Hideaway

by Sandy James

  He nodded.

  “Would you like me to heat a bed-warmer for you?” she asked, her arms folded around her waist.

  With a shake of his head, he got to his feet and dusted his hands against his thighs.

  “Good night, then.”

  The light from the fire painted her features in a soft glow. Her eyes sparkled, and he wanted to go to her, to kiss her again and see if she’d have him. He’d lay her down on that quilt and—

  “Good night, Drake.”

  “Good night.” Angry the words had come out so harsh that her eyes widened, he simply turned on his heel and left. A moment later, the door closed softly behind him.

  His room was next in the hall, and he pushed it open and strode inside, shutting the door a little too forcefully. Instead of lighting the lamp, he let his eyes adjust to the small fire and the pale moonlight filtering through the window. When he noticed a folded quilt that Kayla had obviously left on the bed for him, he smiled.

  In her own way, she cared for him.

  After tossing aside his boots, shirt, and pants, he added the quilt to the other blankets covering his bed and then crawled between the sheets. Chilly though it was, he couldn’t turn off thoughts of Kayla and their incredible kiss. The feel of her curves pressed against his body. The way her tongue had glided over his. The taste of her.

  Before too long, his cock was hard and throbbing, and he knew that despite his weariness, if he didn’t take matters into his own hands, there’d be no sleep for him that night.

  * * *

  Kayla folded her petticoat and set it with the rest of her clothing. She hadn’t realized how paper-thin the wall between her room and Drake’s was until she heard him moving about. Knowing he could hear her as well was disconcerting. Did he know she was undressing? She’d clearly caught him throwing his boots aside, and she found herself straining to listen to more of what he was doing.

  A shameful thing, to find herself so infatuated with a man, let alone a man like Drake Myers. She’d resorted to using his full name again to try to distance herself from him, but that tactic hadn’t worked. Instead, she’d angered him, and in doing so he’d revealed that he considered her a friend.

  Hang that!

  She had no desire to be merely his friend. After that eye-opening kiss, Kayla had made a decision, one that would surely shock anyone who knew her.

  I want Drake to be my lover.

  Simply thinking about it was enough to warm her inside. How scandalous to think of lying with a man without the benefit of matrimony. Before coming to Montana, she would never have allowed herself to even consider such a notion.

  Being in this place had been…liberating. She’d discovered so much about herself. Instead of being resigned to being nothing but another society wife, she’d learned to value herself because others valued her. Drew and Gideon depended on her now, and they were giving her the best gift of all.

  A home of her own.

  But where did Drake fit in that new independent life she’d made here?

  He was sure to move on after he finished his task. A man like him didn’t stay in one place too awfully long. There was no tying down a cowboy, a lifestyle which Drake had been enjoying before following Sara to White Pines to retrieve the stolen payroll. Once her home was complete, she’d be watching him ride a horse into the sunset, never to be seen again.

  Ah, but he was here now. Why not take advantage? He was clearly a man who knew the ways of making love, judging from the stories she’d heard in town. While she normally didn’t put too much stock in gossip, she’d listened intently to the stories women whispered about him. Had she not known how seldom he left the farm, she might’ve believed he’d taken nearly every woman in White Pines as a lover.

  Of course, the tales were exaggerated, but there had to be at least a kernel of truth involved.

  Kayla meant to find out for herself exactly how much prowess he possessed.

  What had she been saving herself for anyway? Marriage?

  That prospect had evaporated, thanks to her former fiancé’s mother and her machinations. At least as far as New York City was concerned. While she could easily make a marriage here in Montana, the potential grooms were downright reprehensible.

  Except for Drake…

  But Drake was not a man who would marry—probably ever. He was a man a woman could take as a lover, who could show her passion, something she was never likely to know again once he exited her life.

  Then she heard something coming through the thin wall between them. A few squeaks of his metal bed frame followed by a gasp. When she distinctly heard an exaggerated groan, Kayla began to worry. Was he getting sick? Was he having a horrible nightmare, the likes of which she was so familiar? When the groan was quickly followed by a low moan, she flew into a panic. She tossed the covers aside and jumped out of bed, hurrying out of her room to find out what was wrong with Drake.

  Pushing the door open, she stopped short when she saw he was in bed, the only part of him visible was his head resting on the pillow. “Are you all right?” she asked, taking a few steps toward the bed.

  “Wait!”

  Stopping in her tracks, Kayla frowned at him. “I heard you through the wall. The sounds you were making… I feared you might be ill.”

  “I’m fine, damn it all.”

  “Do you need a chamber pot? Is your stomach sour?”

  “I said I’m fine,” he snapped.

  She ventured a few more steps.

  He began fumbling under the covers and glaring at her. “Get out, Kayla!”

  “You needn’t shout at me. I was merely—”

  “Get out, woman!”

  Eyes wide, she was ready to bellow at him the same way he’d shouted at her when it dawned on her exactly why he might have been making the sounds that she’d heard. Her mouth formed a surprised O before she promptly whirled around and fled the room, slamming the door behind her.

