He laughed. “We all have secrets.”
I leaned back and arched a brow. “Tell me yours, Mr. Cooper.”
He scooted closer, rubbing his shoulder against mine and despite the cold temps, a rush of heat flowed through my body.
“I’m a closet Cosmopolitan reader.”
I gasped. “No way. Why?”
“Women read it,” he said matter of fact like. “It gives me an edge against the less educated men.”
“Not sure that’s true, but okay, what else?”
“There’s a picture out there somewhere of me wearing a thong.”
I laughed. “Women’s or men’s?”
“Not sure. In all fairness, there was a lot of whiskey and a dare involved.”
“So, you have problems with impulse control.”
“I do,” He leaned forward until his lips were so close, I could feel the warmth of his breath. “I’ve got terrible self-control.”
Nothing could have prepared me for Eli’s response. He pressed his lips against mine, and he kissed me. Before I knew what was going on, or how it had transpired, I was kissing him back.
Here, on the top of a snow-covered hill overlooking what was for some people, their entire world, Eli and I indulged in an immediate attraction we hadn’t wanted to admit to anyone, even ourselves.
His lips were hot and wet against my own—a welcome heat against the cold pressing in around us. I leaned in closer, allowing Eli to slide a gloved hand behind the nape of my neck even though it was frozen. It felt like hours had passed before we finally broke away.
Eli grinned foolishly. “Kind of feels like we’ve snuck behind the bleachers during a football game to make out like high schoolers,” he joked.
“You do that kind of thing often, Cooper?” He was probably a playboy like his older brother, Owen, but this wasn’t accidental. I imagined Eli did everything with a purpose.
He shook his head. “Maybe back in the day.”
But the moment was abruptly interrupted by a dark shadow overcoming us. Eli glanced up, cursing.
“What’s wrong—oh, Lord no,” I bit out, making a noise of exasperation as I noticed the dark, murky clouds rolling in over the forest directly behind us. “Just my luck. They’re going to close the airport again, aren’t they?”
“By the look of those clouds, I’m afraid so. Owen and Rich are going to get stranded too.”
I wasn’t concerned about Owen or Rich. If the storm rolled in, I was good and stuck again. Resigned to my fate, I asked, “Germany isn’t a bad place to be stuck, is it?”
“They’ll probably be fine on the international flight, but they’ll likely get stranded in New York.”
“Oh no, that’s awful,” I responded in as dry and flat a voice as possible.
Eli laughed, shaking his head. “Might sound great to you, but Owen has some bad experiences associated with the city.”
“Okay, now I’m intrigued. And here I was thinking you guys never left Frazier Falls.”
“Excuse you, Miss Flanagan, but all three of us Cooper brothers are college-educated. I’ll have you know; I studied accounting and finance at Northeastern.”
“No way.”
“I did, I swear.”
I shook my head in doubt. “I’m going to have to see your diploma to believe it.”
“That could be arranged.” There was a spark of indefinable emotion in his eyes. Not knowing him well enough, I couldn’t tell if it was humor or passion.
I clung to that thought. Could he want more than a stolen kiss? I wasn’t sure, so I kept the conversation active.
“And what about your brothers? Where did they study?”
“Do I get to ask you where you studied?”
“You can. Doesn’t mean I’ll answer.”
“Of course not.”
The winter sky hung heavy above us, spitting the beginnings of dime-size snowflakes in our direction.
“A conversation for another time,” Eli said, catching the expression on my face. He got up to his feet. “Come on. We should get back down to civilization before this storm lets loose.”
I nodded in agreement as I struggled to my feet, my muscles were cramped and sore from sitting in the same position for so long. Eli held out a hand to help steady me, which, to my own surprise, I took.
“Thank you,” I said, which shocked him as much as it did me.
“I wasn’t aware you knew how to say those words with sincerity. That’s twice today,” he joked.
“Haha, you’re hilarious.” I looked around, searching for an escape. “Do you know the fastest way out of the forest?”
He pointed down the hill. “You basically head toward town and run as fast as you can.”
I gave him an unamused, level stare, which Eli merely laughed at.
“Follow me.”
Forty minutes later, we had made our way down the hill, and as we headed farther out of the forest, the trees began to change from pine trees to barren sticks, showing us more and more of the brooding gray sky as a result.
When I headed in the general direction of my mom’s house, Eli grabbed my arm and nodded in the opposite way.
“I have a truck. Let me drive you.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, uncertain. “It looks like the snow’s going to come down in blankets any moment now. If you take me home first, the roads might be too bad for you to get back yourself.”
“A risk I’ll have to take in my role as a gentleman.”
“So, you’re playing at being a gentleman?”
“No, but I’m not letting you walk back. I’ve seen how unbalanced you are on the ice.”
“That was your fault, and you know it,” I complained as we rushed in the direction of his truck. The snow fell heavier, filtering down between the empty branches of the trees. The big flakes melted against our skin, stinging our faces with icy coldness.
“Surely a ride home makes up for it?” he reasoned as we reached the truck. Frozen shut, it took Eli a few tries to open the passenger door. The interior was bitterly cold, but he hiked up the heat as soon as he started the engine.
