Celebrate in Good Hope (Good Hope #22)

Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

Boone remained silent as he and Roe walked the sheriff to the door.

Pushing it shut, he turned to face her. “Just so you know, I didn’t have a problem leaving tonight.”

“Let’s sit.” She gestured to the seating near the fireplace. “Enjoy the warmth and talk options.”

“That works for me, too. I’m in no hurry to step outside.” Striding across the room, Boone sat, stretching out his long legs.

The green Henley he’d worn earlier had been exchanged for a sweater in a rust color. She’d venture to guess that the jeans he had on now weren’t the ones he’d worn earlier either. When he’d left Muddy Boots, both the Henley and the shirt had been covered in gravy and vegetables.

Roe liked his shaggy dark hair and the scruff on his face. Her father had always insisted her brothers keep their hair well-groomed , his code for a buzz cut and no facial hair.

Maybe that’s why she found messy hair and scruff so incredibly sexy.

Focus , she told herself, dropping down into the chair closest to his .

“I’m sorry about?—”

“The pot pie. I get it. Done and forgotten.”

“No.” Roe frowned. “Sorry about the mix-up with the cabin.”

“Don’t give it a second thought.”

“You drove a long way because Dakota’s father promised you could stay here.” While she’d made the relatively short trip from Minneapolis, he’d come all the way from Denver. Only to be turned away at the door.

Okay, perhaps not exactly at the door, but close enough.

“I was thinking…” Roe paused. Should she really make this offer? Once it left her lips, she would be committed.

Boone simply cocked his head and waited.

If he had pressed, she might have taken a step back…a huge step back. He didn’t. Instead, he simply waited patiently for her to say her piece.

“This is a big house.” She could see her mother shaking her head and her dad’s expression turning thunderous. “There isn’t any reason you and I can’t peacefully coexist under the same roof. Krew vouched for you, so I know you’re not a serial killer.”

Though his expression remained serious, his lips twitched ever so slightly. If her gaze hadn’t been focused so completely on him, she might have missed it.

“How do I know you’re not a serial killer?”

Roe blinked. “Pardon?”

“Do you have someone who can vouch for you?”

“I suppose I could call Dakota, and she could—” She stopped when he grinned. “You’re playing me.”

“Guilty.”

She found herself returning his devilish smile. “I must be more tired than I realized. I’m not usually so gullible.”

“I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.”

“That I’m not usually gullible?” Roe found herself enjoying the banter. She arched a brow. “Or that I’m not a serial killer?”

“Both. ”

Boone’s eyes glittered in the firelight’s glow, the soft light turning his dark eyes to molten chocolate. His rumpled hair, still damp at the edges, emitted the enticing scent of lime.

As an unfamiliar longing coursed through her, Roe suspected being in close quarters with this handsome man might prove dangerous, but in a totally different way.

As soon as the thought surfaced, she brushed it aside. It was a big house. With her job and him, well, doing whatever he would be doing while in Good Hope, their contact would likely be minimal.

“What do you say?” Roe could have cheered when the question came out casual and offhand, as if it didn’t matter to her one way or the other if he stayed or left.

Which it didn’t. Matter, that was.

“My choices are to head out into what’s turning out to be quite a snowstorm, try to find some motel or hotel with an open room, then drive back to Denver and my three roommates who love to party, or stay here with you?”

“That’s right.” Roe paused, then frowned as what he’d said registered. “Why do you have roommates? You had to have been in the NFL for seven or eight years?”

“Eight. How’d you know?”

“I guessed that we’re about the same age. I’ll be turning thirty all too soon.” Roe kept her tone matter-of-fact. “If you got drafted out of college, that would mean you’ve played for eight seasons.”

“That’s a correct assumption.” He flashed a smile.

Roe wished she could say she was immune to his charms, but then consoled herself with the thought that that particular smile had likely been winning him hearts since grade school. “So, why roommates instead of your own place?”

He shrugged. “I like having someone around.”

She understood. Growing up, her household had been a busy one. As an adult, she’d always had a roommate. Instead of savoring the silence of the cabin, she’d found it a little too quiet. That might be another plus to having Boone around.

She met his gaze. “So, what do you say? Stay or go? Your choice.”