  Standing in front the fire to warm herself from the chill that she’d received, Kayla couldn’t help but smile. While she should’ve been embarrassed at catching him in such an intimate act, she simply wasn’t. In fact, she found the idea of him giving himself pleasure more than a little arousing. She even held out hope that his actions were because of her—because he desired her. Another scandalous thought, but she wanted Drake to have been thinking only of her.

  Because if he had been thinking of her, then seducing him would be that much easier.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Sweet heavens.” Kayla stared out the barn door, amazed at the incredible amount of snow that could fall in the span of a few hours. What had started as thick, fat flakes covering the grass now piled above her ankles.

  Drake brushed the snow that had stacked up on his shoulders when he’d gone to the pump to grab the bucket he’d left there. Although he’d barely stepped out into the weather, he’d come back coated in the white flakes. “It’ll get worse,” he predicted.

  She glanced to the open door again, both thrilled at the beautiful picture and worried about what the rapid accumulation meant. “Will the animals be safe?”

  “Yes, ma’am. They’re all cozy and warm. Even brought in the chickens.” He took her hand and led her to the ladder to his loft. “Wanna see the precaution I made?”

  Unsure as what the loft had to do with preparation for the snow, she knit her brows.

  “Up the ladder,” he urged. “I need to show you something. Don’t worry. I’ll be right behind you. I won’t let you fall.”

  Putting her hand on a rung, she glanced over her shoulder and gave him an easy smile. “I trust you.”

  As she began to climb the ladder, Drake could only stare at her, speechless.

  Of all the things she could possibly say, those words were the last he would’ve expected.

  Their relationship had started off so rocky, he’d never thought to be her friend let alone earn her trust. That was a prize she seldom offered. Only Drew and Gideon were in her confidence, an
d Drake doubted even they were privy to her whole story. As far as he knew, she’d never opened up to anyone.

  Yet she’d just declared that she trusted him.

  He might not have believed her if he hadn’t seen with his own eyes that she was quickly ascending without glancing back to check if he followed.

  Could she be telling the truth?

  Drake hurried behind her, staying close. It wasn’t until she was at the top of the ladder and kneeling on the loft floor that he let out a sigh, relieved that she was safe. After he followed her into the loft, he took her hand and led her to the double doors that used to be opened for bringing hay into the barn. Now, the bales were stored in empty stalls.

  The loft itself still bore the scent of the hay that had been stowed there for years before Drake had enclosed it to be his temporary home. Before the hard freeze had set in, the place always made him sneeze.

  He was pleased she didn’t pull away, and it seemed so natural to encase her small hand in his, even if their thick gloves prevented their skin from touching. “See the rope?”

  “Rope?”

  Drake inclined his head at the cord that was knotted to the inside of one of the double doors.

  “Oh, that rope. What is it for?”

  “You can grab it and slide down instead of taking the ladder. Much quicker that way. Are you ready?”

  Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. “But I…I… You can’t expect me to…”

  He squeezed her hand. “I’m teasin’, Kayla. I strung it to the attic door of the house today.”

  The smile she gave him made his groin tighten. “You called me Kayla.”

  “I did.”

  “Thank you.”

  Drake smiled in return, a bit drunk on the affection in her voice.

  “For what purpose did you hang the rope?” she asked, returning him to the conversation.

  After letting go of her hand, he flipped the latch and opened one of the doors. The view was spectacular. White as far as the eye could see, the mound of her home’s foundation barely discernable in the distance under a blanket of white. “So when the snow gets deep and the wind makes it impossible to see where you’re goin’, you can hold the rope and still get home.”

  The incredulous look on her face didn’t ease. “But it’s too high. The attic is… And this door is…”

  “First winter this side of the Mississippi?”

  She nodded.

  “Then you’re in for a shock. Snow piles up mighty quick.”

  “Surely not up to the second level of our home?”

  “Our home?” Drake winked.

  Kayla blushed. “The house, then.”

  “I’ll have another rope on the lower level. It’ll string from the barn door to the kitchen door.”

  Staring out the doors, she said, “Why would we need a rope? It’s barely a good stone’s throw to the house.”

  Drake could only chuckle at her naiveté. “As I said, you’re in for a shock.”

  “But I can see the house quite plainly.”

  “Once the winds pick up, you won’t be able to see past the nose on your face.” He had to playfully tweak her pert nose. “I guaran-damn-tee it.”

  “Oh my.”

  “Don’t you worry none. It’ll be me going out in the worst of it. Just wanted you to know the ropes are there if you need ’em.” Since his morning chores were done, he found himself wanting to hear her melodious voice again. “I don’t s’pose you’d read me some more of the book?”

  Kayla’s radiant smile made him smile in return. “Are you enjoying the adventures of Phileas Fogg?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I am.” Not a lie. Drake found he liked the story, but it was spending time with her that he relished more.

  “Then let’s have a quick lunch, and we can read a chapter or two before afternoon chores.”

  * * *

  Kayla stared out the window, trying to tamp down her rising anxiety.

  The snow still fell heavy and deep, but the winds had risen significantly. Soft whistles filled the kitchen, probably from small cracks around the windows and between the boards. Every now and then, a gust would come so forcefully the panes would rattle. A mound of snow had all but buried the hen house, and the porch would soon be enveloped.

