by Ally James
“That must be why it’s so immaculate.” She laughed, then seemed to think better of it. “Um, not to say that the rest of what I’ve seen of your home is untidy. It’s actually really clean. But the bathroom didn’t look as if anyone ever used it. Which, hello, it’s kind of one of those places you can’t avoid—” She stopped so abruptly, he wondered if something was wrong. Then he noticed the color in her cheeks a split second before she murmured sheepishly, “Sorry, you know how I am. I tend to overexplain when I’m nervous—or sleepy. And I’m probably a bit of both, so you’re really getting hit with it.”
You know how I am. Her casual remark implied that he wasn’t the only one feeling the intimacy between them. He wondered if she was struggling with it as much as he was. He thought maybe she was. But what do we do if none of this is real? He needed to get away from her for a while until he had time to process and deal with it. He knew his sudden movement was abrupt when Sara and Trouble both jumped slightly. He almost apologized, but didn’t want to make a big deal out of the already stressful situation. Instead, he glanced back and asked, “Ready?” He saw her nod and fall into step behind him, with Trouble bringing up the rear. She’d left her suitcase outside the bathroom door, so he picked it up and moved it to the room she would be using. He flipped on the light and nearly stopped breathing when she brushed against him as she entered her temporary digs. “The remote for the television is on the bedside table. And there are some extra pillows and blankets in the top of the closet.” She ran her hand over the quilt on the bed admiringly, and he shrugged. “My family came for a visit right after I moved here, and my mom bought that. Anyway, I’m a couple of doors down, so let me know if you need anything.” He stood there for another moment as they stared at each other. If not for what happened in North Carolina, he would have at least hugged her, but now, he wasn’t in the same frame of mind. He was probably overthinking things, but he was too unsure of where he stood with her to jump right back in. “Sleep well,” he said instead, and walked away. Trouble would have normally been right on his heels, but he stayed behind. Gabe might be hesitant, but his dog had no such qualms. It was survival pure and simple. If one of them had to be brokenhearted when she left, he was determined that it wouldn’t be him again. Sorry, pal.
Chapter Nineteen
The glare of sunlight reflecting off the snow woke Sara from a sound sleep. She stretched under her warm cocoon, then squealed when something licked her face. She’d assume she imagined it if not for the moisture she felt when she wiped her cheek. She turned a few inches to see Trouble’s brown eyes staring at her from a few inches away. She wasn’t sure how she’d missed him when she opened her eyes the first time. “Well, good morning to you as well,” she mumbled.
He’d obviously had enough of her neglect, because he moved closer and rubbed his head against her shoulder in a blatant bid for attention. “Have you been here all night?” She could have sworn he nodded, but he was likely responding to her scratching him behind the ear. “You’re such a good doggy. Kaylee would love you. I’ll take a picture today and send it to her.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt a pang of sadness. That’s probably a terrible idea. They’re all pissed at me.
Chris and Nicole should have returned home from vacation by now. She was surprised she hadn’t received an angry phone call yet. Or had she? She’d plugged her phone in to charge before passing out the night before, and now she reached out her hand to retrieve it. A quick glance at the screen showed a couple of messages from Chloe, but that was all. Nothing from Gabe. How foolish. Had she expected him to leave her a wake-up text as he had every morning in Iraq? Oddly enough, that was probably one of the things she missed the most after his visit. She’d come to expect those, and it had been beyond painful when they stopped. A large part of her hoped that by coming here, things would instantly go back to normal between them. But it was apparent that just because she was here, it didn’t mean he was ready to forgive and forget. After all, Chloe had cautioned her about that very thing.
