Page 8 of Let it Snow Queen
How stupid not to be able to get out of bed by yourself, Ruby.I closed my eyes again and considered drifting back into a slumber . . . when an acoustic guitar melody piqued my interest. Sitting up, I strained to listen. There were no voices, no stomps of loud boots, just the thrum of a beautiful song. Shoving off the quilt was a monumental task. Lowering my feet to the ground hurt my soul. Shrugging on my fuzzy pink robe was my own form of bravery.I’m doing it. I’m getting up by myself when I don’t feel like it.
The door creaked as I stepped out, but the music didn’t pause. My breath hitched at seeing him by the fire, brown hair tousled, stubble along his firm jaw, and long fingers flickingand stroking the instrument into a harmonious and comforting sound. He paused for a moment and glanced at me. That same kind smile spread across his handsome face. “Morning, sunshine. Or afternoon.”
“Good morning. It’s lovely, your music.”
He shrugged as if he didn’t believe me, and propped the guitar against his chest to sign. “I love feeling the vibrations. I can hear low tones sometimes.”
I nodded. The fire made the front of the cabin toasty and warm as my wool-socked feet padded into the kitchen. I opened the cabinets in search of what I needed, what I was late taking. The orange container wasn’t where I had left it. Panic gripped my chest. Who would take my medicine?
Koji.
No, he wouldn’t. Would he?
I didn’t know anything about him other than he wasmeaner than a setting hen. Or something. Whatever it meant, it sounded right. The truth was, I didn’t know anything about these guys. My Marine training from my dad was operating weakly at the moment. I’d gather intel; I just needed a higher-functioning nervous system. I opened another cabinet, shoving aside jars of peaches and cans of soup.
Fox stood, propping his guitar against the sofa. He walked over, tall and gorgeous. His blue eyes were full of only compassion when he reached into his pocket and pulled out the orange prescription bottle. My cheeks heated, and I swallowed. He’d seen what I take. He’d know why I take it.
“Hey, I only took it so the guys wouldn’t see it. You deserve your privacy. We’ve intruded, and I’m sorry for that.”
I swallowed back a surprising surge of emotion and nodded. “Thank you.”
Fox handed me a plastic water bottle from the counter. It looked so tiny in his large hand. After taking my pill, I walked hazily toward my room. His hand touched my shoulder.
“Want to build a snowman with me?”
I bit my lip against my grin but nodded. “Where are the others?”
“They are getting their things from the campsite. I went early this morning while they stayed. I’m here so they could go.”
I huffed and rolled my eyes. “Do you guys think I’m going to try to steal my house back?”
He grinned and leaned against the door frame. Watching him sign was so freaking sexy. His hands, his body, his calm and kind demeanor . . .
“We didn’t want to leave you alone.”
Again, a spark of emotion lit inside my chest. Why would he care? Why would anyone? Least of all mean ass Koji. But I wouldn’t lie; I did appreciate it. Gallow had pulled me off a ledge . . . and Fox had pulled me out of bed. Each act was a formidable adversary to me.
“I’ll get changed.”I loved getting to speak other languages. German was okay, French was fun, but sign language was fantastic. All those semesters of learning it at Georgia’s community college were paying off. I liked being able to talk to Fox. He was easy to talk to. Fox was accepting, non-judgmental, and very easy on the eyes.
After pulling on my snow gear that my dads insisted I bringjust in case, I zipped up and tugged on a wool hat.
Fox was waiting for me on the splintered porch. He clapped slowly and motioned for me to spin around. As I turned, I giggled like a little girl, pretending to model my very sexy waterproof overalls and puffer coat.
“I look like a snowman.”
He grinned, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Asnow queen.”
My breath hitched, or maybe I stopped breathing. Snow queen. Like my name. Butterflies erupted in my chest as I felt my cheeks warm. Fox’s blue eyes glittered amidst the sheets of white surrounding us. He took my hand, and I accepted him gladly as he led me down the icy stairs.
I wasn’t crawling back into bed. We were going to build a snowman.
It was such a simple and innocent battle cry.
But it made me feel stronger.
My snowman wasa sad little disaster. Fox’s was perfect, of course. He bowed in mock cockiness, and I laughed. He reached into his coat and tossed me a granola bar.
“This has to be at least six inches of snow,”I said and signed with a mouthful of crunchy honey oats.