Page 5 of The Mountain Man's Determined Bride

She walked away toward the kitchen, busying herself he assumed, so she wouldn’t have to deal with him because that’s what she did. Avoidance issues. Luke followed right on her heals. Maybe if he pushed her until she got so spitting mad she’d just give in.

“Come on sugar, are you at least a little happy to see me?” By the look on her face, maybe pushingwasn’tthe smartest thing he could do to win her over. It would definitely get her talking though.

“No! Now, get out of here. Right now!” Her finger pointed to the back door.

“What?” He stared at Morgan as if she were nuts, gesturing toward the snow-covered window for emphasis.

“I can’t leave now, there’s a blizzard out there.”

“Well that’s not my fault Mr. Walker; I didn’t ask you to come up here and get lost or get yourself stranded. I’m here for some peace and quiet, meaning just me. Alone. As in not with you or anyone.”

“So we’re now relegated to pleasantries? Calling me Mr. Walker, after all we’ve been through together; I’m a little surprisedandhurt.” Luke moved to lean against the counter crossing his arms for protection just in case she tried to stab him with that bacon fork. She only fiddled at the cook stove, ignoring him.

“I would love nothing more than to catch up on old times with you.” If anything would get her goat that sure should. Her angry words and scowl told him how pissed she was that he was even there.

“Oh…oh…no, no, no. Not in this lifetime buddy. We have nothingat allleft to say to each other.” Morgan was so furious her face had turned all shades of crimson, the bacon fork gone from sight but she was now deftly swinging a large chef knife in her hand as she rambled on. “I don’t know who you think you are but…”

“Stop right there!” Luke slyly grabbed the hand wielding the knife for fear she might accidentally snag him with it. “You know exactly who I am.” He then had to grab her other hand so she wouldn’t wrestle free from his grip with her armed limb.

“As a matter of fact, there isn’t anyone out there that knows me better.” Like a light switch turning on in his head, he knew exactly what he wasn’t going to do; let her push him out of her life again. Because sure as shit, that’s what she’d try to do. He took the knife from her hand, laying it in the empty sink basin before releasing her other hand.

“And just for your information Miss Morgan Masters, I’m not going anywhere.” Then like he owned the place, he walked right out of the kitchen and settled in on the couch, kicking his legs up to relax.

Chapter Five

What in the world does he think he’s doing?

“You’re not staying here.” Morgan followed Luke right up beside the couch, slapping his feet off the cushion before he could get too comfortable, hands flailing in front of her as she talked.

“I don’t care who you have to call but get on that radio of yours and call someone. Heck, call Uncle Bill seeing as how he’s probably the one that orchestrated this whole damn thing.” She was pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace but stopped when she heard him chuckling.

“This really isn’t funny Luke. I mean it, you can’t stay.” Her high pitched voice cracking as both hands landed on her hips, signaling no argument.

“Well sorry to say sunshine, but that’s just too bad. I’m not going anywhere, at least until this blizzard isn’t a blizzard anymore. You’re stuck with me.”

Dammit he pisses me off. Stubbornandbullheaded. How am I going to get him out of this cabin? I could wait til he goes to use the outhouse and lock the doors and windows. No… because then he’d end up lost on the mountain again and we’d be back to square one.

Luke wiggled a finger at her, “oh I see what you’re doing and it’s not going to work.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Morgan crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him indignantly.

“You are so predictable. You were working it all through in that sexy little head there, trying to figure out a way to get me out of your cabin…no, don’t try denying it. I can read you like a book.” He raised his hand to silence her argument.

Shewasworking it through but he wasn’t supposed to know what she was thinking.Damn it.

She walked back to the kitchen, letting go of some deeply held breaths as she served up two plates and sat down at the table. He followed her into the room.

“Can we please just eat and then you can leave me alone? I have work to do today.” He sat across the table from her but between every bite he took, his eyes returned to her. She was so disgusted she just wanted to be done. There may not be much daylight and the wood wouldn’t cut itself.

When she finished, Morgan grabbed the hot kettle from the stove and poured the boiling water into the sink with soap and washed her dishes. Luke placed his plate on the counter and before she could stop him, he’d leaned in and kissed her cheek then ran.

“You jerk!” She yelled after him throwing the dish towel in his wake.Seriously?She knew her face was red but she didn’t care anymore. They’d spent so much time together in the past and while she didn’t want him stirring up those old feelings, that one quick peck gave her heart a flutter. Traitor.

She finished cleaning up the kitchen and walked through the living room but Luke was nowhere in sight. “Now where did he go? Forget it, I just don’t care.” She went to her room and pulled out another set of long underwear, fleece-lined jeans and a long sleeve shirt and got herself ready for the blizzard. “Maybe I got lucky and he walked right on out of here.”

* * * *

“One way or another, Iwillwear her down.” It was obvious she wasn’t happy to see him.