by Holly Jaymes
The drive down the mountain was quiet. Every now and then, Lily would look over at me, and I could tell my behavior was confounding to her.
Finally, she said, “You’re quiet today.”
Maybe I should just come out and ask about Trask. But to my mind, that would make me even more pathetic than I already was. “Just concentrating on getting down the mountain. The road is slick.”
When we reached the main road through Eden Lake, I remained quiet even though the road was plowed and much easier to drive on than the one up to the cabin. I went directly to our cabin at Pine Rest. I was relieved when her father’s Sheriff’s SUV was there. He’d distract her, and maybe I could take a break. I needed a respite from her presence to get my bearings straight.
“There’s my girl,” her father said when we entered. “You look rested.”
“It was beautiful there, dad.”
“Thank you for looking out for her like that, Wyatt.”
“It’s my job.”
Lily flinched at my words. I supposed it was a bit of a jerk thing to say considering what had happened, but then again, I didn’t need her father knowing I’d fucked her.
“I’ll go get your stuff.” I left the two of them to catch up. Once I got Lily’s sewing items in the house, I joined them in the kitchen.
“You certainly showed Lily a good time,” her father said.
This time I flinched and looked at her. “Ah…I took her cross-country skiing.”
“So, she said. Listen, I know you’ve been working for days straight, why don’t you take a break. I’ll stay with her tonight. You get some rest, maybe visit your family.”
Thank God. “I’d like that, sir, thank you.”
Lily’s eyes narrowed like she was wondering what was going on with me.
I started out but was stopped at the door by Lily. “Is there something wrong?”
I looked behind her to see where her father was. “This isn’t the time or place.”
She huffed out a breath. “Are you mad at me?”
“No. I’m just tired. Spend time with your dad. I’ll be back tomorrow.” I smiled, hoping it would assuage her concerns. I didn’t know that it worked, but I left and headed straight home.
I did my usual routine of checking the mail and taking care of household chores. I was tired, but I shoveled my walk and driveway. Then I showered, ate two sandwiches, and then hit the sack. It was early in the evening, but I was sure I’d sleep through the night.
That didn’t mean I wouldn’t dream of Lily, which of course, I did. I woke up with a raging hardon that I considered indulging. But I was back in the real world. A world in which she was still tethered to Trask Holloway, and I was paid to protect her. So I took a cold shower instead.
To help improve my mood, I headed to Paradise Java to get a real cup of coffee before heading to Pine Rest.
Regina was at the counter and took my order of a large dark coffee. She poured it and brought it to me at the counter.
“Where’s your girlfriend?” she asked with a smirk.
If I wasn’t in such a pisser of a mood, I might have let it go. Regina was young. It was instinct for someone like her to snap a photo of Lily and post it online. But I was in a pisser of a mood and couldn’t let it pass.
“You don’t have much respect for the privacy of your customers, do you?”
Okay, so being in a public spot, there was no expectation of privacy, but still. People should be able to have a coffee without having their picture show up on Instagram without their permission.
Her smirk fell. “I didn’t mean any disrespect.”
“No. I’m sure you didn’t. You also probably didn’t mean to put people in danger, but you did. You’re lucky that you’re not being sued or at the very least fired.”
Her lower lip quivered, and I felt like an asshole for taking out my frustration on her.
“Listen, I’m sorry for being a jerk. I get that being popular is important. God knows I spent my high school years relishing popularity. But we’re not in school here. People’s lives are impacted. And while you’re working, people don’t want to worry about you exposing them simply because they want coffee.”
She nodded. “Yeah, okay…I didn’t mean—”
“I know you didn’t. But now you know. Right?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” I tipped her ten bucks and left the shop because I still felt like an asshole. I’d just started my SUV when my phone rang. The Bluetooth in the vehicle picked up, so I pushed the button to answer on my steering wheel.
“Dalton.”
“Hey, it’s Josh. Are you back from the cabin?”
“We got back yesterday. The Sheriff is with her now.”
“Oh shit, did you do something to the boss’ daughter.”
I knew he was joking, so I attempted a laugh. “After two days stuck alone, I needed a day off. I’m heading out there now.”
“Okay. Victoria is coming to visit, and she wants to see Lily. Is that possible?”
“You’ll have to ask Lily.” I pulled out into traffic, heading out toward Pine Rest.
“Is it okay for her to have guests even though she’s hiding out? That’s why I’m calling.”
“Yes. I just need to know when she’s coming.”
“Okay, good.” He was silent for a moment. “Are you okay? You sound a little grumpy.”
“I haven’t had my coffee yet,” I said. Josh and I were close. I remembered how he’d opened up to me when he’d pretended to be married to Allie, and it had all gone to hell. But now wasn’t the time or place to tell him about my own issues, so I brushed them away.
“Go, have your coffee. I’ll talk to you later,” he said.
I hung up and used the rest of the ride to drink my coffee and get my head back in the right place. I was working now. As lovely as the last few days had been at the cabin, we were back to reality, which meant I had to do my job and only my job.
