By the time they reached the front door, Kate was completely soaked. Her jacket was water logged, her jeans sodden, and her hair hung in a wet, heavy clump down her back. Shivering against the cold, she realised that the only parts of her body that weren't drenched, were her boot covered feet.
Ushering her inside, Jeremy closed the door behind them with a decisive click. The noise of the pounding rain faded into the background as her eyes adjusted to the lamp-lit, glowing interior of the old stone house.
It was certainly an assault on the senses, but not in a bad way. Her first impression was of grandeur and old-fashioned beauty, the next that everything seemed decidedly masculine. Dark wood panelling was prevalent along the bottom half of the walls and around the entryways, while the exposed upper facades were showcased to perfection, painted in a pretty blue with gold and cream trim. To her right was a stunning antique grandfather clock, in complete contrast to the Native American totem pole standing proud at the base of the wooden staircase leading up to the second floor. Her eyes moved from one side of the room to the next and back again, unable to take everything in fast enough. There was so much detail, such artistry. In the center of the foyer was a round, vintage table, portraits standing upright in frames beside a large vase of fresh lilies. Kate desperately wanted to take a closer look at the photographs, but didn't want to appear intrusive. So instead, she reined in the impulse and directed her attention towards her reluctant host.
Beside her, Jeremy ran a hand through his wet hair, sweeping it back and off of his forehead. He, too, was soaked, his shirt glued to his arms, his biceps particularly defined. She couldn't stop her gaze from sweeping over his tall form, her eyes lingering on his thighs, admiring the way his wet jeans plastered to them, their toned contours clearly outlined.
She swallowed. He must really work out a lot.
"Excuse me?"
Did I say that out loud? Embarrassed, she shook her head. "Uh, nothing." Diverting her attention away from the attractive image he presented, she looked down at the floor to where a puddle of water was rapidly forming around her. "I seem to be making quite the mess," she apologised.
He glanced at her, a small, polite smile curling his lips upward. "It's not a problem. Why don't you head into the living room?" He pointed through the doorway to her left. "There's a fire going. I'll get you something dry to wear in the meantime." He started towards the staircase and then turned back, as though remembering something. "I won't be long," he added.
Kate frowned as she watched him disappear. That sounded suspiciously like a warning. Did he think she was going to snoop?
Shrugging, she walked in the direction he'd indicated, eager to get near the toasty warmth of the fire. On the threshold, she stopped.
There was absolutely nothing subtle about this room. It was bold, masculine and almost … primal? Slowly stepping inside, her eyes travelled from left to right. The walls were crimson. All of them. It was an unusual choice, but it somehow seemed to suit, adding to the antiquated feel. There were four large windows, two in the front of the room and two on the side. Heavy, muted gold drapes covered them, parted in the center and held back with tassels, allowing natural light to filter into the massive space through the thin, gauzy under curtains. The smaller section of the room, closest to the doorway she'd entered through, was a study, two opposing walls lined with bookshelves that were filled with colourful volumes. A large desk and chair rested between the shelves, the top covered with even more books, a telephone and a laptop.
The other portion of the room, by far the larger expanse, was a sitting area. Large brown chesterfield sofas rested atop a massive patterned rug, positioned around a solid wooden coffee table. Smaller tables were scattered around the room, some with brass lamps and thick leather-bound tomes on top of them and others with – she blinked twice - animal skulls atop as decorative pieces.
Now there's something you don't see often, Kate thought as she wrapped her arms around her midsection, a shiver racing down her spine. This time it had nothing to do with being cold. The longer she looked, the more apparent it became that a few bleached jaw bones dotted around the room was not where the salute to carnivorous and herbivorous creatures ended. There were taxidermy samples mounted above the stone fireplace, their glazed, beady eyes seemingly following her around as she made her way towards the welcoming heat of the fire. Eager to forget them, she turned her attention elsewhere. On almost every available wall space were paintings, mainly of exquisitely vivid hunting scenes, all of the canvases clad in gilded gold frames.
Turning in a full circle, she took it all in. It was only then that she noticed the mural on the wall to the right of the hearth. Stepping closer to it, she realised it was the image of a fleeing stag, painted deftly in stunning swirls of black and white. Tentatively she reached out a hand, running her fingers over the textured surface of the acrylic. The entire room was such a potent and virile statement of masculinity and power.
Much like my rescuer, Kate reflected, looking around a little uncomfortably. The room was beautiful, but also a little… creepy? Alright, Shaw, perhaps creepy is too strong a word. Unusual was perhaps a better choice.
