They’d been in this cabin for five days now. And truth be told, it wasn’t that she was concerned about being on her own, she just wanted to be with him.
She was also worried that the road would be clear and this would be the end of their time together.
“What if I need you?”
“I’m only going to be gone about two hours, Ellie,” he said patiently. “You’ll be okay. I’ll be back before you know it. Now, do you need anything before I go?”
She was up and dressed, sitting on the sofa again. She was feeling loads better, although she was still getting headaches. She hadn’t had one today, though. So maybe they were disappearing.
“No.”
“All right. I want you to stay inside the cabin and rest. Understand me?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
He came over and kissed her gently. “Be a good girl and Daddy will be back soon.”
“All right, drive carefully,” she said anxiously.
“I will be fine.” He moved to the door and left without another word. She looked around the cabin. What was she going to do for a few hours?
* * *
Bear pulled up outside the cabin. The road was still a bit of a mess. There was no getting through until the tree was cleared away. He could try going the other way and heading to the city, but that was a long drive for Ellie and they were okay here for a bit longer. He’d called Sanctuary to let them know what was going on.
And if truth be told, he wasn’t really ready for his time here t
o be over. She’d buried herself deep under his skin and he didn’t want to let go. Even though he knew he had to. She’d made it clear she wasn’t looking for anything permanent.
He opened his truck door, eager to see her. As soon as he climbed out, though, he knew she’d disobeyed him. He spotted some pieces of bread over towards the woods and some small footprints dotting the snow between the cabin and the bread.
He shook his head. Little brat. Had she really thought he wouldn’t find out?
He walked up the porch steps. He’d obviously done her a disservice by waiting to dispense discipline. If she was well enough to move around outside, she was well enough for a proper spanking.
Ellie was sitting in the armchair, trying to read when Bear opened the door. She was having trouble concentrating on the words and as soon as he walked in, she instantly forgot what she was reading.
“Daddy!” she squealed. Then she jumped up and rushed towards him.
“No running,” he barked at her as she flung herself against him. “Damn it, Ellie. You’re going to hurt yourself.”
“Pfft, I’m fine. You worry too much. How was the drive? Was the road still a mess?”
“Yep, tree is still down. We can probably make it back the other way towards the city, but it would take us a long time. Best to wait until the road is cleared, I think, and head towards Wishingbone.”
“I’m in no rush to go anywhere.”
He tilted her head back gently and leaned down to kiss her. “You’re not eager to start your new life as a single, independent woman?”
It was what she should want. What she did want. Didn’t she?
Somehow, she wasn’t so sure anymore. Because when she thought about her life without him in it, it felt dark and lonely.
But he thankfully didn’t wait for her reply, instead swinging her up into his arms and carrying her towards the bed.
“So, you want to tell me what you got up to while I was away?” he asked.
Uh-oh. There was a note to his voice that told her she should proceed with caution.