The Woodsman

by Blake North

  “I still don't remember the crash. I mean, I remember driving, and all I could see was white. I had the wipers going at full speed, but it was impossible to see anything. I think I must have run off the road. I don't remember sliding, but I guess it's possible,” I said, more to myself than to him.

  I wasn't used to not being in control. Not remembering made me feel helpless. Relying on a complete stranger to take care of me made me uncomfortable, but I had no other options.

  “Is it still snowing?” I asked.

  “No, it stopped. Unfortunately, we got dumped on pretty good. The wind made it a mess out there. There are six-foot snow drifts. I can't even get to the woodshed. Thankfully, I stacked a lot of wood on the porch,” he explained.

  “What does that mean?” I asked, a little alarmed. Were we stuck here until spring?

  He laughed and sat down in the chair in the corner of the room. “It means we sit here for a bit until it melts. I do have a snowmobile, but it isn't running. I'll try and get it fixed today or tomorrow.”

  “Oh. Good. So, there is a way out?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Are the accommodations not up to your standards?”

  I had to giggle. “Sorry, no offense. I’m not used to being so cut off from the world. When I came up here, that was the idea, but actually being in the situation is a little different. I guess I thought it would be peaceful and cathartic.”

  “It is. I have enough food, I have heat, and I have a roof over my head. I was ready to get stuck. I knew the storm was coming,” he explained as if it were no big deal.

  I groaned. “I should have known better. Really. I guess it would be like you coming to Florida with a hurricane bearing down on us. I know what to do there.”

  He nodded. “I suppose it's the same thing. You only ever lived in Florida?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Technically, yes, but my parents are free spirits. We traveled a lot, and we spent a lot of time around here when I was younger. What about you? Have you lived here your whole life?”

  His eyes darted away from mine. He shrugged. “Yep, pretty much. Are your parents still in Florida?”

  I smiled. “Probably.”

  “Probably?”

  “They bought an RV and have been on the road. They go where the wind takes them, at least that's what they say. You? Your family here?”

  He looked at me, and I could see profound sadness in his eyes. I knew immediately he didn't have a happy story. Maybe that’s why he was prone to be sort of a jackass.

  “I have an aunt, my mom's sister, and her son who live in town. My mom passed away two years ago. My dad died shortly after I was born.”

  “Oh,” I said, feeling like I had just ripped a scab from his wounds. “Sorry to hear that.”

  He shrugged. “It's life. So, what do you do?”

  “I'm an artist, a starving artist most days, but things have been looking up recently.”

  His intent gaze made me a little uncomfortable. “So then why are you here? The mountains aren’t exactly known for their fancy art galleries. Usually, the only people up here are running away from something.”

  I debated how much to tell him. “I probably am. I've just been under a lot of stress lately and came up here to decompress and try to figure stuff out.”

  “This is a good place to do that.”

  “So, are you close with your aunt and cousin?”

  He nodded. “I am. My cousin, Jayden, is a year younger than I am. We grew up together. And my aunt, Liza, is like a second mom to me. She and my mom are, I mean were, always close.”

  Knowing he wasn't completely alone in the world made me feel a little better.

  “Married?” I asked, instantly regretting it.

  He made a face like the idea left a bad taste in his mouth. “Nope. Never been. You?”

  I shook my head. “Nope.” It wasn’t exactly a lie.

  “All right, I'm going to let you rest for a bit.”

  “I'm fine, really,” I insisted.

  “I'm the doctor. You're the patient. I need to see if I can get that snowmobile running, anyways. I'll check back in on you later. Maybe you'll feel up to eating dinner at the table.”

  “Okay.” I nodded. “Chase?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Thank you, again. I know I was a real pain in the ass when I showed up here. Thank you for taking care of me despite my bitchiness.”

  He shrugged. “It's fine, really. Rest.”

