Free Into the Storm by Melanie Moreland Page A

said …”
    I laughed humorlessly. “Don’t you get it, Rabbit? I’m a man I’ve been alone for a long time. I’m attracted to you because you’re a woman. Nothing more. And last night? Words. I’m good with words. I’m a writer, remember? It worked didn’t it? I could have had you so easily …” I sneered at her.
    Her hand flew to her mouth. I watched her eyes fill with tears of hurt. I went in for the kill.
    “ Is that what you want, Rabbit? A couple of weeks of mindless, meaningless sex with a stranger? Then you can go back to your life and pretend it didn’t happen? Will you be able to look your husband or boyfriend in the eye when they tell you how much they love you and how happy they are you’re back? I’m happy to accommodate if that’s what you’re after.”
    She shook her head, the tears coursing down her cheeks.
    I turned my back before I broke down in front of her.
    “ Just stay out of my way. I won’t take advantage of you anymore. As soon as the roads are clear, I’ll make sure you get to a hospital or police station.”
    I heard the sound of her feet as she ran from the room.
    My shoulders sagged.
    She’d stay away from me now, for sure.
     
     

     
     
    I came in from clearing the front of the house. I’d been at it for a couple of hours and I needed a break. The house was utterly silent. I hung up my wet clothes and went into the kitchen, passing the closed bedroom door. Nothing had changed or moved. Obviously, she hadn’t come out. I made a sandwich and hesitated. Should I offer her one? I looked over at Bear who was by the hearth and continuing to ignore me. I sat and ate, not even tasting what I was chewing. Not caring how it tasted, I just heated up some of the leftover coffee. Now that the snow had stopped, the temperature had dropped and it was cold out. I just needed the warmth. I added some logs to the fire and sat looking at the flames. I glanced towards the hall. Would Rabbit think to add logs and not let the fire go out?
    I shook my head. Fuck. I didn’t want her cold or hungry. I just needed to stay away from her before I allowed something to happen that she might regret. If we acted on our impulses and it turned out she was married, she would regret it. I knew she would torture herself for it. I would rather she hate me, than carry that kind of guilt around.
    I stood up and made another sandwich. Then, I went down the hall and knocked on the door. There was no answer but I opened it and went in. Rabbit was sitting in the chair by the window, with a blanket and a book. She stared at me wordlessly as I walked in. I placed the sandwich on the table beside her and went over to the fireplace, adding logs. “Don’t let the fire go out, Rabbit. We need it.”
    She said nothing. I stood up and went over to my closet and grabbed some more dry clothes. “I don’t expect you to stay holed up in here. You can go anywhere you want it the house. And eat. You need to keep up your strength.”
    Still nothing. I sighed and looked over at her. She was staring down at her book. She was incredibly pale and drawn-looking. My heart lurched at the sight of her suffering. I softened my voice. “I’ll be in and out all day, and probably tomorrow, working on the snow. You don’t have to stay in here.” I paused, but there was no response. “Are you in pain? Do you need some pills?”
    She shook her head but still didn’t say anything. “I’ll be in later to add more logs to the fire. Eat your sandwich, Rabbit.”
    I walked towards the door.
    “ Joshua.”
    Her voice stopped me and I turned.
    She looked at me with pain-filled eyes.
    Her voice was tight. “Don’t call me that again.”
    I nodded and pulled the door closed behind me.
    It worked.
    She hated me.
     
     

Chapter Ten
    Joshua
    I sat in the hot tub, the water moving around me; my leg throbbing painfully. The front part of the house leading to the barn and the drive was plowed, but it had taken most of the day. Tomorrow, I