“If you get me home in one piece, then we’ll call it even,” I watched through a half fogged-up window as Eli reversed down the forest road until he could turn the truck around. With every jostle and bump, I worried that he’d burst a tire or damage the truck to the point that we’d be stuck here, but eventually, we cleared the forest road.
By then, the snow fell, so heavy and thick, we could barely see.
“Are you sure you’re going to get home okay?” I asked when we pulled in front of my mom’s house.
“Careful, Flanagan, that almost sounds like you care.”
“And smart-ass Eli is back.”
“Give me your number, and I’ll text you when I get home, so you don’t worry.”
I was tempted to refuse, simply for the way he worded his request, but eventually, genuine concern overrode my need to insult him. I recited my number while Eli punched it into his phone, then felt my own phone vibrate a few seconds later.
“I’ve texted you, so you have my number, too,” he said.
“No, you were checking to make sure I didn’t give you a fake number.” Our conversation on the hill was invigorating, or maybe that was the snow, but then there was the kiss … yes, the kiss was a surprise. A nice surprise. Sadie would eat every detail of it up, but I was keeping this one to myself.
He looked out his window into the blizzard that seemed to be hovering over his truck. “Given the weather, it would seem that you might be around for a while longer.”
I made a face. “I was supposed to leave by Wednesday.”
“Guess that’s good for me. And it gives you more time with your mom.”
That was the only plus. “That’s true.” I waved him off and climbed out of the truck.
I resisted the urge to look back as I made my way up the path to the front door, but when I reached it, I glanced behind me and saw that Eli hadn’t move
d.
He rolled down the window. “Had to make sure you didn’t fall on your face,” he called out, laughing to himself as he drove away.
I gave him the finger in response, though I knew he wouldn’t be able to see it.
Inside the house, my mom was curled up on the sofa in the gloriously warm living room. She looked at me and smiled.
“Did you have a nice time, sweetheart?”
“Yes.” I brought my fingers to my lips. “A really nice time.” The puffiness and tingly feeling still lingered there, but it had nothing to do with the cold.
Chapter Nine
Eli
With the snow coming down hard and fast once more, I couldn’t help but think of Emily, and how her hopes of getting out of Frazier Falls were now crushed. It was Thursday, and the weather showed no signs of letting up.
Owen and Rich were stranded in New York just as I had predicted, which meant Carla was in a thoroughly bad mood. She’d been staying at Owen’s place. I had to wonder why she hadn’t moved in permanently, given that they were engaged. In Owen’s absence, Pax and I had come around to keep her company.
“They’re out of hot chocolate.” She stomped her foot. “Wilkes’ is out of hot chocolate, and I’m going mad.”
“Carla, are you sure someone isn’t accidentally spiking your hot chocolate with something stronger? You sound like you’re going through withdrawal.”
“Hilarious, Eli.”
“I suppose sugar can be as addictive—though it sounds particularly less badass to say you’re addicted to sugar.”
She fisted her hands on her hips. “Tell me, why didn’t you pursue a career in stand-up comedy? Clearly, you missed your calling.”
“I know you meant that as an insult, but I’m going to take it at face value, and thank you for the compliment.” I ducked out of the way when Carla threw a sofa cushion at my head.
“You’re impossible.”
“You know, Carl,” Pax said from his position in the corner chair, “I might have some cocoa powder at my house. I’ll have a look tonight and bring it over in the morning if I do.”
Carla’s eyes lit up. “Really?” The corners of her lips tilted into a smile.” I always knew I liked you best.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. He’s not going back to his place.” I moved closer to the fireplace, soaking up the heat. “If you think he’s going anywhere other than the spare room tonight, then you’re sorely mistaken.”
Pax grumbled. He was trying and failing to read. I had to wonder why he would attempt such a solitary venture in the presence of Carla and me.
He made a face. “You have no faith in me.”
“I’ve seen you drive in the snow. It’s not pretty.” I said, smirking. “But your crush on Carla might—”
“Stop being an ass,” Pax complained, rolling over to face the fire. We knew his pouting would last all of five minutes … less if I cracked open a beer for him, which is what I did. He sat up and grabbed it from me in a second. “I take it back. You’re only an ass sometimes.”
“It’s a brother’s duty to make his sibling’s life as annoying as possible—something which you’re rather adept at,” I said, laughing when he scowled.
“I’ll let that one slide, but only because you gave me a beer.”
“You’re easy to bribe.”
“Maybe I know when to quit.”
“Like with Emily the other night?” I threw out.
“Oh? What’s this?” Carla asked curiously. “Where’s my beer, Eli? It sounds like the entertainment is just beginning.”
“I thought you and Owen weren’t drinking beer anymore.”
“That’s only Owen. He says it makes him bloated.” Carla laughed. “I’m still happy to drink it. Besides, those are my beers you’re handing out.”
“I knew you were a generous host.” Feeling the heat start to singe my skin, I moved away from the fire. “I’ll replace them,” I headed back to the refrigerator to get her a beer.
“You won’t have to if you tell me what went down.”
“Fair enough.” I handed her a bottle.
She returned her gaze to Paxton. “What happened with this woman you were talking about? Elaine?”
