Her Hometown Hero

by Melody Anne

  Standing outside with the snow drifting down while she tilted her face up to the dark skies, Sage laughed in delight. This was something she’d certainly missed while living in the hot sun of California. Yes, it made driving a true pain, but who cared when you got to feel the delicate flakes of snow fall on your tongue and melt in your mouth.

  “You seem to be enjoying yourself.”

  Sage jumped at the sound of Spence’s voice and turned to find him beside her. “I’m not playing,” she insisted. “It was just really slow, so I thought I’d come out for a breath of fresh air.”

  “Take all the time you want to stand out here and play . . . er . . . get some air. You’re right, it is a slow night.”

  “Yes. I normally love to keep busy, but after the last couple of shifts, this is perfect. I just hope the newly fallen snow doesn’t cause a mountain of accidents.”

  “Most of the people here are smart enough to not go out unless they have the proper vehicle,” he said, then looked pointedly toward the parking lot. “You won’t be driving yours home. The roads won’t get plowed until morning.”

  “I’ll be fine. I’ll just drive really slowly. Besides, I’m out of here in an hour. The roads will be cushioned without being icy,” she said as she spun in a circle, causing the flakes falling all around her to swirl in her human tornado.

  “As I said, you won’t be driving home. I looked at that car of yours. It’s not fit for the roads of Montana.”

  “Look, Dr. Whitman, just because I don’t have some fancy-schmancy truck doesn’t mean I’m a menace to the highways. I’ll take it slow.” She hated that he felt he had the right to come out here during her moment of peace and say whatever pleased him.

  Do this! Do that! Move it, Dr. Banks. In the ER she couldn’t complain about Spence’s orders, but when it came to what and when she drove, he didn’t have a leg to stand on. And since he had such fine legs, that was a shame.

  “We can argue more about it in an hour,” he said peremptorily.

  She looked at him while he stuck out his tongue to catch a snowflake. Despite his last words, for him, the subject was finished. He’d had his say, and in his opinion the conversation was over and done with.

  Sage scooped up a large mass of snow and began forming a ball. She was nearly finished when he noticed what she was doing, and he took a cautious step backward.

  “Now, Dr. Banks, I would just put that down slowly if I were you.”

  “I’m not you, Spence. Why so formal all of a sudden?”

  “Retaliation will be swift and furious,” he warned her with a gleam in his eyes that she should have tuned in to.

  But she’d never been able to resist a challenge, and the snowball in her hand and his arrogant smile were just too much to resist. Without giving it much conscious thought, she let the ball fly from her palm. It whizzed through the air, aimed with deadly accuracy right at his incredulous eyes. But he turned at the last second and the snow exploded against the side of his head.

  He lifted a hand and wiped the snow from his hair. “I can’t believe you actually threw that.”

  She was already regretting her impulsive decision. She’d started a war with only one possible outcome, and that wasn’t her victory. Still, if she was going down, she’d do it fighting. First, she’d attempt escape, but if that didn’t work, it would be all weapons set on automatic fire.

  “That was my pager,” she said, and she immediately turned and began running toward the side doors she’d come through earlier.

  “Not gonna happen, Sage. Mine would be going off, too, but good try,” he yelled, his voice seeming to be only inches behind her ear.

  She tried to pick up her pace but found herself sliding—beneath the fresh layer of snow was packed ice. She was going to fall flat on her rear if she didn’t slow up. Of course, she was going to fall if she stood still.

  She’d take her chances with the snow. Speeding up, she saw freedom in her sights when suddenly, strong arms wrapped around her waist, spinning her around and stealing the breath from her lungs, and then she and Spence were launching into the air.

  “We’re going down,” he said, stating the obvious.

  Sage cried out, expecting this to hurt, but he somehow managed to turn them around before they fell, and his back landed with a splash in the snow while she bounced against his chest—his delectably hard chest.