Drawn towards the flickering flames, she walked over to the fire, sinking to the floor gratefully as she leaned forward to warm her hands. Despite her unease, the heat felt wonderful against her chilled skin and as she slowly started defrosting, she realised how tired she was. After shipping all of her belongings to Bear Valley, she'd set out on the long drive from California to her new home. Days on the road were finally taking their toll and she still had so much to do before she started work the following Monday. There were mounds of unpacking that needed to be done, grocery shopping to get through and the last pile of paperwork that she had to complete for Human Resources.
She also had to remember to call her best friend, Sara, once she'd settled in. The decision to move across several states hadn't really been a difficult one. Since her mother's death two years before, she'd longed for a fresh start. The hardest part had been leaving Sara behind. They'd been friends since kindergarten and this was their first long distance separation. Kate missed her and scary as it was to have moved her entire life to the opposite end of the country, she knew she'd made the right decision.
"I have some dry clothes for you to change into, if you'd like," Jeremy's voice came from behind her.
Startled, she jumped, not having heard him enter. Turning towards him, she noticed that he'd changed into fresh jeans, a dark, open collared shirt and another waistcoat. This one was navy blue. His wavy hair was still damp, the long brown strands brushing against the back of his neck.
Does he have to be so attractive? she thought irritably. He could be a serial killer.
Misinterpreting her wide-eyed expression, he apologised. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
Kate scrambled to her feet. "No, that's okay. I was just wondering if you're a serial killer," she said, giggling nervously, half joking, half serious.
For a moment Jeremy looked confused. Then understanding dawned when he caught her eyeing a set of antlers. Kate watched, fascinated as his mouth curved into a genuine smile, his even, white teeth flashing. Oh jeez. I cannot develop a crush on the first man I meet in Bear Valley.
Instead of answering, he held out a neat pile of clothing towards her. A fluffy white towel rested on top. "There's a bathroom on the other side of the foyer."
She accepted the offerings, ignoring the way her stomach flip-flopped when their fingers brushed. His wife's? she wondered curiously, clutching the items to her chest. "Thank you. I'll only be a minute."
He nodded but didn't say anything.
Picking up her purse from the sofa, she walked past him and back the way she'd entered.
"Miss Shaw?" he called softly after her.
Kate turned, her eyes meeting his. Amusement lurked in those pale blue depths. "I am most certainly not a serial killer." He paused. "But even if I was, I would hardly confess it."
She stared at him, aware of the heat rising up her neck to engulf her cheeks. He was making fun of her.
Walking away, she smiled. At least he had a sense of humour.
Putting the receiver down, Jeremy walked across the room and sank into his favourite chesterfield. The towing service would only be able to reach Stonehaven within the next two hours. The rain had caused quite a pile up on the other side of town and that was unfortunately priority. He didn't think it wise to keep his guest in his home for any longer than absolutely necessary so he'd already resolved to drive her into Bear Valley himself since no one else was around to delegate the task to.
Of course, this delay meant potentially losing track of the mutt who'd almost attacked Kate. The fact that he hadn't recognised the scent indicated that it was most likely someone new to their territory and in his experience, those wolves were usually the most dangerous. Hopefully when Clay and Elena returned, they could pool their resources in order to find him quickly.
Rolling his shirt sleeves up towards his forearms, Jeremy's eyes fell on one of Clay's relics. Serial killer? Kate's words had amused him more than he cared to admit. They'd also caught him off guard, a true rarity. Perhaps there was an element of the macabre in the house's décor, but he loved that it was a perfect representation of his pack – the dichotomy of their natures, the way in which their lives were infused with the inevitability of death, but also with love and family. Stonehaven was seen by many as the seat of his power, but what no one outside of those closest to him understood, was that he drew his strength from the familiarity and affection of his pack. Without them, he would be nothing.
A sound at the doorway drew his attention. Glancing up, he froze. Kate had loosened her hair, leaving it to hang in a damp, dark, shiny mass around her face. If anything, it made her skin look creamier, her green eyes more intense behind the transparent lenses of her spectacles.
She smiled at him. "Thank you. I feel so much better now that I'm dry." She was standing with her socks and boots in hand, her feet unclad.
Jeremy had grabbed the first few items he'd found in Elena's closet - black leggings and a black long sleeved sweater. But Kate was clearly not Elena. Where his son's fiancè was slim and toned, Kate was all soft curves and understated femininity. "You're welcome. Please," he said, tearing his eyes away from her tempting figure and gesturing to the steaming mugs of coffee, "have a seat. I didn't know if you took cream or sugar, so I left it black."
Kate sat down, setting her footwear beside the sofa before wrapping her hands around the warm mug. "That's perfect, thank you."
Jeremy watched as she took a tentative sip and then sank back into the comfort of the leather with a contented sigh. She looked so at home, as though she belonged. Frowning at the preposterous thought, he said, "I took the liberty of calling the tow service in town. The weather has caused some problems and they're currently backlogged. It will take them at least a couple of hours to get here."
