Reminding herself she wasn’t in the habit ofterrorizing the wounded, she decided she would make it her personalmission to bring Ronan back to the land of the living. Beratingherself, she couldn’t believe she’d missed a classic wounded animalbiting and snapping in defense. Reminded her a bit of herself afterher parents had died.
~
“Sandwiches,” Payson shouted across the emptyshop as she walked in. For now, she left the sign onClosed.Not busy today anyway due the heavy snow in tonight’s forecast.There had been light dustings of snow here and there, but nothingbordering on blizzard since she’d lived here, to her greatdisappointment. But, she’d heard the past few years had beenunusually mild.
She found she looked forward to the snow likea school kid wishing for a snow day. Being snowed in for a few dayssounded thrilling and relaxing all at once.
Finishing drilling the board he had beenworking on, Ronan didn’t break his concentration. She knew he heardher for the grunt he’d given her, but so far, he hadn’t looked up.He had incredible focus.
What would it be like if that focus weredirected on her? Holding up the large board, his arms flexed,corded muscles tense as he drilled in the screw the rest of the wayin. She could stand and watch all day. Was it getting hot inhere?
Board in place, Ronan set down his tools andturned toward her. “Thanks.” He accepted the offered paper-wrappedsandwich. Huh. Maybe he had a few manners. She’d been waiting forhim to snipe at her for some reason.
Payson looked around for somewhere to set thedrinks so they could eat together, but the table had disappeared.Reading her mind, he took the drinks from her and set them on theshelf he’d just finished.
“Grilled ham and cheese. I wasn’t sure whatyou’d like, so I went with comfort food for a cold day. I was goingto grab some tomato soup to go with it, but they only had chowderor beef stew today, which didn’t sound as good.” Was she babbling?Maybe. Wouldn’t be the first time.
With a nod, he unwrapped the sandwich. Notthe hungry bear devouring it that she had pictured, instead he atepolitely as if they were at a formal dinner. Although, he certainlywasn’t skilled at conversing politely. “Nice progress in here,” shesmiled serenely as she admired how the room was coming together,wishing he’d say something and spare her from further inaneconversation attempts.
He finished the sandwich and wiped his handsand mouth with his napkin. After a sip of water, he finallyreplied, “Getting there. I’ve got quite a bit to assemble still,and the table will take me some extra time. I hope you don’t mindgoing without for a while.” He glanced her way, his glacial blueeyes locking with hers for the briefest of moments. It was enoughto make her feel warm and tingly all over.
“Sure, of course. I’m so excited to see thewhole thing put together. It was quite pathetic before. I’d justsort of moved in and spent as little money as possible back herewhere the customers wouldn’t see, but I just hadn’t gotten aroundto upgrading yet. Maybe I’ll actually stay organized if I startfresh.” Babbling again. What was going on with her?
She could hardly squeeze in a few bites ofher sandwich; the butterflies in her stomach didn’t leave much roomfor lunch. She wasn’t even attracted to the grizzly. Not in anynormal way; maybe in a pheromonal, primitive way. A deep warmthfilled low in her belly, and lower, as she pictured him in veryprimitive ways.
Must be watching him working so hard, flexingthose spectacular muscles, that sheen of sweat from the labor. Theman exuded testosterone, danger, competence… sensuality. Somethingin the way he walked like a tiger on the prowl, the deep rumble inhis voice. The way his eyes looked into her, reading her.
Her hormones did a little dance every time heentered a room. Her ovaries stood and cheered every time he so muchas looked at her. She needed to get a life.
9
Blustering wind nearly blew his truck off the road.Ronan gripped the wheel as he drove down Beachfront Street, headingfor Winter’s Tavern for his weekly socialization, as promised. Thistime, Maddy had insisted they go out with friends.
Last week he’d joined his family at hisparent’s for dinner, the week before he’d hung out with Aiden athis place. He was actually enjoying getting to know his familyagain. After all this time, he’d forgotten what an amiable,disarming unit they were.
Dark had fallen, the snow finally arriving,and he felt like he was flying through it at warp-speed. He’d spentlast winter in Algeria, the one before in Iraq, and had forgottenwhat cold really felt like. He found it invigorating. Like areminder that he was still alive. The numbness he’d shieldedhimself with couldn’t withstand the freezing temperatures.
Winter’s was relatively busy for such astormy night. Although, this was nothing for the locals. Life wenton, no matter the weather.
Not that he’d ever been inside; he’d lefttown well before he’d been old enough to go in and hadn’t beenback. The beloved local dive bar was the favorite watering hole forthe fishermen and other laborers. He supposed that now includedhim. Not that his occupation was permanently as ahandyman-slash-delivery-driver-slash-shop-boy. Once Payson found anew assistant, he had no idea what he was going to do with histime.
She wasn’t such a terrible boss; sexy as helland a bit snooty, but she was thoughtful. Always ensuring he waswell fed and well paid. Not that he needed the money, but shedidn’t know that.
Nine years of not spending a dime of his ownmoney made for healthy investments. Plus, thewe’re-sorry-you-almost-died money from the government didn’t hurt.For larger deliveries, she’d come along with him and had shown somedecent muscle, hadn’t shied away from grunt work.
Yeah, maybe she wasn’t so bad. Not that he’dtell her that; he didn’t want to think what might happen if he lether get close. His demons wouldn’t do her a damn bit of good. He’dstick to his bedtime fantasies; no need to ruin her life the wayhe’d ruined his own.
Backing into the parking spot, he saw Paysonhopping out of Chase’s truck. First time he’d seen her not wearinga long skirt or dress, but she was still purely feminine. She worea leather miniskirt and black suede boots that just covered herknees, topped with a relaxed gray sweater. Ronan made for thegroup, trying not to stare at her mile-long legs.
Maddy and Chase held hands, laughing togetherabout some inside joke, and headed into the tavern. Ronan stoppedPayson before she went in, “I could have driven you.” Why would hesay that? She wasn’t his responsibility. Maddy and Chase livedcloser to her anyway.
A look of confusion passed over her as shelooked up at him. With a shy smile, she added, “Thanks. I hadplanned to drive myself until I saw the snow. My old rear wheeldrive doesn’t perform very well in the snow.” Still a few feet fromthe doorway, she stared up at him. Snowflakes nestled in her hair,her cheeks lively with pink blush from the biting wind.
Uncomfortable with the good-natured attentionfrom her, the warm smile she was giving him, he cleared his throatand guided her inside. “We’d better head in. It’s cold out here.”When they weren’t arguing, he sure had difficulty figuring out whatto say to her. Damn cat had his formerly silver tongue and wasn’tletting go.
The tavern was hopping. Winter, the seasonedowner and bartender, had pushed most of the tables into the cornerfor a makeshift dance floor, which he did a few days a month.Dancing hadn’t started yet but was due to start soon.
The place was clean and inviting, but wasn’twinning any beauty contests, with its scuffed-up floors, antiquatedbilliard tables, and a scattering of other well-worn classic taverngames. A delicious smell emanated from the kitchen, making Ronanwish he hadn’t already eaten.
