Page 14 of Rescued By the Mountain Man

"I know," she replies softly, looking up at me with an expression that makes my chest tighten.

Against every better judgment, I bend down and kiss her again—briefly, lightly. When I pull back, her eyes remain closed for an extra heartbeat, lashes dark against her cheeks.

Aspen whines, circling us anxiously.

"Even she doesn't want this to end," Jade murmurs.

The radio crackles before I can respond. "Base to Rhett."

I reluctantly move away to answer it. "Rhett here."

"Road's clear to your position. Carlson is sending up the resort's snowcat for Wilson. ETA ninety minutes."

"Copy that." I set the radio down, turning back to Jade. "Sounds like your ride is on its way."

The silence that follows feels heavier than before.

"We should get you ready," I say finally. "I'll find your things."

I busy myself gathering her now-dry clothes, the few items from her pockets, anything to avoid the uncertainty hanging in the air. What happens when we leave this cabin? When we return to our separate lives—the reckless ski instructor and the cautious rescuer? When the intensity of these days fades into memory?

I'm folding her jacket when arms slide around my waist from behind. She presses her cheek against my back, and I freeze.

"Jade..."

"I don't want to pretend this didn't happen," she says, voice muffled against my shirt. "I don't want to go back to being strangers."

I close my eyes, savoring the feel of her against me. "I don't either."

"But?"

I turn in her arms, looking down at her upturned face. "But I don't know how this works. Out there."

Before she can respond, something nudges hard against the backs of my knees, nearly buckling them. Aspen stands there,looking enormously pleased with herself as she forces us closer together.

Jade laughs, the sound slightly watery. "See? Even Aspen thinks we should figure it out."

I rest my forehead against hers, allowing myself this moment. "She's usually right."

"Smart dog."

"Smartest I know."

We stand like that until the radio crackles again, calling us back to reality. As we prepare for her departure, Aspen follows Jade everywhere, carrying her glove in her mouth, whining whenever she moves too far away.

Just like her owner, my dog seems unwilling to let Jade Wilson go. And just like my dog, I have no idea what to do about it.

eight

Jade

Ninetyminutesuntilrealitycrashes back in. Ninety minutes until whatever this is between us gets tested by the outside world. Ninety minutes left in our snow globe.

I watch him move around the cabin, gathering my things. Aspen follows him, then me, then back to him, as if she's trying to herd us together.

"Rhett." His name on my lips stops him in his tracks. He turns, and the raw emotion in his eyes makes my breath catch.

"We should get you ready," he says, but he doesn't move.

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