Page 14

Chapter 14

April

My head pounding wakes me up before my bladder does.

But I’m surprised to find myself lying on my stomach with my palm on Ford’s shoulder.

God, he’s still on the damn floor.

After everything he told me yesterday, I feel even worse that he’s sleeping with his dog.

It makes me think, though.

I don’t want to be treated any differently after what I went through. I bet he doesn’t either.

Sliding out of bed, I try to step over his legs as carefully as possible so I don’t wake him.

Fuck the toilet seat is cold. It makes my hind end pucker so I can’t pee.

By the time it warms up and I relax, I can hear him stirring.

Dammit. When I flush, nothing happens. That holding tank up above must be empty.

Tiptoeing across the chilly wood, I grab one of the jugs of water to fill the gravity system that feeds the toilet and the tub.

I can barely reach to pour it in, the lip of the bottle hangs precariously close to the edge.

“You can just dump it in the bowl if it’s easier.” Ford’s deep mumble startles me, making me spill the frigid water down my chest and forcing a gasp out of me from the shock.

His chuckle draws nearer. “Want some help?”

“I got it. It’s almost empty. Besides, I probably needed another shower.” It’s lighter now since I’m wearing half of it.

I catch a glimpse of him shaking his head as he lets Roscoe outside.

“Stubborn. Alright, I’ll get the coffee going.” He pulls his drawer open and pulls out a heavy flannel shirt. “You can hang that one up near the stove to dry.” He gestures at my torso, then his eyes narrow and he turns away.

I glance down to see my nipples poking the damp fabric into little peaks.

Oh.

Heat moves up my cheeks, but I finish what I started, then put the empty container next to one of the full ones on the floor.

A particularly strong gust of wind rattles the door on its hinges and makes a puff of smoke spit out of the stove. It’s just thick enough to make me cough, not doing my headache any good.

Ford waves it away, then pours me a cup. “How’re you feeling? I think you knocked back most of that bottle.” He looks exhausted already as he settles onto the stool and props his feet on the open lower shelf of the counter.

“I’ve had worse days.” I flash a broad smile at him.

It’s forever going to be my comparison. There’s nothing that could be as bad as last week.

Turning my back to him, I peel the wet shirt off and thread my arms into the sleeves of his oversized flannel.

Well, it’s way too big for me, but probably fits him perfectly.

I take the ends and tie them around my waist to keep them from flapping as I move.

“You know, you make those clothes look better than I ever could.” He raises his mug in a salute.

“Thanks. It’s funny, I left my Dad’s that night because Norma-fucking-Jean threw mine away. When I buy new ones, I think I’ll go for flannels and jeans. This is way more comfortable.” I take the first sip of coffee. God, this stuff is yummy.

“I still can’t believe she did that. Wade said there’s no sign of your car around the gas station when I talked to him yesterday.” He swirls the last swallow in his cup before gulping it down. “Does that mean you have nothing?” His gray eyes fix on mine.

But I find my gaze drifting to the window where a bright spark of sun breaks in. “I guess as long as they didn’t use my cards I’ll be alright.” If they tapped my bank account, I’m really fucked.

There’s no way Dad will lend me money, his wife will make sure of that.

My stomach rolls thinking about him. Should I go to the hospital? Is it true what she said, that he doesn’t want to see me?

Damn it. I don’t even have a driver’s license. Or a phone. All my shit was in my Subaru.

With a groan I fall back onto the mattress. “This sucks, Ford.”

The corner of his mouth rises in a crooked smile. “But today doesn’t. Looks like another break in the storm. Wanna go see Pepper again? She likes you more than she does me.”

“I’d love that.” I sit up to let the heat of the rays hit my face.

It doesn’t take long for me to slip on one of his oversized coats and my sneakers.

“Wow, it’s actually almost warm out.” The blinding reflection on the fresh snow makes my head pound, but it’s too gorgeous to go back inside.

Roscoe bounds excitedly through the drifts between us.

“Do you think the blizzard has passed?” I hate to ask. There’s a part of me that doesn’t want to leave.

I don’t like the circumstances that brought me, but I’m starting to like it here…with him.

Especially after he broke down last night and told me about his past.

We both have scars that the world can’t see.

Ford clears his throat. “I’m not sure. We can call Wade and ask if it’s clear all the way out for the chopper to get in.”

I can see just enough of his jaw to watch it clench.

Does he think the same? He’s so hard to read.

“Can I help feed her? How much hay does she get?” I’d rather focus on the horse than the prospect of leaving…and all the trouble it’s going to be once I’m back in the real world.

“Sure. She gets two flakes of alfalfa, and she’s probably ready for a new square of grass.” He holds up the empty water jugs. “I’ll take care of the pump and the bale. I bet she’d like a scoop of grain from you too. You’ll be her best friend.”

As he predicted, Pepper bobs her nose towards me when we step into the barn.

“Hi, pretty girl.” I hold up my palm again for her to sniff.

She wastes no time pushing against my fingers and dropping her head against my chest.

“See? BFF forever now.” Ford squints his eyes with a smirk and starts filling water.

