Kate paced backand forth in the foyer of her dad’s house. The clock in the living room read six thirty. She’d woken up from the nap to an empty bed. Part of her wished that Logan would have climbed back into it with her. She was ready to forgive him for the past. After all, she’d grown into a strong woman, capable of dealing with everything herself. Well, almosteverything.
She eyed the boarded-up windows. At least she hadn’t had to smash them all out. Some were still in good repair. Tomorrow, her damn arm would hurt less and she’d be able to tackle the replacement phase. After that, she’d see about getting up on the roof to replace any missing or broken shingles. The faster she worked, the faster she could get out of West Yellowstone and away from the feelings that were bubbling upinsideher.
Across the plain, Christmas lights twinkled around the windows at the B&B. In the stillness of the night, faint laughter drifted toward her house as if tempting her to take Logan up on hisoffer.
She turned away and padded into the kitchen. After surveying the lack of food in the fridge, her stomach grumbled. She was hungry enough to actually consider his invitation. Maybe she could just eat and run. Logan wouldn’t expect her to hang around long, would he? It was probably just his way of making a peaceoffering.
Chilly air blew in through a crack near the window. The house creaked as snow slid from the roof to join the growing pile outside. Loneliness invaded her heart. She could continue to mope around here, alone, or she could suck it up and join Logan at his family’sB&B.
She returned to the front door and began the process of bundling up. The storm had stopped an hour ago, but had left the temperature belowfreezing.
After zipping up a charcoal-gray winter coat, she donned a pair of red gloves and snow boots. As she opened the door, a gust of wind blew a swirling cloud of snow into the room. She carefully stepped onto the porch and closed the doorbehindher.
The trip to the B&B took less than ten minutes, but it was enough time to shake her confidence. What was she doing? What happened to her plan of coming home, selling the house, and getting back to her life as quickly aspossible?
It was just dinner.Right?
Her desire to see Logan had nothing to do with the way he’d kissed her. Or with the way he’d completely claimed her body with his tongue. God, if he was that amazing with his tongue, what could he do with the rest ofhisbody?
As she approached the B&B, the laughter grew louder. A huge Christmas wreath hung over the front door. Boughs of holly decorated a wooden swing on theporch.
Warmth and love radiated from the house. It drew her in and made any last bit of hesitation disappear. She climbed the sturdy porch and was about to knock when the doorswungopen.
“You came,” Logan said as he stepped out togreether.
“I didn’t have anything to eat at the house,” she saidsheepishly.
“I’m glad you’re here. We have more thanenough.”
She bit the edge of her lip. His hair was damp, probably from a shower. A naked,hot,sexy—
“Let’s go inside, it’s warmer.” He wrapped his arm around hershoulder.
She stopped just before the closed door. “Before we go inside… aboutearlier.”
“I was a jerk. I shouldn’t have taken advantageofyou.”
“You didn’t,” she said, lowering hervoice.
“You were hurting and vulnerable. And all I could think about…” His eyes searched her face. “I’msorry.”
“I’mnot.”
“Really?” He tilted his head slightly and a hope-filled smile passed acrosshislips.
She flushed and looked away. He gently grasped her chin and turned her face toward his. Drawn to him with undeniable yearning, she stepped closer. As he moved to take her into his arms, the front door opened and a small boytoddledout.
“Uncle Logan, Mommy says come inside before the snow monstergetsyou.”
“Jimmy! Come back here.” A curvy woman with long, curly tendrils of chestnut hair burst through the door. She grabbed the boy’s hand. “I’m sorryaboutthat.”
“Kate, this is Rachel and her son, Jimmy. She’s engaged to my brother, Brady,”Logansaid.
“Nice to meet you,” Katereplied.
Even though she’d stepped away from Logan, putting a respectable distance between them, heat crept up her neck and into her face. Rachel had to know she’d been a second away from kissingLogan.
“I’ve heard a lot about you.” Rachel stepped forward tohugher.
