Instead of heading south, toward Spokane, we headed north.I imagined a hunting shack somewhere in the mountains when Hugo mentioned he knew a place, I wasn’t expecting an entire house.A familiar one at that.
We only drove ten minutes out of town when he turned the pickup onto a dead-end mountain road with two houses I’m very familiar with: the Colter place, and the house Savvy built but sold to Phil when she first moved to town.She only lived in the house for a short while before moving in with Brant Colter on the farm a mile or so up the road, but she uses the place as a guest house for visitors and built her music studio over the garage.
Phil and Savvy’s father were waiting for us when we turned into the driveway.
I swear the main reason I slept like a log, after being scared out of my gourd last night, was because I couldn’t have felt any safer with Hugo and the dog, a state-of-the-art security system, Sheriff Colter senior and his collection of guns just up the road, and nobody knowing where we are.Not even Savvy.
“Apparently, Phil keeps the place stocked with the basics,” Hugo informs me.“And Ragnar already loves it here.Lots of new smells and plenty of greenery for him to mark.”
“What time is it?”
I look around for my phone but can’t find it.
“It’s nine thirty, and your phone is on the kitchen counter, charging.”
Nine thirty?I can’t remember the last time I slept in that late.I’m usually up before the crack of dawn to start…
“The coffee shop,” I cry out, scrambling out of bed.“The cleaning crew was coming at nine this morning.”
Hugo plucks the sloshing mug of coffee from my hand.
“Taken care of,” he calmly states.“Lola and Emmet are looking after things.”
“How…”
“Lola called early this morning, you were still deep asleep, so I answered your phone.”
The urge to object dissipates as quickly as it rises, and I plop down on the edge of the bed beside Hugo, reclaiming my coffee mug.
“So what’s the plan?What are we gonna do all day?”
I realize what a suggestive question that is when I catch the positively lecherous look on Hugo’s face.
“I could think of a thing or two.”
Not that his expression left much to the imagination, but his comment cements where his head is at.I would’ve thought I’d be annoyed by that kind of innuendo, but I’m not.In fact, I’m finding it a turn-on he seems to find it difficult to keep his hands or his eyes off me.I can honestly say I’ve never—to my knowledge—been the subject of someone’s blatant desire like that.I’ll admit, it’s a bit heady.
I’m seriously contemplating spending the entire day in bed with my handsome Viking, when the dog starts barking and a voice carries through the house.
“Yoohoo!Anybody here?”I can hear Phil call out from the other side of the house.“I hope y’all are dressed and decent and home, because I’ve got my hands full here and your dog is fighting me for the damn bacon.”
“I’ll go,” Hugo says, pressing a firm kiss to my lips.“You get dressed.It’ll be fun undressing you again later.”
I watch him leave the room, appreciating his casual attire of faded jeans and loose-hanging flannel shirt over a white tee.As much as I appreciate the dark jeans and navy shirt of his uniform, I like this laid-back look even better on him.It exposes a side of him I’m eager to explore.I have visions of long hikes, barbecues, campfires, and quality time spent with friends.
It takes me five minutes to splash some water on my face, give my teeth a quick brush, finger comb my messy do, and get dressed.I find Phil sitting at the kitchen island, a mug of coffee in front of her, chatting away with Hugo.He immediately turns his head with a faint smile on his lips, reaching out for me and pulling me to his side.
I find I no longer blush or get embarrassed at the public displays of affection.Quite the opposite, actually, I enjoy the way he publicly claims me, almost challenging those present to make anything of it.And I claim him right back, leaning into his side with my hand on his stomach as I smile at Phil.
“So what did you bring?”
“Just a couple of things I thought you might need.”
Hugo snorts.“A couple of things?It took me two more trips to haul all the groceries inside.You’d think we were preparing for Armageddon or something.”
“Don’t exaggerate,” Phil scolds him with a wave of her hand.“I just thought Bess might want to make use of this well-outfitted kitchen and try a few new recipes.”
Hugo pulls open the door leading to the laundry room and pantry, and points to the floor.The small space is packed full with a giant sack of flour, a big bag of regular and one of icing sugar, several large containers with spices, baking powder, powdered milk, chocolate chips, various kinds of nuts.Stacked on the washer and dryer are containers with fresh fruits, a couple of brand-new baking trays, a box of piping bags and tips, and a roll of parchment paper.