  “Mmm, now this isn’t bad,” he said as he brought his hands up to cradle her head.

  Finally on the verge of feeling what it would be like to touch him, what his taste would be, what passion he could invoke, Sage almost took his mouth with hers. But before she lost complete control, her hands, almost of their own accord, scooped up another large mound of snow, which she dumped right in his face, leaving him sputtering. He released her in his attempt to clear his air passages.

  She twisted off his body and was attempting to rise to her feet when he snaked his arms around her again and she landed in his lap.

  “Let me go,” she said, but a giggle burst free. She couldn’t help it. She hadn’t roughhoused in the snow since she was a little girl, and though it was freezing out, she was having more fun than she could remember having in years.

  “Not until I get my payback,” he said, and she found herself on her back, the snow making a crater around her body. Her ears grew numb with cold.

  “Okay, okay, you win,” she cried as snow melted and slid into her ear canal. “It’s cold as sin out here!”

  “I could douse you like you just did to me.” One of his hands pinned her arms above her head while the other gathered a huge handful of snow.

  “No, no, no! You win!” She closed her eyes and waited for impact. Payback was terrible, but she knew she deserved it.

  When nothing happened, she cracked her eyes open and looked up. With the fire that was burning in his gaze, she was amazed there was any snow at all left around them. It should have all turned into steam.

  “I have to taste you.”

  He bent down, and Sage thought about resistance for all of half a second. The moment his lips touched hers, she was lost in a pool of heat and desire so strong she didn’t recognize the feelings.

  His lips demanded that hers part, and she complied, opening herself to him, tilting her head, squirming beneath his strong, solid, hot body. Oh, this was a first kiss to end all kisses. This man wasn’t messing around. When he released her hands, she grabbed his head, holding him to her, wanting more.

  When his hand slipped up her side and rested on her shoulder, she pushed against him. Just a little lower, she thought. His tongue sank into her mouth, tasted her thoroughly before retreating, leaving her wanting more.

  “Sage,” he whispered as he pulled back.

  She moaned her disapproval, wanting this to go on, needing him to continue heating her from the inside out.

  “Sage, you’re going to get frostbite.”

  His head was too far away. That was her only thought. She needed him to lean down again. Passion burned in his eyes, and to judge from the hardness she could feel pressing against her core, he was also rather excited about their kiss—so why was he pulling back?

  It took a few seconds, but once the freezing snow registered in her brain and the fog of passion began to clear, Sage realized what he was saying. Her back was numb where she’d been cushioned against the white powder.

  Spence had a thick layer of snow in his hair, and as her vision went past him, she noticed that the stuff was falling down even harder than it had been a few minutes before.

  “Oh,” she whispered, her mouth opening, making it easy for snowflakes to fall inside.

  “Let’s get you indoors. We’re not dressed for this. We can always finish in the on-call room.” He stood up, grabbed her hand, and hoisted her to her feet.

  She moved slowly beside him as they neared the doors. Once inside, as a welcome blast of heat hit her, she was racked with uncontrollable tremors. Her scrubs were soaked, and she was glad that he’d come
to his senses. She certainly hadn’t been worried about hypothermia.

  “I need to change,” she said through chattering teeth.

  He walked next to her. “Why don’t I assist you?”

  “I don’t think so. We’re at work, Dr. Whitman.” She took off down the hall, thankful no one was around. And more than thankful that he’d allowed her to go. She just needed five minutes. That was all.

  Sure. Five minutes was really going to help her fight her attraction to Spence, especially when he seemed to have her in his sights for the foreseeable future. While her brain was telling her this was not what she wanted, her body was screaming that it was well past time to take a chance and feel the heat of a lover—to feel the passion so many others had experienced.

  With a shake to clear her clouded head, she changed clothes, then hid in dark corners of the hospital for the rest of her shift. If she was lucky, she’d get away without further run-ins with her hot boss.

  Of course, when had she ever been that lucky?

