by Devney Perry
Cash had probably ruined me for any other man.
“Then tell me why you are down here with me this morning, schlepping around the hotel, doing gardening work, while that sexy cowboy is in a bed upstairs.”
“He’s my best friend.” I sighed. “Or he was my best friend. Now . . . I don’t know. Everything is different. It’s like we don’t know how to be around one another.”
“Got it. You want to stay friends and he doesn’t.”
I twirled a finger in the air. “Other way around.”
“Oh.” She straightened, letting the water run on the deck boards. “You’re in love with him.”
“I’m in love with him,” I whispered. Had I ever let those words escape my lips? “I don’t think I’ve ever admitted that out loud.”
Aria took a step closer and put her hand on my shoulder. “He doesn’t feel the same.”
“No. I’m firmly in the friend zone. He calls me Kat, like the cute little sister he never had.”
“But you slept together.”
“I don’t understand it either.” Because Cash had been the one to make the move. He’d come to my room and kissed me. Why? Was it because I’d been the only woman in the vicinity? Had it been an experiment? “He says he doesn’t want to pretend it didn’t happen, but I think that was just because he’s trying to save my pride.”
When we got home, I doubted he’d be forthcoming about what had really happened on this trip. I didn’t want to tell his family anyway. It was far too humiliating since Carol, Gemma and, I suspected, Liddy knew I was in love with him.
If they found out we’d had sex but were definitely not together, all I’d earn was pity.
I hated pity.
“I can’t keep doing this anymore.”
“Have you told him how you feel?” Aria asked.
“No. I’m a coward.”
“Or maybe you’re protecting your heart. There’s no shame in that.”
Self-preservation was something I’d learned early on. It had taken me a long time to break the habits from my childhood. I shut down and shut people out when I didn’t feel safe. There was no question that Cash cared for me and wanted to protect me. But that didn’t mean I was safe with him.
It wasn’t just my heart, my love life, on the line. If I lost Cash, I’d lose his family too.
He would always be a Greer.
And I was the hired help.
“Maybe if it was just us, I would have told him,” I said. Maybe not. “But with his family involved, it gets messy. I couldn’t have asked for a better home. They took me in and have taught me so much. They gave me a trade and work experience. I truly love them and I don’t want to lose them.”
“Do you really think they’ll kick you out on the street if you and Cash aren’t friends?”
“No. They’ll support me no matter what happens with Cash. They’re amazing people. But if I admit to Cash that I have feelings for him and he rejects them, I won’t put myself through the misery of reliving that at the family dinner each week. Things will be awkward, whether we pretend or not. And he’s their son.”
The Greers would never kick me out on the street but Carol and the ten-thousand-dollar check in my purse sure had opened the door for me to leave on my own volition.
“Maybe he won’t reject you.”
I scoffed. “We had sex two nights ago. He can barely talk to me or touch me. Cash is a good man and won’t admit that he regrets it. But I know him very, very well. He regrets it. The rejection is coming. He’s just working through his mind how to deliver it gently.”
“Ouch.” Aria winced. “Sorry.”
“Me too.”
Maybe we’d recover from this trip. If I didn’t admit out loud that I loved him, he’d never know the truth and we could move forward like this was nothing more than a slipup by two people on vacation.
I tugged on the hose, pulling it toward the next planter, ready to get back to work. There was something soothing about being productive, not dwelling on the mistakes I couldn’t correct.
“Do you think you could go back to being friends?” Aria asked as we shuffled along.
“I don’t know.”
When I looked back over the past decade, there hadn’t been a time when I hadn’t loved Cash. First as friends, then more. It was that slow build, like the growth of an evergreen. Or the rising tide. One minute, you looked down and saw a huge expanse of sand. The next, the water was crashing at your feet.
I glanced over my shoulder to the view. There was nothing tropical about Heron Beach. There were no cabanas on the sand. No women in skimpy bikinis and floppy hats drinking cocktails with pink umbrellas.
Still, it was a beautiful change of scenery from the majestic and rugged Montana landscape. It was every bit as daunting, with the water stretching farther than the eye could see, but stunning nonetheless. It was impossible not to stare and count my heartbeats against the rhythm of the waves.
The Oregon coast was brutally breathtaking. Large, black rocks stood proud off the shores. Bold structures that had refused to succumb to the ocean’s power. Their magnificence contrasted with the sandy shores, smooth and pristine. There was peace in the sand’s submission.
Maybe it was time for me to surrender too.
Aria sprayed the last bloom of flowers and we returned to the spigot, turning off the water and coiling the hose away. She dried her hands on her jeans. I wasn’t sure how she could wear a white hotel T-shirt and not get it smudged with dirt, but it was spotless, as was the monogrammed G on the breast pocket.
“What’s next?” Please don’t tell me to go away. If I didn’t have something to do, I might be tempted to return to the room.
“I forgot this book I promised one of the girls I’d lend her so I was going to run home and grab it. Want to come?”
“Are you going to get sick of me tagging along with you all day?”
Aria surprised me by pulling me into a tight, short hug. Then she released me and nodded to the sidewalk that wrapped around the building. “Let’s go.”
