Page 88 of The Lost Book of First Loves

“You’re welcome.”

Was it her imagination or had his voice lowered a few notches?

She stared up at him, aware he was still holding her. The vivid memory of the kiss they had shared flashed through her mind. She wanted to do it again.

What was it about being with this man that made her feel more alive than anything else since her cardiac arrest?

She leaned forward, her lips parted slightly and her hands still pressed against his hard chest. A few inches. That was all it would take to kiss him again. She was tall enough that she didn’t even have to stand on her tiptoes.

Before she could act on the impulse, he released her and took a step back.

“Better now?” he asked.

She blinked, battling a mix of disappointment and relief.

“I... Yes. I’m good. I guess I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“That can happen easily on these trails around here, especially on the downhill.”

“Good thing you caught me. I would have hated to add a broken bone to my extensive list of medical issues right now.”

He smiled and they continued walking back to the cabin.

Chapter 29

Beckett

He was becoming entirely too fond of Juniper Connelly.

As Beckett walked with her back to Carson’s cabin, he somehow managed to keep the conversation flowing. They talked about early mountain men and trappers who were the first Europeans to pass through the area, about the winters that could be harsh and relentless, about some of his upcoming projects.

The entire time they spoke, a corner of his brain kept asking what the hell he thought he was doing.

Even if he might have thought he was ready for another relationship, which he definitely wasn’t, what would be the point in even thinking about Juniper like that?

A month ago, he would have thought a woman like her was absolutely not his type. He could not imagine two women more different than Soledad and June.

His wife had been petite, barely up to his shoulder and curvy. June was only a few inches shorter than he was, tall and willowy. Beyond the physical differences, she was a driven tech executive, probably married to her work, at least according to Ali. She lived in a high-rise condo in the middle of bustling Seattle, whereas Beck did not even like visiting a smallish city like Jackson these days.

Despite that, he had these random moments when he was struck by her vulnerability, when he wanted to wrap her in his arms and protect her from any possible harm.

Hank loped ahead of them and was waiting on the porch of the cabin, tail wagging.

“I think you want a treat,” she said, scratching the dog behind the ears. She opened the door to the cabin. She must have had dog biscuits inside somewhere close to the door because she emerged seconds later with one in her hand that she handed to a grateful Hank.

Despite everything going on in her life, she had taken the time to purchase dog treats for an animal that wasn’t even hers.

She was a very hard woman to resist.

“Would you like a cold drink of water?” she asked.

He hadn’t thought to bring a water bottle for himself. While he only had a five-minute walk to his place, it was always good to hydrate, right?

“That would be great.”

“What about Hank? Does he need one”

“Sure.”

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