Don’t I always?he told his bear, even as his heart hammered against his ribs fit to burst out.
“Hi there,” Sorcha said, her cheeks flushed from the cold…or maybe something else. He hoped with everything in him that he was that something else.
“Hi,” Christopher replied, leaning an elbow on the door. “How was ice skating?”
She hesitated, her eyes dropping briefly before meeting his again. “It would have been better with company.”
Christopher lost his cool completely and cracked a grin, unable to hide his delight. “I wish I could have been there.”
“So do I,” she said, and then blushed a deeper shade of pink that had nothing to do with the winter air.
Damn, she’d never looked more beautiful.
“I was actually heading back to find you,” she admitted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I…I don’t know what happened this morning or last night… I guess I got scared.”
Christopher’s bear practically purred with satisfaction. “Scared of what?” he murmured, though he was certain he already knew the answer.
“Of how easy it is to be with you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Of how right it feels. I’ve spent my whole life leaving places, and suddenly all I can think about is staying…at least for another night or two.”
The words sent a bolt of hope through Christopher so intense it was almost painful. He wanted to reach through the window and pull her into his arms, to show her exactly how right they could be together.
Two more nights. She hadn’t promised him forever. But he’d take whatever he could get and make every second count. And maybe, just maybe, turn those two borrowed nights into the start of forever.
Chapter Twelve – Sorcha
She couldn’t believe how happy she was that Christopher had agreed to spend the rest of the day with her. Happiness bubbled inside Sorcha like champagne, fizzing through her veins and warming her from the inside out. She hadn’t felt this light in years—maybe ever.
Then reality crashed in. Christopher had been driving somewhere when they met on the road. He’d had plans before she’d interrupted them.
“Don’t feel obliged,” she blurted, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. “I know I’ve taken up enough of your time, and if you have errands to run…”
Christopher’s brow furrowed in confusion. Then a slow grin spread across his face, transforming his features and making her heart skip.
“No, I…” He trailed off, looking almost bashful.
Sorcha tilted her head, studying him. “Were you coming to findme?”
He shrugged, glancing down at his steering wheel before meeting her eyes again. “I might have been.”
Something about his shy admission, the way his shoulders hunched slightly as he said it…was adorable. Completely at odds with his usual quiet confidence, and all the more charming for it. Sorcha laughed, feeling the last of her morning’s tension dissolve like sugar in hot tea.
“So we have two cars,” she said, gesturing between their vehicles. “What’s the plan?”
“We should drive back to the cabins and then go in my truck for lunch, if you’re hungry.” The way he said it with undisguised eagerness sent another thrill through her, though he quickly tempered it with a more casual tone. “If that works for you.”
Right on cue, her stomach growled loudly enough that she was sure he could hear it through both their car windows. Heat rushed to her cheeks.
“Starving,” she admitted. “Ice skating worked up an appetite.”
“Great, then you go on and I’ll turn around and follow you back.”
Sorcha nodded and put her car in drive, but found herself checking the rearview mirror more than the road ahead as she made her way back to Bear Creek Cabins. Christopher’s truck stayed a consistent distance behind her, and something about knowing he was there made her smile.
When they reached the cabins, Gretel emerged from the office, bundled against the cold in a thick cardiganand a scarf patterned with tiny snowflakes.
“Well, well,” she called out, rubbing her hands together. “Look who found each other.”
Christopher shot Gretel a warning look as he cleared his throat. “Gretel, we’re just heading out for some lunch.”