She knew her cousin was at work, so she sent her a quick message letting her know she’d arrived safely and that everything was okay, although a bit tense between them. Then she pushed the cover aside for a trip to the bathroom. After that, she made her way to the kitchen. She wanted to explore his house, but coffee was the first order of business. True to his word, there was a piece of paper on the table with a number written on it. That was it. He hadn’t wished her a good day. Again, those omissions were very telling about how he felt about her now. He was still the same man, but they were basically back to the beginning. He was reserved and standoffish, and she was nervous and wary. Not the best combination, given the fact she was staying with him. Should I leave? Instinctively she knew that was the absolute worst thing she could do. Regardless of how uncomfortable it might be, if she bolted, it was over. She at least had a chance here. And if she wasn’t willing to endure some awkwardness, then what did that say about her feelings for him?
Gabe had left the coffeepot on, and she opened a couple of cabinets before finding the cups. A search yielded some half-and-half in the refrigerator and the sugar in a canister inside a cabinet. She moved to the window as she took the first sip. It looked like a winter wonderland outside. She could still see the driveway so she didn’t think any new snow had fallen. If they had this much of it at home, the state would have to shut down. But from what she could see yesterday, it didn’t really slow people here down. They couldn’t very well close all the schools and businesses for six months of the year, so it made sense that they would be diligent about keeping the roads clear.
Trouble was leaning against her side, patiently awaiting her next move. “How about we go explore, boy? I promise not to look through your master’s dresser drawers if you don’t rat me out.” She had to laugh at the expression on his furry face. It was uncanny how much his reactions went along with the things she said to him. Finding him at that rest area had been a stroke of luck for Gabe.
They started the tour in the living room. The windows made up one wall, with a rock fireplace in the middle and a staircase going up to what appeared to be a loft area. The walls looked to be made of pine that had been stained a light color. The house wasn’t huge, but the tall ceilings gave it an open and airy feel. Next, she retraced her earlier steps, only this time she walked past the guest room and glanced in the next room. A desk sat against the wall, with a laptop in the center of it. There were some pictures on the wall and she moved over to study them. They were all awards and commendations that Gabe had received in the military. God, he looks hot in that uniform. If the sheer number of certificates were any indication, he was very successful at what he did. He was a runner, so the treadmill in front of the window wasn’t unexpected.
When they reached what was obviously his bedroom, she paused at the threshold, feeling very much like she was trespassing even though he hadn’t closed the door. But since Trouble walked in ahead of her, she took that as a sign that she could follow. Hey, Gabe, your dog made me do it. She couldn’t help laughing to herself as she imagined using that excuse should she be discovered snooping. Somehow, she didn’t think Gabe would buy it.
He was a tall guy, but she was still surprised to see what appeared to be a king-size bed dominating the space. As with the rest of the house, his personal domain was neat and clean. No dirty clothing lying around anywhere. His bathroom contained a shower and a Jacuzzi tub. There were also double sinks, with his toiletries arranged near the first one. She inspected the contents as if it would tell her something she didn’t know about him. He appeared to like Axe products because the deodorant and the shaving gel were both that brand. He kept his hair buzzed so short, she doubted he really needed the comb sitting to the side. She picked up a bottle of cologne and held it up to her nose so she could savor the intoxicating scent she recognized from the card he’d sent her. She hadn’t given much thought to men’s fragrances before Gabe, but now she’d always b
e a fan of Fahrenheit by Christian Dior. As far as she was concerned, it fit him perfectly. Subtle, sexy, and oh so manly. If she thought it had been arousing from afar, it was nothing compared to getting a whiff of it on the man himself. She might love the scent, but it was the combination of it on his skin that she found heady. She felt certain it wouldn’t be the same with anyone else.
Trouble, having obviously lost his patience, licked her hand. That seemed to be his unspoken way of saying, Can we move along, please? She put everything back exactly as it had been and retraced her steps. She unpacked her suitcase and kept out an outfit for the day before putting away the rest. She hated for it to appear as if she were moving in, but she also didn’t want what little she’d brought along with her to wind up a wrinkled mess. At some point, she would need to make use of the laundry room she’d seen off the kitchen.
