Page 4 of Lonely in Misty Mountain

“Of course. I’ll be out plowing tonight now that the storm already started, so it’s no problem. Care to stay for some dinner first? Talk books?”

Her shoulders relaxed and a big smile lit up her gorgeous face. “Actually, that does sound nice. I’m starving.” She took of her hat and gloves, sliding them inside the coat pockets before unzipping it and sliding it off her shoulders. Underneath, she was hiding a curvy, voluptuous body I wanted to sink my teeth into. Her long skirt hugged every one of her sexy curves and my hands ached to touch her.

I swallowed hard and cleared my throat.Shit, what was I making for dinner again?

“Anything I can help with?” Harper placed her jacket down on the couch and unwrapped a scarf from around her neck, setting it on top of her coat.

As hard as it was, I turned my head and looked towards the kitchen, anywhere but her gorgeous figure. “You’re good. Spaghetti and meatballs okay with you?”

“Delicious.”

“Let me get Junie fed and settled in another room. Unless you don’t mind dogs?”

“Oh, not at all. Never had one of my own but I grew up with one. A beautiful husky we named Stormy.”

“A husky?” I asked, my mouth falling open. “That’s what breed Junie is.”

Harper grinned and clasped her hands together. “Really?”

“Yes. Follow me.” I led her through the living room and into the large eat in kitchen, opening the gate and waving her through. I followed close behind, Junie sprinting over to me before sniffing Harper all over, her tail swinging back and forth.

I pet her head. “Easy there, girl. Don’t scare our guest.”

“Oh, she could never. She’s adorable. Aren’t you girl?” Harper scratched behind her ears, somehow already knowing my dog’s favorite spot.

“She’s going to love you. You found her sweet spot.” I walked over to the fridge. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Sure, thanks. Water?”

“Got it.” I grabbed her a bottle of water from the fridge before I busied myself with feeding Junie. Once her food was done, I washed my hands and started prepping dinner by preheating the oven and gathering my ingredients.

“So, Miss Lila said you read a ton of books. Are they all mystery and thrillers?” Harper climbed onto a stool next to the island, where I did all my prep work, Junie scrambling off to eat her own dinner.

“Pretty much. Sometimes I’ll switch it up and throw a western in there. But then I get bored and go back to the suspense. I can’t get enough of the twists and turns.”

“I’ve never met a guy who liked books as much as me.”

I chuckled as I mixed the hamburger meat and rolled the meatballs onto a pan, Harper watching me intensely. “I don’t volunteer the information much. It’s kind of a secret obsession of mine. Except of course Miss Lila knows.”

What is it with this woman? Why did she make me feel so many things all at once? And why did I feel the need to bare my soul to her?

“It’s not that I’m embarrassed or anything. I’m just more a keep to yourself kind of guy. Besides, how many guys have their own library?” I laughed. “They’ve always been a big part of my life. They help you to escape, pretend you’re somewhere you’ll probably never be. I can’t remember me not liking books.” I finished the meatballs, popped them in the oven, and washed my hands once again, soaking the prep dishes in the sink.

“I agree. They’ve got me through some hard times.” Harper’s voice softened and I wondered more about her past. She seemed too young to be hardened by life yet.

The urge to protect her came over me fast and strong, holding me tightly in its grasp. I didn’t want her ever having hard times again.

“Same for me. Miss Lila’s a gem. She keeps me well stocked. I’ll have to show you my library after dinner.” I winked and placed a pot of salted water on the stove.

“Wait, you have a library? Here? In your cabin?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, I thought I liked you before, but now…”

I raised an eyebrow. “Now what?”

Her cheeks flushed crimson red. “I know I do.”

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