  He left the door open, and I could hear his heavy boots plodding down the hall. I closed my eyes, and, immediately, the vision of him above me with my legs on his shoulders popped into my head. I squeezed them shut tighter, trying to block the image.

  My efforts were futile. I felt the stirring of arousal and knew I would be dreaming about Chase once again. I prayed I wouldn't call out his name in my sleep. It was bad enough I had to keep a straight face when I looked at him after I had imagined him going down on me. Thank God, he couldn't see inside my head. He would probably send me packing, snow drifts or not.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Chase

  When Madison had shown up at my door Saturday, I’d predicted she was going to be a pain in the ass. She was feisty, and I could tell she was used to getting what she wanted. I had been immediately irritated and a little intrigued. When she had stormed off, I figured that would be the last I ever saw of her.

  I’d been very wrong. It had been a long time since I’d had to make small talk with a stranger, and I knew my conversational skills were somewhat lacking. But with the power going out, and nothing else to do but talk, Madison had started to pull me out of my shell a bit. I was both annoyed, and a little glad for it.

  I reminded myself, however, that it was because she didn’t know anything about me. If she did, she’d have locked herself in the bedroom until the snow melted and she could get out.

  I popped my head into the room to check on her. She was still sleeping, and I took a minute to look at her face. She was a beautiful woman. Her hair fanned out on the pillow, giving her an ethereal appearance. Her long, dark eyelashes created half-moons against her pale skin.

  I had to leave before I did something stupid. I was insanely attracted to her. What the hell was I supposed to do with that? Right now, she was in no shape for any of what my brain had me doing to her.

  I walked outside and sucked in some of the cold air to help cool my fervor. I needed to get my head out of my ass and work on the damn snowmobile. Squatting down in the snow to tinker with it helped cool my balls off a bit.

  After another hour, I turned the key and was very pleased hear the engine of the snowmobile start up.

  “Ha!”

  I was feeling elated and headed back inside to check on my patient.

  “Oh,” I said when I walked through the door to find her standing in the kitchen wearing nothing but my flannel.

  “Oh, sorry, I was starving and thought I would see what I could find.”

  My eyes drifted to her bare thighs, knees, and then her pretty little feet with the toenails painted blue.

  “It's fine. I, uh, I got the snowmobile running.”

  “That's good, right?”

  I nodded. “Yes. I need to go to town to get some supplies.”

  “Oh, um, do you think you could maybe get my suitcases from the car, assuming the car is still there?”

  “I doubt I’ll be able to get to it in these drifts, but I’ll try,” I said, desperate to get out of the house and away from the half-dressed beauty in my kitchen. I had to try hard not to tug at the ever-tightening crotch of my jeans.

  Before she could say anything else, I walked out and jumped on the snowmobile. The car was still there, and surprisingly, not completely buried. She would need to call the rental company and get it towed. The snow had melted a bit and the plows would be making their way up here the following day at the latest.

  I grabbed the suitcases, put them on the sled, and headed back to the house.

  “Here you
go,” I said, dropping her belongings at the door before stomping the snow off my boots.

  “Thank you. I really need a shower.”

  I stifled a groan at the thought of her standing naked under the warm spray. “Are you feeling up to it?”

  “Yes. I think I can manage.”

  “Okay, I'll wait for you before I leave in case you need any help.”

  She looked down at her feet.

  Crap.

  “I didn't mean that like it sounded,” I quickly clarified.

  “It's okay. I know what you meant, and I would appreciate that. I’m feeling much stronger, but I definitely don't want to fall in the shower and crack my head open.”

  She moved to grab one of her suitcases.

  “I'll take these to the room for you.”

  I carried the suitcases and deposited them on the bed for her to go through. I left her alone and went to the kitchen to take a quick inventory while making a thermos of coffee. It was still cold out, and the ride down the mountain into town would be very chilly.

  After thirty minutes, she emerged from the bedroom dressed in a pair of jeans, a warm sweater, and a pair of wool socks. Damnit, she looked even better.

