Escaping Christmas (2 page)

Her stomach took a hit and she fought a disgruntled sigh. He was gorgeous and not at all old. The strong jawline and the five o’clock shadow caught her attention first. She placed her hand in his warm one. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Camden.”

“Call me Zach.” Dear God, he had a smile that would stop traffic. He broke into her fantasy with, “Let’s get your bags and be on our way. We’ll get you tucked in before night fall. It gets cold up there.”

Alex followed him and awaited her luggage. Her nerves were jumping across her skin. She promised herself no complications. So, why was she wishing he would become one? He was married. She was sure of it. She caught herself looking at his hand. No ring. Another sigh followed.

“These things can be slow,” he commented, obviously taking her exhale of air as impatience.

She tried not to stare. He had on a bulky coat and a stocking cap, definitely dressed for cold weather. Alex chomped on her lower lip, a habit that survived childhood whenever she was anxious.
You are here to finish your book…

“Those are mine.” She pointed and he quickly grabbed them. “I can carry them.”

“I got it. Part of the service.” He winked.

God, please let the ground swallow me up
. When the ground stayed in place, she mentally reasoned with herself. All she had to do was get to the cabin and lock herself in. Everything she would need was there.
Concentrate on something other than the hunky guy with your luggage.
The nervous jitters on the first day of school—that’s what she was having. She kept silent, focusing on the other travelers. Anything to keep her eyes from roaming to places they shouldn’t be. She repeated, “No complications” under her breath.
And don’t say anything stupid.

He slowed his pace and glanced at her feet before asking, “I’m right outside these doors to the right. Did you bring boots?” She attempted a smile, but her lips quivered nervously. “I did. They’re packed. I would’ve looked a bit funny leaving California in snow boots.”

“You might want to put them on in the truck. You’re going to look funny trekking through the snow in running shoes.”

Alex opened her mouth to reply, but instantly closed it in self-preservation. The cold took her breath away. She ducked her head and pulled her coat tightly around her. She had thrown the heavy coat in her carry on and was grateful. She practically sprinted to the truck, opened the door, and sighed at the warmth.

The rush of cold air swooped in as Zach put her suitcases in the back. “You ready, city girl?”

“What makes you so sure I’m a city girl?”

“I know one when I see one,” he replied evenly.

“I might not be used to the cold, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know my way around a mountain.”

“Do you?” He turned his killer smile on her.

“Can we just go now?” she asked impatiently, leaning her head against the seat. The smile did her in.

His laughter filled the truck. “I think I got my answer.” He put the truck in gear, not waiting for a reply. “So, Alexandra Storm, where’s home?”

“California,” she answered simply. She wouldn’t encourage any dialogue. She certainly didn’t want him to get the idea she wanted to make a friend.

Zach rubbed his hand along his face, across the stubble she was having a hard time ignoring. She inhaled and looked out the window.

“I was expecting a husband with you. I’m not sure I would have rented to you if I knew otherwise.”

Her head bolted in his direction. “Why not?”

“The mountains can be tough, especially this time of the year. We get buried in snow.”

“I’ll be fine.” Alex paused, not sure if she should complete her thought out loud. “I was expecting someone old.” She cleared her throat. “Older.”

“And why is that?”

“I guess I didn’t expect someone your age to own…” Alex stumbled. “I thought…” She stopped. She was digging a hole.

“I’m not as young as you think and I’ve worked hard to get what I have.”

“I didn’t mean to insult you, Mr. Camden.”

“No offense taken. What do you do for a living?”

Alex wished the small talk would stop. “I’m a writer.”

“That’s great. So, you’re coming up here to work?”

“For work, yes.” She wanted to put an end to the conversation, but the questions continued.

“What do you write?”

She dreaded this question, especially with men. “Romance novels.”

“Are you a romantic, Alexandra?” She didn’t miss the humor in his voice. Why couldn’t she be the kind of person to ask him if he wanted to find out?

Instead, she ignored his question. “How long until we get to the cabin?”

“It’s about a fifty minute drive. The roads aren’t great, so you’d better buckle up,” he suggested while switching on the radio.

Her eyes grew heavy listening to the music. It had been a long day.

“Go ahead and sleep,” Zach offered. “I’ll wake you up when we get there.”

Alex inhaled anxiously. She would force herself to stay awake. Sleeping would involve trust and she had none of that left. Besides, she didn’t know this man. However, it didn’t take long before she lost the battle. Her eyes drifted shut. The warmth, the movement, and the music lulled her to sleep.

She grabbed the dashboard in a panic.

“It’s okay,” he soothed, touching her shoulder. “Just hit a bump.”

Alex remained silent, attempting to focus on her surroundings. Anything, but the fact he just touched her. Darkness had fallen and seeing much of anything was hopeless.

“Your place is around this bend.”

She waited for her escape to come into view. She took in a sharp breath.

“You okay?” He glanced over at her.

“It’s…beautiful.” Alex couldn’t believe her eyes. The view was like something off a Christmas card. The small cabin, with its lights from inside shimmering on the snow in front of them, held her happiness. She was sure of it. And just as the advertisement promised the backdrop was nothing, but woods. Seclusion.

“I’m glad you approve, because there’s no refunds,” he joked, cutting into her thoughts.

She glanced in his direction. “I don’t want a refund. I can’t wait for the solitude.” Alex wanted to make sure he understood.

He nodded and cut off the engine. “You didn’t put the boots on. You’re going to be sorry,” he warned. He didn’t wait for an answer, but hopped out and grabbed her bags from the back.

Alex opened the door to more wind, but this time bone-chilling. She stepped down into the snow and her eyes widened as she sank into the ice cold powder mid-calf. He wasn’t kidding. She tucked inside her coat and made her way to the front porch…to begin her story.

