One month later...

Hearing hooves moving down the thawing driveway of gravel, his boots slid off the desk and he stood up. Walking to the office door, he watched Daemon stop outside the barn door and his rider slide to the ground. She unfastened the bag of items she went to town for and walked the stallion inside. He nodded as she walked past and she tossed him the bag. Leaning against the door frame, he went through the bag and checked for everything off the list.

"Satisified?"

He chuckled and said "You know I have to check."

She rolled her eyes and asked "When did you become a big chicken Cal?"

"You try working for a stubborn, hard headed employer and you'll understand."

Smirking, she pulled an envelope out of the bag and stuffed it into her back pocket. He hung the bag on the wall and looked back at her.

"I haven't checked the pass yet but I think it should be open by the end of this month."

"That's what you said last month."

He caught her annoyed look and shrugged. The weather was never easy to predict in the winter. Each year the season changed, never sticking to a pattern. Looking back at Joe, he understood her frustration but commended her for keeping patient. He'd kept an eye on her once Reese returned and was surprised he didn't want her staying up at the house for the work hands with him.

The man said she couldn't stay in the barn but she wasn't allowed to bunk with the rest of the men because she was a guest, not worker. From where Cal stood, that was the complete opposite. She pulled as much of her own weight around her as he did but he couldn't blame the guy. He may not be acting on the hidden emotions but he wouldn't put it past the other men to make a move or two on her. His close watch put any worry of such an attempt to ease when he saw how the men respected her aside from her lineage and her sexuality.

"The path back to town is clearing up."

Cal heard her voice at a distance and pushed through the thoughts. He looked back at her and found her watching outside. The sun was trying to break through but the gray clouds held it back.

"If that is the case, the pass should be thawed out soon."

She let out a quiet grunt and walked back to Daemon. The stallion was ready to go back out after his drink and she pulled him out of the stall.

"Taking him out so soon?"

"He needs the work."

"You've been riding him all day. Let him rest."

She smirked and said "We know what we're doing Cal."

He shook his head and watched her guide the stallion back outside. He stood quietly as she swung up into the saddle and look to the porch. Bear lifted his head quietly and rose. His posture was much better and he had almost all of his energy back. He trotted up to her and she nodded.

His tail started wagging and she said "We'll be back late."

Cal opened his mouth but his words never made it out. She pulled on the reins and Daemon took off to the pasture. Bear ran along side, enjoying the work out, and they flew through the snowy fields. The cool wind bit at her face and left her glove covered hands cold. She leaned closer to Daemon's black flowing mane and let it guard some of the wind.

When they reached the top of the ravine, she pulled Daemon to a stop and slid to the ground. Bear sat down next to him and let out a sigh. She glanced down at him and he looked up at her tired.

"Rest while I check the pass."

His ear went up and she rubbed his head. Slowly he lowered his head onto his leg and she knelt next to the edge. Grabbing the edge of the cliff, she looked down and found the avalanche wall halfway gone. Sitting back in the snow, she let out a sigh and shook her head. If the weather didn't warm up she was never going to be able to leave before Bear could handle the long run home. Walking would only slow down the pain for so long and then he wouldn't be able to move for at least a week.

A frown slid over her face and she tried to not to focus on being trapped here for too much longer. Silently she stood up and brushed the snow off her jeans. Bear lifted his head and she walked over to Daemon. The horse was ready for the ride back and she checked on their healing friend. His breathing had slowed down but he still looked shakened.

Kneeling next to Bear, she ran her hand through his coat and he rolled onto his side. She checked the closed and healing wounds and rubbed his nose. His tail left holes in the snow and she shook her head with a laugh. His spirit was returning everyday and she knew he was more than ready to be back to his normal routine. Checking the sun, she looked back at Bear and he sat up.

Shaking the snow off, he threw it on her and she wiped it off her face. He licked her cheek and she shoved him away.

"Don't even think about it."

He let out a bark and she watched him stretch his legs. Smirking, she stood up and knocked the snow off her knees. Grabbing the saddle horn, she climbed back into the saddle and turned Daemon around. They trotted back to the farm this time and moved at the pace Bear chose. The sun was gone by the time they returned and she quietly settled Daemon back into his stall.