  “Can I go with you?” she asked.

  “What?”

  “Can I go with you to town?”

  I thought for a moment. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” I said. “The way down can be pretty bumpy.”

  Madison frowned. “I’m not feeling nearly as sore as I was, and I’m not a fragile little flower. I feel like I’m going to go crazy cooped up in here much longer. Plus, I need to call my friend and let her know I’m okay.”

  I looked at the woman standing in front of me and realized that, once again, there was no talking her out of what she’d already made up her mind to do. “Fine, but it’s freezing out there. You’ll need a warm coat, hat, gloves, scarf, and boots. And not those ridiculous things you tottered up here on.”

  Madison narrowed her eyes at me. “There he is,” she muttered before turning around and heading back to the bedroom.

  “There who is?” I asked, confused.

  A few moments later she came out dressed like the abominable snowman and I had to stifle a laugh. At least she’d be warm.

  “Okay, let’s go,” I said, ushering her out the door.

  Once she was safely on the sled, with a helmet secured to her head, I started my descent down the mountain. I was acutely aware of her arms wrapped around my waist, and her body pressed against my back. I intentionally went slower than I normally would have so as not to jar her too much on the ride.

  When we got into town, I headed past the main strip where the stores sat and turned into a small neighborhood just on the outskirts.

  “I’m going to stop and check in with my aunt first,” I told Madison, and she nodded.

  I pulled up in front of her small house and helped Madison off the machine. “If I don’t let her know I’m alright, she’ll try to get up to check on me before they plow the roads. I don’t need to be worrying about her.”

  “Chase!” Aunt Liza said through her screen door. “I wasn't expecting you. And you have a friend,” she said, looking behind me, raising an eyebrow in evident surprise.

  “Aunt Liza, this is Madison Carr. Madison, my aunt.”

  “Nice to meet you,” they both said at the same time.

  “Come in. Get out of the cold,” my aunt said, pushing open the door. “Where's your truck?”

  “Up the mountain. Roads still aren't plowed, and I didn't want to risk an accident. Madison here has already wrapped one car around a tree.”

  Madison glared at me, and I shrugged.

  “Oh, you poor thing,” she said, fawning over Madison. “Sit, sit, tell me everything,” Aunt Liza ordered.

  We took off our coats and sat down at the table. She made fresh coffee and called out for my cousin to come downstairs.

  “Hey, what are you doing out in the light?” Jayden said, hugging me.

  “I come out now and again.”

  “Who's this?” He sauntered to the table where Madison was watching us, and flashed her one of his patented charming smiles. I was immediately annoyed.

  “This is Madison. Madison, this is my cousin, Jayden,” I said introducing them.

  She smiled. “Ah, good to meet you. I've heard all about you.”

  Jayden turned to me, an eyebrow raised. “Really?”

  “Sit down,” I growled.

  Aunt Liza delivered the coffee and ordered everyone to sit. Madison and I filled them in on how we met and the accident.

  Aunt Liza was shaking her head when we finished. “I have heard of those scams. I didn't know we had to worry about them out here though.”

  Jayden gestured for me to go into the other room. I quickly excused myself and followed him.

  “What's wrong?” I asked with concern.

  “Dude, tell me you've hit that?” he said the moment we were out of earshot.

  I glared at him.

  “Did you not hear us explain she'd been in an accident?” I asked with incredulity.

  He shrugged. “She looks fine to me. Like really fine.”

  “Shut up. Don't talk about her like that.”

  “Ohh, you like her! Ha! You haven't fucked her yet, but you want to.”

  “Jayden, I'm warning you,” I growled.

  He grinned. “It's been a long time for you, right? You have a gorgeous woman living under your roof, needing you to take care of her. You must be a walking hard-on.”

  I stepped closer to him. “That's enough.”

