скачать книгу бесплатно
He scooped up both heavy bags and slung the straps over his shoulders as if they were empty. Then he picked up the car seat. He locked up the car and they headed back toward the road.
When they reached the snowy slope, he put the bags down and turned to her. “Let’s leave the bags and seat down here. I’ll come back for them. I’ll hold the baby if you like and we can go up together.”
Carey considered his plan for a moment, then remembered going up the hill the first time and nodded. “All right.”
She handed Lindsay over, feeling a tiny, instinctive twinge of concern. It vanished in an instant once she saw the way her rescuer cradled the baby protectively to his chest.
His strong, gentle embrace was reassuring and a much safer way for Lindsay to travel than if she had carried the baby herself.
He stood by and let her go up first. She started to slip and he was instantly at her side, one strong arm cradling Lindsay to his chest and the other suddenly wrapped around her waist, catching her close before she fell.
He looked down at her. Just about all she could see of his face, covered by his parka hood, were his eyes. Brilliant blue of a summer morning, defying the dark night and falling snow.
She focused on getting up the hill, one slippery step at a time. It was hard to ignore the man beside her. His face was suddenly so close she could feel his warm breath on her cheek. She quickly turned away and stared straight ahead. This was the closest she’d been to anyone in over a year, since Tom had died.
“Careful now, I’ve got you. Just go slowly.”
“I can make it.” She tried hard to keep her mind on getting up the hill. The feeling of his arm around her waist and his hard strong body so close next to hers was both distracting…and energizing.
When he reached the top, she gave out a sigh of relief. She was sure he thought she was just happy the trek was over.
He carefully handed the baby over, then went down for the rest of her belongings. She wasn’t sure how he could manage the two large bags and car seat in one trip, but moments later, he emerged on the roadside, with the entire load, not even winded.
She followed him to a dark green SUV that was parked down the road. He tossed her bags in the back then secured the baby’s seat in the backseat. Carey placed Lindsay in the car seat and fastened the strap.
Then she softly kissed the baby on her forehead and stroked her cheek. Carey was sure she must be hungry and need a diaper change. “Poor sweetheart. I’ll take care of you very soon,” she promised.
Moments later, she sat up front and the police officer started the vehicle. He pushed back the hood of his parka and she finally had a good look at his face.
He was handsome. Very handsome. The eyes had been a hint. The rest was even better than she’d expected.
His dark hair was cut short, close to his head though not a crew cut. He’d pushed it back, wet from the snow, off his forehead with his hand, emphasizing his lean cheeks and the strong lines of his face, set in a serious expression, as he steered the SUV away from the side of the road and then made a wide U-turn.
They were once again headed in the direction of town, she realized, the same way she was going before she drove off the road.
She pushed back her own hood and ran her fingers through her long golden hair, damp from the snow and feeling even curlier and wilder than usual.
She put her hands up to the air vents to warm them and realized he was watching her, his glance lingering in a way that made her feel self-conscious.
It was a classic male-female glance, a taking inventory sort of look. The same she’d just given him, though he hadn’t caught her at it. Or had he? she wondered.
“Feel cold? I can turn up the heat.”
Considering the direction of her thoughts, she had to hide a smile. She didn’t need it any hotter in here.
“Thanks, I’m okay.” She pulled off her wet gloves and stuck them in her pocket. “I don’t think you ever told me your name, Officer.”
“Ben Martin. You can skip the officer part. I’m off duty. I didn’t get your name, either.”
“Oh, right. It’s Carey Mooreland. And that’s Lindsay,” she added, glancing at the baby in the backseat.
“She’s adorable. I’m glad she wasn’t hurt. You’re lucky in a way about the snow. It slowed the car down considerably. It could have been a lot worse when you hit that tree.”
“Yes, it could have been,” Carey had to agree. It definitely could have been worse, though the snow had been a major hindrance to her tonight. If not for the snow, she might be in Canada by now. Or close to it. This man had no idea.
“Is there someone you’d like to call?”
He meant a husband or some significant other, of course.
He was just trying to be helpful. But personal questions still made her nervous.
This question in particular was always a difficult one.
“It’s all right. I don’t have anyone…waiting for me.”
He glanced over at her, then back at the road again. She sensed he was curious, but didn’t push her for more information.
“I’m on my way to Portland. To visit a friend,” she said simply.
That was the cover story she’d composed for the trip. Just in case anyone asked. Portland was somewhat south of this area, she guessed. Though she wasn’t sure how far.
He nodded. His silence made her nervous. Did he believe her? Then she realized he was probably just watching his driving in the snow.
“Looks like you’re stuck. At least for the night.”
“I guess so. What do you think about the car? Can I call someone to tow it?”
“I’ll have them call from the station, though I don’t know if the local tow company will get to it tonight. I think all the tow trucks within twenty miles are backed up with calls right now.”
Carey hated hearing about delays, though she knew it was illogical to think her car would be towed during a snowstorm…on Christmas Eve night, no less.
“Where will they bring it?”
“The closest auto body shop is Anderson’s, in town. Honest guy. He won’t rip you off. Though I’m sure he’ll be closed tomorrow. You’ll probably have to wait until the day after Christmas for him to take a look at it.”
Carey’s heart sank. She’d be stuck here two days. Then there would be more time to fix the car. Who knew how long that would take? Every minute seemed precious, to keep a step ahead of her pursuers.
“Is there any other place? Besides the shop in town?”
“There are a few on the highway. But then you’ll be paying a lot more for the tow. And I can’t say how reliable those places are,” he added.
A special radio hung from the bottom of the dashboard, she noticed. He picked up the hand piece and asked someone on the other end to call for a tow truck and told them where to find the car.
Carey agreed to have the car brought to the garage in town. That seemed the easiest solution.