  Sage sneaked around the corner and peeked out. The coast was clear. She’d managed to avoid Spence through the end of her shift—no trauma patients, no one needing her to keep her on the clock beyond her scheduled time.

  Now she just had to get out of this building and safely home. After zipping down the hall, she craned her neck to look around the final corner and smiled when there was no sign of Spence anywhere. She was home free.

  Once through the outside door, Sage took a step back at the force of the snow blowing toward her. It had been coming down hard less than an hour ago, but right now it looked like a blizzard. The wind had picked up and the snow was pelting her.

  But there was no way she’d admit defeat. Determined to make it home on her own, she figured it would take her two hours to make the fifteen-mile trip. Where was a snowmobile when you needed one?

  She had to keep her head down as she trudged to the employee parking lot. When she spotted her car, she nearly cried. About eight inches of snow were piled up on the thing, and there was no sign of a road anywhere. Was she really going to let her pride compromise her safety?

  As she turned back toward the hospital, unable to even see the building through the thick snow that was falling, she squared her shoulders. Yep. It looked like she was.

  After scraping the snow away from the door with her gloved hands, she was nearly a Popsicle by the time she was able to unlock the car. She sat down in the seat, shivering uncontrollably, and missed the ignition on her first try.

  Using one hand to steady the other, she finally got the key in. Once the vehicle warmed up, this situation wouldn’t look so bleak. She cranked the key, and her car groaned. “Come on, baby. You can do this. Just start for me now and I swear I’ll get you to the shop for a full tune-up.” She didn’t care even remotely that she was speaking to a blasted car.

  She turned the key again, and the car coughed but refused to start. “Come on!” she snapped, and slammed her palms against the steering wheel in a mini tantrum. Her fury was suddenly interrupted by the opening of her door, and Spence leaning into her space.

  “Well, this is interesting. First, you cajole the car, make promises you most likely aren’t planning on keeping, and then you beat it when you don’t get your way.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to see if you really were foolish enough to try to drive your little death trap in this weather. I was hoping you wouldn’t be so stubborn as to risk your life, but I was sadly mistaken.” He propped the door open, allowing a torrent of wind and snow to fall over her lap.

  “Spence, you’re letting the snow soak the inside of my car,” she said as she tried to get hold of the handle and pull the door closed.

  He stuck out his hand. “Then grab your purse and let’s get out of the cold.”

  “I told you I could get home, and I can,” she replied, refusing to budge. Yes, she knew she wasn’t going anywhere, but he didn’t have to know that. If she could get the car started, she’d warm up and then figure out a respectable plan B.

  “Well then, it will be a long, cold walk, because as of twenty minutes ago, they closed the road that leads home.”

  “Okay, if that’s the case, then how in the heck were you planning on getting home, much less getting me there?”

  It looked as if she’d be stuck in the on-call room tonight. That would be almost as pleasant as freezing to death in her car. She weighed her options.

  “Luckily, I have a brother who loves me,” he said matter-of-factly.

  “What does that have to do with anything?” This was a ridiculous conversation.

  “Camden just so happens to own a couple of snowmobiles,” he said, looking triumphant as he presented the ace up his sleeve.

  “Well, they can only carry two people, so unless Camden can tow one behind him, you won’t be able to take me anyway,” she said, hiding her disappointment. The smidgen of hope of getting home quickly deflated.

  “Since Michael is driving one, there will be two extra seats,” Spence said. “They should be here within ten minutes. If you don’t mind the cots in the on-call room, be my guest. I’m heading home, where it’s warm and quiet.”

  When he turned to walk away, she was filled with panic. It wasn’t really so bad to get a ride. It would be a very cold ride, but tomorrow was the start of her first full two days off in months. She really didn’t want to be at this hospital when she didn’t have to be. Besides, she could ride behind Camden or Michael—she didn’t have to be snuggled up to Spence for the ride.

