Free Silver Thaw by Catherine Anderson Page B

at her again. “I know I’m a stranger to you. If you’re still uneasy about spending the night here, I can invite my mother over. I keep all the beds made up for unexpected guests and have fresh towels in all the baths. It would pose no inconvenience for me.”
    “The road conditions are nasty.”
    “My father would drive her. He’s got a big four-wheel-drive truck with studded tires like I do. So don’t worry about that. Just say the word, and I’ll call her.”
    Amanda didn’t want to trouble his mother. Besides, the very fact that he’d offered to invite his mom made her feel safer. If he had nefarious intentions, he wouldn’t do that.
    “I’ll be fine for one night.”
    “You may be here longer. Another ice storm is supposed to hit before morning.”
    She drew in a quick breath, hoping he was wrong about the coming weather. Staying here for a night was doable, but she wasn’t sure her nerves could handle more than that. With his large, muscular frame, he blocked the doorway, her only avenue of escape. Being in this room withhim made her feel as if all the oxygen had been sucked from the air. He exuded strength. The directness of his gaze made her skin burn. If he made a quick move toward her, she might fall over in a dead faint.
    Only his sense of honor might keep him from getting out of line, and Amanda didn’t know him well enough to be sure he even had one.

Chapter Four
    Amanda prayed it wouldn’t be necessary to stay in this man’s house for more than one night. She was about to say as much when something slammed against the metal roof. She gave a violent start before she realized it was hail.
    “Speak of the devil,” Jeb said. “We’d better get back downstairs in case it wakes Chloe. Last night even Bozo got scared and crawled under the dining room table.”
    Amanda trailed behind him as they descended the stairs. As Jeb suspected, the storm had awakened Chloe and the dog. But neither of them seemed frightened.
    Crouching beside her daughter, Amanda said, “You slept through dinner, sweetie. Do you think you can eat now?”
    Chloe nodded, so Amanda picked her up and carried her to the kitchen, Bozo following on her heels. Jeb got the child’s meal from the warmer and placed it on the table. Then he said, “Do I have any comers for hot chocolate?”
    “Me!” Chloe cried. Then, remembering her manners, she added, “Yes, please.”
    “Yes, please,” Amanda echoed.
    She gave Chloe a paper towel and sat beside her while she ate. Jeb filled mugs with hot water from the coffee center. Then he mixed in packets of Swiss Miss, another thing she’d mentally consigned to the unaffordable bin. “Who wants marshmallows?”
    “Me!” Chloe crowed with delight. “I love marshmallows.”
    “Me, too!” Jeb replied. “But I hate the dehydrated kind.”
    Seconds later, Chloe grinned at Jeb from beneath a chocolate mustache. “This is so yummy! Thank you, Mr.—” Chloe broke off. “Um, I can’t remember your name.”
    “Sterling.” Jeb took a sip of his drink. “Aw. Just the thing to chase away the chill on a winter night, and you’re welcome. And ‘Mr. Sterling’ is a mouthful. You can call me Jeb if you like.”
    The little girl dimpled a cheek at him. “My mommy says it’s impolite to call adults by their first names.”
    He nodded. “Mr. Jeb will work, then.”
    “Okay, Mr. Jeb.” Chloe glanced into her mug. “You’ve got miniature marshmallows. They’re my favorite.”
    Amanda warmed her hands on her mug, wishing the cold feeling inside her would dissipate. Unlike her daughter, she couldn’t quite relax. How had she and Chloe ended up here, about to spend the night in a stranger’s home?
    Chloe seemed to be as hungry as Amanda had been, because she cleaned her plate. Jeb said, “You were a hungry girl. I can warm up some more for you.”
    Chloe looked tempted, but then a wary expression settled on her face. “No, thank you.”
    Jeb shot Amanda a questioning look, but he