ANDREW walked down the back stairs with care after showing Rob where to find everything for the bedrooms. The pain in his knee was almost unbearable. After having trekked out for firewood, it was a wonder it didn’t buckle under him. And he topped that off by going out to find the group of strangers who now occupied his house. He let out a barely audible groan just thinking about them. He was already dreading that they would be with him for days, at best.

Already, they didn’t include Abby. She was different somehow. He had barely felt any pain at all when he brought her in from the cold. He could carry her everywhere. Why do I feel like I know her? He guessed she may have done a nursing stint where he did his residency.

Residency. Those were some of the best days. That was all before it happened. It seemed like he had partitioned all his memories into two groups—before and after the accident. There weren’t many good ones in the “after” category. Andrew sighed and did his best not to think about it. Not that he had any choice. A night much like this in New York. A blinding blizzard. That God-forsaken, frozen, icy bridge.

His left foot hit the floor at the bottom of the stairs beside the dining room, and the warmth of its radiant heating yanked him back from the past. He cursed the memory for the billionth time, hoping to ban it from his mind, at least while these guests were around.

As he walked through the kitchen to the main hallway, Andrew could hear Rob and his friends upstairs. He had mentally nominated Rob as the visitors’ representative. Rob looked like the most laid-back of the group. The least likely to ask questions. So far, Andrew had been right. The fewer questions about his past, the better.

As Rob was still busy upstairs, Andrew walked to the living room to check if Abby needed help. She would probably need the most attention of the group, yet she already seemed the least demanding. Andrew chalked it up to her nursing background. He stood at the wide doorway before entering, hoping for a little more than a brief glance at her. She was asleep. Maybe it will help me remember how I know her. He tried to rationalize his staring, knowing full well that what he really wanted to do was admire her from afar. There was just something about her that he found to be…captivating. He shook his head to push the thought away. Now was not the time to fall for anyone. Maybe never. He didn’t deserve love anymore.

Andrew noticed Abby wincing in her sleep and decided to wake her. Her ankle would be better off stretched out in a bed instead of propped up on an ottoman. He walked to the side of the chair.

“Abby.” He said her name in a little more than a whisper.

When she didn’t respond, Andrew debated leaving her for Rob to help. He held back from touching her, as he had felt shock waves of electricity charging through his hands while he examined her ankle. I just need to get laid, excusing what he could to dismiss his deeper feeling. It had been a long time since he had touched a woman. But he knew she was different. It was more than just sexual arousal that he had felt.

After fighting his inner dialogue on the question of whether or not to wake her, he sighed and tapped her lightly on the shoulder.

“Abby,” he called again, and noticed her slowly waking up.

“Oh, sorry,” she said, looking up after a slight yawn. “I must have dozed off.”

“No problem. How’s the ankle?”

“Throbbing a little, but much better than it would be if we were still out there. I can’t thank you enough for helping my friends and me. I don’t know what would have happened to us if…” Abby looked away.

“It’s all right,” he said.

“I should have just headed back to Highway eighty after we picked up Ruth.” Abby seemed to relive the entire afternoon in her distant stare.

Andrew was familiar with reliving past tragedies. He could relate, and he recognized the vacant look in her face only too well.

“Hey,” he called to get her attention. “Don’t worry about it. Except for that ankle, you’re all fine now.”

“Thanks.”

He stood silently for a moment, staring at her face, and then remembered why he had woken her up in the first place.

“You’d probably be better off sleeping in my bed…um…I mean in the bedroom beside my room,” he stammered nervously, cursing to himself after making the slip.

“I could probably use some sleep.” She appeared not to notice his blunder, although she was probably being polite.

“I’ll help you. It’s easier if I just lift you, okay?”

“Um, sure.” Abby leaned forward as he put out his hand to help her stand.

More sparks. I wonder if she’s feeling that too?

He quickly dismissed the thought when she smiled at him. Andrew bent forward and gently scooped her up into his arms with ease. She had a slight frame, and even with her height, her slender, athletic body was easy to carry.

