Right there was a perfect reason why he shouldn’t care about Katherine.
Cursing loudly, he pushed his bowl away and grabbed his jacket, doing it up firmly before stepping back out into the storm.
‘This is ridiculous,’ he muttered, risking his life as he stomped through the wind and snow towards her cabin. A cabin she should have been sharing. It was ridiculous that he was taking any risk for this woman who would see his dream, all that he and his father had worked for, crash and burn. She would never understand what that was like.
When he reached her door, he was well and truly in a black mood.
He tried the handle and found that it was unlocked. ‘Seriously? She’s alone and she couldn’t even lock this.’
Again, why do you care?
He ignored the voice.
He entered into the large living space and Katherine’s head snapped in his direction, Her expression going from shock to suspicion. But he didn’t react. He was too busy looking at what she wore. Bundled on the couch in a too-big jacket with Aero TV embroidered on the sleeve and a sweater that was just as big under it, she was holding herself around her knees. He had seen that jacket before. She was wearing one of the cameraman’s clothes and he hated it, but he couldn’t understand why. At least she was warm now. So why was it so irritating?
The cabin was warmer now but nowhere near as comfortable as his. And when he looked around he didn’t see a cup or mug or plate. The stovetop too was bare but he did spot an empty wrapper on the table beside the couch.
‘Is that all you’ve had to eat?’ he asked her, trying very hard to keep his voice even.
‘What’s it to you?’ she challenged.
‘Answer the question, Katherine,’ he said through gritted teeth.
‘Yes, but I don’t see how that’s any of your business.’
Honestly, could she be more aggravating? He should leave. He had checked on her, she was alive, so now he could go and enjoy his hot food.
But if she had no food here, he couldn’t just leave her.
‘I’ve already said I don’t want your death on my conscience,’ Lukas replied. ‘Get your things, I’m taking you to my cabin.’
‘Why?’ Katherine asked, making no attempt to move.
‘Because it’s warm and I have food.’
‘Don’t bother yourself. The storm is dying down, so the others will return soon.’ She turned away from him to look at the fireplace, which had nothing but ash in it.
‘We won’t be seeing anyone for a few days. They don’t know that we’re here. They think we’re out there somewhere,’ he said, pointing at the door, ‘because you ran off, which was an irresponsible thing to do. They won’t risk any lives in this weather. Helicopters can’t fly in this. There’s no visibility and they will likely organise a search before they come back here and only when it is safe to do so. So, you will stay with me because you are useless at survival. Get your things and let’s go.’
Katherine stared at him. The air grew thicker and thicker until it felt like he couldn’t breathe it in, but he wasn’t backing down. If she didn’t listen, he would carry her out.
Do it, his body begged but he stood resolutely where he was.
‘Fine.’
She disappeared from the room and he collected whatever food he could carry to his cabin to keep them alive. He waited an eternity that was truthfully only a few minutes, and Katherine returned rolling a small hardshell bag behind her.
‘Let’s go,’ Lukas said, taking the bag from her and leading her through the snow into his cabin. ‘Leave your coat and shoes by the door,’ he instructed as they entered, ‘and then sit in front of the fire.’ It was so much warmer in here. With their coats hanging up, they would be warm and dry the next time they had to put them on.
‘What smells so good?’ Katherine asked, listening to him without complaint for once.
‘Porridge and berries. Would you like some?’
‘I would, but didn’t you make it for yourself?’ He watched her wring her hands, clearly uncomfortable to be in his space. A small, uncharitable part of him was glad of it.
‘I did but I can make more.’
‘Thank you,’ she said, looking around as she made her way to the kitchen counter with three tall bar-stools on one side. His cabin was a lot larger than the one she and the crew shared. The touches more luxurious. There were perks to being who he was.
