Just then, the wolverine made a mad dash, passing right by Cole.He stuck his foot out—and I kid you not—tripped the bold, fearless wolverine, who immediately changed course and ran off.When we glanced back toward where the snowshoe hare had been, it was long gone.
“You saved her!”I beamed at him.
He looked a little sheepish and shrugged.“I tripped a wolverine.”
We started laughing together, not something I did often with almost-strangers.
I fell into step beside Cole when he said, “I’ll walk you back.Sun’s setting.It’s going to get colder soon.”
When we reached the area where I had parked—a little pullout along what I assumed was a gravel road when it wasn’t covered with snow and ice—Cole held my gaze.“Come out to see the sunset here soon.I’ll take you to the falls.”
“Maybe.”
I didn’t dwell on men.At all.I’d never even had a boyfriend.That was a story for another day.
My life had been my parents and my sister.My need to be independent overrode everything.I didn’t like to think about why.
I also didn’t like that I kept thinking about Cole in the hours that followed.Ididwant to see Heartfire Falls when the sun was setting.And yet, I was reluctant to drive back out there.
So I did what I usually did.I checked out places in town.I met people, but kept my distance.The coffee at Firehouse Café was extraordinarily good.And, the donuts?Out of this world.Downright holy.
A few days after the brief encounter with the wolverine, the snowshoe hare, and Cole, I went out to get dinner at Fireweed Winery.I’d been to their flagship location in Fireweed Harbor, so I knew the food had to be good.
When I got there, though, the place was packed.Just as I was debating what to do, a prickle of awareness skated down my spine.My bodyknewthat Cole Silver was nearby.
My head swiveled even though I tried to stop myself.But there he was.Our eyes locked.He met my gaze, a smile unfurling across his face.My belly did that swoony, flippy thing that only he seemed to elicit, and I’d only had one encounter with him.How could it be that this was ahimthing?
“Hey, Adele,” he said easily as he stopped beside me.
I glanced to his other side when another man joined us.“This is Haven, my brother.”He thumbed toward the man.
“Hi,” I replied simply.
“This is Adele.She hasn’t been out to see the falls yet,” Cole explained, all casual and seemingly unaffected by my presence.All the while, my body felt like it was about to short-circuit with my nerves sparking.
Haven looked remarkably like Cole—dark hair, blue eyes, generally similar handsome features with a few subtle differences.My body had absolutelynoresponse to him.
“You should come out to the falls,” Haven said warmly.“Cole mentioned he saw you out on the property and that you protected a snowshoe hare.We’re all hoping she’s still alive.”His tone was teasing.
A giggle slipped out, my cheeks flushing as Cole chuckled.“I guess maybe it was a little ridiculous, but Cole’s the one who tripped a wolverine,” I offered.
“I did,” Cole replied somberly.
“So, what brings you to the winery tonight?”Haven asked politely.
“I was planning to have dinner here, but—” I gestured toward the crowd “—the wait is almost an hour.”
“Oh, you can come with us,” Cole said.
“Um, what do you mean?”
“Our brother Jude got married.We’re having a celebration.Follow me.”
Next thing I knew, he and Haven led me into an event room.Cole’s presence beside me left me off-kilter, as if my feet were unsteady beneath me.I couldn’t believe it, but he kept me hot and bothered.He was clearly a flirt.A smile always at the ready, warm quips with everyone.And yet, it felt like he gave me special attention.
Those teasing blue eyes.That way he said, “Adele Jacks,” like my name was a secret only he was meant to know.I silently convinced myself I was deluded.It was just my hormones misreading him.
In short order, I was seated beside him at a long table and met his whole family.It was safe to say the Silver family was easy to recognize.All six brothers had dark hair and blue eyes of varying brightness.Their mother’s hair was mostly gray, but she shared those same eyes.Maggie was warm and kind and insisted I come out to dinner while I was in town.
