Page 43 of Mountain Dreams

“You’re a good man, Cody Sawyer.”

“Shh. Don’t tell anybody.”

She laughed, and he was happy to see her smiling again.

After another lingering look, they parted. It was as if they both knew how easy it would be to cross the friendship line, but for various reasons, they were afraid to do so. It would have been so easy to dip his head down and kiss her lips, to taste the butter and coffee on her tongue.

He’d hugged her enough to know how her soft, warm body felt next to his and how her nipples had puckered in response to his nearness. He felt the pull of desire whenever she was near, an intense need thrumming through his veins. He’d kept a tight rein on himself these past few days, but now he felt his control slipping. After all, he was only human, and a virile male to boot! The longer she stayed with him, the harder it would be to hold himself back, but he had to. His friendship with Wyatt was already dissolving, but he didn’t want to jeopardize his friendship with her too. In effect, she’d just come back into his life, and he didn’t want to lose her again. If they crossed the line, losing her was a real possibility and a risk he wasn’t willing to take.

“C’mon. Let’s go for a drive.”

“Okay,” she said.

“Aren’t you going to ask where to?”

She shook her head and smiled. “I trust you.”

Her words tightened his resolve. As much as he wanted her, he’d have to keep his feelings to himself, just like he had when they were teens.

Fourteen

It wasn’t how she’d expected to spend Valentine’s Day, but she enjoyed it immensely.

He drove to Cades Cove, a popular attraction in Smoky Mountains National Park, and they meandered around the one-way traffic loop in hopes of spotting wildlife in the sprawling valley. Sure enough, there was a herd of deer nudging the snow with their noses in search of food, and they pulled off the road and watched them contentedly for a while.

“People don’t realize how pretty the park is in the winter,” Maddie mused.

“Lucky us, who live here year-round,” he said.

“Have you ever thought of living somewhere else?”

“Never,” he replied immediately. Then he shifted in his seat to look at her. “Have you?”

She shook her head, and he looked pleased with her answer.

Soon the deer moved off, and he pulled back onto the road.

“We should have brought hiking boots and gone for a walk,” he said as they passed one of the many trailheads.

“I left my hiking gear at Wyatt’s house.”

She saw his hands tighten on the steering wheel.

“When you’re ready to collect the rest of your things, I’ll help,” he said in a tone that brooked no argument.

She sighed. “I should probably figure out where to move them to.”

“Have you given any more thought to my idea?”

“Of moving in with you?”

“Um-hmm.”

She’d been thinking about it on and off ever since he’d mentioned it, but she hadn’t reached a decision.

They rounded a corner and spotted another group of deer picking their way through a copse of trees alongside the road. He pulled over again so they could watch.

“Tell me your main concern and be honest. I can take it.”