up from Maureen’s in town for the journey and set them out, too. Julia washed up some bowls and silverware and they were ready to eat.
Despite its obvious age, the cabin had been well put together, and apart from the wind whistling down the chimney, the fire managed to keep the small space warm. To his relief, Julia appeared unharmed by her experiences. He tended to forget she’d spent the majority of her life in Morgan Valley and had the necessary resources to survive among the elements.
He’d spoken briefly to Nate, who had seconded his decision to stay put. Hearing the rain now beating down on the cabin roof and the thunder and lightning made him glad Julia wasn’t stuck out in a thunderstorm in a metal truck. He’d fetched all three of his spare jackets from the truck and persuaded her to add his fleece to her thin sweater. He kind of liked seeing her wearing his stuff.
“I wish we had more coffee.” Julia sat on the couch and drew her knees up to her chest. “Why didn’t you think of that when you packed your emergency supplies?”
“I promise I won’t forget next time.”
He sat next to her because there was nowhere else to sit and laid his arm along the back of the couch. The fire had taken hold and was crackling away nicely, filling the room with the scent of pine. The drapes shut out the rain and he’d folded up the mat and pushed it against the crack under the door to keep the wind out. All things considered, he was happy where he was right now.
“This happens to you a lot?” She arched an eyebrow in his direction. “This rescuing thing?”
“All the time.” He shrugged. “Damsels in distress gonna damsel.”
“I was managing quite well without you, you know.”
“You were.” He wasn’t going to argue with her, but he couldn’t resist a quick tease. “What was your plan for getting home tomorrow? Were you going to walk?”
She pinched his chest. “I hadn’t decided whether to walk down the valley until I could pick up a signal and call for help, or drive the truck anyway and see how far I could get on a flat tire.”
“Both good plans.” He nodded and made as if to rise. “I might as well just head back out and leave you to it.”
She came up on her knees and wrapped an arm around his neck. “Not so fast. I don’t want you getting struck by lightning or anything.”
He smiled down at her, bringing his hand to her waist. “I’m not stupid. I’m not going anywhere.”
She smoothed her thumb over his jaw. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Coming all the way out here to make sure I was all right.”
“That’s what neighbors are for.” Kaiden reminded himself to keep things light. “I didn’t want your dad worrying unnecessarily.”
She sat back down again and he followed her.
“Do you think we’ll be okay?” Julia asked.
“I don’t see why not.” Kaiden looked around the cabin. “We’ve got food, shelter, and warmth, transport for tomorrow, and each other.”
“I am glad you are here.”
“You would’ve managed without me,” Kaiden said. “But I’m glad I came.” He hastily covered his mouth as he yawned. “Sorry about that. It’s been a long day.”
“What time is it?” Julia gestured at her phone. “My cell ran out of battery.”
Kaiden slowly rolled up his sleeve. “Then it’s a good job I wear one of these old-fashioned watches on my wrist. As long as I keep moving, it keeps ticking.”
He checked the time. “It just turned nine, which explains why I’m so tired. That’s usually when I turn in.”
“That early?” Julia asked.
“Remember, I have to squeeze in two or three hours of ranch work before I leave for my day job or Dad gets on my back.”
“That’s tough.”
“That’s the life of a rancher. Long days, low pay, and no one to blame but yourself and the current government if things go south.”
“Dad can’t do it anymore,” Julia said flatly. “Miguel won’t, so what am I supposed to do?”
“Hire a competent manager until your dad either makes his mind up to sell the place, or Miguel comes home?” Kaiden suggested.
“Yes, that’s what needs to happen, but the place isn’t profitable enough to pay anyone a decent salary right now. I’ll have to subsidize it.”
“Which means you have to keep working with pond slime like Blaine.” Kaiden’s hand dropped onto her shoulder and he automatically started working the kinks of tension out of her muscles. “I don’t