ghter around her, she lay still for a moment, letting the quiet rhythm of the inn settl

was carving from the front door to the driveway. His movements were steady, purposeful, and utterly mesmeri

capturing the contrast of Alex's dark coat against the stark whiteness of the snow. His broad shoulders and del

oward her window. For a moment, their eyes met, and Sierra's pulse jumped. She expecte

lothes, she grabbed her boots and jacket, then headed downstairs.

or was that just for me?" she

faint smirk curved his lips. "Di

opped a few feet away, hands shove

ke me as the sh

full of s

ar the heavy snow. The weight of it was more than she'd expected, and her first few

asked, breathless after a part

'd enjoy t

s helpless as he seemed to think. After several more minutes of effort, she

declared, thrusting the sh

fficient as he picked up where she'd left off. Sierra stay

whole life?" she asked

ce carried no hin

ade you

vel for a moment. "This place

th the w

y with the

is answer. "I can't imagine being tied to one pla

d shoveling, his focus

than to push too hard. Alex seemed like the kind

gloves, and her cheeks burned from the cold. Alex gestured toward the

sking and handed one to her. She accepted it gratefull

you?" she asked, breaking

't always n

t way to avoid answ

y. Instead, he leaned against the cou

m of her mug. There was something magnetic about his

e?" she asked, tilting he

d nothing," he

ssible, you

lmost self-deprecating.

e a delicate thread. Sierra wanted to tug on it, to unravel the layers

light played off the snow and the shadows stretched long and lean through the trees. Alex moved through the inn l

er the moonlight. Sierra stood by the window in the dining room, he

to find Alex entering the room. He carried a lantern, it

," he explained, setting

ere," she said, gestur

is

, the weight of the quiet settling

to you than this stoic innkeeper act?"

nching. "Maybe because you're looki

re just good a

didn't reply. Instead, he turned toward

im. "You don't have to tell me anything. But for what it

, his voice was softer than she'd ever heard it. "Mayb

ght her off guard, and for a momen

e said quietly. "Things do

them. Before she could say more, he turned and left the room, l

d at it for a long time, wondering what kind of ghosts Alex Hart was carryi