Her hair was still damp under the knit cap. She burrowed her chin and nose into the enormous wool coat that looked like it could swallow her whole. Only her eyes were visible, big blue moons looking back at him. Under normal circumstances he would have been tongue-tied. He’d never seen anyone prettier than Hilary at this moment. He opened the door wide to let her in.
“I was about to head over to see how you’re doing.” Dane looked her over. “I should have known Darcy would take care of you.”
Hilary smiled as she walked into the single room, her gaze sweeping over the interior. There wasn’t much to the cabin—a love-seat sofa bed, end table, kitchen table, and two chairs—but it was perfect for the week. The perfume from her hair filled his senses when she took off the hat, her hair tumbling onto her shoulders in soft waves.
“I’m fine,” she said. “It’s toasty in here.”
“I just turned the thermostat up to ‘broil.’”
She looked him up and down. “I wondered how you were doing too.” Her shoulders settled.
“Do you want to sit?” He motioned to the sofa while he pulled out a chair for himself. Her smile wavered when she looked at him. While she made a noble effort to appear fine, her shaky hand told him she was still unnerved by the whole experience. Hilary tugged the coat closer to her neck and sat on the sofa. He was again reminded of when he’d seen her at the airport, how small and alone she’d looked. But the annoyance was gone. Her irritability about coming to the conference alone seemed to have disappeared a little with each passing day.
She glanced around the cabin. “Sometimes I wish I could live in a place like this,” she mused. “A little one-room house with only the barest of necessities.”
Dane chuckled. “I think the same thing sometimes. But then I realize I couldn’t live without a pool table or my grandfather’s shot glass collection.”
“You collect shot glasses?” Her grin broadened.
“What? You don’t?”
Hilary giggled and looked down at her hands. She paused. “Thank you, Dane. For being the calm one.”
“What can I say? Lavender runs through my veins.”
“I’m serious.”
He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “I’m sorry. My go-to response for a crisis is to joke.”
Hilary nodded. It took awhile for her to speak again. “I feel like I need to explain—”
“You don’t need to explain anything. It was a very normal reaction.”
She raised her hand to stop him. “Dane, please. Let me talk.”
There were footsteps on the porch and then a knock. Darcy came in, her arms laden with fresh towels.
“I didn’t know if you needed any,” she said, thrusting them into his hands as soon as he opened the door. “Actually, these are an excuse for me to check on you. Are you okay? Hilary said you slipped.” She gave him a once-over. “You didn’t hurt yourself?”
“Only a bruised ego.” He rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes still on Hilary. Where was their conversation headed before Darcy interrupted? As much as he appreciated Darcy’s concern, he really wanted to hear what Hilary had to say.
Darcy’s shoulders dropped. “Thank goodness. You two are really lucky.”
Hilary stood. “I think I’m going to go lie down.” She walked around Darcy, heading toward the open door.
Darcy put a hand on her arm. “No, really. Stay. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Hilary hugged herself. “You didn’t. I’m suddenly really tired. Thanks again for this coat. It’s really doing the trick.”
“You’re welcome,” Darcy said.
Hilary paused a second longer, holding Dane with her gaze. The moment was suspended and something passed between them. He couldn’t name it exactly, but it was like an unspoken understanding of more to come. Her eyes did look weary. They also held answers to the questions running through his mind.
“We’ll talk soon,” she said to him.
After Hilary closed the door behind her, Darcy turned back to Dane, pressing her hand against her chest.
“She was really shaken up. I’m talking about a full-blown panic attack in her room. Luckily, she took something to help. I was right there.”
