Page 6 of Rugged Mountain Man (Cold Mountain Nights #1)

Chapter six

Cormac

“Home, sweet, home,” Raff announced.

I limped alongside him, an arm wrapped around his shoulder for support as we entered the cabin. Mika trailed behind us. She’d barely said anything at all since showing up at the hospital with Raff to take me home.

Was she having second thoughts about staying with me? Would she change her mind?

Raff helped me into the living room. I eased myself down into the armchair, already feeling restless and impatient to get my independence back.

“Are you sure you don’t need anything else from me?” Raff asked, standing aside with his hands on his hips.

My gaze slid over to Mika where she was looking around, taking in her surroundings.

Her thumbs were hooked into the straps of her backpack.

After a decent night of rest, a proper shower, and a change of clothes, she didn’t look like a frightened rabbit anymore.

And she’d attempted to cover that bruise with some concealer, too.

I could still see the shadow of it, dark and lurking beneath the surface of her makeup, but it wasn’t as obvious as before.

“We’ve got it covered from here, Raff,” I assured him. “I’ll call you if that changes.”

“All right. Then I’ll leave you in Mika’s capable hands. Stay off that leg, doctor’s orders.”

“Stop fussing at me like a mother hen already,” I groused, good-naturedly.

“Then leave the chainsaw to a younger man next time,” Raff shot back.

I growled and waved him off.

“If I had two good legs, I’d kick your ass for that.”

“But since you don’t,” Raff replied. “Looks like all you can do is sit there and sulk, big brother.”

He clapped me on the shoulder and winked at Mika as he passed her.

“Don’t let the grumpy old hermit get to you,” he said.

“I’m not scared of him,” she replied softly.

I twisted in my seat with surprise to look at her. Then Raff was gone, the rumble of his truck fading into the distance. Mika and I were alone in the silence.

She spread her hands.

“Is there anything you'd like me to do? Clean the kitchen? Make some lunch? I’m not a great cook, but I’m sure I could whip up something.”

She didn’t have to earn her keep. She was my guest. I liked having her in that rustic hunting cabin with me. And I liked having her here, too. Her presence was comforting after a decade of living as a bachelor, solitary, alone.

“Why don’t you get settled first?” I gestured down the hall. “The spare bedrooms are through there. You can take your pick. The bedroom on the left has an east-facing window though, and it overlooks the woods. If you want a view, I’d take that one.”

Mika nodded and swayed in place, looking uncertain. Finally, she squared her shoulders and marched down the hall, disappearing around the corner.

I blew out a breath, sinking back into my chair.

I never dreamed I would have another woman in my house, sharing my living space with me.

But I wanted this to go smoothly. I wanted Mika to be comfortable and happy here.

She didn’t deserve to be running scared because of that bastard who had raised his hand to her.

When Mika returned, her backpack and coat were gone. She’d taken off her shoes too, padding around in her purple socks.

“Thank you again, for letting me stay here,” she said, tugging her sleeves down over her hands nervously. “I really appreciate it. And as soon as you’re feeling better, I’ll get out of your hair.”

For the first time in my life, I hoped my recovery would not be a speedy one.

“Mika,” I said. “I haven’t invited anyone else into this house for ten years. The only exception to that statement would be Raff, and he sort of just…pushes his way in, even if I’d rather be alone. If I didn’t want you here, I wouldn’t have allowed you past my threshold.”

She let that sink in for a moment and her restless fingers finally went still. She tucked her hands behind her back and released a slow, steady breath.

“I’ll try to remember that.”

“Good.”

Mika mustered up a small, brave smile. I smiled back. Then she blushed and glanced away, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

“Would you mind if I…get a glass of water?”

“You don’t have to ask my permission,” I replied. “You have free reign of the house as long as you’re here.”

“Right,” Mika replied. “Can I get you a glass of water, too?”

“Sure, I’d like that.”