After retrieving her car and parking it in the garage, Roe headed straight for her bedroom. After locking the door, she stripped off her clothes, eager to indulge in a long, hot shower. She’d reached the bathroom door when her phone rang.

Recognizing the ring, Roe quickly wrapped a towel around herself, then grabbed her phone from the charger and dropped to sit on the bed.

“Dakota, hello.”

Knowing that her friend was busy with work and wedding plans, Roe hadn’t expected to hear from her until after the holidays.

“How are you? Dad called and told me what happened. I’m so sorry, Roe. Are you okay?” The words tumbled out of Dakota’s mouth like spilled ice from an overturned glass.

“I’m fine. I’ve decided to let Boone stay.” The last thing Roe wanted was for her friend to worry about her. Especially when there was no reason. “It’ll be nice having someone else in the house.”

“Especially if that someone is Jason Boone.” Dakota laughed, and Roe heard relief in the sound. “Most women would kill to trade places with you and spend the holidays with him. He is überhot.”

Roe brought to mind the image of her new housemate’s broad shoulders, lean hips, and chiseled features. Not to mention that heart-stopping smile. überhot was an apt description.

“Whoa, down, girl,” Roe teased. “Don’t forget, you’ve got Nolan. ”

“Hey, I’m engaged. I’m not blind.” Dakota laughed again. “What do you think?”

“Of Boone?”

Dakota made a scoffing sound. “Who else?”

“He’s nice,” Roe admitted. “And you’re right, he is hot. But with everything I’ve got going on right now, I’m in no position to start a relationship.”

The choked sound that burst from Dakota’s lips took Roe by surprise. “What’s so funny?”

“Who said anything about a relationship? I’m saying you’ve had a difficult few months, and the universe is giving you a gift—a sexy man for Christmas.”

“You’re saying I should unwrap Boone for the holidays?” Roe might have kept her tone light, but she shifted, conscious of her nakedness as a tiny shiver of lust coursed up her spine.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” Dakota’s voice turned persuasive. “What’s wrong with a few weeks of fun between consenting adults?”

“Nothing is wrong, but he’s recovering from an injury, which I probably made even worse by dropping a scalding-hot pot pie into his lap earlier today.”

“You did not!” Dakota shrieked.

“I did.” Roe explained everything that had happened since she’d first seen Boone earlier today sitting in Muddy Boots. “So, you see, I don’t think he’s likely to consent to?—”

“I’ve only met him a couple of times,” Dakota interrupted. “But he struck me as an easygoing guy who doesn’t hold grudges.”

“That’s how he strikes me, too,” Roe agreed.

“Well, then, I have just two suggestions.”

“Lay them on me.”

“Don’t drop any more pot pies, or really anything hot, in his lap.” Barely suppressed laughter ran through Dakota’s words.

“What’s the other bit of wisdom? ”

“Relax and have fun. Though, of course, only do what you’re comfortable with.”

“Like I said, I’m not looking for anything…” Roe paused, recalling how good Boone looked and how fabulous he smelled. “But I will admit the man is crazy hot.”

Roe rolled out of bed at seven a.m. and went straight to the window. Though a stiff breeze that rattled the windowpanes had awakened her several times during the night, her sleep had otherwise been filled with vivid dreams. Dreams of being held by a man with shaggy hair and eyes so dark she could drown in them. Dreams of kissing him, of touching him…

Stop, Roe told herself as her heart rate spiked.

Darn Dakota, for putting those thoughts into her head.

She needed to forget the dreams and focus.

Looking out, Roe saw the snow had ended, and the yard and the driveway were covered in a thick blanket of white. She bet Boone was happy he’d decided to pull his truck into the garage.

Last night, she’d seen he was hurting. But when she’d offered to pull the truck into the garage for him, he’d thanked her for the offer but shrugged on his coat and boots and headed outside.

She hadn’t argued. He lived in Colorado and should have known that if there was an indoor space for a vehicle, you didn’t wait to put it inside when it was snowing.

Though she’d mentioned she was making soup and he was welcome to have some, he’d politely declined the offer. After pulling the pickup into the garage, he’d headed down the hall to his bedroom.

She stayed up, reading on her Kindle in front of the fire. Every so many minutes, Roe found herself glancing down the hall. She really hoped the pot pie hadn’t burned his skin.

