The Snow Leopard's Christmas Surprise

by Emilia Hartley

  She felt the slow inhale of her breath as a sudden anger built up within her. “I’m fine and alive, by the way, thanks for asking!” she shouted raggedly into the phone, despite having already hung up on Brian.

  The adrenaline began to leak out of her, being replaced by the deep-set cold of the biting wind around her little by little. Worry began to knot her stomach, but she ignored it, tipping her chin up and pinching the bridge of her nose as she slowly breathed in the cool night air. “He can’t fire me for hanging up on him,” she told herself.

  After she’d finally calmed down enough for public display, she allowed herself to walk back into the office. She’s already had an apology queued up for crying all over Nick earlier in the day, but seeing the mildly guilty looks on his face as she entered the warm office pretty much confirmed that he’d also heard or seen her make a total fool of herself on the phone with Brian. “Sorry,” she muttered, finding it hard to make eye contact. “I had to fight tooth and nail for a reschedule that I couldn’t avoid. My boss is a bit of an idiot.”

  Nick almost smiled, but it looked heavy on his lips and didn’t last for more than a fleeting moment. She averted her gaze, instantly self-conscious about how miserable she must look to kill his smile like that. “We’ve all been there,” he consoled, “don’t worry about it.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “For what it’s worth, we’ve ordered the part we need; it’ll be arriving in a couple of days. I’m sorry we can’t make things move any faster for you. It’s obvious you’ve got a lot going on.”

  Jo shrugged. “It’s okay. It’s not your fault.”

  A look passed his face too quickly for her to decipher. “We’re also going to try and keep this as cheap for you as we can. Parts only.”

  Wait what? “I’m sorry, can you repeat that?” she asked, a bit dumbstruck by his words.

  The corner of Nick’s mouth lifted into a half-smile, and this time it stayed. “We’ll be charging you for parts only.”

  A bit of that smile lifted into his dark eyes, making them sparkle with a kindness she hadn’t thought to look for in the brother mechanics before now. Though happiness and gratitude welled up in her chest almost immediately, she wasn’t entirely sure she liked this stranger’s sudden display of generosity. After all, it had been a long time since anyone had shown her such kindness. Was there an ulterior motive hiding behind his smile?

  “Why?” she asked before she could stop herself. She mentally kicked herself for prying, hoping beyond hope that she hadn’t just screwed her chances at a steal of a discount.

  Relief washed over her as Nick’s smile only grew. It looked good on his face, and she found herself wishing he would smile more. He shrugged his broad shoulders, and she could see the fabric of this thin t-shirt tighten over the strain of his muscles. The attraction she felt for him was electric. She’d felt it in the way he looked at her and the sensations that tingled down her arm when he shook her hand. There was no denying that there was something there between them, but it only made her more wary. Would he try to use her attraction to him against her?

  “It’s what we do around these parts,” he answered, his rich voice pulling her out of her suspicious reverie. “You’ve had what we call a rough day, so we’re just doing what we can to help change that. Call it a good deed or a random act of kindness if you want, but whatever you label it, it’s yours to accept or decline. Just let us know.”

  Jo didn’t know what to say, blinking a couple times to hold back unexpected tears. “Well that’s… that’s incredibly kind of you.”

  Nick waved the compliment away. “Not at all,” he replied. “We’re just glad to help.”

  Tom walked in, wiping his hands on a shop rag. “Has Nick told you the damage?”

  Jo nodded with a bit more enthusiasm in her face. “The important parts. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your generosity!”

  “It’s what we do,” he replied. His voice was kind enough, but it didn’t sound enthused like the Tom that’d met her at the door when she’d first met them earlier in the day. Walking behind the desk, Tom and Nick shared a look that Jo didn’t quite catch. It was like they were sending coded messages that she couldn’t understand.

  “Say uh, since it looks like I’ll be staying here a few more days than expected, can you point me in the direction of the nearest motel?” Both brothers looked her way without saying a word, and she had a chilling sense of déjà vu. She averted her gaze. “I mean, the town seems quiet enough. I’m okay with walking if it’s not too far. The cheaper the better.”