One thing that was very different and somewhat unexpected was the silence. Apart from the sound of Trouble’s feet tapping along behind her in every room, the house was utterly quiet. Chris and Nicole’s house was large, but not as secluded as Gabe’s cabin. And not hearing Kaylee’s incessant chatter was . . . heartbreaking. She already missed her beautiful niece, but it was the silence that was almost deafening.
* * *
• • •
After a shower, Sara dressed in jeans and a sweater, then found her boots sitting neatly in the mudroom. She also spotted a leash, and her new canine friend barked in approval when she reached for it. “I take it you’re up for a walk, huh?” He took the lead line in his mouth, apparently indicating his agreement, and she fell head over heels in love with him in that moment. He’d stolen her heart in a more direct way than his owner, but the end result was the same. She was smitten with another Randall, and this one wasn’t shy about his feelings. Although they took the form of slobber more often than not. She hoped Gabe was a little less exuberant with his affection. Please, you’d take him any way you could get him. She couldn’t argue with that. She’d gladly pat his head as well if he wanted to hump her leg. She couldn’t help it; she giggled at that silly thought. She had to hope this was one time the intelligent dog at her feet couldn’t read her thoughts. Because if he could, he was going to have some interesting things to tell his master tonight. But until then, they were going to go outside so she could get her first real look at the landscape—hopefully a glimpse that didn’t end with her lying on a shrub, flailing around like a fish out of water.
As she stepped carefully off the porch with Trouble at her side, Sara couldn’t help stopping and staring. Wow. Somehow, she’d never imagined how beautiful Alaska was. It was like being transported to a white fairytale world. The snow looked like diamonds trickling through the air as the wind shook it from a nearby tree. Magical. If asked for a one-word description, that’s what she’d say.
She was no stranger to snow, although nothing like the level of what they had here. Yet she had mostly viewed it as a nuisance. Something that made travel hazardous, thereby making her life harder. But the hustle and bustle of Charlotte was nowhere to be found in this serene setting. The dazzling landscape could almost make you lose sight of the cold temperature.
Trouble began digging in the snow and soon came up with a stick, which he promptly dropped at her feet. Gabe had mentioned that she could let the dog off the leash as long as they were in the backyard, so she did just that before bending to pick up the stick. “Not exactly subtle, are you?” She laughed as she tossed it a few feet away and watched him bound after it. They played until her teeth were chattering and she knew it was time to go back inside. “We’ll do it again tomorrow,” she promised her new furry friend as she scratched his ears and put him back on the leash. Neither of them wanted to leave the beauty of the outdoors, probably for different reasons. To Sara, it was the first time she’d felt at peace since Gabe’s surprise visit to North Carolina. Maybe it was simply wishful thinking, but something about this place felt right to her. Almost as if she’d come home after a long journey. I’ve been reading too many romance novels. That warm feeling lasted for another two minutes until she had a reality check she had not been expecting.
* * *
• • •
Gabe wasn’t sure what he was expecting to see when he walked in the door that evening, but Sara and Melanie sitting in the living room had never entered his mind. He’d texted her before he left work and offered to bring home something for dinner. But she declined, saying she’d eaten a late lunch and wasn’t hungry. He’d managed to block her out of his mind for the most part while he worked. Jason had given him a few odd looks, but hadn’t questioned him. They’d known each other long enough to understand when they could push the issue and when they should back off. His sister was another situation altogether. Jennifer had had thirty years of experience on how to read Gabe. He’d called her after he left North Carolina, needing to keep his head out of all things Sara. Jennifer had, of course, pried more information out of Gabe than he’d hoped. She knew how disappointed he was, but she also suggested that there were always two sides to every story, and that Gabe was quick to draw conclusions—something that made him an excellent soldier but which sometimes caused him to be unyielding and implacable. That had saved lives. Even my own once.
