Page 21 of Snowbound with the Alpha Wolf
6
He’d saidthey would spend the night in a cabin. But this was nocabin.
The two-story house was made from logs, but it was large enough to accommodate a family. Darcy climbed out of the truck as Adrianparked.
At the entrance, Adrian jingled the keys in his hand.“Ironic, you and I being here. I’ve fantasized about this for some time.” His mouth flattened. “Of course, I did not anticipate being with you here to carry out this kind of assignment. But we are herenow.”
He opened the door, brought their suitcases inside and then returned for the four bags of groceries he’d bought on their wayhere.
Then he flicked a light switch and steppedaside to let herin.
Darcy’s breath hitched with wonder as she explored. She’d expected a rustic shack with running water (when it rained) and rough-hewnfurniture.
The cabin had oak flooring and a kitchen with yellow cabinets and floral curtains, big enough for a white table and four chairs. Big picture windows in the living room overlooked the sweeping valley below and the snow-dustedpines surrounding thecabin.
Tufted leather furniture was arranged in front of a river rock fireplace. As Adrian went around turning on this and checking that, Darcy fished her most precious possession out of her overnight bag and set it on the mantel. It looked like…home. All it needed was a Christmas tree and brightly wrapped gifts beneathit.
A real home, where she could kickoff her shoes at night, bake chocolate cakes and lie in bed at night with the window open, listening to the snow fall. And then make mugs of hot chocolate and snuggle after a long, slow bout oflovemaking.
Adrian’s intent gaze met hers, as if he saw into her mind. “Do you likeit?”
Darcy cleared her throat. “It’s very sweet. Why did you buildthis?”
His gaze remained guarded.“I was hoping to come here with you one day. It’s lovely in thewinter.”
Whoa, that was not what she’d expected. Damn it, the wolf knew how to hit her weak spot. Flowers and flattery never did her in, and neither did jewels or luxuryitems.
But sweet house, with a yellow kitchen and floral curtains at the window—yeah, that hit thespot.
“The heat is all gas.” He pointed tothe window in the dining room. “Tank’s outside. It will take an hour to fully heat the place. I’ll make a fire in the meantime. You’reshivering.”
But not from the cold. Delighted with the house, she tried to play it cool. “A lot of money to spend on chasing adream.”
“Dreams are the fabric of every life. They’re especially important when all your hopes have shattered.” Adrian gazedup at the skylight. “Those first few months I spent forming my own pack, my dreams kept us alive and pushingforward.”
“Your strength and your determination to keep them safe and protected, kept them alive,” she said softly. “You were the perfect alpha to lead Lupines damaged by their formerlives.”
“A wolf therapist. Pull up a sofa.” Adrian rolled his eyes and shelaughed.
“You sealed the deal for those under your care, Adrian. Life knocked you down, and you got back up and made it evenbetter.”
“Thanks to you. You saved my life,” he murmured, cupping hercheek.
Darcy ducked beneath his touch. He had an unsettling effect on her, throwing her off balance. “We had a rather dramatic meet cute, that’s all. I did what I was assigned to do. You’ve been harboringfeelings for your rescuer because of the intensity of what happened ten yearsago.”
“I’m no fool, Darcy. Nor am I some pup with a crush. What’s between us is real andlasting.”
Deep inside, she wished it could last. “Maybe it’s real,” she admitted. “But nothing lastsforever.”
Adrian piled logs and kindling into the fireplace then ignited them. Flames crackled, loaning a cozywarmth to the living room. He stood, dusting off hishands.
“What’s your ideal life? If you could have one dream fulfilled, what would youhave?”
Adrian’s voice remained gentle, almost tender. Instead of answering, she went to the mantel and picked up the dogstatue.
The statue had been a gift from a family she’d helped, and Darcy cherished it. Cheap, perhaps, but pricelessto her because it reminded her of her bestsummer.
Darcy closed her eyes, remembering the Fae family she’d aided in the Midwest. They’d been scared because their crotchety Skin neighbor had been on the back porch looking through the screen door and saw the mother using white light to heal her son’s lacerated hand. Rumors started tospread.