  The two bothers exchanged another foreign look and Jo’s stomach tightened in worry.

  “Rawlins doesn’t have any motels,” Nick replied.

  “Nothing?” Jo stared at Nick in disbelief? “Not even a little hole in the wall hovel to sleep for the night?”

  Tom shook his head. “Rawlins’s just a forgotten outskirt of a few larger surrounding towns. All the hotels moved out a long time ago.” He shrugged. “Most people that stick around here have family to stay with. A tiny town like this hasn’t had to plan for strangers in a long time.”

  Jo looked desperately from one brother to the other, and neither of them said anything. “Then where am I going to stay?” she asked hopelessly.

  Nick suddenly glanced at his brother, but even Jo could read the message Tom shot back in his glare. Don’t even think about it.

  Nick frowned at Tom, even though no words had been exchanged yet. He turned his resolved gaze to Jo. “We have a cabin.”

  “Nick!” Tom admonished.

  “You can stay there while your car’s getting fixed, if you want,” Nick continued, ignoring Tom completely. “Free of charge, of course.”

  “A cabin?” Jo frowned. Could she honestly agree to stay overnight with two strange men in their cabin in the woods and still consider herself a smart person? “I… no, thank you. I’m quite sure you two would rather have your space.”

  Nick chuckled good-naturedly. “Oh, no we don’t live there. Remember, most people who stop in at Rawlins have family to board with. The cabin’s our guest quarters incase family stops by to visit for a while.”

  Jo tried to ignore the glare Tom was boring into the back of Nick’s head. “So it’s vacant right now?”

  Nick nodded. “From the sound of things, your boss isn’t the nicest fella in the world—”

  “You’re telling me,” Jo muttered, seeing a spark of laughter in Nick’s eyes.

  “So yeah, it’s probably nicer than anything he’d have you book in the surrounding towns.” Nick grinned, and it sent a happy shiver down Jo’s spine. “We’d be more than happy to help you with decent accommodation. Why not treat it as a vacation? Might make you feel better.”

  Jo tried to frown, but the look wouldn’t hold. She knew that the happier, more personable Nick Brewer was affecting her, but she didn’t want it to cloud her judgment. Whether her attraction to him was or wasn’t interfering, she didn’t really have anywhere else to stay. “Is it far?” she asked, reluctantly.

  “Not at all,” he confirmed. “Only a mile or so up the road. It’s warm and dry and stocked with everything you’d need. You’ll have the only key and no one will disturb you, promise.”

  Jo stole one quick glance at Tom’s hard expression and wondered if he really approved, but she wasn’t really in the position to decline, regardless. “Fine,” she sighed. “I accept.” Nick visibly relaxed at her answer, but Tom seemed to tense up for some reason. She hoped she didn't sound ungrateful. She really did appreciate all the accommodations the Brewers has offered to her, but no amount of kind smiles, sparkling eyes, and rippling muscular bodies could hide the fact that she would be following strange men to a vacant cabin somewhere in the woodland. She was smart enough to remain at least a little wary.

  “Great,” Tom muttered, his voice strictly business. He rifled through the paperwork explaining all the repairs for Jo’s car, not bothering to make eye contact. “We’ll need your number in case of em
ergencies, then you’re good to go for the night.”

  “I’ll give you mine,” Nick interrupted almost too eagerly. “And I’ll drive you. U-unless you prefer to walk. I guess it is only a mile,” he muttered, looking a bit flustered.

  “Whoa there, calm down,” Jo said with a small smile. She had to admit, it was pretty amusing to see such a strong, burly man tumbling clumsily over his words like that, even if it was a bit odd. “I’d appreciate a ride. A miles an awful long way in the dark and cold in a town I’ve never been to before.” She shrugged. “Plus, I’ll have to tote luggage for my stay, so…” She looked up at him with an expectant smile.

  “So I’ll drive you,” Nick answered with a brilliant smile of his own. He really did have a stunning grin, Jo noticed.

  She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear to hide her averted gaze. “Thanks,” she murmured. “I really am grateful.”