“I don’t remember you being such a hugger,” I teased.
“That’s Clara’s fault. We always hugged goodbye and hello. Now that we don’t live together, I find myself hugging everybody else to compensate.”
I fell into step beside her as she walked away from the hotel. It was early so the sidewalks weren’t yet crowded with people. I waited for her to stop at one of the cars parked beside us, but she kept on walking, leading us away from the beach and into a neighborhood. In a town this size, I guess walking was probably the quickest way to work.
“I feel bad for not asking more about Clara last night. How is she?” I asked.
“Good. She lives in Arizona with her son, August.”
“I didn’t realize she had a son.”
Aria nodded. “He’s four. Smartest kid I’ve ever met in my life. He loves his Aunt Aria almost as much as he loves his mom.”
“And his dad?”
She shook her head. “Not in the picture. Clara cut him loose when Gus was a baby. She knew he was never going to be a good father, so rather than try unsuccessfully to turn him into one, she had him sign over his rights and moved away from Vegas so he wouldn’t be close.”
“Do you see them often?”
“Every couple of months. In the summer, they come to see me because I’m so busy and Arizona is hot. In the winter, I fly down a few times. Thanksgiving. Christmas. Mostly, I try to plan my trips around Clara’s boss’s schedule. I hate him with the fire of a thousand suns, so I make sure he’s gone when I visit.”
“What’s the deal with her boss?” I asked.
“He’s this rich, smug guy.” Her lip curled. “Clara worked for him in Vegas as his assistant. When he decided to move to Arizona, he offered to take her along. The timing worked out because it was after Gus was born and she wanted to get out of Vegas anyway. So he bought her a car and built a guest house on his property so she wouldn’t have to find an apartment
.”
“Okay,” I drawled. “That sounds . . . nice? What am I missing?”
“Ugh. Not you too. Clara defends him mercilessly. She’s always telling me that he’s a good man. That he’s kind to August and pays her more than she’ll ever make at another job. But he grates on my every nerve. He throws money around like it’s meaningless. He’s spoiled. He likes to remind me that I’m the lesser fraternal twin.” Aria’s hands balled into fists. “We’ve learned to avoid one another so that Clara isn’t in the middle.”
We changed directions, starting up a side street and making our way farther and farther from The Gallaway. Aria set a fast pace, one that made it hard for me to study the neighborhood, but that didn’t stop me from trying. My eyes darted everywhere, taking in the green lawns and blooming trees. The homes were painted in light colors from baby blue to sage green.
For a woman who hadn’t traveled much in her life, it was invigorating to experience something new. Heron Beach screamed casual. Welcoming. Friendly.
I loved Montana.
But I could love Oregon too.
“I like it here,” I confessed as Aria made another turn on our way to her home.
“Me too. I drew the lucky straw when I found my job at The Gallaway.”
“I feel the same about finding the Greers.”
Regardless of the mess I’d made in my relationship with Cash, I loved the resort. But maybe my job there was done. Maybe it was time to take on a new challenge. Leaving Montana would be excruciating, especially now that Gemma was there, but soon, she’d have a baby.
Soon, her last name would be Greer.
I would always be a Gates.
Aria pointed to a row of two-story condos ahead on the street. “That’s my place.”
I didn’t have to ask which of the four front doors was hers. The hotel had stunning flower displays and her home was no different.
A purple and pink fuchsia hung from the porch beam. I counted ten planters, all of varying sizes and colors and shapes, staged beside the front door. The sweet floral scents filled the air and I took a long inhale as Aria unlocked her door.
I should have suspected more of the same inside.
“This is beautiful.” My wide eyes scanned the interior as Aria led me through the short entryway and into her living room.
She’d created a beach cottage with white sheer curtains, cozy cream furniture and lush greenery. This was a cookie cutter condominium complex but she’d turned her condo into something unique.
After the way her and Clara’s parents had died, I was glad that she’d found some serenity. In a way, this reminded me of their delivery truck in the junkyard. While I’d painted the inside of my tent with bright colors, a meadow and flowers, Aria and Clara’s home had always been bright. Even in what was essentially a steel truck, they’d found the light.
The delivery truck had been in an accident, hence the reason it was at a junkyard. They’d turned the jagged holes in the walls and ceiling into windows. Aria had filled the place with plants and Clara had added her own gentle touch with tidy bedrolls and shelves made out of tattered books.
Aria walked to the coffee table, something made from a piece of driftwood, and plucked up a paperback. “This is my book club’s favorite reread.”
“I love that you’re in a book club.”
Aria laughed. “This is a small town. Us locals stick together. Things get hectic during tourist season, but in the winter, when it’s cold and gray, we sort of band together to keep from going crazy.”
“We do the same in Montana. We still have guests in the winter so it’s not like there isn’t a peak season for us with skiing and snowmobiling. But it’s slower than the summer months. And when we get a big snow, we’ll find ourselves in someone’s house, eating and playing games and reading and sitting around a fire.”
“I meant what I said last night. I’m going to have to come and visit you and see this place for myself.”
I smiled but stayed quiet. Would I still be there?
