What on earth was I thinking? was the dominant question running around Andrew’s thoughts all morning. The kiss felt good at the time—amazing, actually, the way it stirred up things that he wasn’t sure worked anymore, and had no business getting aroused—but now was a different story. Now it was morning, and it was bad enough that he had a house full of strangers to feed, clothe, and entertain.

Plus, he had to live with having kissed one of those complete strangers. And she kissed him back? What new planet had he teleported to? Because the whole thing felt like wherever he was last night, he was not accompanied by his brain. Still, he had to admit, he got the best sleep he had had in a long time.

“Shit,” he said to himself, coming to terms with having to face her again. What was he supposed to say? He had seen Rob when he first got up, so he wouldn’t have to tend to them for most of that day, at least. But could he avoid her for the entire time? Avoid her? Avoid them? In my own fucking house? What in hell is wrong with me?

Andrew stood up from the chair in his office. He was not going to be a voluntary prisoner in his own house. And it was time to live with the consequences of kissing an irresistible woman he knew nothing about. Letting out a long sigh, he got up and headed to the living room.

He felt a mixture of relief and newfound apprehension when he looked in and saw Abby eating alone. At least he could apologize and see if they could forget it ever happened. Not that it was possible. That there was the kiss of life. One of those once-in-a-lifetime memorable moments, right up there with tandem skydiving, running with the bulls in Pamplona, and bungee jumping in Zimbabwe. Although the kiss was a clear win over the others in adrenalin-pumping intensity and mind-altering elation.

“Good morning, Andrew,” Abby greeted him with a shy but warm smile.

“Good morning. Did you…um…did you sleep well?” he asked.

“I did,” she answered. “We still can’t thank you enough for your help last…I mean yesterday.”

“It’s no problem at all. So, I see you’ve been fed?”

“Yes, thank you. Everyone else is eating in the kitchen. Rob and John made breakfast. There’s probably more if you want to have some.”

“I’m all right. Had my morning coffee and will grab something later,” he explained, settling into a less nervous conversation. It would appear they were both intent on leaving the kiss in the past and out of their discussion.

“Rob mentioned it’s still snowing out there?” she asked.

“Unfortunately, yes,” he answered, and immediately caught himself, but it was already too late to back out of the commentary.

“I’m sure you’d be a lot more comfortable if we hadn’t ended up stuck here with you,” she said politely, possibly reading his mind. “Have you heard any news on how long the storm will last?”

“The radio has been cutting in and out, and reception isn’t much better with cable and satellite TV. At one point, the news mentioned another day or so of snowfall. There have been hundreds of accidents, vehicle pileups, and stalled cars, so the cleanup will be another story. I hate to break it to you, but we could be looking at three to five days before they clear the highways, main roads, and then this back country road.”

He was completely aware of the pregnant pause as the reality of a few days sank in for Abby. She bit down on her luscious lip, sweet enough to make Andrew sense an impending erection.

“Better in here than out there, right?” she said cheerily. Her wide eyes lit up as she nodded toward the windows.

“For sure. By the way,” he added, “does anyone want to use the sat phone? I’m guessing you all need to call your family, or…um…loved ones?” And I hope you’re actually single, after that kiss.

And with just that question, Andrew found himself in the middle of a flashback.

He was driving. It was the dead of night in the middle of a snowstorm. Both hands gripped the wheel firmly. Emma’s hand lovingly on his leg. They had both worked twenty-four hours straight at the hospital. She had just kissed him on the cheek and laid her head on his shoulder, her non-verbal reassurance that she was completely confident with his driving on the snowy night. Black ice on that bridge. Bright lights from out of nowhere.

Just as quickly as it came, the memory drifted away with his clouded mind and he was now standing a few feet from Abby.

“Everything okay?” she asked as his focus shifted back to her.

“Fine,” he answered quickly, as if it would help detract any attention from his vacant stare. He made a point of turning to head out of the room. Having to explain what just happened was more than he was ready to share. “I’ll show your friends how to use the sat phone and get one of them to bring it to you when they’re done. I have a few things to take care of, so I’ll speak to you later on.”

“Thanks, Andrew.”

He heard Abby answer but disappeared around the corner to put some distance between him and the embarrassing moment. When he was out of her line of sight, and out of earshot, he stopped and took a few deep breaths. Great going, Andy. He silently chastised himself and his unruly mind for taking him back to the tragedy at such an inopportune time.

“Hey, Andrew,” Rob greeted him as he entered the kitchen. Rob was at the stove preparing another round of breakfast. The remaining four people from the group—he had forgotten a couple of their names—were seated around the breakfast nook, feasting on eggs, French toast, sausages, and coffee.