  She turned to grab her purse before heading out the back way to where her car was prepped for repair. “A strange man wants to take me out to take me out to his cabin in the woods and I’m not saying no. What the hell is wrong with me?” she muttered under the breath as she stepped out into the cold.

  ***

  Nick pushed himself away from the wall, holding off his grin until he was sure the departing woman wouldn’t see. His sharp hearing had easily picked up every word she’d said as she left the office, and he found difficult not to chuckle. Even his bear seemed content, a satisfied rumble resonating through his chest as they watched her go.

  “What the hell are you doing, Nick?” Tom hissed, remaining quiet just in case Jo was still within earshot. “You’re letting her stay in the cabin?”

  Nick shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “She’ll be fine.”

  “Okay, ignoring what a complete moron you’ve been today, it’s dangerous for a human there right now. The Northern Wind—”

  “—tucked tail and scurried away like cowards forever ago.” Nick finished. “Seriously, Tom, we chased them off. We’ve known more peace this month than we have in a long time. There honestly isn’t a better time for a rogue human to hole up in our unused cabin than right now.”

  “They won’t be gone for good. You know that. Lucas always returns with more bears and crueler plans than before.”

  “And we fight them off every time,” Nick retorted.

  “She can’t stay there, Nick,” Tom barked.

  A growl tore from Nick’s throat as he turned on his brother with muscles tensed. “I don’t see you coming up with any bright ideas! She wouldn’t even have to stay anywhere near Rawlins if it weren’t for us! We wrecked her car; we caused her delay here in town. So, we as alpha bears need to step forward and clean up this mess we’ve made. So, if you have any alternatives, I’m all ears!”

  “I don’t see why any of that’s our problem!” Tom replied, and Nick could see him fighting off the urge to force the change and rise to the challenge he’d given. They both knew that’d be the way to solve their problems quickest, but with Jo just outside gathering her luggage, they didn’t have the luxury of a quick, clean, brawl.

  Nick rolled his eyes. “Oh, please. Don’t play dumb now, Tom. You know full well why we’re responsible for her now.” Nick turned to walk outside, only for Tom to grab his arm. His jaw clenched and suddenly, he wasn’t as in control of his bear as he’d been only a moment ago. The urge to tear bear from human flesh was growing almost too strong to resist. He could feel the heat of a roar crawling up his throat, but he forced it back down.

  “Walk away, Tom,” Nick said slowly and deliberately, both to calm himself and his brother. Tom’s eyes only narrowed in response, his hot breath frosting the air. His eyes glinted with the glow of the bear, a warning that the change was about to begin. “I said stand down,” Nick growled, his teeth clenched. “We’ll take care of our issues after the human’s out of eyeshot.”

  Shoving Nick hard, Tom turned around in a rage and stormed into the garage. “You’re making a mistake,” he called over his shoulder, the words disappearing on the chilly wind.

  No, I’m not. Of that thought Nick was absolutely sure. Of course there was more going on between him and Jo than either were probably willing to admit, considering they only just met earlier in the day, but Nick truly felt that it went beyond some flirty chemistry. He had an intuition, an urge to help her because she was down. He wanted to aid her in her struggle, and right the wrongs she didn’t even know he’d committed with a ferocity that he’d never known for another human or bear before her.

  More than his sense of duty, he’d never wanted for someone the way he knew he wanted for her. He’d never really been a fan of flings and one night stands, but as he’d watched her saunter away to get her things, he couldn’t help but have a stray thought of what it would be like to hold those hips of hers in the warmth of his bed. Of course, he’d waved the fantasy away quickly enough, but there was no denying it. Humans are strictly off-limits. They don’t interfere with us, and we don’t interfere with them. That’s how it’s always been…

  She was human, he was not. Humans were much too fragile, too delicate, too… weak. But still he couldn’t ignore that he felt a pang of lust for Jo Barrowman. It was too dangerous, just like Tom had said, but he couldn’t stop himself from giving his all to help her. He remembered the way the tears had pooled in her eyes, her buoyant hair falling around her heart-shaped face—so vulnerable and soft… He wasn’t used to that.

