As we walk on, Atlas speaks up suddenly, remembering something. “There’s an old cabin down the forest trail, too. Came with the property. We can make the trip when you’re even stronger.”
His choice of words doesn’t go unnoticed. Even though these men saved me and the baby from freezing to death, and even though they’re taking care of me as I recover, they don’t treat me like I’m weak or helpless.
Grizz tugs gently on a lock of my hair, like a schoolyard taunt, only tender. “Give it another week, our snow queen will be running circles around us old men.”
Heat floods my chest that’s so intense it nearly steals my breath.
I imagine, briefly, them not only helping me and protecting me, but wanting me to stay with them.
In some future where I’m not running.
I cut the thought off before it fully takes shape. That isn’t what this is about.
Preston’s shadow looms large over my life, and running from one relationship straight into another doesn’t seem wise. Especially when I’m carrying a child.
Maybe my feelings for these older men are only based on the fact that they saved my life.
But the idea of something more lingers like the afterglow of a struck match.
These men, so rugged and capable, are becoming the center of my world faster than I can process. And for the first time since finding out my fiancé was a monster, something that feels an awful lot like hope is stirring inside me.
I loosen my scarf because my throat has suddenly gone tight.
Mom, are you watching?
It’s easier to think that someone who’s watching over me guided me here than to believe in sheer coincidence and dumb luck.
Atlas gives me a questioning look. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Getting cold, I guess.” That’s one way to explain the tears prickling behind my eyes.
“Let’s get you inside.” Grizz wraps an arm around my shoulder, pulling me against him and rubbing his hand up and down my arm to generate heat. It has the intended effect, maybe in more ways than he planned.
They guide me back to the house, help me with my outerwear and boots in the mudroom, then lead me into the living room so I can warm up in front of the fire.
Warmth is blooming inside me long before Atlas pokes at the logs in the fireplace to stoke the flames.
Hope isn’t just stirring. It’s starting to take root here, under the snow. With them.
And I don’t think I want to stop it.
CHAPTER 11
ATLAS
Viper’s down in his office, multiple screens glowing and updating. Grizz disappeared into the workshop hours ago and is likely humming off-key while he welds or hammers away.
Which leaves the main floor quiet enough for me to hear Kira pad in wearing socks, leggings, and one of the sweaters I picked out for her.
She stops when she sees me sitting at the kitchen counter. “You’re still up?”
“I’m about to finish the last of the dishes. I’ve had the skillet soaking.”
“I can get that for you.” The gentle smile on her face hits me harder than it should.
I should say no. She’s still recovering from her injuries, and I prefer to handle things myself. Despite that, I find myselfsaying, “I’ll wash. You can dry.”
The way she stands next to me at the sink, a towel ready in her hand, stirs up memories I usually keep locked away.
