Maia shrugged. “Cats fascinate and repel and inspire fear all at the same time in most people. Because of that, exotics are often labeled as magic or mystical.”
“Don’t you think people are fearful because they’re in the presence of a predator, a natural killer?” Cole asked.
“Sure, subconsciously I’m sure they are, but it’s that very energy that attracts people to the cats and gives them the mystique.”
Cole opened the door to the kitchen and waved them through. “Does this kind of thing happen to you everywhere you go? Wild animals appearing out of nowhere?”
“Just about,” Maia admitted with a small secret smile. She had turned a corner in the restaurant and run right into the Steele brothers. To her, they weren’t that much different from the mountain lion. She rubbed at her arms in an effort to get warm. “I think my blood has turned to ice.”
“Come on, let’s get that fire built,” Cole said, pulling her into the living room.
“Jase, would you get the doc a blanket? She’s freezing.”
Jase hesitated only a moment, clearly not wanting to miss anything, before he hurried off, taking the stairs two at a time.
“Cole,” Maia waited until he turned to face her. He knelt in front of the massive fireplace, a log in his hand, his hair spilling across his forehead, and her stomach gave a curious flutter. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Actually I do. You’re right, you know. It’s silly not to use a fireplace just because the old man could be cruel. I’m hoping it gives the room a completely different atmosphere. Mostly I’m hoping Jase will like it.”
“Someone should have done something about that man.” Her voice was tight. She couldn’t imagine how Brett Steele had gotten away with his vicious behavior for so long. How could the ranch hands and housekeeper look the other way?
“Someone did.” Cole turned back to building a fire.
Maia studied him in silence, rubbing her chin on her knee as she watched him. His movements were all efficient, graceful. There were sharp edges to Cole’s personality but none to his physical movements. He reminded her of the mountain lion, moving with fluid, sure strength. She loved just looking at him.
Jase hurried in with a down comforter she recognized from her bed. He tucked it around her, flicking a quick glance at the fireplace. Flames crackled brightly, casting shadows on the wall and window. Outside the glass, the light flickered across the snow so that flames leapt and sparkled in a strange, beautiful illusion. “Wow. Did you know it did that?”
Cole sat back staring out the glass at the phenomenon. “No. The architect must have designed it that way.” He scooted back until his back was pressed against the couch, close to Maia’s legs. “It is amazing.”
“Breathtaking,” Maia agreed. “You know, we could easily cut some branches and make a wreath for the fireplace and door. That would bring in the smell of Christmas. I looked in the freezer, and there is a turkey. If we take it out now, we could thaw it in the refrigerator and cook it.”
“You’re planning on cooking it, right?” Jase said. “Because the thought of Cole cooking a turkey is scary.”
“What exactly do you do in the kitchen, Steele?” Maia asked.
“He set off the smoke alarms three times already,” Jase said. “And the food . . .”
Cole moved so fast he seemed a blur, dragging Jase to the floor in a wrestling move. Jase stiffened, letting out a squeak of terror in spite of the fact that Cole cushioned his fall. Cole froze. Maia launched herself from the couch, blanket and all, landing on Cole’s back. “Jase, pin him! Pin him! You’ve got to get him in a headlock!”
“No fair double-teaming me,” Cole protested, reaching up to hook Maia around the waist. “You’re on time-out with that scalp wound.”
“You’re just afraid,” Maia taunted. “You don’t want to get beat up by a woman.”
Cole rolled her in the comforter, careful not to flip Jase off him when the teenager did his best to put him in a headlock and hang on as Cole wrestled with Maia. She was like an eel and believed in using her skills, even in playing. She had no intention of surrendering easily, and what had started out as aid to Jase in learning to play turned into a challenge. She called out instructions to the boy, and he readily threw himself into the game, trying to get a lock on Cole’s legs to prevent him from getting leverage.
Maia laughed so hard she couldn’t get a good grip on Cole and found herself lying on her back, staring up into his blue eyes. Jase slipped off Cole’s back to land beside her, laughing with her. Cole stretched across the two of them. “Consider yourselves officially pinned.”