  Nick was used to strength and power and fierceness and she was the exact opposite. Everything he wasn’t. He wanted… needed to protect that. Protect her. Whether or not Tom liked it, the best place for her safety while she stayed in Rawlins was under their watch. Lust or lust not, he knew that this was the right move. So he stuck to his guns.

  Despite this, he knew that his mind wasn’t right. He wasn’t himself. He wanted to talk, to smile, to laugh with this woman he’d only just met. It felt weird, dangerous really. Something’s wrong with you, Nick, he thought to himself. You really should stay away from her…

  But he knew he wouldn’t.

  Chapter Five

  Jo paced anxiously in the office, muttering to herself as she waited for Nick to pull his car around front. “Are you sure this is a good idea, Jo? I mean, these men are strangers!” Every word she whispered frantically to herself only made her anxiety grow. Paranoia crept just under her skin, and horror stories of ax murders and serial kills kept flashing in her mind. Would she get put on one of those ‘Missing Person’ posters if she were gone too long? Would anyone even care enough to notice if she was gone?

  A car pulled up close to the door and Nick stepped out, beckoning her over. Jo feigned a small smile, pushing down the nerves that were rising in her chest.

  Nick’s smile was as warm as a furnace. “Do you want me to put your things in the car or do you have it?”

  Jo shook off the butterflies that started fluttering deep in her belly from the moment she saw that grin. “Oh, yeah. Some help would be great. Thank you,” She couldn’t help but watch as he easily hefted bag after bag into the trunk of his car. Despite the chill of the night air, Nick only wore a t-shirt, putting his rippling muscles on full display as he lowered the luggage into the car. She wondered absently how he could stand the bite of this cold, holding her arms close to her as a gust of wind tossed her hair awry. The faintest wash of goosebumps decorated his tanned skin, and lasted only for a quickly fleeting moment before he was back to his unaffected self.

  “You alright?” Nick asked, snapping Jo from her ogling.

  “Oh, uh, yeah,” she stammered, trying to hide her embarrassment. “I was just wondering how you’re not cold in this weather.”

  Nick looked down at his bare are and thin t-shirt before shrugging. “I guess I’m just used to the cold. Lived here my entire life, so I guess it kinda grows on ya.” He shook his head as if something flustered him.

  “Ah,” she replied, tugging the coat a little closer to stifle another shiver.

>   Seeing her body quiver, Nick tipped his head towards the front of the car with a smile. “Why don’t you just get in? I’ll be finished here in just a sec.”

  Jo nodded jerkily. “Good idea.” She scurried happily into the passenger seat, immediately huddling close to the heat blasting from the vents.

  True to his word, Nick was only a few moments behind her, sliding into the driver’s seat before she’d even had time to fully thaw. As he closed the driver side door, Jo just bare caught a glimpse of Tom watching them from the workshop, a look of mild chagrin etched on his face. Long gone was the cheerful mechanic that greeted her with a handshake and a smile.

  “I really do hope it’s alright for me to stay at the cabin,” she ventured as they drove away. “I’m not secretly putting you guys out or anything, am I?”

  Nick chuckled. “No, not at all. We stay in the rooms at the shop. Easier to work that way. So the cabin’s almost always going empty.” He gave her a quick glance. “We’re happy to be able to give you the place for a while. Gives us a chance to knock off the dust and cobwebs.”

  Jo nodded, finally accepting his answer. “Okay. Thanks.”

  Conversation tapered off after that, but as Jo looked at the evening scenery of the tiny town, she could still feel Nick’s eyes on her every so often. It wasn’t a creepy kind of linger, but she got the sense that he was worried about her. What? Why would he be worried about her? She softly shook her head. He could be worried about anything, not just her. Hell, maybe he was wondering if she was an axe murderer or serial killer, she mused lightly.

  “So, what’s the hubbub in San Francisco, if you don’t mind my asking?” Nick asked after the silence stretched on for a bit.

  “Not at all,” Jo replied, offering Nick a polite smile. She couldn’t help but feel her nerves bubble up for reasons that had nothing to do with murder for once. “I work for an art gallery. I have to meet a prospective client, a pretty notable one, to try and convince him that we’re the best gallery to display his work.”