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Elle
DECLAN PARKED IN A gravel drive, and she peered out the window. Good grief, it was huge. An A-frame structure created the bulk of his log-sided cabin. Long windows framed a rock chimney in the center of the A. An additional side wing jutted over the cliff edge. The moody darkness and trees cut off her view beyond the addition.
“You call this a cabin?” She had envisioned a tiny, wood-sided box with a quaint metal chimney peeking over the roof.
That sexy grin appeared. “What would you call it? Let me grab Cody, and I’ll meet you on the porch.”
She held her bag close to her chest and dashed from the car to the covering over the side entrance. She huddled, bouncing to warm herself in the damp chill.
Declan rushed toward her with a sleeping Cody tucked against his chest. He made a rugged, sexy picture of safety and strength. An ache swept through her.
After punching a keycode into the electronic lock, he opened the door and led her inside. He laid Cody on a sectional sofa that anchored the wide room and disappeared out the door.
She gaped at the high-ceiling loft-style interior of the cabin. Wooden beams crossed overhead. Skylights lit the room with diffused light. The entire space called to her with comfort and belonging. A chill crept over her spine.
Elle wandered across the room toward double doors leading to the deck until she realized her soaked slippers were sloshing across the wide-planked wood floor. The floors looked like reclaimed, ancient wood. She hurried to remove herself before she damaged the beauty, backtracking with exaggerated, wide steps to the door. She peeled off the slippers and looked for a towel or something to mop her wet footprints. Uh. Whipping the sweatshirt off, she swished it over the flooring.
When Declan returned with his and Cody’s bags, wet hair flattened against his skull and dripped over his face.
She couldn’t help a giggle. “I’m sorry.” She recalled what she must look like. “I shouldn’t laugh.”
Pushing wet hair from his forehead, he chuckled. “I’ll show you the guest room and bath. This way.”
Elle followed him down a hall to an open doorway. An iron double bed invited her to relax under layered quilts. A sigh escaped as she sank onto the mattress. Her body ached with cold and exhaustion.
“The guest bathroom is across the hall. Shannon keeps it stocked with feminine stuff. Help yourself.” He shrugged out of his wet jacket. “I’ll be just at the end of the hall if you need anything.”
Standing, she moved close to him. His eyes widened, but he didn’t step back.
“Thank you, Declan O’Hanrahan,” she whispered and lifted on her toes to press her lips to his cheek.
His breath hissed with the contact, and when their eyes met, his warmed. “You’re welcome, Elle.”
What was she doing? Smiling, she eased back to shut her door. Being Elle, that’s what, free from the constraints of being herself.
A hot shower would soothe her aching back and shoulders. She’d been shivering off and on for the entire day, cramping her muscles.
When she looked in the mirror over the sink, she had to bite back a squeal of horror. Her makeup had run around her eyes. Her hair stuck up in the air as if she’d tried a punk look and changed her mind halfway through a mohawk. She’d gotten close to Declan looking like this. It was a wonder he hadn’t cringed away from her.
“Gentleman” was added to her mental list of his qualities. She froze, staring at herself in the mirror with widened eyes. Why was she making a mental list of his qualities? She glared at herself. “Don’t dream impossible dreams, girl.”
Elle had promised herself a long break after Timothy. His words came back to her, but she slammed her thoughts down over them. She shook the negative thoughts from her mind.
This night she could be and do whatever. She found herself caught in a moment between her old life and her fresh start, determined to be brave and carefree and open to possibilities, including flirting with an attractive man if she felt like it.
A line of luxury shampoos and conditioners filled a shelf over the heated towel rack. Opening the linen cupboard, she discovered organized baskets of necessities. Inside the shower, a basket of scented soaps and body scrubs delighted her. It felt like a spa with a rain shower system, massage system, and a built-in radio.
After a long shower and a good scrub, Elle felt renewed. She towel-dried her hair till it wouldn’t drip. A silky oriental-print robe hung on a door hook. She slipped into the robe and gathered her PJs.