"I really don't need this," she said, a hint of frustration evident in her tone.
Curiosity got the better of his good sense. "Are you passing through?"
She shook her head. "No. I'm the new doctor at Bear Valley Medical Centre."
What? Jeremy was stunned. She's twenty four? Twenty five? She didn't look old enough to be out of college. She must have read the scepticism on his face, because she laughed – a soft, far too pleasing sound.
"I know what you're thinking," she said, her eyes twinkling.
He couldn't help noticing how the light from the fire flickered against the curtain of her dark hair. "I doubt it," he replied softly.
Undeterred, she continued, "That I'm too young. While many say a woman should never reveal her age, I have no such qualms. I'll have you know, Mr Danvers, that I am on the cusp of thirty."
Despite himself, he felt his lips twitch, but he held the impulse in check. "Positively ancient," he replied drolly. And still too young.
She laughed again, her eyes narrowing. "You're being facetious, so I will let that one go."
"Why Bear Valley?" he heard himself ask. "There are tons of other medical facilities in major cities across the country. Surely that would suit someone of your age better than a small town with a handful of patients?"
"I'd hardly call eight thousand residents a handful," she countered.
"I think you know what I mean."
She nodded, turning to look into the crackling fire. "I've lived in California my whole life. I went to medical school there, I completed my internship and residency there. After my mom's death, I realised that I needed a change."
"So you chose Bear Valley?" He couldn't keep the disbelief from his voice.
Her eyes focused on his once more. "It kind of chose me."
Jeremy raised an eyebrow.
"My old college professor works at the MC. He mentioned that there was a vacancy and asked if I wanted to join him. It seemed like a good idea."
Dr. Robinson was a smart man and an excellent physician. If he'd asked for her specifically, then she had to be good. "You'll find that there isn't much in the way of entertainment. Most young people tend to leave as soon as they can."
She cocked her head to the side, studying him. "You really aren't very encouraging, are you? If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were trying to dissuade me from staying."
Astute too. "Not at all," he said smoothly. "Merely trying to temper your expectations."
Kate sat back, crossing her legs and his eyes were drawn to her bare feet. They were small, her toes pink, the tips clear of paint. For someone who was completely comfortable with nudity, the sight made him stir in his seat, suddenly restless.
"What about you? How long have you lived here?"
Try as he might, Jeremy detected nothing but curiosity in her enquiry. Even so, he needed to be careful. "All my life."
She stared at him, as though waiting for him to continue. When he didn't, she prompted, "Do you, uh, live here alone?"
The question was not unexpected. "With my family," he evaded.
He saw something flicker in her eyes, but it was gone before he could make any determination. "This house," she said, looking around, "is incredible. You have so many artefacts and a lot of…bones." She was staring - nervously? – at the wolf's mandible on the table beside her.
For the second time that day Jeremy smiled genuinely. "Most of the artefacts and bone fragments you see were acquired by my son. He has a Doctorate in Anthropology."
Her eyes bulged. "Your son has a Doctorate? How old are you?" Too old, he reminded himself as she lifted a hand apologetically. Her face was flushed. "I'm sorry. That was impolite of me."
Jeremy shrugged. "Not at all."
She was looking into her mug. "It's just that you don't look old enough to have a son my age."
"You flatter me."
Kate looked at him then, her eyes staring into his, her gaze open and unguarded. It had been so long since he'd seen anything like it. Because of who he was, he assumed that most people he came into contact with had some sort of agenda. As alpha and protector, it was usually his duty to discover what that was. Kate though, other than being innately curious and surprisingly forthright, didn't seem to have one and he found her transparency acutely disarming.
A jolt of attraction hit him squarely in the gut. Uncomfortable with the way in which her presence disturbed his peace, he stood. "I'll drive you into town," he said abruptly, changing the subject.
"That's not nec-"
"I insist."
Her cheeks bloomed with colour once more. She thought he was trying to get rid of her. Good. He was, but thankfully she didn't know the real reason.
She stood. "What about my car?"
"I'll make sure it's collected and brought to you."
She placed her empty mug on the table. "That's very generous, thank you."
"It's nothing," he assured. "If you'll gather your things, we'll leave shortly?" At her murmured assent, he nodded. "Excuse me." He left as she bent to retrieve her boots. Returning with his car keys, he found her waiting where he'd left her. "Ready?" he asked.
"Yes."
Together they exited the house. The rain had reduced to a light drizzle as they hurriedly climbed into the silver Land Rover parked out front. Once Kate had settled into the front seat, Jeremy steered the car down the winding driveway and onto the main road leading into town.
