Snow Angel by Jamie Carie Read Free Book Online

stumbled upon a saint’s doorstep?
    * * *
    BY NOON NOAH’S arms were aching and his stomach was growling. She must be done bathing by now. After stacking the logs against one of the cabin walls and making a trip to his small smokehouse for the last of the deer meat, he headed back.
    Cautiously, feeling like a visitor in his own house, he opened the door, his face shielded by a load of wood with the bundle of wrapped meat stacked on top.
    â€œI’m back,” he announced hesitantly.
    He was walking into the kitchen to deposit the meat on the table when Elizabeth surprised him by saying pleasantly, and in a suddenly silkier voice than he remembered her having, “If you will lower the wood, I’ll take that bundle off the top for you.”
    He automatically did as requested, disgruntled with himself that his mind had seemed to stop working. After feeling the weight lifted, he turned, carried the wood to the fireplace, and busied himself by stacking it and building up the fire. After a time, curiosity got the better of him and he turned around. Instead of a sulky girl lying on the sofa in his excessively large shirt, he saw a radiant young woman, dressed in her own dry and very becoming clothes, busy cooking in his kitchen.
    Well , he amended after smelling the air, trying to cook . As he stood staring at her, she burned a finger on the handle of the iron skillet and let out a yelp. The noise shocked him intomovement. Full of only good intent, he walked over to help. He reached for her hand. “Let me see it,” he commanded softly.
    She didn’t extend her hand toward him as he expected. Instead, she held it to her tight, shaking her head. “It’s fine. My own foolishness.”
    He reached for it. Taking her hand in a firm, steady grip he uncoiled her fingers so that he could examine the wounded finger. There was a red welt but no blister. He’d had enough of both in his early bachelor days to know the protocol. Noah wordlessly backed her to a wooden chair by the table, picked up a cloth, and went to the front door to pack it with snow.
    She didn’t resist this time, only looked at him with big brown eyes. She wasn’t at all sure she wanted him handling her, but she bravely held the offended finger out to him anyway.
    He smiled deep inside, seeing this small measure of trust, hoping to be worthy of it. “Hold it in the ice a few moments.” He gently wrapped the cloth around her finger, his eyes on the welt. Then he raised his gaze to hers, felt himself drowning in the deepness of her, seeing his reflection and then deeper, into her soul for a brief moment before she quickly looked down.
    â€œJust sit a minute. I’ll finish dinner.”
    He could sense Elizabeth’s eyes on him while he tried to save her meal.
    â€œI’m not much of a cook,” she said unnecessarily.
    Noah nodded in silent agreement as he took the charbroiled meat from the pan. The potatoes, lying next to the meat, were black in places, but still raw inside, and the biscuits … well, he guessed that’s what they were. He was afraid to ask.
    * * *
    ELIZABETH THOUGHT HIS silence meant he was angry. Aha, a chink in the armor. He wasn’t fond of anyone messing with his kitchen. A strange chink, but maybe it would qualify. With a sigh she asked, “I suppose you were born knowing how to cook?”
    Noah was looking at her as if he couldn’t really make out this new side of her. He cleared his throat and responded hesitantly, “No, I’ve lived alone for a long time. A person learns to cook after doing it for years.” His ears were red.
    â€œWell, I haven’t been in a kitchen much, but I’m sure, someday, after years of practice, I’ll be as competent as you.”
    â€œSure you will, but in the meantime if you would like me to show you some basics, I could.”
    â€œOK.” She shrugged and smiled at him. “How long have you lived up