Page 17 of Mountain Dreams

“I don’t like the thought of you driving around in the dark.”

Dusk had settled over the mountains, but she knew these roads like the back of her hand, and she wasn’t afraid of mountain driving. However, she understood his concern because he’d lost his parents on this very road.

“Okay,” she said. “But if there’s no vacancy, I’ll go stay with one of my sisters.”

“Where are you right now? I’ll come and get you.”

“No! I’m at the intersection of your road, and I can be there in five minutes.”

“Good. Do you remember how to get to my cabin?”

“Shouldn’t we meet at the resort office?”

“It’s already closed. I’ll call Avery’s cell instead.”

“I think I can find your place. Mountain Dreams, right?”

“Right.”

“I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

After they hung up, she shook her head in disbelief. How had this happened? She hadn’t wanted to ask him for more help, and now she was driving up the road to his cabin.

She shouldn’t have agreed to go there, but it was too late now. If there were a vacancy, she’d stay for a night or two and then move on. She didn’t want to become anyone’s burden, especially not his. She appreciated everything he’d done for her, but she didn’t want to take advantage of his generosity or friendship.

However, as she wound up the road toward his cabin, she was overcome with a deep sense of relief. At least she had one friend she could count on, even if he’d been Wyatt’s friend first. Whatever the men had discussed at Wyatt’s shop, it hadn’t made Cody turn away from her. If anything, he seemed even more determined to help.

Soon she arrived at his cabin, which was lit up inside and out, and the sight was warm and welcoming.

She pulled into the driveway and shut off her car, and the front door opened. As he stepped onto the porch, light spilled out from behind him. He was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, but his feet were bare, and it was the middle of February!

He jogged down the steps and held open her door as she stepped out of the car. The glow from his cabin paled compared to his smile.

“You made it,” he said.

“Yes.”

They stared at each other for a few beats. Then he sprang into action. “What can I take in for you?”

“We don’t even know if I’m staying yet.” And I won’t be staying with you, she thought.

“Right, but you shouldn’t leave anything valuable out here.”

The most valuable thing she’d owned had been the engagement ring, which was no longer hers.

“I’ll just bring in my purse for now.”

“Okay.”

For the second time in two weeks, she followed him up the porch steps and into his cozy cabin. Just like before, he offered to take her coat, and he hung it up in the closet next to his. Then he motioned for her to sit down, and he sat beside her.

The scene felt comfortably familiar yet starkly different. The last time she’d been alone with him, she’d been hoping to salvage her relationship with Wyatt. This time, there was nothing left to salvage. It was over, and now she was alone with the man she’d harbored a secret crush on for years…

Seven

Cody looked at her expectantly. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Yes and no.”