Page 31 of Love in Overdrive

“Looking for a hidden key.”

“I’m not sure I want to see the inside.”

“It’s likely worse than the outside, but better than doing some polar survival camping tonight.”

“True.” Laney poked around in the old milk can planters that hadn’t seen plants in many moons. She pushed off the mound of snow, tipped them over to look under, and moved rocks around the porch, wincing with each movement.

Cade eyed the old Adirondack chair. “You should sit. I’ll check the porch.”

She pushed the snow from the seat and gingerly sat.

His gaze lingered on her. Maybe if they got out of this, and she forgave him for not calling, they could come back here in the summer. The view of the river was truly breathtaking, with the moon reflecting off the water, leaving ripples of soft yellow on the peaks. He exhaled. This day was incomprehensible.

Her head rolled back in the chair. He needed to get her inside. If he had to, he’d break in. But that was his last option.

He turned his search back to the cabin. They had to have hidden a key. What would they do if they drove up here and forgot the key? Most cabin owners lived in the Twin Cities.

He caught movement in his peripheral vision. His heart skipped a beat before he realized it was Laney. She had pushed off from the chair and crossed to a bird feeder that looked like a miniature cabin.

He dropped to his knees and felt under the edge of the old porch swing.

“Cade.” She grinned. A key in her hand.

He jumped down, skipping two steps, and jogged to her. Framing her face in his hands, he kissed her. The sound smacked on the lips. “You’re amazing.”

Taking the key, he went back up the stairs, skipping the one that felt soft under his foot.

“Okay, this is it. Please, please. Let this open.” Chances of this working after all these years were slim to none. Cade knew how hard it was to get a rusty bolt to move, and he didn’t have a torch or oil. He slid the key into the lock, and with a silent prayer, twisted it. The lock clicked. He gave Laney a look of astonishment. “Holy crap! It worked.”

“Hallelujah.” She sagged against the railing.

“Let me check it out first.” Cautiously, Cade opened the door, sticking his head in. Swiveling side to side, he scanned for animals. There’d been some evidence of four-legged critters making this their home, but none were present at the moment.

He stuck his head out the door and waved his fingers in a come-on-up motion.

“Are you sure it’s safe?” She eyed the floorboards like they were a trapdoor.

“Sure, but skip the second step. It’s a little spongy.” He reached out and took her hand, helping her up and across the porch.

“Home sweet home. Be careful. The electricity is turned off, but I found a couple candles and matches by the fireplace.” He led her to the chair by the wooden dining table. Ninety percent of the cabin was in this one room. Kitchenette, dining, and living room surrounded by beautiful log walls. The outside looked like it had been abandoned for decades, but from his quick survey, the inside showed signs of life in the last few years.

Cade pulled sheets from the furniture and found a quaint log couch with Native-American-inspired cushions. He picked up an antique lantern and a handmade quilt and carried them to where Laney sat rubbing her arms. He lit the lantern and the few candles he found.

Her chin rested on her chest as he wrapped the quilt around her shoulders.

“I’ll be right back. I’m going to check the rest of the cabin.” He picked up a candle and made his way to the bathroom.

He cringed when he found a squirrel’s nest in the old claw-foot tub. Luckily, it was vacant. Finding a broom, he poked at the twigs and pieces of string, just to make sure.

“Eek.” Laney squealed.

He gripped the broom like a weapon and bolted into the other room. “What?”

“Sorry.” She pointed to the deer head mounted over the mantel. “It surprised me. That’s all.”

“Holy shit. I thought the asshole who took my car had found us.”

“I didn’t mean to scare you, but I caught a glimpse of the deer in the shadows. I thought it was real for a minute.”