God’s sake, Elise, I wouldn’t go out with you until I knew for sure you weren’t seeing Johnston anymore.”

“I know. Declan, I don’t doubt you. I know how he is. I just wanted to tell you, not accuse you.” She cupped his cheeks in her hands.

“I hope so. I’m not the type of man to go after another man’s woman. No matter how attractive she is, or if I was involved with her before.”

“I believe you. I do. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”

“No, I’m glad you did. At least now I know what he’s capable of.”

“He’s just trying to rattle me and it’s not going to work. I want you. No one else.”

“Okay, good, that’s how I feel about you. I meant to ask you if you’d like to go to a wedding with me? A good friend of mine is getting married in December, and I’m invited. I can bring a guest.”

“I’d love to go. I love weddings. I’ve never been to a wedding in December.”

“Nate said it’s what Markie has always wanted.”

“Well, I am anxious to go now.” She kissed his lips.

“Once we warm up, we’ll head back in a couple of hours. I don’t want to be out in the dark,” he planned, glancing at the fading light outside.

Elise walked over to the window, her breath misting the glass as she peered out. “The sky is dark now. Maybe we should go.”

Declan opened the door to see snow cascading down thickly, the sky dark gray. He quickly shut the door, extinguished the fire, and they bundled up in their coats, gloves, scarves, and helmets. Stepping outside, they climbed onto the snowmobile.

“I was hoping we could spend some more time here,” Declan said.

“Another time. This snow is really getting thicker,” Elise replied, her voice slightly muffled by the helmet.

“Yeah, we’d better go.” Declan looked over his shoulder at the dog. “Tank, stay close. Let’s go.”

He started the machine, revving it gently as they retraced their path. The once-clear tracks were nearly obscured by fresh snow, urging Declan to push forward with urgency. He leaned back to speak to Elise over the engine’s hum.

“Keep an eye on Tank, please.”

“I will,” she reassured him, glancing at the dog trotting alongside them through the swirling snow.

Once they returned to the cozy warmth of the house, they didn’t linger.

Instead, they hurriedly climbed into his truck, eager to get her home safely.

The promise of dinner together would have to wait for another day.

Outside, snowflakes tumbled from the sky in a swirling dance, carpeting the world in a thick, white blanket.

The way the snow was falling, it seemed like a small miracle that he might make it back home without incident.

After he dropped her off at her doorstep, he leaned in and kissed her softly, savoring the moment.

She pleaded with him to stay, but he shook his head regretfully.

He explained with a smile that he needed to get back because of Tank.

With a reassuring nod, he gestured for her to go inside where it was warm and safe, promising to call as soon as he reached his home.

The journey back took him over an hour, the tires of his truck crunching through the thick snow. When he finally arrived, he immediately let her know he was safe and sound. He ended the call with a promise to see her soon, his heart yearning for that moment to come sooner rather than later.