His apprehension had begun to return on the drive home, and seeing Melanie here was about the last thing he wanted. Hell, on a good day, it was at the bottom of his list. Trouble, he noticed, had once again aligned himself with Sara and had his head in her lap, while she stroked his fur absently. The only indication he gave that he was glad to see Gabe was the thumping of his tail. Sara, though, dazzled him with a warm, welcoming smile. One that had his insides firing in all directions. Until his eyes landed on Melanie. Then it was more of a crash-and-burn feeling.
“Gabe, I met your . . . friend today when I was out taking a walk. Imagine my surprise. I’ve never known you to have a visitor, other than family.”
He refused to explain himself to her. He had no idea what Sara had told her, but obviously she’d gone the safe route if Melanie was fishing for information. Once again, he knew he was being rude, but he didn’t feel like dealing with her. Take a fucking hint. “Did you need something, Melanie?” He knew she caught his deliberate omission of her nickname. He didn’t miss the tightening of her lips, before they curved into one of her fake grins.
“Oh, I just popped inside to wash my hands after petting the—Trouble. And you know how us girls lose track of time when we’re chatting.”
“I didn’t notice your car out front. Did you walk all this way?” Shit, I’m not taking her home. He was grateful when she waved a hand before saying, “Oh, I left it at Mr. Jenkins’s place. I got some of his mail by accident, so I had to drop it off. Figured I’d get in some extra steps while I was out.”
He was still screwed because it was dark outside, and regardless of how he felt about her, he would never let a woman roam around alone at night. Especially when she was at his house. “I need to take Trouble out, so if you’ll get your things, we’ll make sure you get there safely.” He saw it, the gleam of satisfaction she didn’t conceal quite fast enough.
She stood and turned to Sara. “It was lovely to meet you. It’s great having another woman around my age up here. Let’s get together for lunch one day. If the weather cooperates, we could even drive into town. I don’t know about you, but I could use a dose of civilization.”
Sara shrugged her shoulders. “I really enjoy being away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s so peaceful and relaxing here.”
Melanie smirked. “Let’s see if you say the same thing after a long winter. Oh wait, you won’t be here that long, will you?” It was all said in a friendly tone, but she didn’t fool him. Unless he missed his guess, Melanie was anything but thrilled to have Sara here. She was the type who liked men—period. Women, not so much, as she inevitably viewed them as competition. She didn’t discriminate by age either, as far as he could
tell. He had discovered from spending time with her that she was basically an insecure person who needed her ego fed on a regular basis. He figured it was a by-product of her husband’s infidelity, although she’d never admitted that.
Sara didn’t comment, but he thought he saw her jaw clench. There was no way she could have missed the underlying meaning in the other woman’s comments. Heck, even Trouble had probably picked up on it. If he’d paid attention to his dog’s disdain for Melanie when they’d first met, he’d have saved himself a lot of aggravation.
Trouble jumped up when he opened the front door. Gabe usually didn’t bother putting him on a leash when they were staying close to home. He’d never had an issue with him running off. Melanie said good-bye to Sara before sauntering ahead of him. The whole sexy stride was wasted on him, since he wasn’t vaguely tempted to check out her ass. Now Sara’s was a different story. If she caught him even half the times he’d been staring at her body, she’d have gone home by now. He couldn’t help it. Despite his reservations, the attraction he felt toward her was stronger than ever. “I’ll be right back,” he told her, and she nodded in acknowledgment. His last thought as he turned away was how natural she looked there among his things. As if both he and the house had been waiting for her. Am I losing my mind? First my dog loves her and now my house? Maybe I—
For once, he was actually grateful to Melanie for distracting him from the disturbing place his mind was intent on going. “Well, she certainly showed up out of thin air, Gabe. Imagine my surprise when I ran into her near your driveway. I thought maybe she’d gotten lost or her car had broken down on the main road. But—I recognized your dog.” She paused, waiting for an explanation that he wasn’t inclined to give. After a long moment passed, she made a sound that was full of exasperation. “Are you sure she isn’t related to you? Because both of you are so evasive.”