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It had been a rough night. And then to come back from felling a tree in the forest to see her swinging the axe around. Last night she was wearing a big, cozy sweater. In truth, all I had taken in was her pretty face, big eyes and a sexy mouth. But today she is in jeans and a t-shirt. And she looked damned good from behind as she raised the axe over her head, doing a little hip sway as she swung downwards. No technique at all. But the movement showed off her curves beautifully.

I had been eager to talk to her again. To find out more about this stranger from out of town who can set my blood on fire with just one look. It was frustrating that she wouldn’t make eye contact. Barely looking straight at me. And then she runs off like someone lit a fire under her.

I’m intrigued by the lady. But if she doesn’t want anything to do with me, then I guess I should leave her alone. She might be attracted to me. And I’m sure as hell attracted to her. But I don’t know anything about her. She’s just a city girl renting the cabin from me for the weekend.

But for now I’ll finish chopping this wood. I should have had a fire going for her arrival last night. I’m just not great at being organized with stuff like that. But chopping the rest of the wood now will give me something to do. Get my mind off Mia. And what I would like to do to Mia. How I would like to kiss her. Run my hands over her body. Push her up against a wall and push my body against hers. Damn it. I’m meant to be not thinking about her.

Piling the last bits of wood into the wheel barrow, I take it over to the cabin, debating whether to knock on her door or just leave it for her to find. The urge to see her again wins as I knock gently on the cabin door. After a moment she is there and I feel my resolve to stay away from her dissolve. I’ve never been very good at following rules. Even my own. She is just the prettiest woman I think I’ve ever seen.

“I got this wood for you.” I run a hand through my hair, feeling awkward. “I can come in and get the fire going for you if you like?”

She picks up several bits of wood, shaking her head. As much as I want to spend time with her, I’m not going to push it. But I turn around with an empty feeling of rejection. She said she was writing. But maybe tomorrow I will invite her to the Fall Festival.

And then I hear Mia scream. Racing back into the cabin, I see her up on a chair, dancing. “Spiders! spiders!” she screams.

I look down and see two little spiders scurrying under the lounge. In a couple of long strides across the room, I reach her. In one swift movement I have her over my shoulder to carry her to safety just outside of the cabin. Once deposited on the ground, I go back in.

“Please don't kill them.” She calls after me. I go and grab a glass and catch the two spiders under the lounge. Then I find another one halfway on its way up the wall. Covering the glass with a plate I take them outside and put the contraption on the outside table before turning back to Mia.

“I'll take these far away from the house.”

“Did you get them all?” She asks.

“I'm pretty sure. Should be safe in there for you now. And they're just grass spiders. They won't hurt you.”

“Okay.” She looks adorable, all flustered and worried. Big wide eyes blinking at me. I lean against the doorframe, looking at her, crossing my arms. “Unless you want to come and sleep with me in the big house?”

I make the offer with a friendly smile. But I can’t help the sexy implication of those words. And the wicked thoughts that accompany the idea of Mia sleeping over in my house.

Chapter 4

Mia

I’m not sure what to think about Ronan. He is always there smiling at me. Looking at me. He is out of this world good looking, I think he must just be being friendly. Small town charm and all that. But I’m keeping my guard up.

I am determined to make it as a romance writer. My first book is so close to being done. And I have a whole series planned. I need to lock myself away and concentrate on the writing. I don’t have time for sexy, shirtless lumberjacks who can distract me with just a smile.

Plus, this is my first trip away. I am a strong, independent woman. Spiders freak me out, but the crisis is over now. I can do this! I’m not going to let some little insect send me running. With their creepy little legs and the fact they might be crawling all over me in the night. I’ll go buy some bug spray.

“I will be fine.” I tell him and myself at the same time.

Ronan looks a little disappointed. But I am feeling strong and proud. He turns and leaves. I gingerly pick up another bit of wood from the pile. Dropping it at the fireplace. Kicking at it to make sure no bugs come running out. And then, turning, something on the bed catches my eye.

A little black spot on the bedspread. Another spider! A huge spider! The big daddy spider!

On my bed!

Staring right at me!

“Ronan!” I call out. Grabbing things I’ll need to take with me. “Wait, I’m coming with you.”

Strong independent woman be damned. If I have to choose between sharing a bed with spiders or hanging out with the sexy lumberjack….I guess I will just have to choose the sexy lumberjack.

The big house is beautiful. I would guess it was built around the 1920’s. Wooden floor boards, big rooms with high ceilings. It’s the kind of place I dream about when I’m sitting in my cramped little one bedroom, can hear the neighbours flush their toilet, city apartment. We enter in from the back and into the kitchen, which leads through to a formal dining room and then another living room at the front. There are stairs to the second floor. On the other side of the house is a massive, long room, the afternoon sun shining in through tall windows. There is a long table here that has a laptop down one end, paint cans, a drill, paperwork. It’s an obvious dumping ground for everything. But along one wall he is building built-in shelves. Hand made, beautifully carved shelves. Even the table looks handmade, and very similar to the table in my cabin.

“You did all this?” I ask.

He nods, looking around. “It’s what I’m good at. I like building furniture. But I can also put up dividing walls, fix banisters and wall trims, and install floor boards.”