The snow still fell heavily and the drive was slow going.
“You can just drop us off anyplace. At a motel or something.”
She wondered where that might be. She’d been watching vigilantly out the window and all she could see was snow…and more snow.
“There’s a hotel in town. But it’s full up. Relatives that come in for the holidays,” he explained.
“Maybe I should call and check. There might be a cancellation.”
He shook his head. “Trust me. They don’t have any rooms free tonight.”
He glanced at her, the corner his mouth lifted in the promising start of a smile. She sensed he didn’t smile often. She wasn’t sure why. Just something about him.
Maybe that was a good thing. He was even better-looking, if possible, when he did. When their eyes met, she forgot for a moment what she’d even asked him.
“I have an inside track. My family owns the place. My mother and sister,” he added.
It was hard to picture this hunk of a man with a mother. But of course, he had one, along with a wife and children and all kinds of relatives, waiting for him at some big Christmas party, she suspected.
His hands were covered by thick gloves so she couldn’t check to see if he wore a ring. Then she realized her thoughts were going way off on some wacky detour. What did it matter to her if he was married or not?
“There must be someplace else.” Carey forced herself back on track. “It doesn’t have to be fancy. As long as it’s clean…and there’s heat.”
“There are a few B and Bs around, but they’re all full tonight, as well. There’s a motel a few towns north. But the highway is closed now and I don’t dare risk the ride on the back roads. Besides, that place is going to be booked, too. Especially with this weather.”
Carey considered his reply. She didn’t argue with him. It was probably true. People traveling tonight would get off the road and stop to stay over, if they had any sense at all.
“How about a hospital? Maybe they could give us a bed for the night.”
“The hospital is even farther.” Before she could answer, he added, “The usual procedure for emergency shelter is the lockup at the station in town.” He paused, his glance taking in her worried expression. “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t leave you in a jail cell on Christmas Eve. I just…wouldn’t.”
His gaze met hers for a moment, then he stared back at the road again. Carey felt some indefinable current arc between them. She didn’t know what to say.
“What do you think we should do?”
He didn’t say anything for a long moment. Carey wondered what his solution was going to be.
“I have plenty of room at my house. We’re almost there. And I honestly don’t see any other solution.”
Carey was surprised by the offer. “Are you sure? I mean…there’s nowhere else?”
“Tomorrow there’ll be lots of vacancies. But tonight, with this snow, I can’t think of anyplace else to bring you. You said all you want is a clean room and some heat. I can guarantee that at least.”
“How about your family? Won’t they mind?” She phrased the question as diplomatically as she could manage.
“Well, there’s Dixie…my dog,” he explained. “But she’s always happy to see company.”
His answer pleased her. She didn’t want to stop and figure out why. She didn’t want to intrude if he did have a wife and family. That’s all, she told herself. It wasn’t anything more.
“I realize the situation might be a little disconcerting. I mean, you’d be smart to hesitate. I’m going to call the station. You can talk to my sergeant. Make sure I am who I say. Will that make you feel better about it?”
“All right. I guess that would be the smart thing to do.”
Ben picked up the radio handset in the car and a short time later, Carey was listening to his superior wax eloquent on Ben’s fine points as a gentleman and an officer. Any doubts at all about his trustworthiness were quickly dispelled. Not that she’d ever really suspected him.
“Thank you, Sergeant. You’ve been very helpful,” Carey said for the second or maybe third time.
Ben suddenly took the radio from her. “Thanks a bunch, Jim. You make me sound like a cross between a Boy Scout and…an action hero.”
“I forgot Sherlock Holmes,” the older man laughed into the radio. “Hey, Merry Christmas, pal. See you after the holiday.”
“Right, Merry Christmas,” Ben said, cutting off the connection.
Ben shook his head, staring straight ahead at the road. Carey thought he looked embarrassed by all the praise. Did she see a slight flush on his lean cheeks, or was it just the cold?
“Satisfied?” he asked finally.
“You sound like the star of the police force.”
“Possibly… There are only five of us.”
A smile flashed over his rugged features and he met her glance for a moment. She had to smile back. The car suddenly felt very close and dark and…intimate. She took a breath and looked out her window.
“How far to your house?” she asked.
“We’re almost there,” he said quietly.
That was good news. She was eager to put some distance between herself and her handsome rescuer.
A few moments later, he turned off the road, into a narrow lane. Tree branches, weighed down with snow, arched over the vehicle, creating a frosty tunnel.
The car bumped and struggled through the deep snow, though Ben didn’t seem to notice or have any concern that they might get stuck.
Finally a house came into view, a small, neat cabin that appeared to be made of logs, with a covered porch and a sloping, snow-covered roof and stone chimney. The windows in front had wooden shutters and window boxes.
Tall graceful pines surrounded the cabin, their covered branches glistening. Carey was reminded of a house in a picture book; in the darkness and snow, it seemed magical.
“Is that a real log cabin?” she asked as the car came to a stop.
“Yes, it is. Built it myself. With a little help from my friends,” he added.
“Quite an accomplishment.” She glanced at him. “I’m surprised your boss forgot to mention it.”
She smiled at him and he smiled back in a slow way that sent a tingle racing up her spine.
“Good point. I’ll remind him.” He turned to her. “Let’s get inside and warm up.”
Ben jumped out first and retrieved her belongings from the cargo area. Carey jumped out and took Lindsay.
As she carefully stepped through the high snow toward the door, she felt Ben’s strong, steady grasp on her arm. She glanced at him, but he didn’t say anything. Just stood by her until she was up on the porch.
He dropped the load of bags and unlocked the front door, then switched on some lights. A big shaggy dog bounded down the stairs, barking furiously. Carey was glad Ben had given her a warning.