Chapter 15: Girls’ Night
Lily
Something had changed in Wyatt. I told myself that it was because we were leaving our little magical bubble and returning to real life. Still, the change just wasn’t in how he was treating me. He seemed cold. Had I done something to offend him?
I finally decided it was his concern about my father. Because he had to stay here and work with my dad, I wasn’t going to do or say anything that might cause problems.
I visited with my father, but then excused myself to take a long shower. When I was done, my father was in the kitchen, making lunch. I found my sewing items and put them on the kitchen table.
“Is that your new project?” he asked, as he poured chips onto our plates with sandwiches.
“Yes.”
“How’s it coming?” He put the plates on the island, and I moved to sit there to eat with him.
“Well, I think my ideas are good, but I’m not much of a seamstress. And the fabric isn’t quite right, but I’m enjoying myself, so that’s something.”
“That’s a lot, honey,” he said, helping me onto the stool and then sitting next to me. “Too many people go through life unhappy and unable to find pleasure in the little things. I’ve sometimes worried about you in that respect.”
“Oh?” I shoved a chip in my mouth and savored the salty goodness. I was so enjoying not being a model anymore.
“Well, I always felt you followed your mother into modeling for her and not for you. You’re good at it. The prettiest model in the world for sure—”
“You’re biased, dad,” I said, although it made me happy to hear his pride in me.
“That doesn’t make me wrong. The point is, I wasn’t sure it was your calling. Your passion.”
“I wish I knew what was,” I said, feeling a little guilty for feeling sorry for myself.
“Are you enjoying this project of yours?”
“Yes. The sewing part is frustrating, but I like my ideas and sketching them out. I like trying to plan out how to execute the i
deas.”
“That’s a start. Anything else?”
“I liked being on the mountain.”
He looked at me, surprised. “I didn’t know you liked the outdoors.”
“I didn’t know it either. Wyatt took me cross-country skiing. I loved it, dad. I loved how physical it was. It’s harder than you think.”
He laughed. “It’s a full out cardio workout for sure.”
“And it was so beautiful. The view of the valley and the lake. It took my breath away.”
My father looked down at his plate like he couldn’t quite look me in the eyes. “You know, you could stay. Maybe you won’t want to forever, but you don’t have to be in a hurry to leave. Winter is beautiful, but so is spring and summer…and fall for that matter. I know you like physical activities, and you won’t find a place with more of that than here. We’ve got skiing, hiking, swimming…”
“I’m not in a hurry to leave, but I think I’ll need to at some point.”
“Yes. Of course. I hope that being here is helping, though.”
“It is. Being at the cabin was the first time I totally felt relaxed. No pressure from anything.”
“You weren’t scared about being snowed in? Especially with a man you didn’t know very well.”
I knew Wyatt very well. More intimately than my father would like, according to Wyatt. “No. Wyatt took care of everything. He made toast over a fire. And he made me s’ mores.” I couldn’t stop grinning at the memory.
“The Daltons definitely know how to rough it.”
“It didn’t feel rough. It felt real and safe. I know it wasn’t planned, and it probably made you nervous, but it did a lot to help calm me.”
My dad rubbed my back. “I’m glad to hear it. Maybe you could let your mom know as she was sure you were going to die from not having all of life’s accoutrements.”
I laughed. “She’s such a diva sometimes.”
He snorted. “I was sure she was the origin of the term diva.”
I looked at my father. “You two are so unlikely. And yet, you get along.”
He shrugged. “When it was just us, we clicked. We like each other, Lily. And…well …let’s just say we had chemistry.”
I winced not wanting to hear about my parents’ sex life.
“We didn’t plan you and your brother, but we tried to make it work. I don’t regret anything, though. For one, I love you and your brother. And second, I love your mother, and without you kids, she probably wouldn’t be in my life at all.”
“Is that why you never remarried?” I asked, realizing I’d never talked to either of my parents about their past or what they wanted. I knew my mother continued to see men, although she never remarried either. I figured it was because she felt marriage would hold her back.
He shrugged. “I’ve met a few women over the years, but it never came to that. I’m old enough now not to worry about it.”
“You’re forty-seven—”
“Forty-six. My birthday isn’t until the end of the year.”
I laughed. “The point is, you’re still young.”
He shrugged. “Let’s work on one life at a time, and at this time, it’s yours we’re focused on.”
I enjoyed the rest of the day with my father. We talked, took a walk along the lake, and later I beat him at poker. I really needed to thank my mom’s old boyfriend from ten years ago for teaching me. He was a professional gambler and had taught me all I knew about when to hold and when to fold.
Later that night, my phone rang. It was my brother. I looked at my watch and figured it had to be five in the morning in London.
“Hey, you’re up early,” I said.
“I wanted to catch you before I got on with the day. Rumor in the gossip circles is that you’re here, but mom says you’re still in California.”
