But that’s not what I’m thinking about when I look at Cash Thorne. In fact, I wish she’d never even suggested it. Because all I can think about is the way his touch sends thrills straight to thebase of my spine, and the way something inside me flares to life when he tips his head and looks at me with those deep blue eyes.
But I can’t write about any of that. I am doing my very best to keep things professional and write the very best story I can. Wyatt and Anna have been so nice and welcoming to me.
And Cash, well…
I shake my head to clear it and refocus on my work, but I only get another sentence written before I’m plunged into darkness.
“Oh great,” I mutter, slapping my notebook closed. I prefer to write my first drafts by hand, and I haven’t even taken my laptop out of the bag.
I grab my phone and switch on the flashlight function. Cash did say that if the power goes out, I would need to light a fire to keep warm. The only problem I can see looking at the fireplace is that…I have no idea how to light a fire.
With my phone in one hand, lighting the way, I move across the room and crouch in front of the fireplace, fumbling for some wood.
“How hard can it be?”
Answer: very.
Within minutes, I’ve managed to knock over the log pile, burn my fingers twice with the matches, and I’ve cursed more than I probably should have. I’m on my hands and knees trying to stack the logs when I hear a rap on the door. “Kali?”
I turn, just as the door creaks open to reveal Cash holding a lantern, watching me from the door with a bemused expression on his face.
“Need a hand?”
I want to be a strong, independent woman. I want to be able to do this. But I also want to be warm.
I turn, half blinded by the light of the lantern. “Power’s out,” I say dumbly.
“I see that,” he chuckles. “What’s your plan there?” he nods toward the stack of wood I’ve piled in the fireplace. “Were you planning on using a blow torch to light it?”
I tip my head before holding up my hands in defeat. “I’ve never built a fire before.”
“You don’t say?” Cash laughs as he crosses the floor to me. “Mind if I take over?”
“Be my guest.” I shift over as he kneels beside me, and suddenly the cabin feels too small. The fresh smell of the snow outside clings to him, and when his shoulder brushes mine, my whole body goes still. If he notices, it doesn’t seem to affect him the same way.
Cash moves with confidence and ease. First, he pulls out almost all of the wood I’d piled in the ashes, and starts building a teepee with smaller pieces, paper, and wood shavings. Within minutes, he lights a match, and the flames catch, flickering to life.
I watch in awe as he blows gently into the fireplace, coaxing the flames higher as he adds bigger and bigger pieces of wood.
Soon, the room is lit up with a warm glow.
“Thank you.”
“It’s no big deal.”
“Not for you.”
Cash laughs again, gets to his feet, and holds out a hand to help me up. “You’re welcome to come over to the house if you’re cold here. If the power stays out too long, Wyatt will get the generator going.”
I hesitate. “I hate to be an imposition. You’ve all already been so generous.”
“We won’t mind at all,” Cash says. “But if you do want to head over, we should give them a few minutes. If I know those two, they’re taking full advantage of the power being out.”
“Oh.” Heat rushes to my face as I catch his meaning. “Maybe I’ll just stay here then.”
“I don’t blame you.” He nods. “Maybe I’ll stay a few minutes, too.”
For a moment, it’s quiet except for the gentle crackle of the fire as we both stand and stare at the flames. After a moment, Cash lowers himself onto the couch, stretching an arm along the back. “Mind if I sit?”
