Taming His Montana Heart(8)
However, what she wanted and reality were two different things, which was why she was walking through the space he’d created when he’d opened the restaurant door. In the time they’d been indoors, the outside temperature had dropped considerably and a Montana winter night was spreading over the resort. If it continued to snow, Lake Serene would soon be shut off from the rest of the world, a private, personal place understood by people who were comfortable in their own skin. She wasn’t sure he was. Now that she’d spent about an hour with him, she didn’t believe he fully embraced his career. Also, going by what he and his brother had talked about, she was certain he’d prefer to live closer to family.
Not your business. He lives his life. You live yours.
Speaking of her life, even with hot chocolate in her, she was hungry. She should be looking forward to going to her trailer and popping the roasted chicken she’d picked up at a grocery store into the oven to reheat. Instead, she remained at Shaw’s side as he walked her back to her SUV. They didn’t say much because snow and haphazardly parked vehicles meant they had to concentrate on their footing. This was the part of winter in a wilderness resort that didn’t make its way into promotional material. People wanted the magic of snow draped evergreens, not impenetrable parking lots and bone-cutting cold.
“Are you responsible for the outside lighting on the new rental building?” she asked. “I love how it looks at night, like something out of a fairy tale.”
“The head electrician and I debated a number of options before we settled on that design. I think it turned out well.”
“Absolutely. You have an eye for design.”
“Hardly. For the most part, I relied on his expertise.”
“Then tell the electrician I approve.”
“I will. I’ve been here the better part of a year, but I’m still getting used to how complete night becomes, especially if I’m away from the resort’s lights. Either its day or its dark. No in between.”
She looked over her shoulder at him. He was so big up close, his body speaking silently to hers. “Except when the moon’s full and there aren’t any clouds. That happened before the first snowstorm. I’d gone for a walk near the base of Mount Lynx. The mountain put me in mind of a sentry standing guard over this part of the world.”
“Were you by yourself?”
“What? Yes.”
He briefly touched her shoulder, made it impossible for her to drop her gaze. “Be careful.”
“I always am.”
“I hope so. Just because the majority of people who come to Lake Serene are here to commune with nature doesn’t mean they all are. There are bad apples everywhere.”
“I’d think the bad apples have better things to do than tromp around in subzero weather looking for someone to rob.”
“Or worse.”
Surprised he’d brought that up, instead of getting into her vehicle, she continued to look at him. He made her feel safe, something she wasn’t used to. “I appreciate your concern.”
“I’m serious. Always be aware of your surroundings.” He rubbed his forehead. “Now that I’ve made my point, I take it you’ve heard about our resident wolf.”
“Who hasn’t? You aren’t concerned about him are you?”
“No. I was trying to lighten things.”
“Well you succeeded. Shaw, I’m used to taking care of myself.” Now.
She thought he might touch her again then told herself she was letting her imagination get away from her. Just the same, she liked knowing her safety mattered to him. Needing to be doing something, she brushed snow off her shoulders, debated doing the same for him, decided she shouldn’t.
Enough with thinking about him this way. He’s your boss, nothing else. “So what are your thoughts regarding approaching your uncle about getting a real snow groomer?” There. That was getting things back on the right track.
“It makes sense. Uncle Robert is generous with big picture items. It’s a different story when it comes to the day-to-day operation.”
“Oh.” She could get behind the wheel, start her vehicle, go home. Why then was she still standing close to Shaw while snow slipped around them? “Uh, I hope your brother gets out of the mountains without any problems.”
“He’s cautious. It was wonderful seeing them. Kids grow up so fast I wouldn’t have recognized Bobby. That’s Alexa’s little brother.”
“I wish I’d met him.”
“I don’t know how he’d react. It took him awhile to decide I was going to live up to his standards.”
“Little kids can be slow to accept someone they see as a stranger.”
“Yeah.”
He doesn’t want it to be like that. “Has Alexa always been into purple?”
“I’m not sure. She’s a character and she knows it.”
“She’s delightful. Will she and her family be able to come back soon?”
“I hope so. Believe me, I hope so.”
Shaw was hurting. A few hours ago he’d in essence only been the man whose decision had made it possible for her to have a job a considerable distance from a place she hoped she’d never again see. Then, somehow, he’d become more. Or rather she was finally acknowledging her feelings where he was concerned.