Padding into the guestroom, Elle looked around. An inviting reading nook sat beside a shelf of books. She opened a wide double-door closet across from the bed.
A knock sounded on the door. “Elle?”
“Yes?”
“I didn’t think to ask. Do you need a t-shirt or something?”
She opened the door to find Declan in a fitted blue t-shirt that strained across his biceps and shoulders. Oh, my... Jerking her eyes to his face, she caught him staring at her in the robe.
“I hope it’s ok I borrowed the robe.”
His eyes moved up her body to linger over the features of her face before meeting her gaze. “It’s fine.” He stared at her.
“I’d like to borrow a shirt if you don’t mind. Can I wash these?” She held up her PJs and slippers.
“Sure. Let me get a load of our stuff together, and we’ll wash everything.”
“Ok. Is Cody still asleep?”
“Yeah. I’ll wake him then make us something to eat. You like home-made pizza?”
She let a grin slip over her face. “Doesn’t everyone?”
His expression relaxed. “Great. I’ll take those and be right back with a shirt for you.”
“Ok.” She couldn’t look away.
He looked down and back up to her face. “Ok.”
Stepping back into the room, she shut the door. What was wrong with her? She felt drawn to Declan. Her entire body felt warm and soft and relaxed in his presence. He’d stared at her, too. Could he possibly be attracted to her? She touched her fingertips to her cheeks. No makeup, wet hair. More likely he was curious to see what had been under the red goop.
She stretched out on the bed to rest until Declan returned. It wasn’t long before his knock.
He held out a long-sleeved flannel shirt. “I hope this will be warm enough.”
She fingered the soft, well-worn fabric. “It’s perfect.” It should be long enough to cover as much as her PJ shorts had.
“I’ll be making dinner. You’re welcome to hang out in the living space.”
“I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Good.” Something in his eyes relaxed.
Back in the room, she slipped the shirt over her, rolled the sleeves to her forearms, and sighed. It felt good to be warm. Cody’s excited, childish voice echoed down the hall, and she followed the sound to the living room.
A wide kitchen island separated the two spaces, and Cody whirled in circles on a barstool while Declan rolled pizza dough on the countertop.
Cody jumped down from the barstool and took her hand, pulling her into the kitchen. “Hey! Uncle Declan said to call you Elle.”
“Miss Elle,” Declan said, his voice deep with warning.
“Miss Elle,” Cody continued. “Uncle Declan’s pizza is the best. Even better than my gram’s. He makes his own sauce and everything.”
Declan laughed. “I add to the store sauce and use good toppings.”
She took in the room. “What can I do to help?”
“I’ve got it.” His eyes lingered over her in his shirt, flushing her with warmth. “Would you like a drink? I have beer, wine, water, tea.”
“Wine, please.”
He snatched a glass from a cupboard and poured her a red.
“So, what’s in this sauce?” she asked.
“A little of this and that.” He finished the dough and turned to a pot he had on the stove. “Come taste.”
She slipped up beside him as he dipped a wooden spoon into the sauce.
“Be honest. I can add herbs and salt.” He held the spoon to her and caught her eye as she took a taste.
Her mouth exploded with flavor. “Mmm,” she moaned.
His gaze flashed heat. “You like it?”
“It’s perfect. Cody’s right.” Her mind raced. Should she say something flirty? Before she could think of anything, Declan returned to the dough.
Could she be worse at this? First, she gets in his personal space looking like a mutilated punk rocker. Second, she lets the perfect chance escape. Flirting had never been her thing.
Before long, Declan had added veggies and turkey pepperoni to the pizza and slipped it into the oven.
“While that cooks, Cody, please get your bath.”
“Aw, do I have to?”
“Yes. Then get into your pajamas.”
Cody disappeared down the hall while Declan went to put the wash in the dryer.
