No one appears around the first bend or the second. It’s not until the roofline of my lodge breaks through the trees that I spot the intruder–or the intruder’s car. It’s a late model Honda–gray and so plain it looks like it could’ve been dragged off a military lot. I rifle through my mental rolodex and try to match up any of my former comrades with this car but come up blank.
“Stay,” I tell Bear. He nods and watches me silently as I pull the truck to a stop and slide out of it. The gray car is idling, exhaust from the engine spiraling into the air. Except for a small figure in the driver’s seat, the car appears to be empty. Appearances can be deceiving. I slide off the safety and sidle up to the car. No one shoots at me. No windows are rolled down. The person in the vehicle doesn’t appear to be moving.
I slam my hand against the glass once. The figure jolts upright, long hair flying as the driver turns to face me. Wide, brilliant blue eyes meet my dark brown ones.
“Fuck.”
Chapter Two
Faith
“It’s a lumberjack,” I whisper to Smittens, who is curled up in a ball in her bed in the backseat of my car. I don’t know why she loves car rides so much. All she does is sleep the whole time but if I leave without her she’ll meow until I get back. I’ve already been kicked out of one apartment over it. “He looks angry.”
“What are you doing?” The man asks as he removes his hand from my window. I’m shocked it didn’t shatter with how hard he hit it. He’s lucky that I didn’t pee myself with the way he startled me. My bladder was already about to burst; it didn’t need any help.
“I need to pee.” I swing the door open. He jumps back before it can hit him. “Sorry.” I hop out, unprepared for the slick ground. My boots, which are cute and furry, are made more for looking adorable and not so much for actual snow. They have absolutely no traction. I realize this a little too late as I start to fall. Two giant arms catch me before I can face plant.
“Fuck,” he barks again.
“You have a terrible mouth.” My eyes actually flick to his mouth that is surrounded by a nice trim beard. His mouth is rather nice really. Kissable? Do you call a lumberjack’s mouth kissable?
“What the hell is that?” I turn my head to see Smittens jumping from the car.
“Smittens!” I call after her as she takes off for the front porch of the cute cabin I’ve been sitting in front of for the last twenty minutes. Mr. Lumberjack rights me on my feet as a wolf-like dog goes running past both of us towards Smittens.
“Oh my God! Get your dog. She’ll kill him!” I shout, breaking free of the man’s hold to try and save the dog. Smittens may be a tiny thing but she can be mean when she wants to be.
“Bear!” The man hollers after his dog. Smittens whips around, giving the dog a death glare as her back goes up. The dog stops and falls over onto his side. I stand there in shock. Holy crap!
“Did she kill him?” I whisper. I see the dog’s tail wagging and I let out a sigh of relief. It’s short lived. “Pee. I’ve got to pee.” I turn to the man, grabbing his coat so he’ll look down at me and see how serious I am. “I’m scared to do it out here. Something could bite me or my pee could freeze. Is that even a thing?” He looks at me like I’m speaking another language. “Open the door!” I shout the last part. I am going to use his bathroom whether he likes it or not. “Now.” I boss him even though he’s a heck of a lot bigger than me.
He grabs my elbow, leading me toward the house and up the stairs. I’m not sure if he’s manhandling me or making sure I don’t have another slip. He looks so serious. He’s probably afraid that I’ll bust my booty and try to sue him or something. Either way, he opens the door and that’s all that matters. Smittens goes running into the house as if she owns the damn place. I’m not shocked one bit at her behavior. The gigantic dog hops up, following her in.
“It wasn’t locked?” I could have peed a long time ago. Hadn’t even thought to check the door. Who doesn’t lock their door? Wait. I’m the one going into a man’s house that I don’t know in the middle of nowhere. I should possibly hold back any judgment.
“Bathroom.” He guides me inside without answering my question. He points to a door. I dart toward it before my bladder explodes. It’s a fight to get all of my winter stuff off quick enough and my pants down. I let out a moan as I finally get relief.