After he shows me where the grain is and tosses in the feed, a shine of sweat shows on his forehead as he unbuttons his jacket. “I’m gonna haul in some wood while you’re out here. Holler if you need me.”

Roscoe watches him leave, then sits on a haunches near the door.

“You’re not dumb are ya boy? That snow is deeper than you are tall.” Scooping another handful of pellets, I let Pepper eat from my palm.

There’s something therapeutic about having them here. The animals don’t judge.

In fact, they both make me feel special, like they’re choosing me.

Roscoe cocks his head, then trots over.

Feeding a horse with one hand, and petting a dog with the other…I can’t think of a more serene moment.

“Sorry, girl. It’s all gone.” I hold up the empty container as proof.

When I step out into the glaring light of the sun, I feel rejuvenated. On instinct, I look around to see if I can spot Ford, but I don’t.

Where is he?

A crack echoes across the meadow. Then another.

What is that?

Roscoe leads the way, guiding me to a shallower path through the snow.

Ford has his shirt off, splitting wood rounds he’s pulled from the shed.

Damn.

I don’t think I’ve really looked at him since that first morning I woke up here.

His muscles ripple beneath the dark lines of ink as he sets another chunk on the stump. Broad shoulders narrow to a “V” where his jeans cover the dimples at the small of his back.

When he raises the ax and drops it with another sharp thud, it does something in my belly.

I can’t resist.

He leans over to adjust the halved piece of wood.

Just as he straightens, I get a lucky hit with a loosely packed snowball.

“Hey! What was that for?” When he turns around, it isn’t anger, but amusement that widens his eyes.

“I just thought you looked entirely too hot.” Smoking, really.

I give him a wide grin as I drift my fingers into the wet snow and make another baseball sized lump.

“You’re playing with fire, frosty.” He drops the head of the ax next to his feet and leans on the handle. His lips purse as he watches me toss my newest projectile between my hands.

“It’s too nice out to be serious today. I choose—” I whip my arm back and let loose in one swift motion. “—violence!” I shriek before turning and running away.

I’m laughing so hard I can barely breathe as I run for the door to the cabin.

Before I’ve taken half a dozen steps, the weight of his body slams against me from behind and his arms wrap my waist, carrying us both into the thick blanket of snow.

He twists, landing first with me on top of his hard chest.

As I struggle to get off him, he flicks a peppering of snow at the bare skin of my neck, making me giggle and scream when it goes down the oversized collar of my shirt.

I manage to flip to face him, pushing my palms onto his scalding pecs.

But then time slows.

My smile fades when the heat of his body works through my damp clothes.

How did I not see that chiseled jaw and the gold flecks that dash through his silver irises? Or the embers that burn behind them as he stares at me?

With his sharp inhale, it moves me over him, shifting me until I’m inches from his lips.

“April,” he says hoarsely.

What is going on? Why do I feel like I have a bonfire burning inside of me? “Yea? Ready to admit defeat?”

The corner of his mouth turns up. “This is really damn cold.”

Before I can protest, he rises and lifts me with him, setting me deftly onto my feet.

It’s only after we’re standing that I feel the chill of the wind start to bite into me.

Tiny beads of ice sting into my skin making me tighten the baggy flannel.

He jogs over to the shed to snag his coat and a quick armful of firewood, then follows me into the cabin.

Stomping the snow from our shoes, the damp and freezing temperature catches up to me. I’m shivering so hard my teeth chatter.

But it was worth it.

“Think the other one is dry by now?” My fingers bury into the warm cloth of the sweatshirt I was wearing early.

It’s better than what I’m wearing.

Goosebumps cover his arms, hidden when he covers them with his thick shirt. His jaw clenches, sending a starburst to his temple as the muscles work while he stokes the wood stove.

Is he mad at me?

I’ll just duck behind the corner and change into the hoodie.

Maybe whatever that was I thought I felt was wrong.

“Wade? It’s Ford.” His deep voice carries in the tiny room.

Yep, I was very wrong.

“Just checking in. Did you have any luck tracking down her car?” He glances up when I step out, and holds out his hand, gesturing for the wet flannel.

When I give it to him, he hangs it on a high hook above the fireplace.

“No, no sign of them here. I think the winds are keeping them hunkered down like us.”

I can’t hear what the sheriff replies, but it makes Ford squeeze his eyes shut and turn away.

“Fuck off, Wade. You’re lucky that badge keeps me from beating your ass like I did when we were in high school.” His thumb digs into the furrow of his forehead.

Sounds like some of the boys never grew up.

“Everything is fine. No, it ain’t an emergency…I think?” Ford pins me with a questioning look.

All I can do is shrug and shake my head.

I’m not dying. Far from it. It’s almost like a vacation from real life.

“Okay, thanks. I’ll let her know.” He clicks off the sat phone and puts it in the charger.

“Looks like you’re stuck here until day after tomorrow. They don’t want to send out search and rescue unless it’s dire.” He runs his fingers through his hair, then stoops to pick up one of the jugs of water and fills the kettle. “Last I checked, you’re very much alive.”

I don’t think so.

Knowing I have to leave soon feels like a little piece of me may have died.