BOTH GIRLS FELL SILENT.

The strawberry blonde quickly rang up the rest of my groceries. "That will be sixty-five dollars and twenty-nine cents."

My fingers trembled as I handed her my debit card.

Did Colton kill his father?

Did his mother?

Colton came over to the cashier. He grabbed the bundles of wood and the paper bag holding the wine bottles. "Can you handle the rest?"

I nodded and followed him out of the store.

Colton threw the wood in the back of his truck before opening the door and setting the wine in the backseat. "Here," he said, motioning to the bags in my hands. "I'll help you get these in the truck."

I lifted my arms, struggling due to the pain in my ribs.

The snow continued to fall.

"I need to go pick up my prescription," I said. "Do you mind waiting?"

Colton shook his head.

My mood toward him had taken on a new tone.

I headed to the pharmacy and picked up the cream for my face.

"You be careful now," said the pharmacist. "This weather is looking mighty bad."

I quickly thanked him and headed out to Colton's truck.

After sliding into the passenger's seat and carefully buckling the seatbelt, I folded my hands in my lap. Thoughts collided in my mind as I stared straight ahead at the snow hitting the windshield.

"Listen," said Colton, pulling out onto the road. "Those girls in the grocery store, they don't know what they're talking about."

I didn't respond.

"The truth is my father was an abusive alcoholic. When he wasn't at work, he was either drinking or threatening my mother."

The hair on the back of my neck stood up.

"One night last year he had too many drinks and fell down the stairs. He broke his neck and died."

His voice was difficult to read. I couldn't tell if there was a hint of sadness or plain disgust.

"We called the police, which was difficult because he was one of their own. They didn't know about his drinking problem or how he treated my mother and me. They thought it seemed suspicious. Before we knew what was happening, they charged my mother with murder. Then they charged me with covering it up."

I squeezed my hands together, trying to stop the trembling.

"We were both acquitted due to a lack of evidence."

A silence fell between us as we turned onto the road, the same one I had swerved off earlier.

"Listen, I get it," said Colton. "If you want me to drop you off and never talk to you again, I will."

My headache left a dull pain in the back of my skull. This was too much to handle. What happened to the cute guy with great dimples? Why did he have to have such a crazy life story?

Colton slowed down the truck.

"What are you doing?" I asked, a tingle of fear creeping into my voice.

He gave me a sad, lopsided grin. "I don't know where you live."

"Oh." My cheeks heated. "Take your next left and then turn right on Hickory Trace. My cabin is only one on the road. It's at the end on the left."

Colton followed my instructions and turned left.

I swallowed then took a deep breath. "Did you do it?"

Colton kept his eyes on the road. "No, I didn't kill my father nor did I help my mother cover up his death."

I shifted in my seat. I had always been a good judge of character, and Colton seemed to be telling the truth. But how could I know for sure?

Colton took the next turn.

"Did your mom do it?" I asked.

He shook his head. "My mother wouldn't hurt a fly."

I bit my lower lip as we drove down the gravel road. A few minutes later, we arrived at the cabin.

Colton got out and grabbed the wood from the back of his truck. Then he opened my door and offered his hand to me. Warmth spread through my cheeks and my fingertips as I touched his skin.

"The snow is really coming down," he said.

I looked away, realizing that the snow was up to my ankles.

"Let's get you inside," he said. "I'll come back and get everything else."

I didn't argue.

After fumbling with the key, Colton set the wood down and helped me open the door. He arched an eyebrow as he entered the cabin. "Feels like a sauna in here."

I couldn't help but smile. "I like it warm."

"I see that," he responded with a small grin.

He set the wood down near the fireplace before turning around and heading back out to his truck for the remaining supplies.

I held the door for him as he came back in. My eyes lingered on the exposed skin showing right above the waistline of his jeans. The sharp line from the perfect V caused my heart flutter in my chest.

"Ah, where do you want these?" asked Colon, catching me staring at him.

My face and neck burned with embarrassment. "In the kitchen would be great," I said. "Right through there."

I followed Colton into the kitchen and put the groceries away. I could feel his eyes studying my frame. I had always been thin, not much in the area of curves, with straight black hair and light brown eyes. I usually didn't spend much time on makeup or doing my hair. It wasn't because I didn't want to, but every time I looked in the mirror, I saw my mother. We looked so much alike, it was uncanny. The mirror was a cruel reminder of her tragic death.

"Listen, if you want me to go, I understand," he said, looking down at the floor.

I tugged on my hoodie. I didn't want him to go. But I also didn't want to be in a cabin in the middle of nowhere with someone who might have killed their father.

