James eased the brunette down on his couch and brought the small table closer. He put her mangled leg up on it and went to the kitchen. With a first aid kit in his hands, he returned and sat on his knees beside her, staring at her gaping wound.

“Let me guess.” He started. “Hiking?”

“Yeah; hiking.” She spoke, her voice hardly audible, as he cleaned up her wound with gauze. “Thanks for the rescue. I’m Olivia, by the way. Olivia Ralston.”

“James Farrell.” He murmured, tossing the dirty gauze on the hardwood floor. “Don’t thank me. It’s your coat that saved you. If it was black or brown, I wouldn’t have been able to see it.”

“Bright outdoor clothing is essential in hiking.” Olivia affirmed. “It helps your buddies keep an eye on you. I came here alone, though.”

“Bad idea.” James commented, applying gentle pressure on her knee with a cloth wad. “How did this happen? Does it hurt anywhere else?”

“I was just outside the forest. I stumbled over a tree root, banged my knee on a rock.” I thought I was going to land on the snow, but…”

“The rock was covered in snow.” He finished her sentence, as he wrapped her wound in a clean bandage. “It’s quite common. Anyway…” He sighed, rolling his gaze up to meet hers. “You need to take your pants off. I’m going to get you a blanket.”

“What?” All of a sudden, her voice became a high-pitched squeal.

“It’s soaking wet.” James put a little force in his voice. “Your blood could freeze. Don’t you know that?”

“Right.” She nodded. “Sorry, I thought…”

“I’ll be right back.” He interrupted, arising to his imposing, 6’3” stature.

“People…” He thought to himself. “She knows the danger and yet, she thinks I want to see her legs. If I wanted to force you into anything, I wouldn’t have asked. Trust me.”

“Burroughs range trail from the east?” He inquired, throwing her a grey blanket.

“No.” She snorted, covering her legs with the blanket. “I’m an experienced hiker. I’m not crazy. Burroughs range trail from the west. It’s a lot easier.”

“I’ll never understand you hikers.” James shook his head. “A mountain is a dangerous place to be.”

“It’s a hobby. Just like your guitar over there.” Olivia stated, casting a rapt glance at the instrument to her left. “Just like the piano, down the hall.”

“Pianos and guitars can’t kill you.” His voice was dripping with sarcasm. “The mountain can.”

“Normally, I’d argue with you.” A hesitant smile spread across her face. “But I won’t. You just saved my life. Anyway, I should probably call some…”

At that moment, a massive crack of thunder tore through the night, grabbing their attention. Moments later, the sound of rain, lashing against his window, wiped the smile off of her face.

“I wouldn’t drive around up here in this weather.” James spoke in a firm tone. “Where do you live anyway?”

“Manhattan.” A deep, heavy sigh escaped her.

“That’s almost a hundred miles away.” He said. “And you’re in no condition to drive.”

“I can’t stay here!” Olivia exclaimed.

“You can if you want to.” James remained calm.

“What about your wife?” She wondered, amusing him.

“My what?” He laughed.

“Your girlfriend, maybe?” Olivia squinted at him.

“I’m all alone.” James declared. “It’s just you and me.”

“You’re on a vacation all by yourself?” Olivia’s high-pitched voice reappeared, but, this time, it was even louder.

“Who said I was on a vacation?” He shrugged.

“I’m sorry.” She murmured, running her hand through her hair. “Thanks again. You just don’t look like a mountain man. This place doesn’t look like it belongs to a mountain man, either. It’s clean. It smells good.”

“I’m an old-fashioned man, Olivia.” James lowered his tone. “I never wanted to grow a beard, and tattoos were never really my thing.”

“What do you do?” Curiosity lingered in her tone. “I mean, obviously you’re not a lumberjack or a builder.”

Her question put him in a difficult position, but, more importantly, it irritated him. James had done what he had to do. He was not going to answer a complete stranger’s questions, just because she happened to be in his cabin.

“You should get some rest.” He growled, dropping his gaze from her. “You’ve been through quite an ordeal.”

“That’s true.” Olivia said quietly, with a nod. Then she almost whispered, “I crossed the line there.”

“Don’t say you’re sorry again.” James urged, grabbing his guitar. Playing some music had always been the best remedy for jangling nerves, and this case definitely fit that situation. Nevertheless, as his fingertips made contact with the strings, something made him uneasy. he realized the problem; the young brunette who was staring at him.

“She’s beautiful.” For some reason, Olivia’s voice sent shivers down his spine. “A Taylor, 714: she’s just gorgeous.”

“You play?” He asked, turning his attention to her.

“Not yet.” She shook her head sideways. “I’ve been thinking about it lately. I’ve done a lot of research. The cheapest Taylor model costs about $800: definitely not a starter’s guitar. I play the piano.”

“You do?” James opened his eyes wide in disbelief.

“Yeah.” She chirped. “I’ve been playing since I was eight years old. Could you help me up, please? I’d love to get my hands on that piano of yours.”

Baffled by her words, he glanced at his piano, then at her. For the first time in years, he had the chance of playing with someone. However, Olivia’s battered knee discouraged him. She could have sustained a much more serious injury than just a flesh wound; he did not want to take any chances.

“That’s another bad idea,” James reprimanded. “Why don’t you get some sleep? I’ll be in my bedroom.”

“Please!” She begged, slightly leaning in towards him. “Come on … just for a little while.”

Not even her sweet tone of voice could tempt him to change his mind.

“You heard me,” He grumbled. “Let me know if you need anything.”