The snow hammered the cabin windows like it wanted inside. Emma hugged her knees on the worn couch. She’d been driving up to the mountain rental alone when the storm hit hard. Now she was stuck with a stranger who’d pulled in right behind her, some guy named Ryan who’d been trying to reach the same lodge.
“Looks like we’re not going anywhere tonight,” Ryan said, handing her a mug of hot coffee. Tall, broad-shouldered, dark stubble shadowing his jaw.
Emma took the mug, their fingers brushing. A spark. “Guess not. Thanks for the coffee. I’m Emma.”
“Ryan.” He sipped his own, eyes flicking over her, oversized sweater slipping off one shoulder. “You come up here often?”
“First time solo. Needed to clear my head.” She laughed softly. “Bad timing.”
Conversation started easy. But the longer t