“Good morning,” he said to them. “I just want to show you the satellite phone and how to use it before I head back to my office to attend to some business.”

“Thanks, man,” John answered. “Yeah, I’d like to get a message to my folks.”

“Me too,” Rob agreed. “None of our phones work yet.”

“Okay, good,” Andrew answered.

He was distinctly aware of the piercing look he got from the crazy woman in the group. He made a point of not looking in her direction.

“It’s fully charged and pretty simple to use,” he said, “but just in case, here are the written instructions. It usually works fine here in the kitchen because there’s a skylight, but if it’s giving any signal issues, you may need to step out on the porch.”

“Thanks, Andrew,” Rob answered. “We’ll give it a go after breakfast. You know, I made lots of food here, more than enough, if you want to join us.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll grab something a little later on,” he graciously refused. “Oh, before I forget, I may need you men to help me bring in some firewood from the shed later. The house is well heated, but the fireplace makes a big difference on days like this.”

“That’ll be no problem at all,” John piped up. “I’m actually pretty good at chopping wood. My dad has a firewood delivery service in the winter when the farm is off season.”

“Good to know, um, sorry…John, right?” Andrew asked.

“Yes, I’m John,” he answered.

“Great. John. Yes, the shed’s got a supply of pre-chopped wood that will last pretty much the whole season. So you’re off the hook for any chopping while you’re here.”

“That’s a relief,” John answered. “Though I’d be more than happy to pull my weight after everything you’ve done for us. I know you’ve probably heard a thousand thanks from Rob already, but you saved our hides out there. We can’t thank you enough for braving the cold and coming out to find us. And for letting us stay here. I mean, we’re a bunch of strange people in your house.”

Andrew knew what it was like to be stranded in the middle of nowhere and not have help come for hours. He had never had the opportunity to help people directly—except for his work at the hospital, but that was his job—and he was never very interested in his family’s numerous charities, but he thought of himself as a reasonably decent person. To help was just the right thing to do. Although, he couldn’t help her.

“It’s no problem at all,” Andrew answered. “All right. Enjoy the rest of your breakfast. Rob can show you the study and entertainment room if you’re looking for things to do to keep busy. I’ll see you later on.”

Andrew turned to leave and was relieved to see a consensus of nods and hear the chorus of thanks, as opposed to more questions. He breathed out a silent, near-elated breath when the short, flirtatious brunette didn’t make another advance. She must have gotten the message loud and clear last night when he nearly ripped her arms from around his neck. It was regretful that his grip left a mark, but he suspected it was the right amount of force to get any clear message over to that woman. He walked to his office, closed the door, and locked it for good measure. He was grateful for the temporary solitude.

As he sat rifling through papers on his desk, all he could think of was Abby’s smile. It was one of those beautiful smiles that emanated warmth and happiness as a default. Thinking back on it suddenly warmed him up inside. He couldn’t help reliving the moments they stood facing each other at the side of the bed.

What was is that filled him with so much courage that he was compelled enough to kiss her? How could he know she’d accept it and return it in kind? There were no awkward moments, no hesitation, and oh yes, no rational thought, either. All he recalled seeing was that her cheeks were a little pink and her eyes were trained on his. Could she have felt what he was feeling? Was she even single?

He couldn’t imagine recreating those few magical moments in his entire lifetime. And he was certain it wouldn’t happen again, especially given his last conversation with her. Maybe it was his imagination, but to him, there was a formal distance. A cold politeness that he guessed meant Abby had come to her senses about what a mistake she made last night.

And he hadn’t even stopped to think about the scar on his arm. She had to have seen it last night because he hadn’t been wearing a shirt. Andrew ran his hand along his right forearm, tracing the pink scar from his wrist to his elbow pit, almost touching the base of his biceps. His surgeons had offered to do cosmetic surgery back then, but he had refused. And now, it served a purpose. It reminded him that he probably didn’t deserve to find love.

Her hands on his chest. So warm. So welcoming. The way she shivered as she stared into his eyes. The way her face softened. Maybe he was imagining her enjoyment of it all? It was doubtful; she pulled him down to the bed and he distinctly recalled feeling her hands wrapped tightly around his waist, and her body writhing under him as he invaded her sensuous mouth with his tongue. How far would they have gone if he hadn’t stopped his advance in its tracks?

Whatever it was, he needed to clear it from his mind. He had spent a good part of the morning with a raging erection every time he remembered their encounter. And although it was pleasurable, gratifying, and in some ways, heavenly, the last thing he needed was more memories to add to his arsenal of flashbacks.