“Emily,” I corrected without thinking. Carla glanced at me but looked back at Pax.
He let out an exaggerated sigh. “What can I say? I gave it a shot, and she completely rejected me. I’m man enough to accept that.”
“She destroyed you, that’s what she did,” I said, smirking.
“Fine. Truth is, she didn’t even give me time to take a shot. Though that’s hardly worse than Eli arguing with her in a convenience store, and then making her fall flat on her ass.”
Carla nearly spat out her beer in laughter. “What? That doesn’t sound like you at all, Eli.” She had perfected her sarcastic tone. It wasn’t nearly as good as Emily’s, but she had promise.
“Very funny,” I muttered. “I’m over it. Besides, Emily’s not bad. She’s actually likable.”
That piqued Pax’s attention.
“When did you see her again?”
I grimaced. I didn’t want to talk about her to my brother. I didn’t even know where I stood on the matter of how I felt about her, so what was I supposed to say?
“I met her on Sunday when the weather was better,” I ended up saying. “She was out for a walk. We talked for a bit and cleared the air, so to speak. When the weather got worse, I drove her back to her mom’s place.”
Pax frowned. “But you were in the forest on Sunday, covering for Rich.”
“Which was where I found her having a walk.”
“The two of you were alone, in the forest, all afternoon?” Pax grinned mischievously.
“I know exactly what you’re insinuating, and I can tell you … it’s only slightly like that.”
“Oh?” Carla let out. “Now, you definitely have my interest.” She leaned into the corner of the big leather sofa and pulled a crocheted blanket over her lap. She was in for the long haul.
I didn’t even know why I told them the truth. Maybe I was trying to work things out myself by speaking out loud.
“We may have kissed, but that was it. The weather was turning, so we had—”
“Would you have gone further if the snow wasn’t against you?” Pax asked.
“In what world would you willingly get any more naked than you had to be in freezing temperatures?”
“I wouldn’t,” Pax snapped back. “But, I’m not impulsive.”
“You’re a Cooper, which means you often act without thought.” I tipped back my beer for a deep drink. “Even if a storm hadn’t been blowing in, it was far too cold to do ‘anything else,’ and you know it.”
“Point taken, buzzkill,” Pax huffed out an exasperated breath. “Only you could make gossip so boring.”
“It’s not gossip if it’s about me, and I’m the one telling you about it.”
“You get what I mean. Anyway, are you going to see her again?”
I paused. In all honesty, I didn’t know.
“I guess the weather will determine that,” I said. “I mean, she wants to leave as soon as the snow lets up. I might see her again if it stays bad.”
“Now the weather is working for you? That’s a fun turn of events.”
As I was about to push back at Paxton, all the lights flickered in the house.
I glanced at Carla. “The backup generator is in good shape, right?”
She nodded. “Owen checked it before he left. If the power goes out, it’ll come back on.”
Half an hour later, Carla’s statement proved to be correct. The power cut out, and a few seconds after, the generator kicked into gear, and the house was lit again.
“I wonder how long we’ll be without power,” Paxton mused. “I installed new generators in Rachel Wilkes’ and Lucy’s houses—”
“Why Lucy? Her previous generator was completely fine.” He chuckled. “She wanted an excuse for you to come around,
right?”
“She’s a sweetheart, and don’t give me a hard time for worrying about the older residents.”
“How many of them will be without power?” I asked.
Pax shrugged. “Some of them, for sure. Not all of these old houses have been updated yet. To be honest, the sooner they all get behind Owen’s Green House Project, the better.”
“You’d think the massive discounts we’re giving would be enough to shift them into gear,” Carla grumbled. “Owen’s offering it at cost.”
“You can bet your ass you’ll get a ton of new orders once this weather has passed. Nobody wants to be caught in a situation where their house can’t handle this kind of weather again.” It was then that it struck me.
“Pax, do you know if Judy Flanagan’s house has a backup generator?”
He laughed. “You’re trying to find a way to see Emily again, aren’t you?”
“Shut up. I’m serious. You know Judy’s health is terrible, and she can’t afford to have the power out.”
“God knows a city girl like Emily isn’t likely to be able to make a fire to save her life,” Pax said.
“Paxton,” I warned.
He held up his hands in surrender. “You were the one who said she was an insufferable city girl. When was the last time you met someone from the city who could build a good fire?”
“You’re right,” I had to admit. “Back to the question. Do you know if Judy’s house has a generator?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so. Her house is old, even by Frazier Falls standards. I think the chances of her having one are slim.”
“That’s all I needed to know.” I put my bottle on the table and grabbed my jacket before heading for the door.
“Eli, you can’t seriously be heading over there in this weather,” Carla called after me. “You could get hurt.”
“The Flanagan's will be worse off if they don’t have heat. I’m going to take some of Owen’s firewood. I’ll replace it later.”
“No, you won’t,” Carla called out as I slammed the door shut behind me.
“Yeah, you’re right, I definitely won’t,” I said out loud right before I grabbed armfuls of wood and headed to my truck. I started the engine and drove straight toward Judy’s house … and Emily.
Shelter Me: A Frazier Falls Novel Page 6