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to hear her softened voice over the wind howling through the eaves.
    “No one is really sure why it happens. He was never the least bit violent before gettingsick. I think the symptoms come on most strongly when he’s scared or frustrated. Please don’t take it personally.” Her words came out matter-of-factly but the way she addressed the room’s corner, rather than his face, made him suspect deeper undercurrents ran beneath her calm exterior.
    That or he repulsed her.
    He dug his knife into the wood. “I gave him some stew and decaf coffee. Hesettled quickly after that. Snored a few times so I know he’s out.”
    “Thank you,” she said. “For taking him in.”
    “Wasn’t more than anyone else would do for a man in his situation.”
    “Maybe. Maybe not. But to have him fall asleep means you made him comfortable.”
    The house shook as the wind redoubled its assault.
    “It’s getting wild out there.” She glanced to the ceiling. “I shouldwake him up and get out of your hair.”
    He opened his mouth to agree, but one look out the window made him bite his tongue. The day’s light was almost completely gone, the surrounding woods eclipsed by a total whiteout.
    He didn’t want this woman to stay but hell if he’d let her venture out in these treacherous conditions.
    “You can’t drive in this storm.”
    “It’s fine.” She adjustedher glasses. “I know how to handle a truck.”
    He didn’t doubt it. Her face might hold an intense fragility but there was no missing the athletic long lines of her body or determination in her expression. This was a take-charge woman.
    “You have snow chains?”
    That lowered her stubborn chin a fraction. She bit the corner of her lip, worrying it a little. “No, but I don’t see why—”
    “Even if the visibility was good enough that you could back out of my driveway, there’s no way in hell you’re getting up the lane’s steep grade.”
    “The truck—”
    “Doesn’t have the guts.”
    “Says who?” she snapped, hands flying to her hips.
    “Me. It’s not a four-wheel drive.” Her feistiness drew him in for some reason. How long had it been since anyone tried to put him in his place?Everyone was always tiptoeing around his moods or forcing good cheer as if he didn’t know the difference between a real and a fake smile. He knew his brothers and their partners cared about him, but it was hard when he didn’t care about himself. Or much of anything.
    And now there was this argumentative woman, and suddenly he found himself curious, and that was the first step to caring.
    Hell, maybe she should go, foul weather or not.
    A loud tearing creak, followed by a crash and breaking glass, reverberated from outside.
    “What was that?” she gasped, flying to the front door before he had managed to grab his cane. He limped after, wondering what had happened to inspire such rapid-fire cursing. Jesus, this woman was spitting out choice phrases on the porch that would makea pirate blush.
    He paused behind her. A fat Douglas fir limb had been shorn from its trunk, smashed onto her truck, shattering the windshield. That sealed the deal. She wasn’t going anywhere tonight.
    “Guess this is the part where you say ‘I told you so,’ ” she muttered.
    “Not after you took the words out of my mouth,” he grumbled back.
    “Could you drive—”
    “Can’t.” He knockedhis cane against his left leg and she glanced down at the hollow reverberation. “Not allowed. My Jeep’s a manual and I haven’t been given the all clear to get behind the wheel. Not enough coordination to work the clutch yet.”
    Sawyer had said if he got a new vehicle with an automatic transmission it would be fine, but he loved that old Jeep and balked at more lifestyle changes. “Guess you’restuck with me.”
    “Can I bother you for a tarp?” Her expression was guarded. “I’d like to get the window covered, otherwise my cab will fill with snow.”
    “I’ll do it. Get inside. There’s