by Beth Bennett
Beau gritted his teeth. How he longed to turn her over his knee. He walked over to the fireplace and threw on another log. "I'll lay off for now, but that doesn't mean you're going to be able to dodge the lecture you're due when you're feeling better tomorrow."
"Look, dude, tomorrow I will be well on my way to my cabin. Save the lecture for someone else."
"You're not going anywhere, tomorrow or any other day this week. Snowstorm's set in. Even if we could get you to your cabin, you've no business staying alone with those head injuries. They don't look too bad, but you're not leaving. We can't get you back to town either. You're stuck with me."
"Oh, for pete's sake." She walked over to the Christmas tree perched by the front window. It sparkled and glowed with thousands of white lights. The fresh fragrant smell of evergreen permeated the house. Beau had decorated it with a variety of colorful balls purchased for next to nothing at the Goodwill store.
"Well, at least you have a tree up."
"Oh, you don't know anything. I've got a tree, and Christmas cookies and all the fixings for a major holiday feast. I was expecting my sister and her family for Christmas day. Up here though, you never know what will happen. Looks like the storm blew a different guest in for my Christmas celebration."
Chapter Three
Jenna rolled her eyes and sat back on the couch. This cheery, bossy sheriff was excruciatingly irritating. Now she was stuck spending Christmas with a complete stranger. Gosh, just her luck. At least the holiday was going just as crappy as the rest of her life. "I'm nothing if not consistent."
"What did you say?" The guy was busy at the stove stirring something in a pot.
"Oh, nothing."
Jenna glanced around. The Christmas tree was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She couldn't believe a guy could decorate a tree like that all by himself. He must have spent a week on the lights alone. There wasn't a square inch on the whole thing that wasn't covered in white light. It was tastefully decorated with vintage balls. Different sizes and shapes and colors but somehow they all went together. No tacky icicles or tinsel. Just sweet and simple. The cabin he lived in was like the tree – well done, tasteful and simple.
Light-colored pine wood covered everything. Floors, walls and ceiling. It made the whole place feel as warm as toast. Jenna stared at the wall. The knotty pine made the place cozy and rustic. "Do you think I might use your shower? It will help keep me awake and I really need to wash my hair." She put a hand to her head. "Oh shoot, never mind, my clothes are all back in my car. I don't have anything to change into."
"Honey, I've got plenty of sweats you can borrow. They'll be big, but they'll work." The big bulky sheriff pointed down the hall. "Bathroom's right down there. Give me a minute, I'll get you some towels and a change of my clothes."
She waited on the couch until he got back. He carried fat white towels, a black tee shirt and grey sweats. "There's plenty of body wash and shampoo in the shower. Can you think of anything else you might need?" He leaned over and looked at her with an earnestness that made her want to smile. His hazel eyes were fringed with thick lashes, pretty enough to be a girl's. He had sharp features and a heavy thick set to his body. The dark hair that curled around his head could use a trim. "No, I don't need another thing. Thank you."
Jenna accepted the towels and clothes and found her way to the bathroom. It was like the rest of the house, knotty pine covered everything. The sink matched the claw foot tub perfectly. A shower curtain ringed the tub. Forget that shower, I'm taking a nice long bath.
She ran the water as hot as she thought she could stand it. This would steam the rest of the cold away. Carefully, she took off her clothes. Jenna winced when she saw herself in the mirror. Gosh, her face looked awful. She had a black eye and the purple knot on her forehead looked the size of an egg. Her hair was matted with blood where her face had been cut. The cuts were really more like abrasions, but it still looked pretty bad.
The bath was full and she eased herself down into the water. Ah, it was delicious. All the weariness of the past few months, her trip and then the accident slowly began to leave her body. She lathered up with the manly pine scented body wash and then proceeded to gently wash her hair. A razor lay neatly on the sink. She wasn't going to feel clean unless she shaved her legs. She managed to stand in the tub and leaned over to grasp the razor. Ah, terrific. Now she was clean and smooth. Rinsing out the razor and patting it dry, she set it back where it belonged. She dug around in the vanity to find a comb and hairbrush. She didn't even know the guy and here she was naked in his bathroom using all his personal items. She even found a small hairdryer. Looking in the mirror again she nodded her approval. "That's better." She still looked pretty banged up but it was a definite improvement.