Over and done with, she told herself. If he was hurting this morning, she hoped he’d mention it. She pulled on her warmest outer gear before heading to the garage, where the massive snowblower awaited. It started quickly, and in minutes, she was clearing the driveway. Because the snow was so deep and the drive long and winding, she stuck to clearing the concrete part closest to the house.

That was where it had drifted the most anyway. The rest would be passable by his 4x4 and, hopefully, her Subaru.

Once the driveway approach was cleared, Roe moved to the sidewalk leading to the front porch. When that was done, she put away the monster machine, grabbed a broom and began sweeping the snow off the porch.

That’s where she was when Boone stepped out the door, looking incredible in a black flannel-lined waxed trucker jacket over a flannel shirt. The insulated red and black cap with flaps that came down over his ears and neck might have looked ridiculous on another man.

On Boone, well, it looked incredibly sexy.

She wore a puffer coat, and did anyone look good in one of those?

His eyes widened. He gestured. “You did all this?”

Roe stopped sweeping. “Do you see anyone else?”

“When?”

“I got up early and jumped in with both feet.”

When he didn’t say anything but only continued to stare at her with a puzzled expression, she added, “I’m nearly done. You might as well go inside.”

After one more glance around, Boone headed back inside.

He might have at least offered to finish sweeping, Roe thought, then shrugged off the irritation. She’d told him to go inside, and she was nearly finished.

By the time she’d cleared the porch to her satisfaction, another ten minutes had passed. She was eager to return to the warm and dry inside .

Sitting on the bench in the foyer, she removed her boots, pleased that her wool socks had remained dry.

Her coat, hat and scarf were carefully hung on the coat tree when her nose caught a whiff of something magnificent—cooking bacon.

Like a hunting dog who had caught the scent of particularly enticing prey, Roe followed her nose. It led her to the kitchen where Boone stood in front of the stove.

Bacon and eggs and sexy, oh my.

She felt like Dorothy seeing the city of Oz for the first time.

“Coffee.” She breathed the word as she inhaled the rich aroma. “And bacon.”

Boone turned from the stove, a spatula in one hand. The smile he offered had her blood turning to warm honey. “I thought you might be ready to eat after all your hard work. How do bacon and eggs sound?”

When he saw the direction of her gaze, he grinned. “There’s also a pot of coffee. I can’t drink it all myself.”

“It all sounds wonderful. I’ll wash my hands, then set the table.” Anticipation of a hearty breakfast with lots and lots of coffee fueled her steps.

Soon, the table was ready, and a plate of food and cups of steaming coffee sat before them.

“Dig in,” he told her.

She picked up her fork and gestured to the bacon and eggs. “Thank you for this.”

Boone took a long drink of coffee. “Thank you for snowblowing the drive and walkway.”

“No problem.” She scooped some eggs onto a piece of grainy toast. “Growing up, we lived in various cold-weather climates. My brothers and I rotated who did the snowblowing.”

“While I’m here, I can take it over.”

“I can do it.”

His jaw lifted in what appeared to be a stubborn tilt .

She gave a careless shrug, as if it didn’t matter one way or another. “I’m also okay with taking turns.”

“I’m not going to sit inside while you’re out there working.”

“You weren’t simply sitting inside this morning while I was out there working. You made breakfast,” she said pointedly.

“Still—”

“No still,” she interrupted. “And you better not do the whole male-female thing. I’m just as capable as you and probably even more capable of handling Beast.”

He arched a brow. “Beast?”

“I like to give things names.” She offered a little smile. “The snowblower will from now forward be known as Beast.”

“You know there is probably someone in town who could come out with their own Beast.”

“I know,” she agreed, “but I’m living here rent-free. There is no reason to pay someone to do something I’m capable of doing.”

“Next snowfall, Beast is mine.”

“It’s hydraulic, so that’s a plus, but it still takes some strength to handle.” She met his gaze. “Would your doctor approve? It hasn’t been that long since your surgery.”

“I’m three weeks out. It’ll be fine. Lifting weights and contact sports are still a no-go, but as for blowing snow, your Beast would do most of the work. I’d simply be along for the fun.”

“Fun.” Roe tapped her lips with a finger. “I never thought of it like that.”

“I don’t see any reason work and fun can’t coexist.” Boone offered a smile that she felt all the way to the tips of her toes. “Do you?”