Page 41 of Love in Overdrive

“My mom let me lick the mixer beaters.”

She snorted. “You’re kidding?”

“Nope. I get into it when I really like the taste of something. And let me tell you, you’re the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”

Well, crap. Laney’s heart was gone. It left her body. It was his. Could she ask for it back? Did she want to?

A loud crash cut through the cabin.

Cade flipped the blanket over her and jumped up.

“What was that?” She clenched the cover to her chest.

“I don’t know. Get dressed. I’ll see what it was?” Shirtless and brandishing an iron fire poker, Cade tiptoed around the cabin, peeking out the windows.

Laney slipped on her pants and top as fast as humanly possible and was sliding on her shoes when he stopped at her side.

“Stay here. I’m going to check outside.” He stepped into his boots and disappeared out the door—shirtless.

Poker held high, Cade surveyed the area around the cabin. No fresh footprints. A large chunk of ice laid on the ground next to the firewood pile. He looked up at the roof. Yup, a piece of the ice dam was missing. The tension fell from his shoulders.

Now that he had secured the perimeter, the below-freezing temperature registered, and a shiver ran through his body. He hustled back around to the door and slipped inside to find Laney fully dressed. She wielded the broom like a sword.

“What was it? The robber?”

“No, just some ice from the roof. Heating the cabin must have dislodged it.”

She sagged. “Thank goodness.”

“By the position of the sun, I’m guessing it’s around eight. How’s your leg? Think you can walk?” He set the poker on the hearth and grabbed his shirt and coat.

“I’ll manage. I need to use the bathroom, and we can head out.”

Cade pulled on his shirt as she closed the door. Hopefully, another critter hadn’t moved back in overnight. He listened. One. Two. Three… No screams. It must be okay. He put the couch back in its original position and put out the fire.

She came out, a shy smile on her lips. “All ready.”

“With the sun up, we should be able to follow the road and find a house with a phone.” He picked up the bag in one hand, took hers in the other, and headed out the door.

Outside, he relocked the door and put the key back into its hiding spot. With any luck, they’d be home by lunch.

But there was a fifty/fifty chance they’d be in jail instead.