Page 25 of Cherishing Happily Ever After

Levi’s words rang in his head as if the man stood right next to him.When you find the woman who makes everything make sense and is worth turning your life upside down for, you hang on to her for dear life because you’ll never find another.

Had he found that woman? It scared him, but he was pretty sure he had. But the bigger question was should he risk letting someone into his heart and his life again, when all that had ever come from that was pain?

Travis shook it off as he finally pulled up in front of the cabin again. The rain still hadn’t let up. The heavy cloud cover made everything gray and gloomy, but it was getting late and soon it would be dark. There wasn’t much left to do now but wait.

With one last look toward the cabin where the lights glowed warm and inviting, Travis exhaled slowly, grabbed the bag with the change of clothes he always kept behind his seat, and dashed to the porch out of the rain. He left his mud-covered boots outside and hung his jacket on a hook, where both would be protected from the elements.

The inviting aroma of coffee greeted him when he pushed the door open with a knock.

“You’re back.” Stephanie smiled from where she sat curled up in the chair with a blanket on her lap. She looked gorgeous, her hair wet—from a shower this time—and her face clean of both makeup and the mud that had been smeared over her cheeks earlier. Tink was curled up on a blanket on the floor, next to the fireplace.

A fire.

He hadn’t thought to bring in any wood. If the power went out, they’d need a way to heat the cabin. Reflexively, he turned to go back outside in the storm and do just that, but Stephanie’s voice stopped him.

“I brought some wood in from the box you put outside. I didn’t think we needed it yet,” she continued. “But we might want a fire later if the power goes out. I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like getting soaked through again. So I took care of it before I showered.”

Travis turned in wonder. Just when he thought she couldn’t surprise him anymore, she went ahead and did it anyway.

“Why do you look so surprised?” She laughed. “I told you, you’d be surprised at what I can do and what I know.”

That was the truth. He laughed and ran a hand over his face. “You did tell me. Still…”

An unreadable expression crossed her face. “I put a towel out for you in the bathroom. You must be chilled to the bone.”

“I’m warming up quickly.”

This time her expression was clear. Her nostrils flared and pupils darkened. She swallowed hard. “That’s good.” Her grin was sly. “But you’re still ridiculously dirty. Go clean up.”

He matched her smile. “Yes, ma’am.”

ChapterSeven

“Doyou really think the power will go out?” Stephanie handed Travis a mug of coffee when he emerged from the bathroom, changed and freshly showered. She ran a quick load of laundry, thankful for the small stackable units she’d had him install. At least this way, if the power did go out, they’d have plenty of towels and Travis would have a clean change of clothes.

“I don’t know.” Travis sank into the couch with a sigh and crossed his leg over his knee. “The electrical was all upgraded out here with your renovation, but there’s no telling if the local systems can handle this storm. And if a tree goes down…well, let’s just say I won’t be surprised.”

Stephanie nodded. She was afraid he’d say that. But if the power did go out, she was prepared. Happy she’d thought of the wood earlier, a fire was laid just in case and she’d gathered what few candles she had. With the groceries Travis had brought, the things she had in the freezer, and the baking—she’d wondered about that and what exactly his relationship with Georgia was, especially given the sheer quantity of goodies he’d brought—they should have enough food for a few days, too.

“I heard from Nick,” she said. “He was shocked the bridge went out and promised he wouldn’t leave us stranded out here forever.” She chuckled and topped up her own coffee. “But it might be awhile.” Stephanie looked at the back of Travis’s head, his hair damp from the shower. She couldn’t think of many more people she’d rather be stuck with.Still. She opened the cupboard over the fridge and pulled out a bottle of Irish cream. It definitely couldn’t hurt. She poured a dram in her coffee. “How about you?” She wiggled the bottle in the air as he turned around and grinned. “Care for a special coffee?”

He chuckled and held out his mug. “Have I told you yet that you’re full of surprises?”

She poured a healthy portion in his mug and winked. “Once or twice.”

“I know I said it before,” Travis said. “But I was really impressed with you out there today.”

Steph shrugged off the compliment. At least, she thought it was a compliment. “And I know I already said it,” she replied as she stepped over the sleeping puppy. “Thank you so much for your help today.” She took a sip of her coffee. “And not just today,” she added. “All of it. The fence, the alarm system, coming to my rescue in the middle of the night…you didn’t have to do any of that, and I want you to know that I really appreciate it.”

He flushed and looked down a little but didn’t respond.

She knew she was fishing, but when it came to Travis, Steph was starting to realize that her behavior couldn’t seem to be predicted. Something about the man had her acting in ways that she never would have before. Including asking the question she was desperate to know the answer to. “So what does Georgia think about you being stuck up here with me?”

Travis’s head snapped up. “Georgia?”

She shrugged and tried for casual indifference, but she was pretty sure it wasn’t coming off quite the way she hoped. She couldn’t seem to help it. Nothing about Travis made her feel indifferent. Quite the opposite. “Yes, Georgia,” she said. “From the bakery?”

“Why would she care where I was?”

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