“I know. That’s one of the things I hate about these storms. You just sit and wait and wonder.”
He finally settled down on the edge of the bed. “I’ve never been through anything like this before. Lillian gave me a battery-powered lantern and another flashlight. They’re over on the dresser if we need them.”
She took a sip of the wine as silence fell between them. Mason shifted on the bed. She sat stiffly on the chair.
“Listen… um… why don’t you come over here? You look uncomfortable. We’ll pile the pillows up on the bed and just relax there?” Mason suggested.
She looked from him to the decidedly comfortable bed with its stack of pillows and rose. “Sounds a lot more comfortable.”
He kicked off his shoes and scooted up to the head of the bed. She slipped off her flip-flops, handed him her wine, and climbed up from the foot of the bed. She settled next to him, leaning back on the pillows. He handed her back her glass of wine and she took another sip, ignoring how close he was to her. Inches away. Ignoring the rush of her pulse. Ignoring the heat of his body so close to her. Yes, she ignored all of that.
She glanced over at him, but he seemed unaffected by how close they were sitting, her racing pulse, or her riotous thoughts. So maybe their thoughts weren’t in sync now…
“Strange couple of days it’s been.” Mason adjusted a pillow behind him and leaned back again, still looking incredibly relaxed.
She was wound tighter than an eight-day clock. She frowned. Where had she heard that saying before? It wasn’t one that normally came to mind. She shook her head at her crazy thoughts and answered him. “It has been strange. Lillian and Gary’s wedding, then all the work to get ready for the storm.”
He smiled at her in the dim light of the lamp. “But, I’ve really enjoyed being able to spend time with you.”
As she searched his face, a look of tenderness mixed with desire filtered through his golden-brown eyes. He reached over and took her wine glass again and set it on the nightstand.
She swallowed, her racing pulse now galloping through her veins and her heart beating in a syncopated rhythm.
“And another thing.” He turned back to her, his gaze no longer leaving her face. “I’d sure like to kiss you again. I’ve been wanting to since that goodbye kiss on Sunday. Think that would be okay?”
She nodded silently. Yes, that would be okay. Better than okay. Then she closed her eyes as his warm lips settled on hers, his strong hand encircling the back of her neck as he pulled her closer.
When he finally let her go, her breath came out in quick gasps. Oh, the man knew how to kiss…
He tilted her chin up and looked into her eyes, searching her face. Then he brushed a thumb across her jawline. “You’re a very interesting woman, Zoe Birch. Can’t think of anyone I’d rather ride out the storm with.”
Her heart pounded furiously in her chest, matching the fury of the wind outside, as he leaned down and kissed her again. And then again.
As far as she was concerned, he could kiss her all through the stormy night.
Chapter 9
Robin followed Jay into his house. Barney looked up at them with a bored expression until he spied the kitten tucked in her arms. He got up, stretched, walked over, and stared up at her. She swore his face held an accusing look.
“Barney, you need to leave the kitten alone,” Jay warned the dog, then nodded at her. “Go ahead, put the kitten down.”
She gently set the kitten down, ready to scoop it up at the first sign of the dog being too rough. Barney sniffed the animal a few times, turned, and walked away.
“Well, I guess that’s it.” She admitted she was surprised. She’d thought that Barney would pester the kitty or… something.
“Told you Barney listens to me.” Jay headed to the kitchen. “I’ll get you a bowl to feed the kitten and I’ll get some dinner started for us.”
She fed the kitten and then leaned against a counter watching Jay make up some delicious smelling stir fry dish from items he’d found in his fridge. It sure paid to date a chef, that much was for certain.
“Oh, did you get the camera installed in Lillian’s office?”
“I did. I need to set up alerts and make sure Lillian knows how to shut it off when she’s in her office if she doesn’t want it on.”
“I can’t believe more money is missing. That’s so crazy. Why is someone targeting the inn? It’s not like we have huge cash deposits or anything. And since the first theft, we’ve been making an effort to take the deposit in every day.”
“I don’t know, but I’d sure like to catch whoever is doing it. Not only because I caught the blame for the first theft, but because I can’t believe someone would steal from Lillian. She’s so kindhearted and giving.”
Robin frowned. “I do hope we figure it out. I know it’s really bothering Lillian.”
“Of course it is. Not only is the money missing, but someone is invading her space, her privacy.”
Jay served up the food and they sat at the table. The kitten wandered around under their feet while Barney sat in the corner, watching. The kitten brushed up against her leg and she reached down to pet it. The kitty finally roamed over to Barney and sat there for a moment, then reached out to paw at Barney.
Barney wasn’t having it. He swatted at the kitten and made a noise. Not quite a growl, but a definite back off sound.
“Barney, be nice. The kitten is just a tiny thing,” Jay admonished the dog.
The kitten came back over to the table and she scooped her up. “I think I should name her.”
“You planning on
