Page 3 of Huckleberry Hill
Declan went to the dresser and opened a drawer. “Hmm?”
“The twinkle lights. From the porch.”
“Oh. Yeah, well I plugged them in and a few of the bulbs went out and the whole strand went dark.” He pulled out a faded gray T-shirt and a pair of flannel boxers. “This okay?”
“I usually know a man’s middle name before I wear his boxers,” I joked.
“Ah, sorry. You couldn’t waterboard my middle name out of me.”
“It must be really embarrassing.”
“It puts embarrassing to shame,” he replied.
I took the clothes from him, our fingers brushing against one another. A tingle of awareness flashed through my belly. “Thanks for this.”
“Sure. Bathroom’s there.” He pointed and then looked sheepish. “Of course you already know where the bathroom is, don’t you?”
“Yep. You didn’t ask why I showed up in the middle of the night.”
“Figured you have your reasons.” He shrugged. “Not my business.”
Nodding again, I took his clothes to the small bathroom. There was a clawfoot tub and shower, and you could barely turn around. I hit my elbows as I shucked my jeans off. My cell phone clattered to the floor.
It was only 2 a.m., but my body thought it was nearly dawn due to the time change from New York. I was exhausted.
Before I left the bathroom, I sent a quick text to the group chat I shared with my twin sister and two best friends, who were also our roommates back in the city.
Me
Made it home safe. Almost got eaten by a bear. Will explain later.
I opened the bathroom door and saw Declan’s sleeping arrangements on the couch.
“You hungry? Thirsty?” he asked.
“Thirsty,” I said.
“I’ve got water and beer. And half and half.”
“Water’s good,” I said, smiling faintly. He made a move to get me a glass, but I held up my hand. “I’ve got it. You’ve already done enough.”
“Done enough? By lending you my clothes?” His gaze dipped down my body and shivers prickled up my back.
Prickles I shouldn’t have felt. But Declan had three things in his favor: chest hair, a sense of humor, and the fact that he was a cowboy. He was checking off the list of my ultimate weaknesses.
“By saving me from a bear . . . and for giving me your bed. To name a few.”
He pretended to doff a nonexistent hat.
Bet he looks good in a cowboy hat and chaps.
Assless chaps.
Shit.
“I am curious about one thing, though,” he said.
“What’s that?”
