Snowbound - Harlequin.com

128 SNOWBOUND
their path having reached the shed although he could see
they’d have to do some shoveling to get the doors open.
John carried in armfuls of wood with the boys, filling
the bin on one side of the fireplace and forming stacks
on the hearth as well. Unable to bear the laughter and
high, excited voices as they all struggled out of winter
gear in front of the fire, he went back out alone to stow
the snow shovels, then stood for a minute gazing at the
woods leading down to the creek.
What would happen to the deer, with the snow so
high on the ground? Would they be able to find anything
to eat? If they were smart, they’d stay deep under the
trees where the snow hadn’t been able to pile up. But
there they’d be reduced to eating bark from the trunks
of firs and cedar. Maybe it was a good thing that this
storm had hit so early in the winter, while the wild
animals still carried the weight they’d gained through
the warm summer and mild autumn.
He turned and went in, glad not to see Fiona. Alone in
his own small apartment, he took a long, hot bath, sinking
under to release some of the tension gathered in his neck
and shoulders. He dressed, towel-dried his hair and went
to the kitchen to consider lunch and dinner menus.
Some kind of stir-fry for dinner, he decided. He’d
take chicken out to thaw. He had bags of vegetables in
the freezer, and enough rice to keep them from starving
damn near all winter long. It would be quick and easy,
not requiring any help.
For lunch…
He stiffened when he heard the door swing open
behind him. Without turning, he knew Fiona had come