She hung his tack up and changed out his water and feed. Bear rested at the barn door as she settled the stallion in for the night. Rubbing the dark brown ear, she kissed Daemon's nose and left. Walking to the door, she waited for Bear and they closed the barn for the night. Her boots crunched softly as they walked to the porch and climbed the steps.

She kicked the snow off before stepping into the warm house and quietly shut the door behind her. Her face warmed instantly as she hung her jacket in the closet and stuffed her gloves in the pockets. Bear trotted up the steps ahead of her and they walked down the hall to their room. She shut the door behind her after turning on the light and Bear jumped onto the bed. He stretched out at the foot of the bed and she laid the envelope on the bedside table.

Sitting down, she removed her boots and opened the letter. She pulled out the paper and unfolded it. Reading over the carefully written words, she felt Bear move up next to her and rest his head on her knee. She scratched his head and folded the letter up. Slipping it into the envelope, she placed it in the drawer and looked down at her friend.

"I bet you're ready to be home."

He let out a whine and she smiled. Scratching his ear, she put his head on the bed and stood up. She walked to the window and looked outside at the darkened world. Right now she knew her family was eating their dinner or sitting in the living room resting after the long day's work. She wondered if any of them were actually out looking for her but wouldn't hope they'd find a way for her to come home.

A knock came from behind her and she turned around as the door opened. Teddy entered the room and smiled.

"Mom says to come down and heat up a plate."

She smirked and said "I thought we had a deal."

He laughed and said "I'm just delivering the message."

"Good."

He walked over to her bed and sat down next to Bear. His hand rubbed the dog's ear and she watched the coon dog lean into the touch.

"Pass is halfway thawed."

"You going to have to leave soon?"

She met his gaze and said "I'll leave when I can get through."

He sighed but still smiled. She knew he was enjoying Bear's company more than her but their bond was still going to be hard to break. He stopped scratching an ear and stifled a yawn.

"You should get to bed."

He shook his head and said "I'm not tired."

"As you yawn."

Groaning, he climbed off the bed and walked out of the room. The door shut behind him and she looked back at out the window. Seeing the lights disappear up the hill at the other house, she walked over to her door and turned the light out. Moving back to the bed, she felt Bear move to the end of the bed and she slid underneath the warmed covers. Curling up on her side, she looked out the window and slowly drifted into another memory filled sleep.

The street was packed with people preparing for the big competition and she sat on a step outside the store. Her back rested against one of the porch posts and she waited for her brothers to finish up inside. They had come to town a day ago so they could wrap up the summer business accounts and she was enjoying not having to handle the tedious job. Giggling came from a few women down the walkway and she watched them study the man dismounting his ride in front of the hotel. He looked at them and the bimbos blushed as he walked inside.

Smirking, she turned her gaze to the other side of the street. The tavern was getting a bit loud with the men placing their bets for the games. She spotted one of her old friends walking down the walkway and the woman waved at her. Standing up, she crossed the street and greeted her friend.

"I am surprised to see you outside and not cooped up in one of the stores."

She smirked and said "The brothers are handling it this time."

"That's got to be a relief."

She nodded and watched her friend glance down the street. She watched her smile as she looked at their old friend, Tom.

"Go say hi already."

The woman shook her head but Joe pushed her onward. Taking the hint, her friend walked up to Tom and she let out a sigh. It was good to see her friends but every time she visited with them she was reminded how much she had missed while she was gone. The trip out east was suppose to make her life better but right now it just reminded her why most people around here never left for the higher education. Shaking those lonely thoughts off, she walked down the walkway and walked into the empty dance hall.

She looked around the place, remembering how busy and packed the place felt whenever there was a dance. She could hear the music and remember the dance partners she had been with over the years. Spotting a few chairs left sitting up in the corner, she approached them and took a seat. Leaning her arms on her knees, she glanced at the floor and rested her chin on a hand.

"That bored?"

Looking up, she met Reese's amber eyes and shrugged. He walked inside the building and she could feel the room shrinking as he approached. It'd been a month since they had been alone in her kitchen but in this place it felt so different. He took a seat next to her and she sat up.

"What brings you to town?"

He shrugged and said "Had to make a reservation for my sister's incoming guests."

She could hear how thrilled he wasn't about it and she smirked. He never was one for much company and that was one of the reasons they had gotten along so well. She may have had lots of friends when she was young but they were just friends when she was in town. He was the only true friend she had and those old days of carefree fun were missed.

"I better get going."