  “Wait!” she called out, and he turned. It was probably a good thing she couldn’t see his expression. Any smugness she detected there would probably make her change her mind—and she had no doubt he was feeling pretty smug right now.

  “Did you need some help back inside?”

  His feigned innocence disgusted her. How could she ever have thought that he’d make this easier on her?

  “I would . . . um . . . well, if there’s an extra seat . . .” The words practically choked her.

  “Let’s go into the hospital and warm up. I told Michael to bring extra snow clothes so you won’t freeze during the ride.”

  Sage gazed at his blurry image. That was it? No gloating, no dancing in circles of victory? He wasn’t going to rub it in a bit that she’d ended up doing what he wanted? Maybe he was just waiting to gloat later because it was so cold out here right now. Sage climbed out of her car and then quickly followed Spence back inside.

  It seemed no time at all had passed when she heard Cam call out, “Taxi service is here.” He was standing in the doorway holding a large bag and smiling.

  “Glad to see you. I’ve spent enough time on these hospital cots. Don’t want to do it if I don’t have to,” Spence said.

  “I couldn’t leave you here,” Camden said. “The sound of your pleading voice was incentive to come and pick you up.”

  “Damn, it’s colder than a witch’s—”

  Spence broke in. “That’s enough, Michael.”

  “Here are your clothes, Sage,” Camden said. “Get changed so we can head on out of here.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate it,” Sage said, taking the bag and quickly scooting away.

  When she came back out, she felt like the Abominable Snowman, and she was already sweating. Maybe she wouldn’t end up feeling so cold after all.

  “Let’s head out,” Michael told them, and they all braved the thickly falling snow.

  Camden climbed onto one of the snowmobiles, and before Sage could join him, Michael was on behind him.

  “Let’s go,” Spence said as he climbed onto the other.

  “I . . . I was going to ride with—”

  “We need to go,” Spence said as he revved the motor on Camden’s toy.

  Sage wasn’t happy about this, but what could she do? After climbing on behind him, she was trying to sit at a distance when the machine jerked forward and she almost fell off backward.

  “Hold on tight
, Sage. We won’t be able to talk.” Then they were shooting forward, through the snow.

  Sage buried her face against Spence’s shoulder as he maneuvered through the snowstorm. Even with the warm clothes, her body was racked with shivers, and she couldn’t lift her head from Spence’s shoulder; she was afraid her face would fall off if she did.

  Spence slowed and turned his head so she could hear him. “Are you okay?” he asked.

  Her teeth were chattering so hard she couldn’t answer. Maybe she should have just stayed at the hospital. This hadn’t been such a good idea.

  “No, you aren’t okay. We’re going to make a pit stop,” he said, and she couldn’t even process the words, she was so miserable.

  Vaguely, she heard Spence speaking to his brothers, but it was nearly impossible to hear, so she just held on and prayed the ride would soon come to an end. When he spoke a few minutes later, she let out a sigh of relief.

  “We’re at my place, Sage. We need to go inside,” Spence said, and she noticed they weren’t moving through the snow anymore, but still she found herself unable to move. Was she going into shock? Maybe. She tried to assess her own condition.

  Before long she found herself inside a place where blessed heat was biting at her face. The bitter wind and snow had disappeared, but she was still freezing.

  “You need to warm up quickly,” he told her, and she felt herself being lifted. Instead of pulling away, she snuggled closer to him, though with all the clothes between them, the body heat she was seeking couldn’t be found.

  When he set her down and she felt him tugging on her boots, she didn’t resist. Finally, the snow clothes were removed and she felt the heat from the house trying to soak into her frozen skin, but nothing seemed likely to work.

  “Where are your brothers?” she asked through chattering teeth.

  “They went on to our dad’s to check on him.”

  That was when she realized they were not only at his place, but they were alone. Heat began seeping back inside her, but it was a whole different kind of heat from what she wanted right now. Then again, maybe not. Maybe this was the heat she needed.