The huge tee shirt could have been worn alone. It went nearly to her knees. Two of her could fit in the sweats. Her long brown hair fell in waves down her back. She tucked it behind her ears, cleaned up the bathroom and brought her clothes and the used towels with her out the bathroom. "Where's your laundry room? I'd like to do a load, if you don't mind."
The handsome sheriff sauntered down the hall. "Never you mind that. Give those things to me. You go in the den and sit your behind down."
Jenna watched as he went to the end of the hall and disappeared. He called out. "I said, go sit down. I want to put some salve on those cuts."
"I'll go sit, but you don't need to do anything else, sheriff. I'm perfectly fine. The bath was wonderful, what a nice—" Beau came out of the laundry room and Jenna could hear the water running in the washer. She stood exactly where he had left her. He took her firmly by the arm and escorted her to the couch by the fire.
"I don't usually like to have to give orders more than one time. Now sit your behind down." He gently pushed her down to sit on the couch.
"Hey!"
"You look like you're about to fall over any second. What's the matter, don't you have anybody to watch over you? You need a keeper." He was busy taking things out of a first aid kit including band aids and antibiotic ointment. He even had a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff.
"You're not going to do anything else to me. I do not need a keeper. What a rude thing to say. I can't help it if my car ran off the road. Give me those things. I'll put the salve on myself." She was getting a little nervous. He was way too handsome and way too big to be putting his hands all over her. She already felt flushed from the bath. What was a hunk like this doing in a cabin in the woods all alone anyway?
He looked up at her as he put the stethoscope around his neck. "Don't worry, little bits. I volunteer with the rescue squad too." Without asking permission he started to take her blood pressure.
"Is there anything you can't do?" she accused.
"Be quiet."
She waited until he was done.
"Lean forward, I want to listen to your heart."
"I will not."
He pushed her forward and jerked the over-sized tee shirt up.
"I want you to leave me alone. I am perfectly fine, this is ridiculous."
"I said be quiet. I'm not going to tell you again."
He was finally finished. Jenna held her tee shirt down and scowled at him. "Look, I appreciate the concern, but I just want to officially refuse anymore medical treatment. That's my right."
Beau leaned back on his heels and laughed. He laughed so hard he threw his head back. "You, my dear, are a piece of work for sure." He got up and totally ignored what she had said. "How 'bout some nice strong coffee to get us through the night?" Not waiting for an answer, he made her a cup, with two sugars and a big blop of real cream. "I figure any little thing as sweet as you wants their coffee sweet too." The jerk actually made her blush.
What in the world was wrong with her? She was blushing like a school girl and letting this Neanderthal boss her around like a ninny. Jenna quickly stood as Beau approached with the coffee.
"That's enough." She moved to stand beside the door. "This has gone far enough.
I appreciate the rescue, the bath," she looked down at herself, "the clothes—but enough is enough. I can't have you manhandling me anymore. I don't even know you. Now, if you don't listen to me, I'm going to walk out this door right now. Do you understand?"
He ignored how flustered she was getting and simply sat in the big black leather recliner that matched the sofa. "What's to know? I told you, I'm the sheriff and the park ranger. I volunteer on the rescue squad. I'm 32, my wife died five years ago, and I don't have any kids. That's about the gist of it. Anything else you want to know? I'm pretty simple really."
His wife died! Well that explained a little bit. You, my handsome stud muffin, are anything but simple. Gosh, she wished she could get out of there. She felt like she was in seventh grade, trying to get Jimmy Houston's attention. She used to think Jimmy Houston would forever be the most handsome boy she had ever seen or ever would see. Beau Donovan had already replaced him. And Tommy, sheesh, Tommy looked like a dork next to this large and in-charge sheriff.
