Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

Colby felt his body slowly coming back to life. As the hot water flowed over his skin, needles of pain broke out in waves, concentrated down his forearms into his hands and fingers.

He groaned. The logical part of his brain seemed far away and hazy, but it somehow knew this was a good thing. Gradually the warmth replaced the numbness in the best of ways. He pressed his palms against the side of the shower and groaned again—this time with pleasure.

That was a close one. It was the first true thought for his awakening brain. Slowly he was coming back online.

Glancing down, he realized everything was now awake. Bet that had been a shock to his rescuing angel. Her words, Come on, big boy, echoed in his brain.

This time he groaned for other reasons.

The awareness that she was on the other side of the shower door didn’t help. He’d focused in on those gorgeous hazel eyes when the sheets of icy white had tried to do him in. She’d pulled him forward when he’d wanted to give up.

He turned his attention to letting the heat seep beneath his frigid skin. Eventually the water began to cool, sending shivers over him.

Thankfully he was able shut the water off himself. Was the lady with the beautiful hazel eyes still outside the door?

After the last drips, he heard the click of a door shutting. It took him a couple of tries to push the shower door open. A peek around showed a towel hanging within reach on the wall. His wet clothes hung over the edge of a clawfoot tub. Other clothes were folded in a neat pile on the sink. Probably a good thing she hadn’t left while he’d been showering. He could not imagine getting himself back up if he fell.

Stumbling across the room, he dragged on the warmest clothing he had—his thermals. Throwing his flannel shirt open over it, he glanced in the mirror. Well, this was a look, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. Since no one else had appeared, he had a feeling there wasn’t a man for him to borrow clothes from. Too bad, because he could really use some dry socks.

Now to prove to himself that his rescuer wasn’t an angel with flowing blonde hair and the blue-green eyes of an angel. He took a deep breath, then opened the bathroom door. From here, he could see that the kitchen was empty. One step into the living room, and she immediately stood.

But instead of a welcoming angel, her expression evoked thoughts of one who stood before the pearly gates with a deadly sword to tell you that you weren’t welcome. Yeah, an avenging angel instead. He had a feeling this was gonna be tough.

Conversation didn’t seem to be forthcoming but he had to start somewhere. “Hi, there.”

The stretch of her lips didn’t encourage him in the least. It was more forced than natural. The whine of the wind against the house didn’t warm him either. He reached for his usual good humor. “I guess I barged in without introducing myself. I’m Colby, Colby Shephard.”

“I saw that on your ID.”

“Good thing I had that with me. Look, thanks so much for letting me in?—”

“I don’t think you really gave me much choice.” She wrapped her arms around her waist, bunching up her oversized sweatshirt. “You broke down the door while I cowered in fear on the couch.”

Ouch. “Well, I was desperate. Forgive me?”

Again, the dreaded stare down, but he would not be deterred. He understood her discomfort, but there wasn’t any changing it now.

“I’m so grateful there was someone here to help me. I didn’t think this house was occupied after Maria moved out.”

“It wasn’t.”

Ah, good to know. “But I certainly wouldn’t have survived overnight in this weather.”

She cocked her head to the side. “Why were you on the road anyway?”

“Well, I was at a rescue scene for a young woman who ran off the road. The way back to my apartment had a tree down over it, so I went the long way...not realizing it would end up being a really long way.”

“At least you can head on once they get the roads open.”

She definitely didn’t seem to want him here, which was a problem. “You do realize that’s gonna be a while?”

“A while?”

“At least three to four days.”

“D—d—days?”

Reality check. “See, this road isn’t a thoroughfare, so it isn’t high on the list of priorities. And they won’t even start clear until the storm stops. Probably a couple of days for that.” His voice trailed off at the look of panic on her face.

“You. Can’t. Stay. Here.”

“Why? Have a boyfriend here?” He glanced back toward the kitchen, hoping to tease her out of her agitation. “A husband? Oh no, you aren’t on your honeymoon, are you?”

Hmmm... that just made her grit her teeth. She was a tough nut to crack.

“No. I mean...I’m here alone,” she admitted between clenched teeth.

He held up his hands. “And I completely understand how having me crash here would be uncomfortable for you. But I assure you I would much rather be stranded in my apartment with my beer and cable TV.”

This time she did smirk. “You won’t find either of those here.”

He glanced over at the television set. “Looks like Maria has an antenna. Do you want me to try to see what the local channels are saying about the roads?”

She waved a hand in that direction. “Have at it.”

He could feel the waves of rejection the whole time he worked on the reception, but at best he was able to get a very staticky picture with an emergency banner across the bottom. If he was seeing it correctly, it was a long list of closed roads. At least he was justified in his decision.

Not that he needed to be, but he did feel kind of bad for putting her in such an awkward position.

“I guess that’s that,” he said, switching the television off.

When he turned back, the look on her face was stern. What was this attitude all about? A bit of intrigue curled in his stomach.

“Fine. If you have to stay here?—"

How could she still doubt that?

“There’s gonna be some rules,” she insisted.

“Rules?”

“Yes, sir.”

Rules were Colby’s least favorite thing. But maybe he should indulge her a little. After all, she was a woman alone. Boundaries would help her feel more comfortable. “I think you’ll find I’m really handy to have around.”

If he’d been a lesser man, that stare would have burned right through him. Okay, he’d give her the space she needed. He gestured for her to continue.

“You’ll keep to yourself. And only go where I tell you that you can.”

“Fair enough.”

“And no ‘getting to know you’ stuff. Got it?”

That was a weird one. “Do you really think?—”

“You heard what I said.”

“That puts me at a bit of a disadvantage, don’t you think?”

She shrugged. “It’s either that or a very uncomfortable walk to your truck.”

Tough room. “Okay, I only have one question, then.”

The way she clutched her blanket amused him, but he didn’t think it was safe to let it show.

“Go ahead.”

“Is there any food?”