Aria and I didn’t linger in her home. We returned on the same path that we’d taken, giving me a second taste of the allure and charisma of the locals’ Heron Beach. When The Gallaway came into view and the bustle of downtown began to crowd the sidewalks, I took one last glance over my shoulder to the quieter streets behind.
The sound of the ocean in the distance filled my ears. The laughter and smiles from the guests coming and going from the hotel were contagious. When we walked into the lobby, the line at the espresso counter was ten deep but no one seemed to mind having to wait for their latte. The restaurant where we’d had dinner last night was closed, but the café next door was crowded for breakfast.
Was my crush on The Gallaway because I was on vacation? Because I was off duty? I could enjoy the bustle of the guests and not worry about their enjoyment. Customer satisfaction was the last thing on my mind.
“Aria, there you are.” The same suited gentleman I’d seen her with yesterday appeared at our sides.
“Hey, Mark. What’s up?”
“Whenever you’re free, would you mind stopping by my office?”
“Sure. I’d like you to meet someone. Katherine Gates, this is Mark Gallaway. My boss.”
“Nice to meet you.” My heart did a little lurch as I held out my hand to shake his. Gallaway. As in The Gallaway?
“Katherine and I are old friends,” Aria said. “We grew up in the same town. Now she runs a fancy guest ranch in Montana.”
“Ah. Are you staying here at the hotel?”
“I am. It’s lovely.”
“We’re proud of it.” He grinned. “The Gallaway has been in my family for three generations.”
Mark Gallaway was likely in his late forties. There were streaks of gray in his brown hair and fine lines around his eyes. But with that suit and his tall stature, he looked every bit the millionaire I suspected he was. I knew how much a hotel like this could potentially rake in, especially if run well.
“What’s the name of your resort in Montana?” he asked.
“The Greer Ranch and Mountain Resort.”
His eyes widened. “No kidding?”
“Have you heard of it?” Aria asked him.
“Often.” He nodded. “I stayed there about five years ago. I was with a group of guys who went in the fall to go hunting. It’s one of a kind. World renowned.”
A blush crept into my cheeks and I fought a smile. “Like you, we’re proud of it too.”
“It’s not easy to get a reservation there these days. My friends and I have been talking about going back, but you’re booked out for the next three years.”
“Hunting season is popular, but occasionally we’ll get a cancelation. I can add you to the wait list if you’d like.”
“I was told there isn’t a wait list.”
I leaned in close, Mark mirroring me, and lowered my voice. “There is if you know the general manager.”
He leaned back and burst out laughing. “You’ve made my day, Ms. Gates. How long have you been the GM?”
“Four years.”
“Well, I commend you. My visit to Montana was one I’ll never forget. In the most positive way.”
“Thank you.” I shared a smile with Aria. “I’ll let you two get back to work. Call me later?”
She nodded. “Now that you’ve made my boss’s day, I’ll be taking the afternoon off. I’ll find you when I’m done.”
“Wait.” Mark raised his hand, stopping me before I could leave. “I have to ask. And you should know that this is very unlike me. I realize it’s not exactly the polite way to do business, attempting to recruit another establishment’s employee.”
My jaw nearly dropped. Was he going to offer me a job? I might have been toying with the idea of moving, but I wasn’t ready to decide. My pulse raced and my fingers trembled as he reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a business card.
“My general manager is retiring in three months. Aria has pitched in to help ease the tran
sition but she wants to be in management about as badly as I want to water the plants.”
Aria hummed her agreement.
“I’m having a hell of a time finding an experienced replacement.” Mark handed me his card. “If you’re ever interested in a location change—”
“She’s not.”
My head whipped to the side as a familiar, towering figure crowded into the space between me and Aria.
“Cash Greer.” He held out his hand to Mark.
Mark returned Cash’s handshake, looking guilty for having just been busted poaching. “Mr. Greer. Welcome to The Gallaway. If there’s anything I can do to improve your stay, please let me know.”
Cash nodded and slipped his hand around my elbow. “Katherine, may I speak with you for a moment?”
Damn. He’d called me Katherine. I was not going to like this conversation.
“Sure.” There was no point arguing. Cash was not going to leave me here with Mark. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Gallaway.”
“Mark. Please.” He gave me a slight bow, then backed away. “The pleasure was mine.”
Aria followed him toward the front desk, mouthing, “Later.”
I nodded and steeled my spine, then turned to face an angry—extremely angry—Cash Greer.
Chapter Eleven
Katherine
The door slammed behind Cash as we walked into our hotel room. He strode past the unmade bed to the windows, practically ripping them apart as he flung the drapes away from the glass.
He hadn’t spoken a word on the elevator ride to the second floor, but the lecture and fight were coming. Cash didn’t lose his composure often, which was why our arguing on this trip was so abnormal. When angry, he’d close down and disappear to spend some time on a horse until he’d had some time to cool off.
We were a long way from his horses.
I braced when he turned from the window and planted his fists on his hips.
“What the fuck was that?”
“Nothing.” When his hazel eyes turned hard as stone, I realized playing dumb had been the wrong decision. “I was just talking with Aria’s boss.”