He interrupted her thoughts. "If you don't get over here and sit down, I'm going to warm that fanny of yours with a good spanking. Where are you gonna go? It's the middle of the night, there's a blizzard outside and you're in the middle of nowhere."
"Give me your car keys you jerk! I'll park your car in town for you. I'm leaving!" She was incensed. Warm her fanny! She had to get out of here. That fanny comment had actually turned her on. If she didn't get out of here soon… well… she didn't know what would happen.
Before she could take one step, Beau had come up off his recliner. He stepped towards her and Jenna flattened herself against the wall. Beau stood beside her and bent her over and across his hip while standing. He gave her three sharp pops across the thick sweat pants. They hurt! He then bent completely over and tossed her up and over his shoulder. Dropping her down and into his arms, he sat her on the couch before she even realized what had happened. He stood over her like a looming tyrant.
"You, sit." Opening a jar of ointment, he liberally spread it on every cut on her face. She had no choice but to sit there.
"Did you just do what I think you did?"
He held her face firmly with one hand while the hand spread the salve with thick capable fingers. "There is more where that came from if you don't behave yourself."
"Behave myself! Just where do you get off treating me like that?"
Beau sat back on his heels. "That was nothing, you deserve a full-on whooping for going out in this storm in the first place. My Annie would have never done such a thing. Or if she did, she would have known what was waiting for her when I found out."
I'm a capable business manager. This is crazy. This guy is a caveman. Jenna looked him dubiously in the eye. She had never been so attracted to a man in her life. She couldn't explain it. Her friends at home would think she had lost her mind. Her friends… if she could call them that. Suddenly the life she had back home didn't seem so hot. She had spent the last months moping around for a man that didn't even care enough for her to keep a job. He had even cheated on her and she still came back for more. Her friends seemed shallow and witless. The strength of this place, this scenery, this man, were getting to her.
"There, I'm finished. The swelling in your head is already starting to go down. I'm sure you've a slight concussion, but you're probably in the clear. All your vitals are normal."
Jenna looked down. She felt a tear forming in the corner of her eye. Oh no, I can't cry, not in front of this guy. Her bottom still stung where he had spanked her. A big fat tear rolled down her face. Stop it, stop it, don't do it. Do not do it. Her throat began to choke up. She bit the inside of her cheeks to keep from crying. It didn't help. Before she knew what had happened she found herself sitting on Beau's lap. He had picked her up and settled them both on the couch.
He held her close and though she felt guilty about it, Jenna snuggled as close as she could get. When she heard him croon low and sweet to her, the flood gates opened. She buried her face in his warm flannel shirt and sobbed her heart out. "Shhh, it's all right, you're safe now. Everything is going to be all right."
She felt so much better after crying her head off. She hadn't cried like that in years. When she finally finished, Beau continued to hold her on his lap as he rubbed her back.
"What happened to you, to upset you so much?"
She sniffed. "Well, you hit me for one."
"Shoot, that little spanking was hardly anything more than a love tap. Something's happened to you. From the moment I saw you, you've been acting as skittish as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. No woman as beautiful and as smart as you ought to be out in the middle of Colorado, spending Christmas alone. Why don't you tell me your troubles? You'll feel a lot better."
Jenna sat up and blinked her eyes as she looked at him. His proposal was tempting. Why not? She'd never see him again and maybe a listening ear would help. She opened her mouth to speak, but stopped when he interrupted.
"Wait a minute." He scooped her up and went to sit in the rocker recliner. "A rocking chair always helps." Jenna giggled. He rocked her back and forth for a long time.
Jenna poured out her heart. She talked so long that she talked until the sun came up. She told Beau of her life in South Carolina, her frustrations with her job and her life. She finally got around to talking about Tommy in the wee hours of the morning.
"I tell you one thing, little bits. That man was a plum fool. You just can't explain why some people do what they do. The question is, when are you gonna stop waiting on a man to tell you you're okay?"