She watched him stand and said "It was good seeing you."

Amber eyes looked down at her and he said "I wouldn't stick around here too long."

Ignoring the warning, she stood up and said "I'm not a little girl."

He smirked and she felt it cause her pulse to flutter. That simple fraction of movement played with her like nothing she had ever experienced before.

"I noticed."

Feeling his eyes penetrating her, she took a deep breath and asked "Weren't you leaving?"

"I am."

She waited for him to leave but he continued to stare at her. His eyes were leaving her uncomfortable and a little weary of getting caught with him by her family. He tucked a lock of her dark hair behind her ear and his thumb barely skimmed her cheek. She felt her body warm to his touch and he caught her chin. His mouth slid over hers just for a second but it was long enough to trigger a tidal wave in both of them.

She stepped back to gather her senses and met his stunned gaze. Knowing she couldn't control whatever would happen, she turned away and walked outside. Her pulse was still racing when she stepped outside and spotted her brothers finally coming out of the store. She walked down to meet them and never looked back in fear of giving him away.

Waking to steady rain drops on her window, she opened her eyes and sat up. The room was still a little warm and she slid out of bed. Moving to her window, she watched the rain fall steadily down the glass and smirked. As long as the temperature didn't drop the pass would thaw quicker. Feeling a little less caged, she took a quick shower and dressed in clean jeans and a lighter sweatshirt.

She laced her boots up and opened her door. Bear didn't budge as she stepped out into the hall and walked down the steps. The place was quiet and gave her the chance to sneak outside for a early morning work out with Daemon. He was moving around in his stall when she entered the barn and grabbed his tack. She saddled him and slid the bridle on before pulling him out of the box.

His hooves quietly sounded out their movement and she stopped outside. Climbing into the saddle, she tightened her grip on the reins and turned him toward the road. He flicked his tail as they walked toward the end of the driveway and she nudged him faster when they cleared the last of the driveway. They rode past neighbors and received waves in passing. She returned the gesture and swung him back around when they neared the town.

The rain was letting up when they returned to the barn and she swung down quietly. He shook the water from his mane and she walked him inside. His tack was hung up and she wiped him down with warm blankets. He buried his nose in his feed and she dried the tack off. Rubbing her cool hands on her pants, she walked into the office and found Reese waiting.

He was leaning against the desk and she stopped. His eyes were looking out the window but she knew he would stop her if she tried to slip out.

"Did you know that he could get sick from that run?"

"He's in great health."

Amber eyes slowly turned to her and she felt her pulse react. He stood up and she watched him move like a large animal stretching. Every day she had to be around him he left her in a daze and she had to fight hard to hold it off while he was in her presence.

"Calli said you didn't come down for dinner last night."

"You weren't there?"

He pulled out a file and put it on the desk. She watched him flip it open and look over something.

"I had business."

She rolled her eyes and asked "What if I wasn't hungry?"

He shook his head and looked back at her.

"You not hungry? That's real funny."

"For your information I happen to have a smaller appetite these days."

"That would be the day."

A frown slid onto her face and he watched her eyes dance. She held back the snide remark she longed to throw at him and took a deep breath. He was baiting her this morning, knowing the weather would put her in a better mood.

"The sooner that snow thaws, the happier I will be."

"I didn't mean to get you riled up."

"Too late."

He put the file away and asked "Can't you just let it go?"

Her eyes grew cold and she said "How about I just forget it happened."

He watched her leave the room and imagined if there was a door it would slam behind her. Letting out a curse, he shoved a hand through his hair and shook his head. Teasing her was not going to work and he knew better. He tried being serious with her and she called him on it. There was no middle ground to stand with her and it left him aggitated even more.

That woman had become so entoxicating again and it was all he could do to have her around here. He knew she didn't have a choice but it was agonizing to watch her work with his employees and not want to punch them when they stared at her enviously. He knew the thoughts going through their heads because he let them creep into his head when he was lying in bed at night. Every night if he wasn't dreaming an old memory, he was dreaming about what she could be like if everything hadn't gone to hell. His frown grew and he raked another hand through his hair.

Leaving the office, he found the barn full with only horses and looked outside. The rain had let up and that meant his work hands would be showing up soon. He walked outside and took in a fresh breath of air. It helped loosen the tension and he walked to the house. Climbing the steps, he entered the warm home and headed to the kitchen to get breakfast on the table.