  He rolled his eyes. “When did you become a priest, man? All I’m saying is, she is hot, and it’s clear by the way she’s been looking at you, she thinks you’re hot too.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” I said, trying to keep any excitement at the possibility out of my voice.

  “Damn, it really has been a long time for you, hasn’t it?” he asked, shaking his head.

  I lunged forward. We both knew I wouldn't hurt him, but I had no problem scaring him.

  “All right, all right,” he said, throwing his hands in the air.

  I walked back into the kitchen and felt a strange stirring in my stomach as I watched Madison and my aunt chatting like they had known each other for years.

  “You ready?” I asked Madison.

  “You have to leave so soon?” Aunt Liza asked.

  “Yeah, we need to get some groceries, and I want to get up the mountain before the sun sets.”

  Madison stood. “It was good to meet you both.”

  “It was nice to meet you, Madison, and I'm glad my nephew is getting to put all those paramedic skills to good use. Take care of yourself.”

  I said my goodbyes and was given a look by my aunt that said she knew more than she was saying.

  By the time we picked up some food and Madison called the rental company and checked in with her friend, it was close to dusk. She insisted on stopping at the local hotel to see if they had any rooms available.

  I waited outside and only realized that I’d been holding my breath when she came out and shook her head “no” in my direction.

  Did I not want her to leave the cabin? No, of course I didn’t. She was beautiful, she was smart, and she was the only person in twenty miles that didn’t know a damn thing about what had driven me up that mountain to begin with. I wanted it to stay that way.

  “I guess you’re stuck with me for a few more days,” she said, walking up to the sled.

  I tried to look like my insides weren’t twisting at the thought, and just nodded.

  “No big deal,” I managed to croak.

  I fought the urge to kiss her. She was resigned to staying until she could get a new car and a room in town, but I found myself secretly hoping she’d stay the whole two weeks. She climbed on the snowmobile and secured her helmet as I climbed in front. She wrapped her arms around my waist as I started the machine up. I took a moment to appreci
ate the feel of her pressed against my back with her hands on my stomach.

  As I drove through town and up the mountain to my house, I let myself imagine what it would be like to have this woman in my life. These little trips to town could be a regular thing. I enjoyed my solitary life, but it did tend to get lonely at times. I could definitely get used to life with Madison beside me.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Madison

  I could never have imagined in a million years I would be sitting in a cabin lit only by firelight with a gorgeous man I had only met a few short days ago. We’d finished dinner, and Chase had made us some hot chocolate and offered to spike it with some rum, but I declined. I couldn't afford to have my defenses weakened around him. He made me extremely hot and horny. It took everything I had not to maul him. The crazy dreams I continued to have were not helping.

  “So, are you going to tell me what has you running from Florida?” he asked, as we settled in front of the fire.

  I sighed, debated lying, but ended up laying it all out on the line. What did I have to lose?

  “I'm engaged or was engaged. I don't know. Anyway, I was engaged to a man, Mark, but as it turns out, there’s only room enough in his heart for him. He’s a little on the self-centered side if you know what I mean. I doubt he'll even notice I'm gone.”

  He looked at me like he was really looking deep into my soul. The glow of the firelight highlighted his hair and cast a beautiful orange glow over his body.

  “I'd notice if you were gone,” he said in a soft voice.

  I chuckled. “Well, I would like to think Mark would, but I have no messages on my cell. Nothing. I don't know if he even bothered calling.”

  “Where's the ring?” he asked.

  “I left it.”

  He grinned. “Maybe that's why he hasn't called.”

  I shrugged. “I doubt it. We don't live together. It's at my apartment. He knew I was leaving but didn't seem all that concerned or upset or even curious.”

  He nodded. “Do you think you can work it out?”

  “I don't know. I have had fifteen shows, and he's never been to a single one. I don't expect him to go to all of them, but he always promises, and then he no-shows, so I’m left standing alone as usual. I mean, if you’re supposed to marry someone, aren’t you supposed to support them?”