I push away from the window and grab my keys.
"I’ll swing back by and talk to her. Unofficial town welcoming committee and all."
Dean laughs outright. "Right. Because you’re very civic-minded."
"Shut up."
"Just saying. You didn’t look like you were thinking about infrastructure when you spoke to her earlier."
I don’t respond to that. Because when I took that first bite—
Her whole face lit up. Pride. Anticipation. Hope.
Like my opinion mattered. And I liked that too much.
Dean lowers his voice slightly. "She seems like good people, Jake."
"I’ll make sure she has somewhere safe to stay tonight. And congrats again man, couldn’t be happier for you."
I hang up before he can say anything else.
Snow thickens as I cross the street. By the time I reach her truck again, the storm has committed. A Winter Storm Warning alert buzzes on my phone.
She’s outside now, stacking trays, stubborn written all over her posture.
"You planning to outrun a Montana blizzard in that cupcake-mobile?" I call over the wind.
She turns immediately.
"It’s a food truck."
"It’s about to be a snow globe."
She narrows her eyes at me.
"I’ll be fine."
"Road closes soon," I say evenly. "You can argue with me now, or thank me later. I’ve got an extra room. You’re welcome to it. No strings attached." I step back, giving her space.
Dean and Harper see us as they are locking up the bookstore.
"Madison," Harper says gently as she steps forward, "Jake’s place is safe and comfortable. If I didn’t have Dean dragging me home right now to celebrate, that’s where I’d be asking to stay."
Dean nods once. "Road’s icing fast. Fifteen minutes, maybe less."
"I’ll take the couch," I say evenly. "You can lock the bedroom door. This isn’t a move. It’s weather."
Another gust rocks the truck.
She looks at the road. Then at her truck. Then at me.
I don’t push.
I know what it looks like: a guy offering a place to stay in the middle of a storm. I also know what that road turns into when ice sets in.
I’ve seen the wreckage. I won’t see it again.
"Please, Madison," I say quietly. Not forceful. Not demanding. Just honest.
