“Adam, can you take us to that little cabin in the woods hotel we stayed at when we visited your parents for Thanksgiving?” Ben asked as he settled into the backseat with Hannah tucked up next to him.
Hannah looked at him in question. “Adam and I went through basic and tech school together. The first holiday we had free we drove up to his parent’s house and stayed at this hotel in the woods where you stay in cabins. It's really off the grid and perfect for what we need.”
Hannah nodded and watched the scenery go by as they drove. She didn’t care where theystayed as long asshe didn’t have to go home yet. It was all so familiar and yet so different than what she remembered. She had grown up loving this place and thought she would live here until she was old and gray. Now, it felt like a strange city and a strange place. She didn’t feel like she belonged here anymore. She belonged in California with Ben. She had every intention of going back with Ben after she saw her family. She would becloseto her brothers now.
She felt Ben take her hand and she held onto it like a lifeline.
“Where’s Sheriff Little?”Benasked Adam.
“He had some business to finish up at the office and make a couple rounds. Doubt you’ll see him on this trip.”
“Hannah, you remember him, don’t you? Sheriff Little has been the Sheriff in this area for years. Used to scare the dickens out of poor Adam here as a kid but now he works under him.”Bentold her.
Hannah nodded and looked back out the window. She vaguely remembered the man. He always wore an intimidating scowl and got off on scaring little kids. She had made it a habit of avoiding him and thankfully the woods were vast for her, Adam, and Ben to avoid him.
“You okay?”
Hannah rolled her eyes. “Ben, I love you, but I swear to god if you ask me that again I’ll scream. I’m fine this is just a lot to take in all at once and I am just trying to process it. I’m fine.”
Adam laughed from the front of the car but sobered up whenBenturned, and both Hannah andBenglared at him. “I’m sorry, but she really is your match in every way. Always was.”
Hannah lost her glower and smiled. She never let Ben get away with anything growing up. They had both challenged each other. They wereperfectlymatched she guessed. “Thanks.”
Twenty minutes later they pulled into a dirt driveway and drove up a steep incline to a cabin. It was nestled a few miles from the main road and was surrounded by woods. It was beautiful. If she wasn’t so nervous about tomorrow, she might appreciate it more. Maybe she and Ben could come back sometime and spend a weekend just the twoof themhere. The thought had merit.
“What is going on in that devious little brain of yours?”Benasked, leaning over to whisper in her ear before they got out of the car.
Hannah blushed at being caught daydreamingabout said weekend. “Now I really want to know what you were thinking about.” He teased.
“That it’s a nice cabin,” Hannah said evenly, not wanting to give anything away. She grabbed her bag and headed for the front door.
“And?” He prompted, running up behind her with his duffle. He somehow knew there was more than what she was saying.
Hannah sighed heavily and rolled her eyes. Military men, or maybe it was just this man. He was so persistent. He knew there was more than met the eye and he pursued it relentlessly. “I was only thinking that we could spend a weekend here sometime. Just the two of us.”
Bengroaned in pleasure at the thought. It amazed him that they had been thinking about thesame thing. “I think that can be arranged.”
Adam cleared his throat and walked ahead of them since they had stopped just shy of the front steps and went inside. There was only one bedroom and a couch that was a pullout.
“We're we all supposed to fit in here?” Hannah asked in disbelief as she looked around.
“I thought the last time we were here there were two bedrooms?”Benasked looking from the bedroom to the couch knowing hewas not going to getto sleep with Hannah tonight.
“That was a different cabin. I called ahead, but this was all they had available. I figured Hannah can take the bedroom and we can crash on the couch.”
Hannah was just as skeptical asBen. There was no way two full grown men over six feet tall would fit on the couch. “How about Ben sleeps in the bed with me and you take the couch? There is no way the two of you will fit on that thing.”
Benturned his predatory black eyes on her. “You don’t mind?” She knew he was trying to be a gentleman, but she had to lay downsomeground rules.
“Sleeping only.” Not that she wouldn’t mind making love with him again, but she didn’t want to do it with their childhood friend sleeping less than 100 feet away.
“On that note, you guys get settled. I’m going to make a few calls.” Adam all but ran out of the room. Hannah didn’t blame him. The cabin was charged with electric energy bouncing off her and Ben.
Ben just watched her for a moment before a mischievous grin broke across his face. “Alone at last.”
Hannah’s eyes widened a fraction and glanced back and forth from him to the front door. He couldn’tpossiblybe thinking that, could he? No. His friend was right outside the door and could comein at any time. Hannah spun on her heel and ran to the bedroom wondering if she could close the door on him before he-
Bengrabbed her around the waist, spun her then threw her over his shoulder, and carried her into the bedroom.