She beamed, eager to have a task to keep her occupied. That empty hollowness I’d been carrying around in my chest ached for a different reason to see Mika brighten up at the idea of making herself useful.

I heard her rummaging around in the kitchen, opening cabinets, turning on a faucet.

Then a crash and the shatter of glass made me sit up with concern.

“Mika?” I called.

Images of her flashed through my mind—slipping, falling, hurting herself. I scrambled out of the chair, hobbling into the kitchen.

Mika crouched on the floor, shards of glass scattered around her in a dangerous halo. With trembling fingers, she plucked up the shards, piling them into her palm.

She was scared to death.

“I’m so sorry,” she said. “I’m so, so sorry. I didn’t—I was just—I fumbled the glass when I was taking it out of the cupboard, and I tried to catch it—”

“Mika, sweetheart,” I cut in, curling my fingers around her arm. “It’s okay. There’s no harm done. Just…get away from that glass.”

“But it’s a mess. And you’re limping. You might get splinters in your feet…”

She trailed off as I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into my chest. I brushed my lips against her temple with a butterfly kiss.

“It’s okay, Mika,” I murmured. “It’s okay.”

She was shaking like a leaf, her body tense. I cupped the back of her head, tightening my grip on her.

For several seconds, Mika did nothing but stand there, arms stiff at her sides. Then she gradually curled her fists into my shirt and held on tight.

“It’s just a cup,” I said. “It’s no big deal.”

She nodded, although she said nothing.

“We can sweep up the glass,” I continued. “Cleaning up a mess is easy.”

Slowly, Mika began to relax. She sagged against my chest, burying her face in my shoulder.

Her ex was a lucky man. If I wasn’t handicapped by my damn leg, I would hunt the bastard down for what he’d done to her.

When Mika finally stopped shaking, I pulled back and cupped her face in my hands, tilting her head up to look at me. The tip of her tongue flicked out, wetting her lower lip.

Fuck, I would give anything for a chance to kiss her. Just once.

I searched her face and her wide, watchful brown eyes. When she curled her hand over my bicep, a vice of protectiveness locked around my heart.

“I’m not him,” I murmured. “I swear, I’m not him.”

“I know,” she whispered.

But her body didn’t. Not yet anyway. The memories still haunted her, sending her instincts into overdrive. I smoothed my hands down her hair, down her back.

Less than a week ago, when we first met, Mika wouldn’t even stand within reach, let alone allow me to touch her like this.

Now she was the one touching me back.

The rest of the day was quiet. I dozed in and out on the couch, groggy from medication. Mika tiptoed through the room once in a while, to check on me, to deposit a snack or a glass of water on the coffee table.

I could always tell she was close from the scent of her soap—apples and honey, like the full bloom of springtime in the heart of winter. She barely made a sound though.

“Cormac.”

I blinked awake. Mika gazed down at me, hazy as a dream. Her hand rested in the middle of my chest, shaking me gently.

“You need to go to bed,” she said.

I curled my fingers around her wrist with a disoriented grunt. When did the room get so dark? Raff had dropped me off before noon. Had I really slept the day away?

Mika took my hand and tugged.

“Come on,” she said. “I can’t carry you, Sasquatch, so you have to walk.”

With a groan, I rose to my feet. Mika pulled my arm around her shoulders, helping me to my room. But she paused at the threshold and she wouldn’t go any further.

“I think…you can handle it from here,” she said.

I grazed my knuckles against her cheek, sweeping my thumb over the curve of her barely concealed bruise. Mika closed her eyes, nuzzling into my palm like a kitten.

Then she stepped back, melting into the darkness.

I stood there, with only my longing for her to keep me company. Dragging myself to bed, I sagged into the mattress and when I closed my eyes, I saw Mika’s face again. But there was no bruise on her cheekbone this time, and her past didn’t make her flinch anymore.

Instead, I dreamed of her curled up beside me, kissing my neck with a little hum of contentment. Warm, safe, and all mine.