in town. But it’s full up. Relatives that come in for the holidays,” he explained.
“Maybe I should call and check. There might be a cancellation.”
He shook his head. “Trust me. They don’t have any rooms free tonight.”
He glanced at her, the corner his mouth lifted in the promising start of a smile. She sensed he didn’t smile often. She wasn’t sure why. Just something about him.
Maybe that was a good thing. He was even better-looking, if possible, when he did. When their eyes met, she forgot for a moment what she’d even asked him.
“I have an inside track. My family owns the place. My mother and sister,” he added.
It was hard to picture this hunk of a man with a mother. But of course, he had one, along with a wife and children and all kinds of relatives, waiting for him at some big Christmas party, she suspected.
His hands were covered by thick gloves so she couldn’t check to see if he wore a ring. Then she realized her thoughts were going way off on some wacky detour. What did it matter to her if he was married or not?
“There must be someplace else.” Carey forced herself back on track. “It doesn’t have to be fancy. As long as it’s clean…and there’s heat.”
“There are a few B and Bs around, but they’re all full tonight, as well. There’s a motel a few towns north. But the highway is closed now and I don’t dare risk the ride on the back roads. Besides, that place is going to be booked, too. Especially with this weather.”
Carey considered his reply. She didn’t argue with him. It was probably true. People traveling tonight would get off the road and stop to stay over, if they had any sense at all.
“How about a hospital? Maybe they could give us a bed for the night.”
“The hospital is even farther.” Before she could answer, he added, “The usual procedure for emergency shelter is the lockup at the station in town.” He paused, his glance taking in her worried expression. “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t leave you in a jail cell on Christmas Eve. I just…wouldn’t.”
His gaze met hers for a moment, then he stared back at the road again. Carey felt some indefinable current arc between them. She didn’t know what to say.
“What do you think we should do?”
He didn’t say anything for a long moment. Carey wondered what his solution was going to be.
“I have plenty of room at my house. We’re almost there. And I honestly don’t see any other solution.”
Carey was surprised by the offer. “Are you sure? I mean…there’s nowhere else?”
“Tomorrow there’ll be lots of vacancies. But tonight, with this snow, I can’t think of anyplace else to bring you. You said all you want is a clean room and some heat. I can guarantee that at least.”
“How about your family? Won’t they mind?” She phrased the question as diplomatically as she could manage.
“Well, there’s Dixie…my dog,” he explained. “But she’s always happy to see company.”
His answer pleased her. She didn’t want to stop and figure out why. She didn’t want to intrude if he did have a wife and family. That’s all, she told herself. It wasn’t anything more.
“I realize the situation might be a little disconcerting. I mean, you’d be smart to hesitate. I’m going to call the station. You can talk to my sergeant. Make sure I am who I say. Will that make you feel better about it?”
“All right. I guess that would be the smart thing to do.”
Ben picked up the radio handset in the car and a short time later, Carey was listening to his superior wax eloquent on Ben’s fine points as a gentleman and an officer. Any doubts at all about his trustworthiness were quickly dispelled. Not that she’d ever really suspected him.
“Thank you, Sergeant. You’ve been very helpful,” Carey said for the second or maybe third time.
Ben suddenly took the radio from her. “Thanks a bunch, Jim. You make me sound like a cross between a Boy Scout and…an action hero.”
“I forgot Sherlock Holmes,” the older man laughed into the radio. “Hey, Merry Christmas, pal. See you after the holiday.”
“Right, Merry Christmas,” Ben said, cutting off the connection.
Ben shook his head, staring straight ahead at the road. Carey thought he looked embarrassed by all the praise. Did she see a slight flush on his lean cheeks, or was it just the cold?
“Satisfied?” he asked finally.
“You sound like the star of the police force.”
“Possibly… There are only five of us.”
A smile flashed over his rugged features and he met her glance for a moment. She had to smile back. The car suddenly felt very close and dark and…intimate. She took a breath and looked out her window.
“How far to your house?” she asked.
“We’re almost there,” he said quietly.
That was good news. She was eager to put some distance between herself and her handsome rescuer.
A few moments later, he turned off the road, into a narrow lane. Tree branches, weighed down with snow, arched over the vehicle, creating a frosty tunnel.
The car bumped and struggled through the deep snow, though Ben didn’t seem to notice or have any concern that they might get stuck.
Finally a house came into view, a small, neat cabin that appeared to be made of logs, with a covered porch and a sloping, snow-covered roof and stone chimney. The windows in front had wooden shutters and window boxes.
Tall graceful pines surrounded the cabin, their covered branches glistening. Carey was reminded of a house in a picture book; in the darkness and snow, it seemed magical.
“Is that a real log cabin?” she asked as the car came to a stop.
“Yes, it is. Built it myself. With a little help from my friends,” he added.
“Quite an accomplishment.” She glanced at him. “I’m surprised your boss forgot to mention it.”
She smiled at him and he smiled back in a slow way that sent a tingle racing up her spine.
“Good point. I’ll remind him.” He turned to her. “Let’s get inside and warm up.”
Ben jumped out first and retrieved her belongings from the cargo area. Carey jumped out and took Lindsay.
As she carefully stepped through the high snow toward the door, she felt Ben’s strong, steady grasp on her arm. She glanced at him, but he didn’t say anything. Just stood by her until she was up on the porch.
He dropped the load of bags and unlocked the front door, then switched on some lights. A big shaggy dog bounded down the stairs, barking furiously. Carey was glad Ben had given her a warning.
“This must be Dixie,” she said, bending forward to let the dog smell her hand.
“How did you guess?” He didn’t laugh out loud but his blue eyes sparkled. Carey felt a tingling in her chest.
“Dixie…down. Where are your manners?” The big dog immediately sat, staring up at Ben with adoring brown eyes.
He has a way with women. I hope I’m not looking at him like that, Carey thought.
Dixie sat stiffly, her tail beating the floor. She looked to Carey like a cross between an Australian shepherd…and a pony. But she liked dogs and though this one was doubtlessly curious, she did look friendly.
Ben held on to Dixie’s collar while she strained to sniff Carey