No. She wasn’t.
“Um, Daisy?” She glanced up to find both of them staring at her. But not like they thought she was crazy. Rather they looked concerned.
“Sorry, did you say something?”
“Are you all right?” Ellie asked gently. “You looked kind of scared.”
She forced her shoulders back. “I’m fine. Sorry, long trip.”
They didn’t look like they bought her lie. Shit. Then Ellie nodded. “I know what that’s like. I drove long hours to get here from Texas then when I arrived, it was snowing and I crashed my car.” She smiled up at the behemoth. “Bear rescued me.”
There was such adoration in her voice that it made Daisy’s teeth ache. And her gut hollowed out with longing. Especially when Bear’s face warmed as he glanced down at Ellie. His whole face changed. Grew softer. This was why Ellie was with someone who could snap her like a twig.
Because he absolutely fucking adored her.
And that was something most people searched for all their lives.
“That’s how you met?” she found herself asking, despite her usual rule of not getting involved in others’ lives or business.
“Yep,” Ellie said cheerfully. “He nursed me back to health in this rustic old cabin. Treated me like a princess. It was the first time anyone had ever taken care of me. I was used to being the one who did everything for everyone else and suddenly here was this big, bossy, sweet man ordering me to rest and making me meals and even reading to me.”
“Wow.” She stared up at Bear. He did not look like the type to sit and read bedtime stories to anyone.
“Yep.” Ellie hugged his arm. “Makes a real sexy nurse. Bossy, though.”
Bear just snorted.
“This was actually my aunt’s house. I inherited it from her. She was old,” Ellie said helpfully.
Daisy blushed at the reminder of her rudeness. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. Sometimes I just blurt things out without thinking.”
Ellie waved her hand around with a smile. “I wasn’t upset. I promise the house is all updated and beautiful inside.”
“Oh, it looks beautiful on the outside as well. Too gorgeous for me.”
Shoot. When would she stop her mouth from running?
“Of course, it’s not!” Ellie protested as Bear gave her a funny look.
Crap. Time to get things moving and get them out of here. Obviously, her rusty social skills were not up to talking to people.
“Maybe you should show Daisy around while I carry in her stuff,” Bear suggested.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” she protested. “I don’t have much. I can get it in later.” Although with the way her body ached from long days in her car, she might save the majority of it for tomorrow. All she needed was her blankie, PJs and toothbrush. Even the coffee maker could wait.
“I’ll get it.” He ran his gaze over her car. “Unlocked?”
“Umm, yes,” she said hesitantly as he strode to the trunk and opened it, hauling out her two heavy suitcases out as though they weighed nothing. He started carrying them towards the house without another word.
“Just go with it,” Ellie advised on a whisper as she followed him. “He likes to feel useful.”
“Right.”
Ellie gave her a grin. “Some of the men around here are a bit old-fashioned. There’s no way they’d ever let a woman carry something while they’re around.”
“There’s still men like that?” she asked.
Ellie nodded solemnly. “Oh yes. And thank goodness for it.”