Elle took the opportunity to look around the space. The kitchen had dark quartz countertops and natural-wood cabinets. The walls were all open logs. Vivid artwork hung in the living room. She found herself drawn to pieces with bold splashes of color. Moving closer, she picked up hints of landscape with a modern edge.
On the fireplace mantle, framed photos mingled with lanterns and framed painted portraits. The details in the portraits drew her in, had her picking up the pictures to study them closer. The artist had captured the personalities of the people. A portrait of Cody with a couple and a newborn baby touched her heart. The love between the man and woman sparkled in their locked gazes. Cody’s energy and zest for life glittered from his eyes and wide smile. If these were Cody’s parents, what could’ve broken that love? Declan had said they were separated. The family grouping tugged at her heart, awakening a desire she had buried and ignored.
––––––––
Declan
ELLE’S NATURAL BEAUTY pulled at him. He’d never experienced this sense of connection. She had slept in the car, trusting she would be safe with him. Her long, bare legs beside him had kept him warm the entire drive. Despite the mess covering her, when she’d kissed his cheek, it had been all he could do not to grab her and kiss her senseless. When she’d come out of the shower fresh and clean, her beauty stole his breath.
She trusted him not to make a move. He had assured her she was safe with him. Tonight, he had to keep his hands off. He didn’t want to frighten her. Tomorrow or the next day, when he got her home, he wanted nothing more than to explore this feeling. He wanted to know all this woman’s secrets, all her dreams.
He watched her study the portraits on the mantle. A haunted longing filled her expression as she looked at his sister’s family. Her hand went to a necklace, an opal pendant he’d noticed. She slid it back and forth along the gold chain. Elle made a sexy picture standing in his shirt with her shapely legs exposed to midthigh with the backdrop of the fireplace. His fingers twitched with the need to sketch her.
The timer on the oven dinged, making him jump. Elle jerked around and caught him watching her.
“Pizza’s ready,” he said, pretending he hadn’t been staring.
“Smells delicious.” She smiled and replaced the picture. “Can I help?”
“If you want to take the pizza out and grab some plates from the cupboard, I’ll check on Cody.”
“Sure.”
He moved down the hall, trying to get a grip on his desire. Thank goodness he had Cody.
“Code-man, you about done?” He grinned when he heard splashing noises coming from the tub.
“Yeah.”
“Pizza’s ready. Come on out.”
“Ok, Uncle Declan.”
He waited for Cody to drain the tub and dress. When his nephew zoomed out of the room as only a seven-year-old can, Declan laughed.
Elle stood at the kitchen island with plates and napkins spread in front of the barstools and the pizza cooling on the stove. Longing welled as he took in the scene she made. She belonged. Here. As if she’d always been in his life. Declan shook his head. He didn’t know this woman. She wouldn’t remain a stranger long if he got his way, but she was a stranger now.
He couldn’t speak over his tight throat, so he gestured for her to sit with Cody and got the pizza cutter from a drawer. Making fast work of his creation, he dished out slices.
He and Elle ate while Cody chattered.
“Uncle Declan, can we show Miss Elle the trails in the woods tomorrow?”
“If the rain clears, we have to get Elle home. Besides, she doesn’t have any shoes.”
Cody’s face fell. “I forgot.”
“Maybe next time,” Declan said, watching Elle’s expression.
Her eyes flicked to his with surprise. A question filled her face.
He continued with cool nonchalance, “tomorrow, if the rain clears, maybe she’d like to see the lake before we leave.”
She still watched him. “I’d like that.”
“Good. It’s special.”
Her eyes shuttered. “I’m sure it is. Your house is special.”
“Thanks.”
“Can we play cards?” Cody asked.
“I’m up for a game.” He looked from Cody back to Elle. “Would you like to play?”
“Please, say yes, Miss Elle!”
She took Cody’s chin in her hands. “How could I deny you?”
Declan’s chest tightened over the softness in her eyes.
