And now, knowing that the man who caused it all was just a few cabins away?
Spencer gripped the wheel tighter. Jamie’s safe now, he reminded himself.He’s with me.That bastard doesn’t get to hurt him again.
But still, the image of that backpack and suitcase burned in his mind. And Spencer knew this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
Chapter Five
Jamie
Jamie had been alone in the cabin for maybe an hour, but it felt longer. The quiet was nice, mostly peaceful even, but his thoughts weren’t. He got up from the bed, padding across the wooden floor in his socks, and crouched beside Spencer’s suitcase. He hesitated for a second, then unzipped it.
Inside were exactly what he expected: jeans, flannel shirts, a couple of plain tees. Cowboy-core, through and through. But tucked into one of the side pockets was a photo—Spencer with an older man, both smiling like they’d just finished building a fence or something. The man had the same eyes, the same jawline. Maybe his dad?
Jamie stared at it for a moment, then zipped the suitcase shut. He didn’t want to snoop, not really. He just wanted to know who Spencer was. What kind of man took in a stranger and made him feel safe without asking for anything in return?
He heard the crunch of tires on snow and scrambled back to the bed, heart thudding. Spencer was back. Jamie pulled the comforter up and tried to look like he hadn’t moved.
The door opened with a gust of cold air, and Spencer stepped in, cheeks pink from the chill, arms full of bags. He kicked the door shut behind him and grinned when he saw Jamie awake.
“Got you a few things,” he said, walking over. “Figured you might want your own stuff.”
Jamie sat up. “You didn’t have to…”
Spencer pulled out a sweater, socks, a toothbrush, and then grinning, held up a sucker. “Cherry. Thought you could use something sweet.”
Jamie took it, smiling despite being himself. “Thanks.”
“And,” Spencer added, reaching into the second bag, “this guy.” He pulled out a small stuffed puppy, soft and brown with a little red scarf around its neck.
Jamie stared at it, throat tightening. “You bought me a stuffie?”
Spencer shrugged, suddenly sheepish. “I dunno. You looked like you could use something to hold on to.”
Jamie took it gently, pressing it to his chest. “Really? Aren’t you a perfect daddy?”
“Maybe,” Spencer said, kicking off his boots. “But you’re smiling, so I’ll take the win.”
Jamie was shy in admitting all his little qualities he carried. Spencer didn’t flinch one bit at his needs. He’d make a great loving daddy. If Jamie were so lucky as to find someone just like Spencer, or maybe he might look his way, but no one wanted a pack of trouble, as Daddy Tom would say.
Spencer undressed again, then slid into bed beside Jamie, not too close, just enough to share the warmth. When Jamie lay back, the puppy tucked under his arm, sucker still in hand, Spencer handed him a blue binky.
“Wow! Thank you. Blue is my favorite color. Now, I can sleep.” Jamie hugged him and kissed his cheek.
“Tell me how you feel inside?”
“I still feel like crap,” Jamie admitted. “About Daddy Tom. About everything.”
Spencer turned his head toward him. “I get it. You don’t have to pretend you’re okay.”
Jamie nodded, eyes on the ceiling. “I don’t know why I feel safe with you. I barely know you.”
Spencer was quiet for a moment. “Maybe it’s not about knowing. Maybe it’s just about feeling seen.”
Jamie glanced at him. “Do you see me?”
Spencer met his eyes. “Yeah. I do.” He leaned over and kissed Jamie on the top of his head.
After Jamie finished his sucker, he unwrapped his binky and put it in his mouth.