Chapter Three

Zach grabbed the key from his pants pocket after placing the suitcases on the wooden boards of the front porch. He avoided looking her way and that was no easy feat. His mind wandered back to the airport when her big green eyes met his and his heart skipped a beat. He attempted to make small talk, but he got the message. She wanted nothing to do with anyone. What was she running from? Curiosity was getting the better of him and he knew where that would lead—nowhere, but trouble. His life was simple and he liked it that way.

He opened the door as a gust of wind blew by them. She ran in first and he shut the door behind him. He watched her look around the small living room. “What do you think?”

She turned to him with a smile that had him forgetting his own name and said, “I think this is going to be a great month.”

He exhaled. Had he been holding his breath? “Follow me,” he directed. Zach couldn’t believe his teenage reaction…like the homecoming queen had just spoken to him. He needed to be all business with this one. Her standoffish ways were enough to convince him she was carrying some emotional baggage. Or maybe she left someone behind at home. Either way, he was to keep to his life plan…keep it simple.

“Right through here is the kitchen.” He stood by silently as she stopped short and surveyed the bookcase, gingerly running her finger down the spine of one that caught her eye. He cleared his throat, attempting to avoid thoughts he shouldn’t be having.

She apologized. “I can’t pass by books without touching them. I suppose it’s the reason I love to write.”

He didn’t trust himself to comment, pushing aside the swinging door to the kitchen and allowing her to enter first.

She moved to the refrigerator and peered in.

“It’s fully stocked. If there’s something else you would like let me know.”

Her eyes shot to his. “I’m sure there’s plenty here.”

Zach forced himself to look away and walk to the back door, unlocking it and dreading the blast of cold air that was to follow when he opened it. “Out here is the wood for the fireplace. It’s a closed-in porch, so it stays dry. Use whatever you like.” She nodded and he slammed the door against the cold and motioned her to follow.

“Right through here is the master bedroom.” He walked in, but she stayed at the door watching him. God, she was stunning. He glanced at her hand, no ring. Did she really plan on staying here alone?
None of your business, Camden.

“There’s a small bathroom off the master,” he said, professional voice in use. “Across the hall is the second bedroom. It might make a nice office for you. There’s a desk.”

She nodded and hugged herself closely. “Do you want me to light a fire for you?” he offered assuming she was cold, even though self-combustion was only seconds away for him. Alexandra Storm had barely said two words to him, but the fire she was lighting in him had him considering running head first into the snow.

“No, thanks. I’m good. I think I’ll unpack a few things and head to bed.”

“There’s no one coming to join you?” Okay, so he had to know. She hadn’t really answered his question in the truck. He only knew there was no one with her now. He couldn’t explain it, but he didn’t want to leave her here alone. Admittedly, there was a part of him that hoped she wasn’t with anyone.

“No. I’m here to get work done. Do you question all your tenants in this way, Mr. Camden?”

He didn’t miss the irritated look on her face. “I didn’t mean to be too personal, Miss Storm. I apologize.” Zach figured he crossed a line and imagined a quick exit would be the best. “I’ll be getting out of your hair then. If you don’t mind I’ll come around and check on you tomorrow. It can be a scary place if you’re not used to it.”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

“It would make me feel better. As I said, I wouldn’t have rented to you if I knew you were alone.” He handed her the key.

“Isn’t that a bit sexist?” She glared at him with those big eyes.

“I would imagine it is, but that’s just my way…to take care of a woman. I don’t mean to offend you.”

He noticed the deep breath. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

That was his cue to leave. “Don’t mention it. Part of the package.” He dreaded going back out in the cold, but it was exactly what he needed.

****

Alex followed him to the door, bid him a “goodnight” and locked it behind him. She walked to one of the two small front windows and peered out. The snow was blowing all over. She hugged herself watching the taillights of his truck disappear into the night. She was on her own. She closed the shutters and turned to survey the room. The walls were of logs. She smiled inwardly at the observation. There was so much to take in—like the splashes of color that contrasted the neutral color theme, the stone fireplace, comfy, overstuffed-furniture with ample pillows, and the book shelf…she sighed with appreciation. If she wasn’t writing she would be grabbing her first of many novels to read during her stay. A small desk by the window captured her attention. She pictured herself gazing out the window at the falling snow. Her imagination would run wild there. The well-used quilt draped over the back of the couch called to her. She would take a shower, put on some sweat pants and her favorite ratty sweatshirt, and settle in with a cup of tea.

Looking in the direction of the bedroom, she shivered with a chill not associated with the cold. The quiet was unnerving and the dark room beyond sent a follow-up shiver down her spine. Alex forced her feet to move in the direction of the master bedroom. She ran her hand up the inside wall and flipped on the switch. This was going to take some getting used to. She rummaged through the luggage Zach had left on the bed. Zach…why couldn’t she have fallen for someone like him? Someone who worried about if she was cold. Someone who worried about her being alone and safe. And even though she could take care of herself, it would be nice to know someone was there to catch her if she needed it. She sighed heavily.
Alex, don’t make him out to be someone he’s not.
The happily-ever-afters she wrote about didn’t exist in her world. Instead she had fallen for a man, now that she thought back, who hadn’t even told her he loved her. She was so stupid. He was using her to get ahead in the business, while he was proclaiming his love to another woman.

The bathroom was small with only a shower, but she didn’t care. Lounging in a tub in the wilderness wasn’t on the top of her list. She attempted to keep visions of wild animals and crazy people from her imagination as she quickly scrubbed the day’s travels from her body. Somehow, thoughts of her landlord kept filling her mind. Frustrated with her line of thinking, she toweled off and climbed in her comfy clothes.