She was gone long enough for him to change into a dry union suit. He longed for a hot bath to take the chill off his bones, but he’d have to wait. With the door closed, heat was finally warming the space, but it was still cold enough to bring on shivers. Outside, the wind continued to wail. Knowing gentlemen didn’t allow themselves to be seen in their underclothing by a lady, he climbed into the bed. He’d just settled under the quilts and blankets when a knock sounded on the closed door. “Come in.”
She entered carrying a large drinking cup. “It’s hot,” she cautioned, handing it to him.
It was and tasted awful. “What’s in this?”
“Bark.”
“From a tree?”
“No, a dog. Yes, it’s from a tree—a willow. It’s a Native remedy. Tried and true.”
He kept his skepticism hidden but wasn’t sure he wanted more.
“Drink it or not,” she stated as if having read his mind. “Your pain. Your knee.”
Was she always so direct? Another question to add to his list. Still skeptical, he drank the rest and handed the cup back.
“It’ll help you sleep, too.” She crossed to the fireplace and put in more wood. “Do you need anything else?”
“No. Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome.”
She departed. He cocooned himself beneath the small mountain of blankets and quilts. Thoughts of his enigmatic hostess and the sounds of the roaring storm faded away as he sank into sleep.
Spring awakened in bed, pleased that the room was finally warm and she was home. The mare she’d been helping with had delivered a stillborn foal, which left her sad, but she knew nature wasn’t always kind. She wondered how the man down the hall was faring. Although McCray’s arrival had been anticipated, she hadn’t been involved with his travel arrangements, and certainly hadn’t expected to make his acquaintance in the middle of a snowstorm. She admittedly didn’t like houseguests. She’d lived alone for over a decade and preferred her own company. If visitors needed a place to stay, the Paradise boardinghouse owned by her sister-in-law, Regan, offered rooms to rent. However, the reporter hadn’t asked to be caught out in the weather, so Spring supposed she’d have to be pleasant and put up with him until Colt took him off her hands.
She left the bed and walked to the window. She didn’t hear the wind, but that didn’t mean the storm had passed. She looked out. Snow covered most of the pane, making it impossible to see anything other than that it was dark. The small clock on her nightstand showed the time to be a bit past five, so she’d been asleep almost four hours. She could use a lot more, but her stomach wanted food, and she needed to check on her animals. The man was probably hungry, as well, so she dressed.
The moment she opened the bedroom door, the scent of what smelled like stew made her pause. Curious, she continued the short journey to the kitchen and found her guest stirring a pot on the stove.
“What are you doing?” she asked suspiciously.
“Found stew in your cold box. Didn’t want to wake you, but I’m as hungry as the bear you threatened to feed me to.” He offered a ghost of a smile to her confused face before returning to his task.
Spring was prickly by nature and a part of her wanted to rail at him for sneaking around her place while she was asleep, but her hunger took the lead. Without a word, she opened a cupboard, grabbed two bowls, and set them on the counter.
“Thanks,” he told her.
She didn’t reply. Instead, she retrieved two forks and set them beside the bowls. He filled both bowls with the steaming mixture of vegetables and beef. Seeing that he was struggling to keep his weight off his injured leg, she picked up both bowls and carried them the short distance to her small dining table. Limping, he joined her and eased himself into one of the chairs.
To show him she did have manners, she said, “Thanks for heating up the stew.”
“You’re welcome.”
For a few moments they ate in silence until he said, “This is very good.”
“My sister-in-law, Regan, makes it for me.”
“It’s spicier than I’m accustomed to.”
“She’s from Arizona Territory. Her cooking is mostly Spanish. She uses peppers and chilis.”
He nodded his understanding. “How long have she and your brother been married?”
Spring debated answering. He was a stranger after all but reminded herself Colt would undoubtedly expect her to