Page 3 of Double Booked

“Uh-uh.”

“At night, we can stay in our separate rooms.”

“No way.”

“Why not?” He sounded exasperated.

She leaned forward and gazed directly into his eyes. “Because YOU ARE A STRANGER!”

He sighed and extended his right hand. “Hello, I’m Cole Turner.”

She looked at his hand and frowned.

“And you are?” he prompted.

That cinched it. He was certifiably crazy.

“C’mon,” he coaxed.

“This is ridiculous. You already know my name.”

“Only because I overheard you on the phone. That doesn’t count as a formal introduction.”

Formal? Nothing about this was formal. She was eating a stranger’s leftovers when she was supposed to be here alone. He stared at her, waiting. “You’re crazy,” she huffed. Nonetheless, she put her hand in his. He closed his hand around hers, firmly but not too tightly. His hand was warm, but not clammy, and oddly reassuring.

“It’s nice to meet you, Eden Wright.”

His lips curved up at the edges, the first glimpse of a smile. Naturally, her temporary roommate had to be good looking. She wasn’t sure whether that made the situation better or worse. In either case, she’d probably end up laughing about this someday.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” she grumbled.

He let go of her hand. “There. Now we’re not strangers anymore.”

“I guess not.”

“Are you always this grumpy?”

She stared at him, incredulous.

“Never mind. I’ll get out of your way now.” He turned and sauntered out of the kitchen.

She sat still until his footsteps receded and a door closed overhead. Then she expelled a heavy sigh and finished her meal. Afterward, she put her dish and fork in the dishwasher and disposed of the empty food containers.

Glancing at the clock on the stove, she saw it was only eight p.m., though it felt later than that. Resigned to staying here tonight, she went outside to collect her suitcases from the rental car.

Stepping from the warmth of the cabin into the cool evening air took her breath away. Then she looked up at the sky, which was black, except for the twinkling white stars. A gentle wind rustled the nearby trees, but otherwise it was quiet.

She stood there for a moment, soaking it in. This was what she’d come to Colorado for—peace, quiet, and tranquility. It was the perfect antidote to the drama she’d recently experienced at home.

There was only one thing that would make it more perfect—solitude.

Two

Cole was sipping coffee at the kitchen counter when the door of the first-floor bedroom creaked open, and Eden stuck her head out.

“I smell coffee,” she said. Last night, her pretty, blonde hair had been arranged in a neat ponytail. This morning, it created a crazy halo around her head.

He raised his cup. “You’re welcome to have some.”