Elizabeth August - The Bride's Second Thought

“Well, if he thinks he’s found dinner for his pack, he’d better think again.” Her jaw firmed as she checked the locks on the doors, then snuggled more tightly against the back seat.

Above the wind and the beast, another sound caught her attention. It was a motor. Quickly leaning over her front seat, she switched on her lights. Coming down the lane was a snowmobile. The driver threw his arm up in front of his face and, realizing she’d nearly blinded him with her lights, she switched them off. Suddenly afraid for her rescuer, she looked for the wolf. He was running toward the approaching machine.

Moving rapidly, she unlocked her door and stepped out of the car. “Watch out!” she screamed at the top of her lungs, then looked around for a weapon to help the driver fend off the beast and any of his companions that might be arriving soon.

The driver made no move to take any precautions, and she feared her warning had been covered by the sound of the motor. Panic threatened rational thought. Refusing to allow another person to be harmed because of her, she started forward intending to lend assistance to subdue the animal. But as the driver came to a halt and turned off the machine, the beast nuzzled the man’s leg, and he reached down and ruffled the wolf’s fur.

She’d let her imagination cause her to panic! It was a dog after all. It simply resembled a wolf.

Approaching her, the driver looked at her car and then at her. He was wearing a heavy parka. What she could see of his face was obscured by a full beard and mustache while his bulk was large enough to provide a buffer to the driving snow. The phrase “a mountain of a man” came to mind.

Peter studied the woman. The strain on her face gave the impression of a lost stray tossed out into the cold to fend for itself. Where women were concerned, looks could be deceiving, he reminded himself. “Only an idiot would be out on a night like this,” he finally said.

Ellen wanted to feel indignant, but her sanity had returned. “You’re right,” she admitted, and was certain she sensed surprise on his part.

His gaze shifted to the car. “You’re not going to be going anywhere in that for a while.” Then he turned back to her. “You’ll have to come with me.”

As he started toward the snowmobile, she remained in place. Until today, she’d lived by certain rules. And not going home with men she didn’t know was a very big one.

Reaching the snowmobile, he turned back. Seeing her where he’d left her, his frown deepened. “You have two choices. You can stay here and turn into an ice sculpture, or you can come home with me.”

The snow was matting the length of her body. That, plus a frigid blast of wind that nearly knocked her over, made her decision for her. Where there was life, there was hope, she told herself. And staying here, she was certain to die from exposure. “I need my purse and suitcase,” she called back, already on her way to retrieve them.

Trudging after her, he took the suitcase from her. “There’s no way you can hold on to that and me at the. same time. I’ll come back for it,” he said, tossing it inside the car.

His manner left no room for compromise. Following him to the snowmobile, she was aware of his pet watching her. The animal’s scrutiny added to her nervousness. “I don’t think your dog likes me.”

“He’s a wolf, and he’s not mine. He belongs to a friend of mine. So does the cabin we’re going to.” Peter motioned for the wolf to come closer. “Friend,” he said firmly. “Now home!”

The wolf took off at a run down the lane.

After brushing the snow from the seat, Peter climbed onto the snowmobile. Ellen climbed on behind him. With nothing else to hold on to, she was forced to wrap her arms around his waist. As they started down the lane, she’d intended to stay as far from her rescuer as possible. But the bitter wind changed her mind. Huddling against his back, she let his bulk protect her.

The lane wound through the forest for what seemed like forever. Just when she was beginning to wonder if there was a cabin, she smelled wood smoke. Peering around the broad shoulder protecting her from the elements, she saw a clearing with a building in the center. As they drew closer she realized it was a real log cabin.

The wolf shook the snow off its coat as Ellen and the stranger mounted the porch steps. Her rescuer also paused on the porch to brush himself off and stomp some of the snow off his boots. She followed his example before entering behind the wolf.

The interior of the cabin was a pleasant surprise. Considering her companion’s mountain man appearance, she’d expected something totally rustic. Instead, the furniture was comfortable looking, and there was a cozy atmosphere. A fireplace with logs blazing was to one side. A couch and chair grouping fronted it. Toward the back was a kitchen section with a heavy wooden table and chairs. Above the fireplace area was a loft. Three doors led off the central living area. One was ajar, and she saw a bed.

“The bathroom’s over there.” Peter motioned toward one of the two closed doors. “I’ll be back with your suitcases in a little while. Is there anything else you want from your car?”

Feeling guilty about sending him out into the storm, she said hurriedly, “There’s really no need for you to go out there again. I can get along fine until tomorrow, and then I’ll be on my way.”

At least she wasn’t spoiled, Peter thought. The last thing he wanted was to be cloistered with a demanding female. “There’s no way to be certain when we’ll get dug out up here. The snow is supposed to continue through the night, and, with the way the wind is blowing, it’ll probably drift up onto your car. If I wait, I’ll have to dig out your car just to get to your luggage. Now, is there anything else you want?”

She realized that arguing would be futile. “There’s an overnight bag in the trunk.”

He extended his hand for her keys. As soon as she dropped them into his palm, he left.

Turning to look out the window, she saw him remount the snowmobile and disappear into the snowy night. She’d hoped there would be a wife and children in the cabin, but there didn’t appear to be anyone else here. Recalling that he’d said the place belonged to a friend, she called out a hello. There was no answer. Apparently, it was going to be just her, the man and the wolf. This thought caused an uneasy curl to work its way through her. “You’ve gotten yourself into a fine mess,” she grumbled at herself.

Suddenly afraid that the wolf would decide she wasn’t a friend after all, her gaze swung to the fireplace. The animal was lying near the hearth, his head up, watching her, as if wondering if he should trust her or not.

“Don’t worry, I don’t intend to take anything or stay long,” she assured him.

He lowered his head onto his paws, but his gaze remained on her.

Moving slowly, not wanting to give him any reason for alarm, she removed her coat and hung it on one of the pegs by the door. Next came the boots. As she took off the sweatpants, she congratulated herself for having put them on. The snow had clung to them and, still unmelted, its dampness had not yet penetrated to her jeans.

Nature called and she headed to the bathroom. It was larger than she’d expected and clean. There was an old-fashioned, legged bathtub and all the other amenities. The faint scent of aftershave reminded her of her rescuer.

She hadn’t gotten a very good look at him when they’d entered the cabin. In fact all she’d really noticed was a pair of the deepest blue eyes she’d ever seen... impatient, reproving blue eyes.

Leaving the bathroom, she walked slowly around the main living area, taking stock of her surroundings. A quick peek in the second room with a closed door revealed a study. Two walls were lined with filled bookshelves. There was a desk with an elaborate computer in front of the window. On the other side wall was another desk with a ham radio. Climbing the ladder to the loft she found a mattress up there and guessed this was the guest quarters.