"Dr. Jacobson trusts you," I said, uncertain of where I was going with the statement.

Colton nodded. "She and my mother are best friends. She knows our family better than anyone."

"I don't think she would have asked you to sit with me if she didn't trust you."

Colton shrugged his shoulders. "I understand if you want me to go, but I told you the truth earlier. I'm a good guy, and I would feel terrible if something happened to you tonight."

My stomach twisted. "All right, if you're okay with it, I'd like you to stay."

Colton looked into my eyes. "Thank you for not writing me off. It means a lot to me."

I nodded.

Colton's stomach growled.

"Hungry?" I asked.

He burst into laughter, the gold flecks in his dark brown eyes shimmering. "Maybe just a little bit."

"I bought some bread. We can have sandwiches."

Colton raised his eyebrow. "You've had a rough day. I don't think a sandwich is going to cut it. What else did you get?"

"Stuff for spaghetti."

"Perfect," he said, taking off his coat and tossing it on a nearby chair. "You sit down over there. I'll make the best spaghetti and garlic bread you've ever had."

Colton got right to work, filling a large pan with water and placing it on the stove. He picked through everything I had bought and set the vegetables on the counter. After a quick look through several drawers, he found a cutting board and a sharp knife.

"I do a lot of the cooking at home," said Colton. He began to dice the garlic. "My mom is a real good cook. She taught me everything I know." He pressed several buttons on the oven, preheating it for the garlic bread.

"Seems like you really know your way around the kitchen," I replied with a smile.

Seriously, Claudia? That's what you say? Seems like you really know your way around the kitchen? You're the biggest nerd ever!

Colton grabbed a pan and the olive oil. "Where's the meat?"

I scrunched up my nose.

"So, is that a no on the meat?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I don't eat anything with a face or a mother."

Colton's eyebrows shot up. "Well, that's a good way to put it."

I laughed. My ribs ached. "I haven't eaten meat in over five years."

Colton nodded. "Okay, I'm cool with that. No meat. I'll just add a little bit more garlic. Speaking of—how garlicy do you like your bread?"

"Very," I said.

Colton buttered several pieces of bread and added loads of minced garlic before sliding them into the oven.

As the oil in the pan heated up, Colton chopped and added the vegetables. The sizzle and delicious smells caused my stomach to grumble.

"So, Claudia. Tell me about you."

Shifting my weight, I shrugged my shoulders. "There isn't much to know."

Colton arched an eyebrow. "I doubt that."

I couldn't put my finger on it, but something about Colton left me at ease. "Okay, how about this: I'm writing a book. I came up here so I could finish it."

"You're writing a book?" repeated Colton. "That's really cool!"

"Are you making fun of me?"

He held up his hands. "No! Not at all. I think that's amazing."

A small smile played on my lips. Okay, he isn't making fun of me.

"So, what's it about?" he asked as he stirred the vegetables.

I shrugged my shoulders. "My main character, Sasha, is in a relationship and it's not going well. She needs to get out, but..." I trailed off.

"But?" asked Colton as he dumped the dry pasta into the boiling water.

I rubbed the back of my neck. "We don't have to talk about it."

Colton added some salt and pepper to the vegetables. "Come on. Tell me."

I breathed out slowly. "She's in an abusive relationship and can't get out."

Colton fell silent.

"I'm sorry. I should have just kept it to myself."

He frowned. "Why would you keep it to yourself?"

"I just—I mean—your situation. I'm—no." I stopped and took a deep breath. "I-I just don't want to be insensitive."

Colton grabbed a wooden spoon and stirred the pasta. "I wish my mother had the courage to leave my father."

His words hit me like a ton of bricks.

"Why didn't she?" I asked.

"A combination of things, I guess. She was terrified of him. He used to threaten her and tell her that if she ever left, he would get custody of me. He said he'd make me pay for her leaving. She didn't have any money either. No way to support herself. She was—she was trapped..." he finished.

I stood up and reached for Colton's hand. "I'm really sorry."

His fingers brushed against mine, sending a shiver up my spine.

"Thank you," he whispered.

Unable to stop myself, I pulled Colton closer until our bodies touched. He reached down and gently ran his fingers up my neck, stopping at my chin. We locked eyes before his lips crashed into mine, sending fireworks exploding through my chest.

Colton drew back sharply, his eyes wide. "Oh shit!"

*******

Cliffhangers,

Ooh! Shivers up her spine! Do you think Colton will win Claudia over or will something (a.k.a. his father's death) keep them apart?

Hearts and Daggers,

Kelly Anne Blount xoxo