Everyone would be shocked as hell if I showed up at either of those two places. Especially if I showed up with a woman.
The whole town had given up on me dating or having much of a social life after I got discharged from duty. I’d been like a beat-up, old mountain bear for years, out here licking my wounds in the woods with no one around to see me.
If she were willing to go with me, I guess I’d be her escort. I didn’t want Robin trying to spend Christmas Eve by herself in a town where she didn’t know anyone. That sounded lonely. And whileImight be used to being alone, I got the feeling she’d prefer some company.
Plus, she was obviously a fan of the holiday. That much was evident from the white and red candy-striped hat on top of her head. It looked like a peppermint swirl and made her seem like a delicious piece of dessert.
I didn’t knowwherethese thoughts were coming from. I hadn’t been with a woman for years. But something about Robin was making me feel crazy.
Chapter 8
Robin
My heart was doing something weird in my chest. It was like a relentless pitter-patter, a thrumming song. It was so loud I wondered if he could hear it.
“I’d absolutely love to spend Christmas Eve with you, Levi. Are you sure I’m not intruding?”
“Naw. It sounds nice,” he said in a low-key drawl while he made us breakfast.
I knew he was trying to help me feel welcome, and that was sweet of him. I hadn’t known what to expect when I embarked on this crazy mission. Nothing like this.
We settled into a comfortable silence, and I watched him work while the dogs played at our feet.
After a while, I looked up motel listings. There was a Silver Pines Lodge in town. Plus a place called the Whispering Ridge Cabins. Then a few Airbnb listings. I swallowed hard at the prices. I made decent money at my job, but I hadn’t planned to pay for a two-week hotel stay at a fancy lodge.
I closed my phone without booking anything as he finished plating our meals. It was nice to know what the options were. I’d ask Levi which place he suggested later on.
He slid two steaming plates onto the table. Then dropped two slices of bacon on the floor for the dogs.
“You’re not one of those anti-begging people, are you? A dog’s got to make a living somehow.”
My lips quirked up. “Did you just make a joke, Levi?”
He furrowed his brow. “Naw. That was just me being silly.”
For some reason it made me happy knowing he had a funny side in him. The letter I’d read had been from a broken man. Maybe he’d done some mending during the past three years.
“Well, to answer your question, I don’t normally give Cocoa any treats except for one late-night snack before bed. But as long as you remember she’s a tiny Chihuahua and doesn’t need too many calories, I’m okay with you sneaking her a treat. She’s on an adventure, too.”
Levi glanced down at her. “She’s a cute dog. And Comet seems to like her.”
“That’s your dog’s name?”
“Yup.”
“Have you had him for a long time?”
“Naw, he’s a rescue. My sister got him for me last year at Christmas. Said I neededsomeoneto keep me company, even if it was just a dog.”
I looked around while we dug into breakfast. Levi was a fine cook.
“She doesn’t approve of you being out here isolated by yourself? She sounds like a good sister,” I told him in between bites.
He shook his head. “This is exactly where I should be.”
“That’s right. Hiding from the world. You said as much in your letter.”
A flash of discomfort rolled across his face. “I don’t remember exactly what I wrote, but you shouldn’t pay attention to any of it. My niece made me write it.”
