Gabe had big hands, and they’d always been strong. They massaged her petite feet with firm, vigorous motions while keeping them nestled against his skin. “You should be wearing heavier socks.”
“You’re right. I dressed for book club rather than the weather. Sheriff Turner’s sister is visiting from Boston for Christmas, and she’s going to be there. Last time we met I’d just helped a horse give birth and I was a mess. Vanity is my downfall tonight.”
Gabe smoothed his thumbs along her instep and tried to recall if vanity was considered one of the seven deadly sins or not. He knew that lust was.
“I want you to know that I’m usually better prepared than this,” Nic continued. “Shoot, I carry chemical hand warmers in my purse this time of year.”
“Too bad you didn’t bring your purse with you to the basement.”
“Tell me about it. I also have an emergency candy bar tucked inside.” She let out a sigh, then added, “I’d let you have the whole thing. I’m starting to feel my toes again.”
Conversation lagged following that exchange, and eventually Gabe decided she’d dropped off to sleep. He relaxed, dropping his guard. His hands continued their ministrations, never straying beyond her ankles, but his thoughts began to wander.
What if this were summertime instead of the middle of winter? Would she wear sandals on these feet? Would she wear shorts? Form-fitting tanks? Or maybe a short, flirty sundress? He loved sundresses on beautiful women.
Just when his touch shifted from therapeutic to intimate, he couldn’t say. He explored her. He learned that her ankles were slim, her toes long and slender. He discovered she was ticklish on her instep. He deduced she wore polish on her toenails, and he contemplated what color. Fire engine red, he’d bet. Like her lipstick.
Time ticked by. Her feet warmed beneath his touch. A gradual awareness that her muscles had grown taut distracted him from his musings.
Nic Sullivan wasn’t asleep. She was awake and aware and … tense.
Gabe’s hands froze. He held his breath. He sensed rather than saw her come up on her elbows.
Her voice held a husky note as it emerged from the darkness. “Gabe?”
He hesitated a long moment, aware that he stood at the edge of a dangerous precipice. Yearning tempted him, pulled him forward. It had been so long. The warm human touch felt so good. It would be so easy. And yet …
He spoke past a lump in his throat. “I miss my wife.”
The moment passed as she exhaled a shaky breath. “It’s hard to be alone.”
Then Nic sat all the way up and tugged her feet away from him. He felt the loss of contact keenly. As she pulled on her socks, Gabe dropped his head back, shut his eyes, and gritted his teeth.
A good five minutes passed before she spoke again, her voice soft and gentle and warm with compassion. “Thanks for taking care of me, Gabe.”
Thankful for the shadows that hid the single tear trailing down his cheek, he replied, “My pleasure.”
The book club saved the day.
Nic realized help had arrived when she heard the boxer’s excited arf arf on the other side of the basement door. She quickly rose and ran up the stairs in her stocking feet. Pounding on the door, she called, “Hello? Hello? Is someone out there?”
A minute later, light spilled into the dark basement as the door swung open. “Here she is!” Sarah called out. To Nic she said, “I knew you wouldn’t miss the chance to talk about Ruark Beauchamp. He has to be the hottest man ever—Oh. Hi, Gabe.”
“You are a welcome sight, Sarah,” he said as he started up the staircase.
Nic stepped into the entry hallway, explaining how they’d ended up stuck in the basement as Sage joined them.
“When you didn’t show up, Glenda Hawkins said she’d noticed your truck was still here when she locked up the Bristlecone,” Sage said. “I thought you’d forgotten the meeting.”
“I knew better,” Sarah said. “Although we almost didn’t come look for you.”
Nic frowned and started to ask why not, but Sarah’s significant glance toward Gabe answered the question. Undoubtedly Glenda had mentioned seeing his Jeep, too.
Gabe slipped past the women, saying, “I appreciate the rescue. It was cold down there. I’m going to head out. G’night.” He looked at Nic but didn’t quite meet her eyes. “You’d better get something on your feet before you’re walking on ice cubes again.”