Riggs listened to something JJ was saying, then continued speaking. “I know, man. I have no idea, but I’m good. Yeah, promise.” He looked around the cabin, then locked eyes with Carlise again. “It looks like she’s got everything under control. I’m weak as hell. I’m not going anywhere for a few days at least.”
He frowned slightly, then, “No, it’s fine. JJ, she’s at least fifty pounds lighter than I am, a few inches shorter, and if she wanted to do something to me, she’s had three days to do it. We’re fine. Okay . . . yes, if I need anything, I’ll let you know. Right. I haven’t asked, but I’m assuming she has a car out there somewhere, which is probably buried by now. Uh-huh. Right. I’d appreciate that. The last thing I need is Cal or Bob showing up on my doorstep. Thanks. No . . . Why? What’re you going to say to her? Fine. But don’t scare her. I mean it.”
Then Riggs held the phone out and said, “JJ wants to talk to you again.”
Carlise stared at the phone for a moment before accepting it. She expected Riggs’s hand to move, but it didn’t. It stayed clamped on her leg.
“Hello?” she said tentatively into the phone.
“I’m sorry,” JJ said without hesitation. “Chappy is one of my best friends, and he’s never had anyone up at that cabin except for me and our other friends. When you answered his phone, I panicked. I’m truly sorry if I scared you.”
“It’s okay,” she said softly.
“It’s not. But I’ll do what I can to make up for it. You drive up there?”
“Uh . . . yeah. I got lost. When the snow got really bad, I drove off the road into a tree and got stuck.”
“You’re lucky Chappy found you.”
“I know.”
“What kind of car?”
“What?”
“What kind of car do you have?”
“A Honda CR-V.”
“Four-wheel drive?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s something, at least. Okay, when the weather calms down, I’ll see what I can do to find it for you.”
“Oh, um, thanks.”
“It’s the least I can do after what you’ve done for Chappy. He’s really been out of it for three whole days?”
“Almost.”
“And you’ve taken care of him?”
“There wasn’t anyone else here to do it,” she reasoned.
“We’re all in your debt,” JJ said seriously.
“No, really. It’s okay.”
“You sayin’ no doesn’t make it not true. This storm isn’t over yet. They’re calling it the storm of the century, which is ridiculous because this is Maine and there’s bound to be another just like it in the not-too-distant future. But more importantly, the snow on the slopes isn’t stable. When the sun does come out, it’s going to make the situation a lot worse, so just stay hunkered down there.”
“Wait, what slopes? Are you talking about an avalanche?”
“You’re smack dab in the area surrounding the base of Baldpate Mountain. I’m not sayin’ it’ll happen, but the people who know about these things are saying the conditions are right. Chappy’s cabin is protected, it’s not in the danger zone for any avalanches, but a mile or so in any direction is another story. Just stay put. That’s all I’m tryin’ to say.”
“I wasn’t planning on going on a pleasure hike,” Carlise couldn’t help retorting.
JJ chuckled. “Right. Anyway, I’m gonna be a pain in Chappy’s ass and call every day. I’d appreciate it if you make sure he answers when I do.”
“Why wouldn’t he?” Carlise asked.
“Because he’s stubborn. And doesn’t like to be fussed over,” JJ said. “Thanks again, Carlise. And I’ll apologize again in person when I see you. Later.”
When he hung up, Carlise stared down at the phone in confusion. She didn’t want to look at Riggs, but she couldn’t stare at the phone forever, so she sucked it up and lifted her gaze.
His amber eyes were locked on her face, and he looked worried. “You okay?” he asked.
“I should be asking you that. How do you feel?”
“Awful. My muscles hurt, my throat is still scratchy, and I’m weak as hell. But I’m guessing, since JJ said it’s been three days since the storm hit, that I have you to thank for not feeling worse than I do right now.”
Uncomfortable with his attention and praise, Carlise shrugged.
They sat in silence for a moment, with Riggs’s hand still on her thigh, and neither of them moving.
Then, to Carlise’s surprise, his thumb moved in a soothing caress, just for a few seconds, before he dropped his hand.
“I’m sure you’re hungry. And thirsty. And you need some more Tylenol. I’ll get it for you. Just rest.” Carlise popped up off the bed, feeling weird about sitting near him for the first time in three days. She placed the phone on the mattress and headed to the kitchen.
Riggs didn’t say anything, but she could feel his gaze on her.
She didn’t know what to say either. Things felt awkward now, and she hated it. This was his home, and she felt like an interloper. Was he wondering how she knew where everything was in the kitchen? How she knew where the plates were? The paper towels? The silverware?
God. Of course he wasn’t. He wasn’t stupid. He knew she’d been there for three days while he was out of it with a fever. But it still felt wrong, going through his cupboards.
She heard blankets rustling and turned around, only to see him getting out of bed. “Where are you going?” she asked without thinking.
He gave her an amused smile from the side of the bed. “Not outside to run a few miles, I can assure you. Just to the bathroom.”
“Oh, right. Of course. Sorry.”
He gave her a look she couldn’t interpret before shuffling toward the door on the other side of the room. Carlise resisted the urge to go to his side to help him. To make sure he didn’t fall. It was one thing to assist when he was sick, but he was obviously on the mend and completely aware of his surroundings. He also seemed steady on his feet. He didn’t need her help anymore.
Why that thought made her sad, Carlise didn’t know. She tried to shrug it off. Things would change now, and she wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing.
“Please don’t let him be an asshole,” she whispered before turning her attention back to the sandwich she was making. It would be better for him to have soup or something, but she wasn’t sure he’d like to eat it cold, and she wasn’t up to using the fireplace to heat anything just yet. Maybe when he felt better, he’d show her how to do it.
Though, it wasn’t like she was going to be there long enough to really master the art of fireplace cooking.
That thought made her sad all over again, but she pushed the emotion down. She was relieved Riggs was better. He’d scared her there for a while. All she had to do was wait for the snow to stop and she could be on her way.
She still didn’t know where she was going, ultimately, but she couldn’t hide out from Tommy forever. While she was here, she’d just enjoy the feeling of being safe for now.
Chapter Four
Chappy stared at his reflection in the mirror and grimaced.
He felt awful. Grimy. He needed a shower in the worst way, but before that could happen, he’d need to go outside and start the generator so there would be hot water. He had a feeling going out into the storm wouldn’t do him any favors right now. He’d gone longer than this without showering in the past. He’d survive.
But he took his time using a washcloth to try to get as much of the dried sweat off his body as possible. He brushed his teeth, used his beard trimmer to shape up his beard, and put on a bit of deodorant. When he was done, he felt a little better. His face was still pale and his head a little woozy, but he hoped eating something would help.
Leaning heavily on the counter, Chappy stared at the mirror again, but his mind wasn’t on his looks . . . it was on the woman in his cabin. Carlise.
He didn’t remember much of the last three days, just a few blips. But one thing he did remember was waking up, disoriented, and holding her tightly against him. They’d slept as close as longtime lovers, and a sense of comfort and contentedness had filled him before he fell back to sleep.