Jenna had never thought about it that way. She gave a wide yawn. She was beyond exhausted. Beau put his thumbs above her eyes and looked in. "Your pupils look fine. How's your headache?"
"It still hurts but mostly just sore around where I hit it. I am so tired. I don't think I've ever been so tired in my life."
"Honey, you should be tired. You've been up all night, you traveled from the east coast and you're emotionally exhausted. I have three bedrooms but only one is set up with a bed. I'm going to tuck you into my bed…"
"No, absolutely not. I can't put you out like that."
"I'll decide who puts who out. The sheets are clean and the down comforter warm. I'm going to get a fire going in the hearth while you lie down and sleep."
Before she could continue to protest, he stood with her in his arms and tramped down to the bedroom. It was just as beautiful as the rest of the house. Sliding her under the warm flannel sheets he pulled the fat comforter over her body and under her chin. Jenna smiled beneath the heavy warm blankets. Beau reached down and tweaked her nose. "Sleep tight."
She watched from the comfort of the bed as Beau started a fire in the hearth. "Does every room have a fireplace?" She gave a wide yawn.
"I put two in this house, plus a wood insert in the living room. That insert does most of the heating in the winter time. If I had to rely on forced air heating my bill would be so high I couldn't live here." The fire was burning happily in the grate. Beau turned around. Jenna was already fast asleep.
Chapter Four
The smell of cinnamon permeated the room. Jenna felt surrounded by soft, warm blankets. The low crackling of a fire was heard. It was still dark, yet she felt more rested than she had ever felt in her life. She slowly rolled over in bed to watch the burning flames dance and glow. A lovely cream tile surrounded the fireplace and the hearth was made of stone. Gosh, it is beautiful. Good grief, she could stay there forever. She stretched. Oh, that felt so good! Her stomach growled. Jenna rubbed her head. It was just a little sore. The headache was completely gone. Flopping on her back, she wondered where the smell of cinnamon was coming from. The overhead light was gorgeous. It was made of antlers and set off the cabin's bedroom perfectly. The guy was amazing. He’d rocked her! He rocked her like a baby last night, or was it yesterday? What time was it now, anyway? Jenna looked for a clock. She didn't see one. What day was it?
Jenna crawled out from underneath the c
overs and sat up. The cabin was as warm as toast. The most enticing smells were drifting in from the kitchen area. Cinnamon and coffee, sausage and bacon. She could hear a man's voice humming a tune and every once in a while, the clack of pans knocking together. Slowly, she walked out the bedroom and down the hall. She made a pit stop in the bathroom and then found her way into the kitchen. She couldn't believe her eyes. It was like a Christmas train had exploded all over the house. Presents appeared under the tree. Two stockings hung over the mantel. A small silk Christmas tree decorated the table and red plates with white Santas were set.
"What in the world?" Jenna's mouth dropped open. "What have you done, Beau? Where did all this stuff come from? Why are you up, anyway? What time is it?"
"Which question do you want me to answer first?"
"Um… what day is it?"
"Why it's Christmas Day, of course."
"What? But I went to sleep two days ago."
"Not really. You fell asleep the morning of Christmas Eve and you slept all day and all night. That gave me plenty of time to drag out the decorations and do some cooking. I haven't celebrated Christmas like this in a long time." Beau pulled a giant breakfast casserole out of the oven. "I thought you needed the rest and figured you'd wake up early in the morning. In another half hour the sun will be up and the day fully arrived. Come sit and have some Christmas breakfast."
Jenna didn't know what to do. She hadn't had a true Christmas morning since she was a little kid. She didn't think her mother even went to this much trouble. The whole house looked magical. Beau had even set up a little Christmas village complete with a train around the bottom of the tree. Dang if he wasn't playing old fashioned carols in the background too. Jenna looked at the spread of food. Good heavens, it was enough to feed an army. She finally saw where the cinnamon smell was coming from.