  The wind blew so briskly, the snow appeared to move sideways instead of falling from the dark clouds. She’d never seen the like, even in cold, snowy St. Louis.

  Glancing over her shoulder, she found Drake thrusting his arms into his coat sleeves.

  “You’re going to the barn?” She went to the wooden pegs and grabbed his fur hat. After he buttoned up his coat, she held the hat out to him. While he tugged it on his head, she fetched the scarf she’d knitted for him.

  “Yes, ma’am. Need to feed and water the livestock. Gonna milk the cow again in case I can’t get out there in the mornin’.” He took the scarf she offered and draped it over his neck.

  “I shall go and help you.” Kayla reached for her coat.

  Drake stopped her with a hand on her arm. “You need to stay inside.” The tone of his voice suggested she not argue.

  She argued nonetheless. “If we work together, we can get done quickly.”

  With a shake of his head, he jerked on his gloves.

  “I insist,” she said, taking her coat off the peg.

  He stopped her by grabbing her wrist and gently pulling her arm down. “The storm’s too strong for me to let you go out there.”

  “But you’re going.”

  “I have to. The animals depend on me. I’m gonna make sure they’re good and cared for just in case we’re snowed in for a spell. Once the snow eases, well, then you can go out with me.” He tossed her a teasing smile. “We can build snowman.”

  For once, Kayla refused to be charmed by him. “Drake…” She reached for her coat again and plucked it from the peg.

  This time he was more insistent, taking her coat from her and hanging it right back up. “I got enough to fret about goin’ out in this storm. I can’t be worryin’ about you. Too many bad things can happen in a blizzard like this.” He shot her a fierce frown. “Promise me you’ll stay in the house.”

  Folding her arms under her breasts, she leveled a hard stare at him. “I am going.”

  “Kayla, please. Don’t do something foolish. Promise me you won’t follow me. Promise me right now.”

  She couldn’t help but respond to the fear in his voice. Easing her stance, she sighed. “I’ll stay in the house.”

  “Promise?”

  “I promise.”

  He nodded. “As soon as I’m out that door, you shut it tight. Hear me?”

  “Yes, Drake.”

  With another stern nod, he wrapped the scarf around his face and pulled on his gloves. Then he took a deep breath and jerked the door open.

  Snow immediately spilled onto the floor as more swirled in on the wind. Kayla hurried to the door. As soon as Drake waded out into the storm, she put her shoulder against the door to force it closed. Then she hurried to find some old towels and the broom to get rid of the large amount of snow that had filled the house.

  The whole time she worked on righting the mess, she worried about the danger Drake was facing on the short trip to the barn.

  * * *

  A second hour had passed, and still Kayla fretted that Drake hadn’t returned.

  While she knew there were a lot of things to be done to help the livestock, she couldn’t help but worry that he should have returned by now.

  Crouching next to the fire, she set two more logs on it to keep the home heated. Drake would surely have need of its warmth. The temperature had dropped considerably, and the wind howled around the house. Thankfully, the sturdy structure could withstand the onslaught.

  I should have things ready for him.

  To give herself something to do, she fetched a couple of quilts and some of his clean clothing. No doubt he’d need to strip out of his wet garments, then she could help him dress, wr
ap him in a blanket, and set him in front of the fire. She’d also make a pot of strong, hot coffee to warm him insides.

  Then she ran out of things to do.

  As she waited for Drake, she paced in front of the hearth and rubbed her hands together to appease both her worry and the chill in her fingers. She couldn’t settle enough to do anything more, even read. Besides, she was sharing the story with Drake, and he’d be disappointed if he missed any of the tale.

  The door rattled, and Kayla hurried to see if he’d returned only to be saddened that the wind had been the cause. Instead of cleaning up the snow that had blown inside when she’d opened the door a crack, she looked to where her coat hung.

  She’d promised him that she’d wait inside. Yet each of her thoughts forced her closer to breaking that pledge.

  What if he’d fallen and couldn’t get back to the house? What if something had happened in the barn, causing him to become trapped? What if—

  She banished the worries with a shake of her head as she made up her mind. She wouldn’t wait a moment longer.

  After donning her coat, she bundled herself snugly in a hat and scarf. Content that she’d be well protected from the cold, she pulled on her mittens and faced the door. With a bracing breath, she opened it and waded out into the blizzard.

  * * *

  One last look around, and Drake felt assured the animals would be fine until he could return.

  The cold was jarring, and he’d had to stop several times to shake life back into his hands and stomp it back into his feet. While he’d milked the cow, he’d enjoyed warming his hands against her teats, but that was the only luxury of the afternoon. Now, the milk was nearly frozen. Not that it mattered. He’d have his hands full getting himself home. There was no way he could tote the milk or the few eggs the hens had laid back to the house. Thankfully, neither was needed, and there would be more to come in the long days ahead.

  A few of the chickens clucked at him from their temporary home in one of the horse stalls. He envied their thick feathers and the protection nature gave them.