Taming His Montana Heart(54)

But how could she tell a man—Shaw—the truth when it was so hard for her to face?

She wouldn’t go there. The next hours were about getting to know each other sexually. Nothing else.

Maybe.

“That’s a widow-maker.” Shaw pointed. “Fortunately it isn’t near a cabin. If it was, surely someone would have already cut it down.”

The tree was impressive. Not only was it one of the tallest around, it was split in two about halfway up. She’d heard about the skill of the two men who dealt with Lake Serene’s problem trees and was hoping she’d be able to watch them at work. Once the snow had melted, she intended to simply enjoy Lake Serene. She’d do some hiking, maybe try her hand at fishing, perhaps help Kolina set up the educational center. She might get Echo to take her close to the bear den. And maybe, just maybe, while she was out hiking, she’d spot the wolf.

What if Shaw was with her? What if he became more to her than he already was?

“There,” he said. “We’re here.”

*

Shaw had known the cabin with its combination kitchen-living room would be cold, but the icy air still took away his breath. Fortunately the electricity was on, and Nate and Alisha had left matches, newspaper, kindling, and dry wood. While he got the fire started, Haley brought in their few possessions. Waiting for them on the counter were two mugs, some coffee, several packets of hot chocolate, and a note with one word on it—enjoy.

“I suppose,” Haley said, “to be authentic we should bring in snow and melt it on the wood stove but how about I heat some water on the cook stove?”

The thought of wrapping his hands around a steaming mug had him giving her a thumbs-up. The fire was crackling, but it was still too cold to take off their coats so, once she’d finished her small task, they stood with their backs to the black cast iron looking around the compact space.

Or rather Haley seemed to be taking in their surroundings. As for him, he couldn’t take his attention off the woman he’d be spending the night with. His soon-to-be lover.

When he’d phoned his brother’s place this morning, Alexa had insisted on talking to him. Even though she’d already told him what she’d received for Christmas, Alexa again went through her list. She was still a little miffed at Santa for not getting a horse down their nonexistent chimney but having Grandma and Grandpa over for dinner had almost made up for it. After saying, “I miss you,” three times, she turned the phone over to her father.

Shaw hadn’t judged the wisdom of what he was doing, he’d simply told Boone why he was going to be out of contact. Because he’d filled Boone in on what he knew of Haley’s background, he hadn’t been surprised when Boone asked if he intended to share his own experience with her.

“I don’t know,” he said.

Now, hours later, he still didn’t have an answer. Neither had his opinion of how hard the telling was going to be changed. Nevertheless, he was glad this night had come, that he was with this woman.

“Alisha said we might want to take off of some of the shutters,” Haley said. “Even if we can’t see anything tonight, I’d like that.”

He handed her his mug and went outside, clambered to the top of the snow piled around the cabin, unhooked three shutters and refastened them against the wall. Through the tree tops he spotted stars. Hopefully the moon would appear. Too bad they couldn’t stand outside and experience the view together but that wasn’t why they were here.

“Thanks. That’s better,” she said when he returned.

Going from the all-consuming wilderness back to where he shared space with another human being took him a moment to acknowledge. Seeing her again, hearing her, made her real in ways he hadn’t felt earlier.

She handed him his mug, drawing out the exchange. “I’m sorry you had to work so hard, but I was getting claustrophobic.”

He couldn’t stop looking at her. “We don’t want that.”

“No, we don’t.” Her expression said a great deal and yet not enough. “That’s an efficient stove. If I had a cabin, I’d make sure it had one just like this.”

Talk. Carry on a conversation. “You’d like to own a cabin?”

“I don’t know where that came from but, yes, I think I would.” She chuckled. “One that looks like it’s a hundred years old but with modern plumbing and electricity.”

“Where?”

“Right here. After my mom—Mick took me to live with him. I stayed there until I turned eighteen then got my own place.”

“I’m impressed. Most people that age can’t afford to go out on their own.”

“I had a well-paying job and had saved up. My apartment was drafty with nasty carpet and rusty pipes.” She shook her head. “I swear it was spider headquarters for the entire county, but that was all I could afford. Because of that experience, I’m used to roughing it.”

Even though he hadn’t finished his chocolate, he placed his mug on the table. She did the same. They continued to stand backed to the stove but far enough away from it that his skin no longer prickled. Every inch of his body was alive with a heat that had nothing to do with burning logs. Profound silence surrounded the cabin. In contrast, life and light filled the interior. He still couldn’t quite grasp that this was happening.