He thought of how he had seen her in just her bra and panties when her friend helped to dress her. Even though he had just gotten a glimpse, the image of her long, silky hair swaying near her waist as she tilted to get a leg in her pajama bottoms had permanently imprinted on his psyche. God, how I’d love to run my hands through it right now. Pushing away the thought, he made idle conversation.

“It’s just down the hall,” he informed her as he carried her into the hallway and past the entrance to the kitchen.

“Okay,” Abby said with a slight nod of approval.

Andrew noticed her right arm wrapped around his neck as he walked. Her hand had come to rest on his opposite biceps. Her touch was electric, and he hoped she wouldn’t notice the erection that was growing without his permission. Get a grip, Andy. His silent order did nothing but make his cock twitch as he held her provocative body in his arms. He was relieved when he finally made the last turn and saw the door to the guest room.

“It’s this door here.”

He was nervous and heard it in his own voice. He shoved against the door with one leg so it would open wide enough to walk through. As he carried her over to the bed, he couldn’t shake the feeling of dismay, now that he had to let her go. With the utmost care, he lowered her to sit on the bed.

“Thanks,” she said. “Um-I’m sorry to mention this, but can you help me to the bathroom? It’s been a few hours.”

“Of course. Sorry,” he answered, swearing under his breath that he could have been so neglectful. “There’s one just beside your closet so you won’t have to leave your room.”

“Awesome. But this time, you don’t need to carry me. Not that I’m not grateful for your lugging me around, but I’ll need to figure out limping and hobbling sooner or later.”

“Not a problem.” His body tensed up as he looked away, embarrassed that she had probably felt his cock twitching when he carried her. Trying to shake off his shame, he offered his arm on her injured side, so Abby could support some of her own weight as she walked.

“The bathroom counter runs the length of the room,” he explained as they got to the door, “so you should have enough support.”

“That’s great. Thanks.” She took a swift limp-step inside.

“I’ll just wait right here…” She shut the door. “Shit.” Andrew cursed softly, certain he probably sounded like a teenage buffoon, the way he drooled after her. He waited at the foot of the bed, not sure whether to stand outside her bedroom or leave completely. He didn’t know what to do with himself, and that was even more unsettling than his attraction to her. Just as he turned to leave, he heard the bathroom door open.

“All good?” He spun around and rushed to her side.

“Perfect. Now I can sleep.” She accepted his arm to get to the bed.

I’d love to join you. It was clear his urges did not want to remain trapped in his subconscious. He walked her to the side of the bed, willing himself not to get too sucked up in any idle fantasies.

“There you go. Need anything for tonight? Water, extra pillows or blankets?” Or maybe a horny widower who finds you irresistible?

“I see bottled water here,” she pointed to one night table. “And I think the four pillows and comforter on the bed should suffice. Thanks for your help, Andrew.”

“Okay. You’re welcome.” He stood for a moment, lost in her eyes.

“Well, have a good sleep,” Abby said, pulling Andrew out of his daze.

“Yes. Have a good night,” he said abruptly and hurried to leave.

As he exited her room and pulled the door shut, he stopped to let out a long breath. This visit would be more of a challenge than Andrew had first thought. He walked back to the living room to clear their dishes. There was no way he would be able to sleep quickly, so the extra cleaning work would be a welcome distraction.

“Oh, hi, Andrew,” said the flirtatious woman who had attempted to stake her claim on him the second she had walked into his house.

He almost bumped into her as he entered the living room, to his consternation, but apparently it was to her relief. The woman wasted no time, and immediately laced her hands around his neck.

“Pardon me,” Andrew said, attempting to subtly pull away from her insistent grasp.

“Why do I feel you and I would make a great couple?” she asked seductively.

It didn’t work on Andrew. He wanted her off, but she tightened her grip as he pulled at her forearms.

“Ma’am, what was your name?” he asked, hoping to distract her long enough to get her to loosen her clamp-like hold around his neck. By now, it was like human-size vise grips that had locked in place.

“It’s Barb.” She tiptoed and whispered in his ear.

“Miss Barb,” he started, realizing she was not going to unfasten from him without force. “Will you please release my neck?”

