“How’s your head?” he asked. Setting the log carrier down next to the fireplace, he approached her with a concerned look when she didn’t immediately answer. “Eloise?” He reached out a hand but dropped it when she shied away.
“I’m fine. A little battered, a little embarrassed at the whole falling-down-a-hill thing, but I’m okay,” she said, tipping her chin to look up at him. He made her feel tiny, even though she was nearly six feet tall herself. Her brows snapped together. “Wait. How do you know my name?”
The corner of his lips quirked up. “I’ve known you since you were in high school, Eloise Fisk.”
“What? No way. I’d remember someone like you.” There were several bear shifter families in the region, though only one went to the same high school as her.
“I’m not the same awkward beanpole I was at seventeen,” he said, a grin flashing across his face. “And I can’t say I’m surprised you don’t remember me. I tended to hide in my room when you came over to hang out with my sister, Briar.”
She cocked her head, studying him, his distinct features coalescing into something more familiar. “Roarke Hargrove? Is that really you?”
4
ROARKE
“Holy shit,” Eloise said, her eyes wide as she studied him. “Roarke Hargrove. I cannot believe how much you’ve changed.”
He huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, well, sixteen years as an active duty Marine will do that to you.”
“You’re telling me. Grew a lot of muscles while you were in there, didn’t you?” she said, giving his chest a pat. A disconcerted expression crossed her face, and she poked at his pectoral muscles.
He resisted the urge to flex.
“Damn, Roar. You look good,” she said, drawing out the last word as she waggled her eyebrows at him. Her face lighting up with a wide grin, she patted his chest again, her fingers lingering a moment longer, before she flopped onto the couch and pulled a blanket over her lap. “And strange and awkward circumstances aside, it’s really nice to see you again.”
Turning towards the fireplace to hide the blush creeping up his neck, he crouched and set about getting a fire going to chase away the chill that had worked its way into the cabin. Eloise was as cheeky as she’d ever been, and even after all this time, he stillreacted to her like he was that shy seventeen-year-old kid with his first love.
“Gotta say, I’m happy it was you out there in the woods today and not some crazed serial killer.”
He spun on the balls of his feet to give her a look, the growing blaze in the hearth crackling and popping. “Why do I feel like I should be offended that you decided I’m not this crazed serial killer of which you speak?”
She let out a peal of laughter that wrapped around him like a warm blanket. “You’re right. I don’t know you well enough to make that judgement. Should I be afraid?”
“I mean, you are trapped in here with me,” he said, gesturing towards the outside.
She eyed the white stuff steadily falling outside and let out a low groan. “That’s a lot of snow. Are you saying there’s no way I can make it home tonight? It’s Solstice. I need to get back.”
“Afraid not,” he said with a shake of his head. “Most of the mountain roads are already closed because of the weather. With the buildup of ice on the lines, power’s out for much of the area. Some folks are calling it a snowpocalypse.”
“Seriously? Well, that’s a bit dramatic. Don’t they know that the weather will shift soonish and most everything will melt in a couple of days?” With a gasp, she sat up, the blanket slipping to the floor as she patted her pockets and pulled out her phone. “Speaking of… I’ve got to call my mother, let her know where I am.”
He walked into the kitchen and came back with the sat phone from his go-bag. “Cell service up here is spotty enough on good days. Here,” he handed her the boxy phone. “Use this. I can put yours on a charger until you’re ready for it.”
“Thanks.” She gave him a bright smile that made his knees go weak. “Mom is going to be so upset I won’t be home tonight for Solstice,” she muttered as she dialed the number.
“She’ll be happy you’re somewhere safe.”
“Snowed in with the serial killer?” she teased. “Yeah, she’ll be thrilled.”
He snorted and ducked into the kitchen to give her some privacy. In the meantime, he’d get dinner started. A nice-sized steak was marinating in the fridge, though he wouldn’t be grilling it outside as originally planned. Even with his bear-level tolerance of the cold, he had no desire to fight the elements just for some char marks and a smoky flavor. Pan-fried in cast iron would have to do. To round out the meal, he’d throw together a salad and toss some fries in the air fryer.
As he puttered around the kitchen, he kept sneaking glances at the woman curled up on his couch, talking to her mom. He couldn’t believe Eloise was here, in his house. It was a scenario he never would have dared to dream of as a teenager. Felt unreal so many years later. He’d been such a shy, introverted kid back then, and bubbly, funny, gorgeous Eloise, a year older than him and a senior, had been so completely out of his league it wasn’t even funny.
But having her here with him now felt right. This was where she belonged.Mate, his bear whispered.It’s meant to be. She’s ours.
Except she wasn’t. Yes, she was in his cabin at the moment, but as soon as the roads were cleared, she’d be gone, back to town, her shop, and her life.
When he retired from the Marines a couple of years ago and returned home to the Stonyburn area, he’d thought about looking her up but decided not to. If he was honest with himself, he’d been too chicken, afraid of facing rejection. Just like in high school.
