“Because when you’re cold, I want you reaching for me.” His hands flexed at her waist as if he was fighting the urge to drag her closer. “Not him.”
Her heart was a wild bird trying to escape her chest. “I told you River’s just a friend, remember? There’s nothing between us.”
“Still don’t like seeing you in his clothes.”
She reached up and cupped his face in her hands. His jaw tensed beneath her touch, but he didn’t pull away. The stubble felt rough against her fingertips, a delicious contrast to the softness in his eyes.
“Let’s go outside,” she said. “I want to feel the snow.”
He nodded and released his hold on her waist with obvious reluctance. “Need better boots. And gloves. And a hat.”
“I’ll be fine for a few minutes.” She tugged on her boots without bothering to lace them fully, too eager to get outside. His flannel wrapped around her like the protective embrace of his arms, warmer than anything she owned.
When she opened the door, her breath caught. Overnight, the world had transformed. A pristine blanket of white covered everything, transforming the ranch into something magical. The trees wore white coats, their branches drooping under the weight. The path to the forge had vanished beneath several inches of snow, and more flakes drifted down, landing on her outstretched hand before melting.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, stepping off the porch. Her boots sank with a satisfying crunch that sent a childlike thrill through her. She took another step, and another, leaving a trail of footprints behind her. She tilted her face up. Cold kisses landed on her cheeks, her forehead, her eyelids. “Like the whole world’s been wiped clean.”
Anson watched her from the porch, a faintly amused expression on his face. “Won’t last long. Just the first dusting.”
“Thisis a dusting?” The idea that ankle-deep snow was considered minimal made her laugh. “What happens when it really snows?”
“Ten feet. Drifts higher than the porch. Sometimes the road to town gets blocked for days.” Anson stepped off the porch, boots leaving deep imprints next to hers in the fresh powder. “You sure you want to stay for that?”
Whether he meant it or not, the question carried weight beyond the weather. Was she planning to stay through winter? Through whatever came next with Landry? Through whatever was happening between them?
She took one look at him and knew the answer to those questions was a resounding yes. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He closed the distance between them and, for a moment, she thought he might pull her close again, might kiss her the way he had last night.
And she wanted it.
God, she wanted it.
Instead, he stopped short of touching her. “I should go feed the kittens breakfast.”
Retreating as usual.
Honestly, she wasn’t even surprised. Retreat seemed to be his default setting.
“Okay. Go. I’ll be there in a minute.” She lifted her arms and spun in a slow circle, taking it all in. “Guess since I’m staying, I’ll have to go into town and buy some actual winter clothes.”
He’d started to turn away, but at her words, he stopped, and his shoulders went rigid beneath his jacket. He turned back to her. “Not a good time to go into town.”
And just like that, reality intruded on the perfect moment. Landry. The voicemails. The threat hanging over her.
“I can’t hide forever, Anson.” She dropped her arms, squared her shoulders. “I panicked yesterday, but I meant what I said about being done with running. I need clothes, and I need to keep my commitment to those women at Haven House.”
“Then take Boone with you. Or Ghost.”
“And look like I need bodyguards?” She shook her head. “That would just confirm to Landry that I’m scared, that he still has power over me. Besides, Ghost is terrifying to normal people, and Boone...” She trailed off, remembering his kindness yesterday, his quiet support. “Boone’s wonderful, but the point is I need to do this on my own.”
Anson’s jaw clenched tight enough that she could see the muscle jump beneath his beard. “Not safe.”
“How about a compromise?” She stepped back onto the porch, close enough to catch the heat radiating from him. “I’ll ask Johanna to come with me. She looks like she can handle herself just as well as any of the men, but it will be girl time, not a security detail. Would that make you feel better?”
He studied her face, conflict evident in his eyes. Finally, he gave a short nod. “A little.”
“Then that’s what I’ll do. And when I get back, I’ll make us hot chocolate.” She rose on her tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. “With little marshmallows.”
