That Wintry Feeling (Debbie Macomber Classics) by Debbie Macomber Page A

and bears as much as one wolf.” Heavy emphasis was placed on the word
wolf
so that Grady couldn’t doubt that she was referring to him.
    “A wolf?” Grady repeated the word as if it was distasteful. “I’m sure you must mean fox.” He paused and leaned closer to Cathy. “I’ve often been called a fox.”
    “Not by me.” It was important that she set the record straight.
    “Give my obvious charm a while. I’m sure you’ll change your mind.”
    Cathy lifted her chin, doing her best to keep from laughing. “Have you got a year?” she teased.
    “Oh, I’ve got time. As far as you’re concerned, there’s all the time in the world.”
    Cathy felt the color flow out of her face as an uncomfortable sensation assaulted her. Grady was doing it again. For a crazy second she wanted to scream at him to stop, leave her alone, give her time to heal after Steve. He was going too fast for her, far too fast.
    A bounty of fall colors was in vast display as they traveled into the park.
    “Are we there, Daddy?” Angela questioned from the backseat.
    “Start looking now,” Grady said. “Any minute you’re likely to see some wildlife.”
    Cathy turned to see the child peering out the side window; her brow, so like her father’s, was narrowed in concentration. Peterkins, two paws against the front seat cushion, was looking out just as intently.
    “During the summer months we wouldn’t be able to make this drive,” Grady said, and motioned to the far left-hand side of the road. “Look,” he said, “there’s a moose.”
    “Where?” Cathy asked excitedly, her eyes frantically searching for the huge mammal.
    “I see it!” Angela cried. “I see it!”
    Peterkins barked with excitement as Angela bounced around in the backseat.
    “Where?” Cathy repeated.
    Grady slipped one arm over her, letting it settle on her shoulder as he drew her close. The other hand was used to direct her gaze in the proper direction. Within seconds Cathy caught sight of the moose, his huge antlers and body blending in beautifully with his surroundings. But it wasn’t the sight of the magnificent beast that had Cathy’s blood pounding in her veins. Being this close to Grady was physically and emotionally exhausting. The temptation was so strong to nestle her face in the curve of his neck that for a moment she closed her eyes.
    “Beautiful, isn’t he?” Grady said, his mouth moving against her hair.
    Cathy nodded, because speaking had suddenly become impossible. A soothing warmth began to spread its way down her arm, and she gently pulled herself from his embrace.
    “Yes … yes, they are.” The words sounded weak, even to herself. “What was it you were saying about not being able to do this during the summer?”
    “That’s right.”
    Uncertain, Cathy glanced at Grady. His voice sounded unnatural, as if his mind wasn’t on her question. “Visitors are bused through the park during the summer months.”
    “Why?”
    Grady’s attention was diverted to the road. “As you’ve probably noticed, this isn’t exactly the best road in Alaska. It’s narrow and difficult to maneuver. In several places, turning a camper or car around would be almost impossible. It’s simpler to drive tourists through instead of allowing thousands of vehicles in.”
    “Sounds that way,” she said, more for something to say than any sign of agreement.
    A couple hours later Angela spotted a brown bear. “Miss Thompson, look,” she exclaimed, pointing wildly out the window. “It’s Yogi Bear.”
    “Or a reasonable facsimile,” Grady added with a chuckle.
    “I thought bears would be hibernating by this time. It’s mid-October,” Cathy whispered, as if she were afraid the sound of her voice would frighten the creature away. “And speaking of bears, you don’t expect me to share my lunch with that fellow, do you?”
    Grady’s responding laugh was filled with humor. “One question at a time, sweet Dorothy from Kansas.”
    “The name’s