She hung up and set her phone on the counter.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I took a shower and borrowed one of the shirts in the bedroom,” she said as color crept up into her cheeks.
“I don’t mind, I’m glad you found something to wear.”
She watched as I shimmied out of my jacket. “You didn’t find him?”
“It’s hard to tell.”
She crossed the room and handed me her coffee. “You look like you could use this more than me.”
A strawberry scent filled my nose momentarily, catching me off guard. I leaned in and sniffed again. “Where did you get the shampoo?”
“It was in your bag along with some bubble bath.” She gestured to the black bag my sister had given me. I guess your last girlfriend forgot to unpack it the last time you hiked up here.”
I took a sip of the coffee. The strong brew heated my throat, just as much as knowing she was unharmed warmed my soul. “I don’t bring women up here and my sister packed that bag.”
“That was nice of her if a bit strange, unless of course you take bubble baths and use girly shampoo.” Destiny said.
“She probably thought I stunk.” I lied, unwilling to divulge that my sister had probably been expecting this.”
“I guess that’s lucky for me,” she said as a blush flushed her cheeks. She took my jacket and wiped the remaining snow off of it before hanging it up. “What did you mean when I asked if you found him and you answered hard to tell.”
I pulled up the footprint picture with my phone and showed it to her. “Unless Putnam has some small feet, I don’t think he stole all the food and blankets from my family’s old homestead.”
She took the phone and sat down on the couch. “His feet are bigger than that.” She glanced up at me through her dark lashes. “Are you telling me there’s more than one person on this mountain? In this storm?”
“It’s looking that way.” I moved to the map of the mountain, which was behind the glass hanging on the wall. “We’re here, and my ancestors’ homestead is here.” I pointed to the two spots. “There was nothing at the last GPS location from Putnam’s watch, which is between these two points.”
“If he wasn’t there, where is he?” Destiny’s voice was worried as she handed back the phone.
“Seeing how the weather changed, I’m guessing we’ll find him sheltered someplace else. There are four caves. And while they won’t provide warmth, they would block the wind and snow. There is one in each direction, but they’re within hiking distance. We can check one, maybe two in a day.”
“Does anything live in those caves?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Animals own these woods. It’s possible. We’re going to need to get an early start in the morning. Why don’t I help you with the blankets and you can get some sleep.”
“It’s too cold in the room,” she said, glancing in that direction, “I think it best to sleep near the fire.” She gestured to the blankets on the couch. “It looks like a pullout couch. I think we can both fit.”
I left her standing there, grabbed some more blankets from the closet, and returned to drop them into a chair next to the couch. “You get the bed. I’ll take the chair.”
Destiny tsked. “Don’t be silly. We’re both adults.”
“I’ll take the chair,” I said and made a fresh pot of coffee. Pouring more caffeine in my gut would keep me awake.
The chair was the perfect escape. Being close to her made me realize that a soft touch still affected me. I’d been without female companionship for way too long.
I helped her pull out the bed. She climbed onto the mattress with one of the thicker blankets pulled up to her waist. Her eyes were glassy and her lids drooping. She had to fight to keep them open. My gaze dropped to her lips. Pouty and kissable.What the hell was I thinking?
“Do we have enough supplies to last four days to check the caves?” she asked.
I cleared my throat and moved to the fire to poke at the logs before adding more. “It won’t be five-star eating, but we have plenty up here and, in the storage, out back to last us a month if not longer for situations just like this.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t take that long. I washed my clothes in the sink and left them hanging.” She snuggled under the blanket.
The fit of my jeans turned a lot tighter imagining her naked under that borrowed tee shirt.
I wasn’t some horny teenager in need of getting laid. Not that I’d stop Destiny if she tried to seduce me. Just imagining her legs wrapped around my waist as I slid inside…
“Damn it,” I muttered and rose from my seat.
“What’s the matter?” she asked.
“Nothing. I need a shower,” I said. A damn cold one. I hurried to the small bath, intent on escaping the strawberry scent of the woman I’d spend the next several days babysitting.
