Page 44 of Craig

It was not dark yet and to her surprise, she realized they had been traveling for more than three hours, which meant she had been asleep the entire time.

It went to show how emotionally and physically exhausted she had been.

“I’m sure there’re all kinds of murdering animals lurking around, just waiting to eat us alive. They’re hiding in some of those bushes and thanking whatever gods they pray to for the fresh meat.”

Craig laughed in delight as he hopped out and came to open her door.

“What an imagination you have.”

“I’m not getting out of this vehicle.” To prove that she wasn’t budging, she folded her arms under her breasts, expression mutinous.

“All right. I’m going in and closing the door behind me.”

Opening the back door, he hauled out their cases.

“I will probably hear your screams when said murdering animals, possibly a bear or two or a coyote or wolf, come trolling for food. But by the time I hunt up my pop’s shotgun, it’d be too late. I-” he grinned when she bolted from the vehicle.

“Thought that would do it,” he murmured to himself.

“You’re a sadist,” she told him scathingly as she marched towards the brand new porch, ignoring the calls of birds and the scent of flowers blooming.

“And don’t think you’re going to get me out of this cabin for the week we’re here. I’m staying inside.”

“Yes ma’am.” Giving her a cheeky smile, he retrieved the key from beneath the flower pot and opened the door.

“A key under a flower pot.” She snorted.

“You really are a trusting soul.”

“And you’re too much of an urbanite. Welcome to my retreat.”

Dumping the cases at the foot of the stairs, he led the way into the kitchen.

“Millicent packed enough food to feed an army. I just have to get the basket from the trunk. Hungry?”

He knew she had barely picked at the food while they were at the ceremony.

“Yes. I’ll put the kettle on for some tea.”

“Good,” he said briskly and headed out again.

Plopping her hands on her hips, she turned in a circle and considered the room charming and cozy. There was a brand new electric stove tucked into one corner of the room.

A large bay window looked out over the river, and a dining table, simple and made of sturdy oak, was placed beneath the window.

Finding the kettle, she filled it with water and turned the knob before hunting through the cupboard for a box of tea.

All the while, she was trying to tell herself that being here with him like this did not smack of coziness and intimacy. They had to be somewhere for their “honeymoon” in order to fool his grandfather and that very nosy and suspicious lawyer.

But she did not like the fact that it all felt so real.

“Here we are. It’s starting to rain.”

He hefted the basket on the counter top.

“That looks heavy.”

“Millicent wanted to make sure we didn’t starve.” He searched her face as he opened the flap and started to take the stuff out.