“Oh, don’t be so informal with the woman who’s going to share your bed tonight,” she chided him.

“Share my bed?” he shouted, dumbfounded by the assumption. He wasn’t even remotely attracted to her.

“How else am I going to thank you for your, um, your hospitality?”

Andrew knew she would not let up, so he opted for a terse rebuke.

“Look, woman, I didn’t invite you or your friends here. At best, you’re a headache. Were it not for that raging storm outside, I’d have you out of here. It will serve you to stay away from me while you’re in my house. Understood?”

“Okay, okay, I understand,” she answered in a huff. “Will you let my arm go? You’re hurting me. Unless you like it rough, big boy.”

She winked as he released her arm. He had not realized how tightly he had tugged at her forearm. His fingers left a clear red mark where his hand had been.

“Sorry,” he apologized abruptly and turned to pick up the food and drink trays. “But I meant every word I said. Stay away from me, or you can stay in the guesthouse outside starting tomorrow.”

As he turned to escape the vixen, Rob entered the room. Andrew stormed past him without a word.

“Hey, man, I was going to clean up,” Rob offered, following after him.

“Fine. Here. Take these and throw them in the dishwasher, will you?” Andrew asked, unable to hide his distress.

“Everything all right?”

“Yes,” Andrew answered. “I’m fine. Look, keep that Barb woman away from me, okay? Maybe she’ll listen to you.”

“She’s a handful, isn’t she?” Rob sounded like he was enamored by the woman.

“Wait a minute. You…you like her?” Andrew inquired in disbelief, thinking that Rob had to be insane, when he and Ruth clearly looked better suited to each other. It was damned obvious to Andrew anyway.

“I-I don’t know,” Rob answered. “I thought I did, but I’m not sure anymore.”

“Well, I’m not one to tell people what to do. But you seem like a decent guy. And that woman is clearly nuts. In any case, whatever you do, keep her a safe distance from me.”

“I’ll try.”

“Great. I’m off to sleep. If you kids get up before me, make yourselves at home. There’s lots of food in the fridge and cupboards, and there’s a pantry with more food. It’s the door beside the fridge.”

“Thanks, man. For everything. And sorry about my friend,” Rob said with contrition.

“No problem,” Andrew left the kitchen through the far door, away from the living room. When he finally got to his room, he shut the door and locked it. He had no intention of giving Barb the slightest opportunity to try anything more. Another woman with no sense of boundaries. He wondered whether there was something in his cologne, or his pheromones, that made women like that naturally gravitate to him. The last one was the female pharmacist who worked in town.

Janine was her name. She made sure he knew it, because she would write her first name and phone number on all his receipts, and place condoms in the bags with his prescriptions. And he had little choice but to visit the little pharmacy. It was the only one in town, unless he wanted to make the two-hour trek around the lake to the next town. What was it with women? After he lost his wife, all the wrong ones made advances to him.

Andrew sighed and laughed softly, dismissing the idea that this kind of thing only happened to him. His own sister Joy was just as relentless. She had been pursuing the same man for almost seven years. Andrew wondered how Matthew—the object of Joy’s romantic obsession—had managed to stay sane all this time. He and Andrew had been fairly good friends before Joy laid claim to him, but he completely understood why Matthew kept his distance afterward. It didn’t help that Andrew’s father had dug his claws into the Lewis family business in support of Joy’s unending need to exert power over Matthew. With all the fuss, he and Matthew had kept their distance.

It took Andrew a few minutes to gather his thoughts and stop his mind from wandering off in every direction. When he was back to his senses, his attention landed on Abby again. He would have to tread lightly with her. He was sure he saw a hint of desire in her eyes before he left her room. But having experienced how Barb hit on him so hard, he dismissed any thoughts of getting to know Abby better. There was no way he was going to put anyone through the intolerable advances Barb had just made.

With guests in the house, sleeping naked was also out of the question. Andrew changed into pajama pants and a t-shirt after stepping out of his master bathroom, and slipped into bed. If only it would just stop snowing, everything could go back to normal.