not.”
They reached the highway. They’d be more out in the open now. If Devlin were to come after them again, he’d have to drive a car and not the snowmobile. Lucas made a mental note to check the local snowmobile rentals to prove Devlin rented one.
“How far is the inn?” Demi asked.
“I saw it on my way here. Maybe five miles.”
“That’s not bad.”
Five miles was a cinch for him. He loved the outdoors and always made plans on his weekends off to do something active. He was, however, concerned over the lowering gray clouds. It would start to snow again soon.
“Do you walk a lot?”
“Yes. I love hiking in the woods. It’s been great staying at the cabin. I took Wolf every day.”
“I love being in the woods, too. Camping. Fishing. Mountain biking and hiking.”
“I haven’t camped in a long time. I’m not big on fishing. I have a nice mountain bike, though.”
He walked beside her, wondering how he’d missed the many interests they shared. After the potency of that kiss, the revelation didn’t bode well for his philosophy on love. Hell, just because he found her attractive on every level didn’t mean he’d automatically fall in love. Sex was always hot in the beginning. As time passed that wore off and companionship became the important factor. Like any other relationship, the physical passion would fade.
A car approached from behind them.
Lucas put his hand on her back and steered her off the highway into the trees. He wouldn’t take any chances in case the driver was Devlin. There weren’t many cars out after the big storm.
Demi stood behind a tree and he behind her. The car passed.
They resumed their trek on the highway for a few more minutes. Then another car approached.
Demi found another tree and they waited.
This time the car slowed and pulled over not far from where they stood. Lucas recognized Devlin in the driver’s seat.
“That man is relentless,” Demi said.
“You go deeper into the woods.” She took Wolf and did as he said.
Lucas waited for Devlin to get out of the car and aimed his pistol. He shot and the bullet hit the door frame. Devlin bent for cover. He held his automatic weapon. Lucas could see the barrel sticking up as Devlin held it. He took aim and hit the top, sending it falling from Devlin’s hand.
Getting back into the car, Devlin started driving. Lucas shot at him again as he passed, hitting his mark but not fatally. He thought he had struck Devlin’s arm, given that Devlin jerked his hand off the steering wheel and swerved a little. He kept driving. Lucas watched until he disappeared from view.
They walked up the highway and Lucas saw snowflakes begin to fall.
Tired, cold and hungry, Demi shook off more snow from Wolf’s blanket and checked on him. His cute face sprang into an open-mouthed smile. He’d done that each time she checked on him, as though having fun with a game of peekaboo. Seeing the lighted sign for the inn, a surge of gladness suffused her. It was dark now and the snow had begun to fall more heavily. Lucas repeatedly looked around and she could tell he watched out for them. She could focus on protecting Wolf, which she appreciated.
As they turned onto the paved road leading to a parking area in front of the inn, bright lights welcomed them. Demi hadn’t seen a sight that washed her with relief more than this. It was a large log structure with a gabled window perched over the double-door entry and white-trimmed windows along the first and second stories on each side. She could see a Christmas tree through one of the windows.
She couldn’t wait to get settled into a nice warm room and order room service. She hoped they had room service.
She walked faster, nearly trotting toward the entrance while holding Wolf’s head. Lucas chuckled and jogged to the front door to open it for her. She entered as Wolf began to cry. He had a soft cry, not a screech, but low toned. He also used his hands to get his mother’s attention. She talked to him every time he did that. He so melted her heart. Lucas was beginning to melt it even more whenever she caught him watching. She could tell he was comfortable with his affection. Yes, he wanted to know his brother’s son, but was the boy’s mother another matter?
Inside, they stood in a small, wood-floored foyer with a desk. Piano music played somewhere in the back. There were no doors other than a wide-open archway that led into a living room. Clanking dishes and running water told her the kitchen must be to the right of that room.
Demi went to the desk with Lucas, taking in a grand double staircase of dark-stained wood and banisters with white vertical spindles. The two beautiful curving stairways flanked the foyer, rising to a large landing area on the upper level where the Christmas tree twinkled.
A slightly plump older woman with short gray hair and black-rimmed glasses appeared through the living room archway. “Oh, hello.”
A man matching her age trailed her.
“What are the two of you doing out in this weather?” The older woman spotted Wolf. “Oh, and you have a youngster.”
“We don’t have any arrivals tonight,” the older man said, sounding mildly cantankerous.
“Oh, stop, Edward. We have plenty of rooms.” The woman waved her hand as though swatting at him.
“We just put away all the food, Gladys.”
The woman named Gladys went behind the desk. “Shush, Edward. Let’s put you in room...” She looked up at Demi, the baby and then Lucas. “Let’s give them the west corner. You’ll have lots of room and there’s a fireplace and a nice tub.”
“Heaven,” Demi said.
Gladys began processing the transaction on the computer. “What brings you two here at this hour and in a storm like this?”
“The storm passed.” Lucas handed her a card.
“The snow hasn’t,” Edward said.
Was he as grumpy as he sounded? He seemed harmless and even friendly underneath his elderly annoyance.
“We had car trouble,” Demi said.
“We can get a tow for you.” Gladys gave Lucas his card back.
“Don’t bother, it’s totaled. It caught on fire.” Lucas glanced over at Demi with a secretive grin.
“Oh, my goodness. I am so happy you are all right.”
Gladys gave him the key—a real key. The charm of this place was already working its way into Demi.
“Do you have room service?” she asked.
“We have a kitchen and prepare food for all three meals a day, but it’s all put away now. There’s a restaurant not far from here that delivers to us, though.” Gladys produced a menu.
