Christmas with the Mountain Man (Log Cabin Christmas)

Chapter 5

Tate

I am mad to put myself through this. I set about heating up some soup over the fire as my mind whirls. I’ve been trying to deny how attracted I am to the girl. The last thing I need is to fall for a blue-haired, trouble-making reporter from out of town. But seeing her in a wet t-shirt plastered to her breasts is enough to almost push me over the edge. Fuck. What I wouldn’t give to kiss her hard. Put my hands on that fantastic body and have her right up against the wall.

But years of army training tells me to tamp it all down. Lacey is cold and frightened and getting her warm and at ease takes priority. She is like a frightened animal that spooks easily. Didn’t she run out of the cafe last night just because I went to hold her hands.

When I’d heard she had come up the mountain with a storm coming in I’d been angry and worried. But when I opened that car door and saw her wild look of panic, all my anger dissolved. She’s not nearly as tough as she pretends. I’m discovering there are more than two sides to Lacey. There is the girl with the amazing laugh and a cheeky smile. There is the tough exterior. Then there is the hurt little girl she thinks she hides so well. There is something about her pain that I can relate to. And I find the whole package sexy as hell.

I look over as she comes out of the bathroom. Shoulders back, chin held high. Defenses up.

“Since we have some time, why don’t you tell me about some of the rich and famous who live up here on the mountain?”

The tough reporter is back in place. I smile as I stir the soup heating over the fire. Lacey sits herself in the second armchair, careful to arrange the blanket wrapped around her entire body. She is looking very prim and proper, but I am painfully aware she is naked under that blanket.

I let out a little sigh as I pour the soup into two bowls. “We’re going to be stuck here for a bit, can’t we talk about something else?”

She takes her bowl and sits black in the chair. Looking at me under hooded eyelids, she asks. “Is there a Mrs. Officer Tate?”

I glance up at her. The soft orange glow of the fire makes her eyes sparkle.

“No.” I pause, wondering what prompted her to ask. “What about you? We’ve only got a single bed here. Am I going to have to be explaining this to some jealous boyfriend?”

She shrugs and looks into the fire. “I don’t need anybody telling me what to do.”

“I think you do. I think you need someone to keep you out of trouble.”

“I do just fine on my own.”

I raise one eyebrow.

“Well, okay, I might have had a moment of weakness. But trust me, that is rare. I’m usually in control.”

I smile thinking about her stuck in the window. “I think what you mean to say is, thank you Office Tate for saving me. Again.”

She scoffs.

“Listen, you could have been in real danger up here. And you should thank the stars that it was me who found you. There are some bad people up here on the mountain.”

“I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it for a long time.”

I can’t help my anger. She is so determined to go through life on her own, she won’t let anybody in. And if anyone needs looking after, it is Lacey. The silly girl is going to get herself in real trouble one day. “Twice now I’ve had to save your sexy ass. It won’t kill you to admit it’s okay to ask for help every now and again.”

She slams her bowl down and stands up to start pacing. “I think we should drop it. Let’s go back to my questions. Do you know Roman Fitzgerald?”

I stand up and slowly approach her. “I don’t give a damn about Roman Fitzgerald right now.”