“Yay!” Cody hollered and leaped down from the barstool.
“Not so fast,” Declan said. “You get to help wash the dishes.”
“Aw, do I have to?”
“You know the rules.”
Cody’s shoulders slumped as he dragged himself back to his plate. He dragged himself to the sink and gave Elle the saddest look imaginable.
Her mouth quivered with a contained grin. “What if I help?”
He brightened. “Great!”
She gathered her dish and Declan’s and joined Cody at the sink. “It’s been a long time since I’ve washed dishes.”
Declan’s curiosity piqued.
Cody looked at her with envy. “You have someone to wash them? My gram has someone to wash hers.”
“I did. I’m not sure about my new place. The dishwasher helps.”
Declan leaned against the counter, trying to appear casual. “Where are you from?”
She hesitated, dropping her attention to the sink. “Outside Shale Rock.”
Ritzy. “Nice place. You’re a city girl, then.”
“Yeah. I loved it, but I wanted a change. Olde Towne is the best of both worlds. You have downtown, transportation, nightlife, culture wrapped in a charming package.”
“What is it you do?”
“Oh.” She colored. “I do office work, lots of paperwork. What do you do, Declan?”
Cody hooted. “He’s an artist!”
Her eyes widened and shot to his face. “An artist?”
Declan shrugged. “I’ll show you my studio if you’d like.”
Her eyebrows came together like she was confused. “You work here?”
“Yeah.” He watched her face.
She turned back to the dishes. “I’d like to see your studio.”
He moved into the living space and opened the old, battered trunk that doubled as a coffee table. “What do you want to play Cody?”
“Ballyhoo! Have you ever played before, Miss Elle?”
“I don’t think so. Is it easy to learn?”
“Oh, sure. I’ll teach you.”
Cody took her hand and pulled her to sit beside him on the couch.
“Gather around the trunk,” Declan directed. He tossed wide, flat pillows onto the floor.
She sat with grace and tucked her legs underneath her. He had to drag his eyes from her smooth, creamed-coffee skin.
“Is this an official card game?” Elle asked.
“I’m not sure. We’ve played it this way in the family for a few generations.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Generations of O’Hanrahans have played Ballyhoo?”
“Yeah.” Her hair had dried into soft mahogany waves. He wondered what it felt like. Was it as silky as it looked? “It’s a privilege to be included in the O’Hanrahan games.”
Elle laughed. “Proud, much?”
He grinned. “It’s a long tradition, and you’ve been inducted.”
Her face grew somber. “Then I do feel privileged.”
Cody explained the rules, O’Hanrahan style, to get rid of all the cards laid out in front of her. “When you go out, you do a dance or you sing, Ballyhoo!”
Declan said, “Everyone invents their own Ballyhoo victory dance.”
“I’ll have to think of something good.” A glint of competition glowed in her eyes. She narrowed her gaze on them with mock seriousness, and Declan laughed.
His gaze flicked to Elle throughout the game. The emotions playing over her expressive face mesmerized him. Her shaped, dark brows framed her eyes and highlighted her playful eagerness and surprise. Her mouth stretched and mewed, and she bit her lips when she was thinking. When she laughed, a full heartfelt laugh, she’d stretch her head back to reveal her long, slender neck. Every time he heard her musical laugh, a thrill hummed through him.
When Elle won the first round, she got up on her knees and did a little dance with her hands in the air, which lifted the shirt up another inch and made Declan’s mouth go dry.
“Wow!” Cody said. “That was awesome. Isn’t she good, Uncle Declan?”
He licked his lips to moisten them and choked, “great.”
Happiness shone on her face. “That was fun. Can we play again?”
“One more, then it’s Cody’s bedtime.”
Cody’s eyelids drooped with fatigue, and he whined. Elle distracted him by having him deal the cards. She asked him questions and listened intently to his answers. The sincerity and interest in her eyes appealed to Declan’s heart.