My Starry Valentine

Chapter 6

Chapter Six

LUNA

L edger’s rich, masculine voice draws me back from my thoughts. “Excuse my poor manners. I don’t get a lot of guests up this way. May I offer you something to drink or eat? Beer and pizza, maybe?”

“What kind of beer?”

“A variety of local brews,” he says. “You’ll have to check out the fridge if you’re picky.”

“I’m not picky as long as they’re not too hopsy.”

“So, no IPAs. I think I can swing that.”

“Thank you.”

The corners of his mouth turn up almost imperceptibly, although his gaze remains trained ahead as he strides past me into the kitchen. “There’s a bathroom down the hallway with towels and everything you need for a shower. Please make yourself at home.”

My heart pounds against my ribs as I take in his handsome, rugged profile. Squeezing my hands tightly together, I say, “You mentioned something about a satellite phone. Is that something I could use before I take a shower? Because I’m supposed to be at the hospital right now, and the last thing I want is everyone worrying about me when I don’t show up.”

“The hospital?” he asks, his brows knitting together.

“Yes, my best friend Naomi and I were out cross-country skiing today when there was a terrible accident…” The tremble in my voice stops me.

He moves a step closer to me, turning ever so slightly to make eye contact with me and giving me the slimmest glimpse of his injured side.

“Yes, she broke her ankle, and it took hours for search and rescue to get to us.” I bite my lower lip, holding back a sob.

“How bad was the break?” he asks, frowning.

“It was a compound fracture.”

He grimaces, moving closer until he stands in front of me. He hesitates before tentatively touching my upper arm and rubbing it reassuringly. My heart pounds wildly, my flesh igniting beneath his fingers despite the thin layer of sleeve between us.

“How did she get to the hospital?”

“The plan was Ouray Mountain Rescue would take her by LiteTrax down the mountain, and I’d meet her at the hospital in Montrose. So, if I could use your satellite phone, it would be appreciated.”

“Of course,” he says, letting his hand drop as he sweeps past me into the kitchen, grabbing a black device from the top of the fridge. As he hands the bulky phone to me, our fingers accidentally brush, making my cheeks burn and a muscle jump along his square-cut, bearded jawline.

Looking down at the screen and buttons, I freeze. “I’ve never used a satellite phone before. Can you help me?”

“Sure. We have to bundle back up and head outside, though.”

After quietly putting our coats and boots on, Ledger offers his arm, leading me into the blizzard until we find a clear spot, or at least what he says would be a clear spot, if it wasn’t storming. I’m skeptical the phone will work in this weather, but he reassures me it will.

He talks me through turning it on, extending the antenna, and waiting for a connection. I dial Naomi’s cell phone number. Five call attempts later, she finally answers.

“Babe, what number are you calling me from? Where are you?” Her voice sounds surprised and relieved.

I plug my ear, yelling over the blizzard’s gusts. “I got stuck in the blizzard driving back to Ouray. But this nice cowboy-mountain-man rescued me. I’m safe now, but this weather’s awful. So, don’t expect me to make it to Montrose anytime soon. What are they saying about your ankle?”

“Okay, wait a sec…” she says, clearing her throat. “What’s a cowboy-mountain-man, and is he cute?”

Her question makes me painfully aware of the big Marine standing a little distance away but still within hearing range. “I’ll explain later, and yes. Very much so.”

“Oh my goodness!” she squeals into the phone far more enthusiastically than she should.

“What kinds of meds do they have you on, Nana?” Nana is one of many nicknames I have for my bestie.

“The good stuff. But enough about me. I want to hear more about this cowboy-mountain-man of yours.”

“Not mine, and it’s complicated. But no worries. I’ll fill you in on the details later.” I repeat the question she previously ignored. “What are they saying about your ankle?”

She sighs long and hard. “I need surgery. That’s all I know for sure. Oh, and I’m in room two seventy-six.”

“Surgery? Oh my gosh, Naomi, have you called your parents to let them know yet?”

