Rocky Mountain Wild (Rocky Mountain Bride Series Book 6) by Lee Savino Page A

she decided she couldn’t stitch any longer and announced she was going to bed.
    Mr. MacDonnell stood and grabbed his cap, holding the door open for her in silence. Phoebe felt a little thrill as she gathered her things. Nights with her employer, sewing and then walking home, were her favorite times. She still felt guilty about making him tail her to her lonely little hut.
    “Seems ridiculous to walk me home when I live alone out here anyway,” she remarked.
    His face darkened. “You should live in the lodge then.” As she limped forward, he hovered in the doorway, and for a moment, she thought he wouldn’t let her pass. “You stayed here these past few nights. Was it not to your liking?”
    “That was to tend to the bird,” she protested.
    “There’s another wee bird that needs tending. If it were up to me, I’d keep it safe and warm here inside.”
    Her breath caught. Did he mean her? After weeks of proving herself, he should know she could take care of herself. She hated appearing weak in front of him.
    Staring up at him, she felt fragile and defenseless. He’d caught her off guard.
    He seemed to sense her consternation, and immediately became contrite. “I’m sorry, lass. I don’t mean to upset you. It’s just, I was raised to care for my own.” His breath blew out, matching his look of frustration.
    “I have a right to live where I please,” she said quietly, and his scowl disappeared.
    “Of course you do. I don’t like it, but it’s not my decision.” Reaching out, he tugged her braid. “At least, until I convince you.”
    “You can’t convince me.” Phoebe’s forehead creased and Calum chuckled, tapping her nose, his good mood fully returned.
    “You’re stubborn, aye. But as I said: I’m a Scot, and a MacDonnell to boot, and we’re the most stubborn of them all.”
    “I’m not stubborn.” She walked onto the porch, cursing her bum foot for the hundred thousandth time. Her leg stiffened in the cool night air, forcing her to limp in front of him.
    If he noticed her slower gait, he didn’t mention it, but matched his stride to hers.
    “You come to the great woods all by yourself, no larger than a wee sapling. Ready to take on the wilderness alone.”
    “So did you!”
    “Aye, but I’m a big laddie. You’re naught more than a wee bird yourself.” They passed the thicket where they’d found the caught bird, and he reached out to tweak her braid again.
    “I’m not wee,” she huffed, throwing herself into their light-hearted bickering.
    “Little, I mean.”
    “I’m not little.” In a rare moment of whimsy, she stepped onto a log and balanced so she could look him in the eye. “See now, I’m as tall as you.”
    He hovered close, hands out as if he’d catch her if she fell. “Well done, little bird. You found a perch.”
    She laughed and stopped at the surprise on his face. “What?”
    “Nothing, lass. I’ve just never seen you laugh. You’re usually so serious.”
    Her smile died at the thought she’d acted too childish, and his frustration returned.
    “There I go with clumsy words. What I meant to say is that you have a very fine laugh, and I’d like to hear it more. I want you to be happy here, Phoebe.”
    “I am happy here.” She let him help her down. “I like working for you very much.”
    He sighed. They walked on in awkward silence; she wondered if she’d said something wrong.
    “I’m glad you aren’t too lonely here. I’m not the best company.”
    Privately, Phoebe disagreed. He was the best company she’d ever had. Even Mrs. Covey with her kindness and humor couldn’t compare to her tall, burly Scot with his moods that changed like the weather.
    She didn’t know how to say that out loud, though. “That’s all right.”
    “What I mean to say is, I know it can be lonely out here with a man and his dog, but I’m glad you’re here.”
    Suddenly her throat was dry. The flutters were back in her stomach; she’d been getting them more and more, and