Kate couldn't help it. She found Jeremy Danvers fascinating. She also found him way too attractive. She knew she wasn't supposed to; he was married, for Pete's sake! With a son my age, she reminded herself. She still couldn't wrap her brain around that one. He must be a lot older than he seemed. Or else he'd started a family when he was quite young. Okay, really, really young. Either way, it wasn't surprising that he was taken. Men like him – mature, good-looking and interesting – they never seemed to remain unattached for long. This of course left all the juvenile, dull, no-one-will-ever-love-me-more-than-my-mom type of men for her to pick from. She knew it wasn't fair to attribute the sins of her last boyfriend on the entire male population, but since it made her feel better, she didn't really care.
Sitting beside Jeremy as he drove them towards their destination, Kate tried to remain unaffected by his nearness. He hadn't said anything since they'd set off, having instead turned on the CD player to drown out the sound of their silence with some classical music. It wasn't her favourite genre, but since it wasn't her car, she didn't have the right to complain. She would rather have talked with him, but considering that she was trying to shake off the stirrings of an inappropriate crush, it was probably better that they didn't. The less she knew about him, the better.
From the moment she'd clapped eyes on him he'd been all politeness and courtesy, but she sensed that beneath the cool veneer, there was a lot more to him. He was too guarded, too controlled, too…calm? He displayed very little emotion, his responses to her questions and comments always in the same soft spoken voice, his tone even, his words measured.
Then there was his home. If anything, the magnificent interior only added to the conundrum. The limited bits she'd seen were complete contradictions. The foyer exuded civility, propriety, perhaps even some charm, but the sitting room was nothing like that. It was traditional yes, – solid wood finishes, leather seating, brass lamps - but it was also almost primitive? How else did one describe a room filled with stuffed animal heads, bones and blood? Well, not actual blood of course, but who could walk into that room and not see the crimson walls as some kind of metaphor for the human life force? It was as if the two rooms represented some kind of duality – one civilised and the other untamed.
Perhaps she was just being fanciful, of course she knew nothing at all about Jeremy, but she didn't think it a stretch to imagine that the stone manor was somehow a study of him, a reflection of who he was. It had to be. Weren't most people's homes an echo of themselves?
Or his wife could just have very specific tastes. The thought made her frown, irrationally annoyed. Regardless, it definitely seemed to suit him. Or at least he'd looked very much at home as he'd sat commandingly, every inch the man of the house, in the chair she assumed was his favourite.
Obviously, he guarded his privacy fiercely. Kate's embarrassment returned as she remembered his impatience to get rid of her. While he hadn't come across as unwilling to converse with her, he also hadn't shared any information that she was certain wasn't common knowledge.
Why am I even thinking about this? Rolling her eyes heavenward she didn't notice that he'd turned the music down until he spoke.
"Where are you staying?" They'd just passed the town's battered signage board.
Kate rattled off the address. "Is it close to the Medical Centre?"
Jeremy nodded. "Within walking distance."
She was relieved. With her car out of commission for who knew how long, she would at least be able to get to work without much hassle.
"You said you ran out of gas?"
She was surprised that he was initiating conversation. "I suspect a leaking tank. I'd filled up about a hundred miles back and when I happened to look at the gauge, it was in the red."
"You should be able to get it fixed."
"Fingers crossed. I've had that car for way too long. I just can't afford to buy anything else right now."
"I thought doctor's made good money?"
It was Kate's turn to raise an eyebrow at him, surprised at his presumption. When his lips curled into a knowing smirk, her belly fluttered and she looked away. "They do, if you choose to specialise. For now, I'm happy in family medicine even though I realise it's never going to be as lucrative."
They'd reached the hub of town. Kate said nothing more as Jeremy navigated to her street. He stopped in front of a small white house on the corner of two intersecting roads. "This is it," he said, switching off the engine. "The MC is two blocks up, in that direction. You can't miss it."
She nodded. Unbuckling her seatbelt, she lingered. "Uh, thank you for all your help today. I really appreciate it."
Those disturbing eyes met and held hers. "Like I said, it was no problem. If the tow company doesn't arrive by the time I get home, I'll ask my son to haul your car into town."
The son. Who obviously had a mother, she reminded herself. Not knowing what else to say, Kate opened the door, grabbing her purse off the floor. "I'm sure that won't be necessary. Please thank your wife for the clothes and tell her I promise to return it." She forced a smile. "I guess I'll see you around?"
He was looking at her intently. "Not likely. I don't come into town often."
"Oh," was all she could muster, adjusting her spectacles on the bridge of her nose. She hopped out. "Well, goodbye, Mr Danvers."
"Dr. Shaw," was all he said in reply, starting the engine.
Slamming the door closed, Kate walked up the drive, found the key beneath a pot of tulips as her landlord had promised and unlocked the front door. By the time she snuck a look across her shoulder, Jeremy had already pulled away from the curb and driven away.