“Yep, and they’re freaking out. Trying to find the fastest tickets out of Oklahoma City to Colorado. They finally get to have their Rocky Mountain adventure…only not under the best circumstances.”

“I’m glad they’re on their way, and I’ll be there as soon as I can. But this weather needs to let up, and I need to figure out what’s going on with my car and get our stuff out of the hotel room.”

“Yep…”

A tinge of selfishness pricks me. Why am I telling her this on the eve of surgery? She has vastly more important things to focus on. “But don’t you worry about any of that. Just focus on getting better. Promise?”

“Pinkie promise… This goes without saying, I hope. But focus on your cowboy-mountain-man.”

I blush. “It’s not what you think. I’ll explain later.”

“Can I call you back at this number?” she asks.

I look at Ledger, catching him staring at me. “Can Naomi call me back on this line if need be?”

“Yes, although we’ll likely only see the call after the fact. She can text the number, too.”

“Oh, he has a sexy voice,” she croons.

I frown. “Maybe your doctor needs to tone down your meds.”

“It’s Valentine’s Day, babe. At least one of us should enjoy a little romance…” Her voice cracks. Oh no. This is far worse than her teasing me about Ledger. The floodgates open, and I try to comfort her, shushing and whispering reassuring words. “A broken ankle on Valentine’s Day? What’s the universe trying to tell me?”

“Maybe to marry an orthopedic surgeon? Or a mountain rescue guy?”

She chuckles, and I sigh, relieved.

“You know, my surgeon is pretty cute, babe…”

“Talk about a dramatic way to meet someone…” The Marine shoots me a dark glance, and I wonder what he’s thinking based on the one-sided conversation.

“But enough silliness. Yes, you can call this number, but bear in mind a few things…” I quickly relay the information from Ledger to my bestie about the satellite phone, my teeth chattering as he patiently waits. I finish with a quick prayer at Naomi’s request and end the call.

I hand the phone to Ledger, and he takes my arm, leading me towards his porch again. “A cowboy-mountain-man?” he grumbles with a frown. “Is that a good thing?”

I smile up at him, calling over the storm, “Between the boots, the hats, the cabin, and the elevation, it’s accurate. But I apologize for making assumptions. What would you call yourself?”

He shrugs, looking the most relaxed I’ve seen since our meeting, despite the chilly breezes hammering us and intermittently uncovering the part of his face he works so hard to hide. “A hick astronomer.”

“An astronomer?” I ask, my eyes rounding.

A surprisingly gorgeous laugh escapes his lips. “Why does that surprise you?”

“I’ve never met an astronomer before,” I confess as he opens the front door for me.

“It’s a geeky profession,” he declares gruffly.

“I think geeks are hot,” I flirt, side-eyeing him.

“Said nobody ever…” he adds with a frown.

“I’m not nobody, Starboy,” I reply, raising my chin in challenge.

“That’s for sure,” he concedes, his voice dropping in timbre, appraising me more boldly as we stand by the welcome mat, removing our boots and coats. “Starboy? What’s up with all the name-calling?”

I shrug. “You need a nickname or two.”

“And you’re the woman who’s going to give them to me?”

I shrug again, pursing my lips. “Maybe.” He smiles broadly, distracted enough to forget about hiding his scars from me momentarily.

This feels good, the chemistry zinging between us. I could get used to this heady feeling.

“It’s a shame you showed up during a blizzard. Because on a clear night, I could give you the show of your life,” he says, pointing skyward. “This part of Colorado boasts some of the most pristine night skies in the world.”

“Really? I would love to see them.”

“Maybe we’ll get lucky, and the storm will break before you leave,” he says with a nod. “Now, I’ve got a fire to get started and dinner to figure out while you relax and warm up.”

Staring at this grumpy beast of a man with long, wild brown hair, a scruffy beard, piercing blue eyes, and a handsome, chiseled, frowning profile, he presents the ultimate mystery. Reclusive and smart, clearly self-conscious about his appearance, and attractive in a rugged, feral way that I have trouble defining or denying.