Page 47 of Hide My Heart
“Maybe what?” Interest seems to return to her expression, and she tilts her head slightly to the left. A smile plays at the corners of her lips.
“Maybe we can be together?”
“Are you asking to court me?” She lets out a giggle. “Or date me. That way you don’t have to ask my father.”
“Yes, date you exclusively. I want you to be my girl. I want to wind my life around yours.”
“Wow.” Her jaw drops, and her eyes grow even larger as they hold my gaze. “Nate, are you sure?”
“As sure as the sky, the lake, and all the ice crystals in the forest,” I whisper. “I’ve always thought of you as a part of me. Always cared about what you were doing, where you went. The truth is, I’ve always loved you. I just didn’t know how to ask you out.”
“I would love to go out with you,” Amber replies. “I love everything about you, Nate, but I have complications.”
“If you’re referring to Beck as a complication, you’re wrong there. I know you two come as a package, a very delightful and marvelous package. I’d love to be Beck’s daddy if you’ll let me.”
“You’re serious?” She bounces on her feet, her face pink and radiant. “Oh, Nate, you’ve made me the happiest woman alive. I always wanted you in the back of my mind, but I never thought popular you would want anything to do with little ol’ me.”
“How wrong you were.” I grin and she grins right back.
Little Beck starts to wake and he blinks, moving his face back and forth between us.
“I think my son agrees.” Amber giggles and dots him a kiss. “Now I know I can face anything with you by my side.”
“Exactly where I want to be.” I press a kiss to seal the deal. Of course, she takes over, and our lips stay locked while our hands explore and comfort.
A chilly breeze interrupts our kissing, and I notice the sky darkening as clouds roll in.
Amber shivers and hugs Beck closer to her. “Let’s go back to the cabin. I’m going to heat up that potato soup I made earlier.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I give her another peck and then lead the way back to the cabin. I thought I saw cars moving on the highway below, and I want to make sure we’re safely inside before I call the police to see if they can come and get us off the mountain. I also want to know if they’ve captured Hunter.
We crunch our way back the way we came. This time, when we get to the tree trunk, I straddle it and let Amber climb on me to get across.
“It’s easier this way,” she says, kissing me while she’s crossing over.
“Definitely like you better this way,” I reply.
We walk side by side or with me slightly behind her with my hand on her back as we skirt away from overhanging branches to avoid being hit by falling ice.
A creak ahead of us warns us of an impending branch break, so we cut off the trail to go around it.
Snap.
A flash of metal jumps up and snaps Amber’s stick in two.
I freeze, gaping at the sight. “What the heck is that?”
“That’s a trap,” Amber says, her voice chilling me a hundred degrees. “Hunter’s here.”
That’s when I hear the shots.
“Run,” I yell. “We have to get to the cabin.”
The tree above us splinters. Crack, crumble, crash.
Ice dumps all over us, stinging and pummeling my head and shoulders as I crouch over Amber and Beck.
When we turn toward the cabin, Amber screams and loses her footing. She falls backwards and lands without breaking her fall, her arms protectively around Beck.
