“Not shy, are you?” When the rippled glass door of the shower moved, she latched onto it like a lifeline, keeping it closed.
“Would you please get out of here?”
“You know, I can see more than a vague outline of your shape through the door. No wonder Cullen’s so in love.”
She lit up at the thought. Cullen? In love with her? If only. “Very funny. Now get out before I tell your momma you were hitting on Cullen’s girl.”
He vanished before she could add another threat. To her relief, he didn’t reappear. She quickly left the shower,locked the door, and dried off. Once dressed, she left her room and Cullen still sleeping soundlessly in her bed.
He’d had a long night. After they’d made love, he left her to talk to his family again, knowing they would have questions they wouldn’t wait to have answered. She’d fallen asleep alone and woken with him there.
He felt so right next to her. As if they belonged together. Yearnings grew, and she wondered why even the thought of living with his crazy family didn’t put her off. Maybe it was seeing the clear love flowing between them. For all their loud flaws, the Whitefeathers clearly loved one another.
“Good morning,” Sheila said as Sarah entered the kitchen. They were alone, to Sarah’s relief.
Sheila stared at Sarah, then at the empty coffee pot, and back at Sarah again.
Sighing and unable to stifle a grin, Sarah made a pot, needing it for strength.
“I’ve seen you at the Fox’s Henhouse.”
The statement surprised Sarah. “Really? I don’t remember seeing you there.”
Sheila shrugged. “I’ve been by a few times, mostly when you were swamped with customers. I like Mac. He runs a decent diner. Damned good waffles.”
“The best.” Sarah smiled. “It surprised me to find Cullen such a good cook. He won’t let me cook while I’m here, but I have to say I’m nowhere near as good as he is with a skillet.”
Sheila beamed. “My boy loves to cook. Takes after me.”
“I still don’t understand why he came in to eat all the time.”Unless it was to get away from his brothers.
“Don’t you?” Sheila asked, her gaze direct. “My boys know their hearts. They’re all different, mind you. Micah goes after what he wants. Sean plays around too much, and Ian’s too focused on business. ’Bout drives me nuts with his spreadsheets.” Sheila grimaced. “But Cullen…that boy’s the spittin’ image of his daddy. Shy as a sparrow. Can barely put two words together when he’s wanting something.”
Sarah blinked, not sure she was hearing right. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” Sheila nodded. “Took me a while to understand why he spent so much damned time in town when we all hate it there.”
“But, but he never—”
“Never what?” Cullen asked as he entered the kitchen, his eyes still sleepy, his hair rumpled. He looked absolutely perfect to Sarah.
Could it be true? Had Cullen really liked her for so long?
“Hell, Momma. What are you saying now?” He kissed Sarah on the mouth, as if they’d been doing so for years, and whipped out a flat of bacon from the refrigerator.
Sheila smirked as if to say, “I told you so.”
Thrilled, scared and in a state of disbelief, Sarah needed some time to herself.
“You know, I should probably check on my place, just to make sure everything’s okay. I haven’t been back since the storm hit days ago.” She refused to look at Cullen, knowing if she did, she might not leave.Ever.“I’ll be back soon.” She darted outside onto the deck and ripped off her shirt and bra as she shifted.
Her pants caught on her talons, as she’d known they would, but she shrugged them away as she flew into the sky.
Wanting to believe so badly in Cullen tore at her sense. She had plans to leave Cougar Falls. Falling in love with Cullen Whitefeather hadn’t been on her to-do list. Packing and checking out, that was all. Until Jenny Larsen intruded.Oh, hell. I can’t leave until I square things with the Larsens and clan leaders. I can’t leave my mess on Cullen’s shoulders.
The thought of leaving physically hurt. If only she could trust what Sheila said as truth. Why wouldn’t Cullen say something about how he felt? Unlike Will, Cullen would mean what he said. He didn’t throw words around. Aside from those few references to eagles and their mates, he’d never once told her he loved her.Though he’d shown her in a lot of ways, her bird slyly reminded her. Caring for her, tending to her, physically loving her with no thoughts except for making her feel good.
Hell, they’d only really known each other for a week. Those instances in town meant next to nothing. Serving a man coffee didn’t mean they knew anything about each other.
