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On the flip side, though, he had no desire to head back outside. Especially not now that the fluffy white snow had turned to ice. So, taking advantage of Josh’s offer, he leaned back in his chair and tossed his cousin the keys as he passed by. “It’s in the back seat. On the passenger side. My black duffel.”
Josh nodded and started pulling on his boots and jacket. When the door closed behind him, he found Sofia’s gaze studying him. Intently.
“What?” he asked, dropping his brows. He hadn’t eaten since he’d left Santa Barbara, so he couldn’t have anything on his face. And any snow that might have landed in his goatee while helping Ellie would have melted by now.
She gave a small shake of her head. “Just thank you,” she said. “I know you didn’t do anything any other decent human being wouldn’t do, but I’d thank them, too.”
He shifted uncomfortably. The women who had joined his family—Sabina, Sofia, Kara, and Tia—knew how much he hated his cousins’ teasing. Not because of anything he’d said but because they were all intuitive as hell. And although his cousins annoyed the shit out of him, the women’s perceptions were even more uncomfortable. Because what kind of person did that make him if he hated being considerednice?
“Any chance I can take you up on that hot toddy?” he asked, flashing her a grin.
She held his gaze then smiled as she rose. “Of course. And would I be right if I guessed you haven’t eaten in a while?”
He inclined his head. “But don’t go to any trouble.”
She waved him off as she walked to the kitchen. “I made a beef stew tonight. One of my grandmother’s northern Italian recipes, so it’s heartier than some of my other dishes. Thought a day like today called for it. It’s easy to heat up. Want some, Ellie?”
“Do you even need to ask? You know how much I like that stew,” she shot back with a smile. Asher’s heart caught for a split second at the look of unfettered joy on Ellie’s face. She was a stunning woman—one of the most beautiful in the world, according to more than one magazine. But that description didn’t even begin to cover the loveliness of her unguarded and genuine smile.
By the time Sofia heated two bowls, Josh had returned with his duffel and carried it to one of the upstairs guest bedrooms. “Ellie is in the first and you’re in the second room,” he said, joining them at the dining table. “I turned the electric blankets on low just to warm up the sheets,” he added.
He took a seat beside Sofia and picked up her hand, resting it on his thigh under the table. “We’re happy to have you here, Ellie. Especially after the ordeal on the drive up. I have to ask, though, is there a reason for the impromptu visit? Anything we need to let Chad and Sabina know about?” Josh asked.
Asher watched Ellie as he swallowed a spoonful of stew. With warm food filling his stomach and a hot toddy soothing his soul he’d begun to relax. But when Ellie’s color faded a shade and she tensed at Josh’s question, every nerve in his body lit up. Setting his spoon down, he took a sip of his drink and waited for her response.
She gave a jerky shake of her head. “No, it’s nothing likethat,” she said. He had no clue what “that” might be other than something that involved HICC. Sofia and Josh, on the other hand, both relaxed at her statement. Knowing he was the only one at the table not in the know chafed. But he also recognized he didn’t have a right to know. Not unless Ellie told him. Which he couldn’t imagine her doing given that they’d only met an hour ago. He picked up his spoon again and took another bite.
“Then?” Sofia pressed, her tone gentle but coaxing.
Ellie’s eyes darted to him then back to her friend. “It’s a…complicated story.”
And one she didn’t want to go into with him at the table. Although judging by the way Ellie’s gaze seemed to plead with Sofia, she didn’t look all that keen to include Josh, either. And with that observation, Asher realized two things. First, he was a dick. He had no right to be relieved that she’d also excluded Josh from the conversation. And yet he was. But second, and more important, whatever brought her to Mystery Lake had truly shaken her. Not only was she reluctant to talk about it, but she also seemed uncertain—unsure—about what “it” even was.
After a beat, Sofia nodded. “Get a good night’s sleep tonight. We’ll talk in the morning.”
Asher caught Josh’s eye as he finished off his stew. He arched a brow in question. Josh flashed a small frown in response then lifted his shoulder. He had no more idea what might be going on with Ellie than Asher. But Josh followed the movement with a slight nod to Sofia. He’d picked up on Ellie’s hesitation as well and, without speaking, he assured Asher that Sofia would be there for her.
Ten minutes later, he stood at the sink, loading his and Ellie’s dishes into the dishwasher as Sofia showed her friend to her room.
“Do you think she’s okay?” Josh asked, leaning against the counter.
“Since I’m right next door to her, I’ll check on her a couple of times tonight so that Sofia doesn’t have to. But do I think she’s physically okay? Yes, I do.”
“That distinction makes me wonder if you’re worried about her mental state,” Josh said.
He had no real evidence to suggest an issue. Each nervous glance, every moment of confusion in her eye, could all be explained away as the effects of being in a car accident. Even as minor as the collision was. But there was something…unsettling about the actions Ellie had taken earlier that day. Why throw her clothes in her car? Why rush up to Mystery Lake to see a friend without calling? Why did she spin off the road? The answer to that last question could be straightforward. But her car was as good in the snow as any he’d ever driven or read about. If she’d been traveling the speeds she said, the chances of going into a spin were negligible. In the ice, sure, but not typically in the type of snow falling when she’d gone off the road.
But at the end of the day, while her actions seemed odd to him, he didn’t know her. He didn’t know what kind of driver she was. He didn’t know if she was the type who would show up unannounced at a friend’s house and expect to stay a few days. And he didn’t know if she was the type to create drama around herself. Sofia was as down-to-earth as they came, and the two were best friends, so he doubted she was prone to the latter. But even so…
He shook his head as he closed the dishwasher. “I don’t know,” he said, turning and leaning against the opposite counter.
“But?” Josh pressed.
Asher didn’t stop the frown that touched his lips. “I don’t know,” he repeated with a shake of his head. “But after they talk, if Sofia is worried aboutanything, please make sure she doesn’t brush it off or make excuses. If Ellie needs help, she’s come to the right place.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Ellie’s gaze lingered on the view from Sofia’s kitchen window. Sofia and Josh were intheir room getting ready for the day. And she could hear Asher upstairs moving around. No doubt repacking his bag so that he could head home. He’d knocked on her door twice in the middle of the night. But he hadn’t opened it either time, presumably deeming her verbal response enough evidence of no concussion.