“I’m still with dad.”
“Are you okay? You know you can come here. I’ve got a lot of security. No one needs to know you’re here.”
I smiled into the phone. We were twins, but he often acted like a big brother. “I’m fine here. Really. But I may end up in London eventually.”
“Let me know if and when you do. I want to help you, and since I can’t kick Holloway’s ass, I’ll have to settle with protecting you.”
“You’re sweet.”
“Yeah, well, don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation to uphold.”
I snorted. “Your secret is safe.”
“How are things with dad? Is it weird?” he asked.
“No, it’s great. You really should come sometime. I feel like we haven’t done enough to stay connected to him, considering how much he did to stay connected to us.”
“That’s mom’s doing.” I wouldn’t say my brother was bitter, but he did resent my parents for not putting us first. In my mind, we were an accident, and my mother especially wasn’t going to put her dreams aside to be a traditional mom.
“I know, but we’re adults now. We can try to have a better relationship with dad. And he’s great. This town is lovely. It’s like out a fairy tale or something. You should come. If you do it soon, I’ll be here.” I realized that the fame he had from his singing career made it more difficult for him to travel than me. I wasn’t sure he could be incognito in a small town like Eden Lane.
“I’ll see what I can do. Right now, I just want to know you’re safe and doing okay.”
“I’m doing fine. What about you? What’s up on your end?”
I had a pleasant chat with my brother and was more convinced that I should go to London when I was ready to leave Eden Lake. I liked New York, but I loved being around my family too.
The next morning, I rose and went to the kitchen for coffee. I greeted my father, who was in his Sheriff’s uniform. He was handsome and strong, and I hoped that someday he’d find a woman to love him.
“Wyatt should be here shortly. The same rules apply, Lily. It’s only been a couple of days, and while it looks like all the paparazzi have moved on, we can’t be sure there isn’t a straggler who didn’t take the bait that you’d gone to Europe.
“I’ll behave.”
He gave me a look that said he didn’t believe me.
“I promise.” I held up my right hand.
A knock on the door had my heart racing. Inwardly I laughed at how I responded to Wyatt’s arrival. I was like a teenage girl with a crush.
He walked in, and my heart flip-flopped. He was so handsome. His blonde hair was combed back, his blue eyes sharp as they glanced at me. He wore soft, worn jeans and a long-sleeved Henley shirt that was fitted across his broad chest. My cheeks heated, and I turned away, not wanting either him or my father to know Wyatt’s effect on me. Seriously, I was blushing like a teenage girl.
“Did you get a good night’s rest?” my father asked him as they shook hands.
“I did, thank you. Can I talk to you for a moment?”
My stomach clenched at his tone. Was something wrong? Was he going to quit? Was he going to confess?
“Jeez Lily, get it together,” I told myself. I busied myself by pouring a mug of coffee so they could have their little chat.
I stood at the sink, looking out the window, wishing I was back up at the cabin, not worried or wondering about anything.
“Lily?”
I turned to my father’s voice.
Wyatt cleared his throat. “Allie’s sister Victoria is coming to town, and she’d like to see you. I told Josh it was okay, but I wanted to check with your father, and of course you.”
I grinned. “I’d love to see her.” I’ve been so bummed that she was out of town when my life imploded, even though I knew I wouldn’t have been able to see her. Most people knew I was friends with her, and chances were the paparazzi had scouted her out to see if I’d show up with her. “When is she coming?”
“I told them to contact you directly,” Wyatt said.
“Great. I’m going to go clean up, so I’m ready. Will it be today?”
Wyatt shrugged. �
��I don’t know.”
“Well, I’m going to clean up anyway.” I left both men alone and went to my room. One thing was clear, the relationship I had with Wyatt at the cabin was gone. We were back to being the bodyguard and Sheriff’s daughter. I was disappointed but resigned. It probably was for the best. I was here to get my ducks in a row, and being distracted by a hunky sheriff’s deputy only would put me behind.
When I was showered and dressed, I came out to find Wyatt sitting at the window looking out on the lake.
“Your dad had to go,” he said without looking at me. “Budget meeting or something.”
“He has important work. I’m so glad for him. He seems to have really found his place.”
Wyatt stood and took his large coffee cup from the java place to the kitchen to toss in the garbage. “You’ll find your place eventually, I imagine.”
For a moment, looking out over the magnificent snow-covered lake and town, standing next to this brave, sweet man, I thought I had. Was that just yesterday? It felt like forever ago now.
Before I could answer, my phone rang playing Beyoncé’s Run the World, the ultimate feminine anthem.
I grinned. “That’s Victoria.” I grabbed my phone, poking the answer button. “Vic!”
“Hey girl. I’ve got wine and ice cream. When will your bodyguard let me come over?”
“It’s still the morning,” I said.
“So. It’s not like we’re going anywhere. And Wyatt will protect you from falling over drunk, right?”
She said Wyatt’s name like she knew him. Well, of course, she did. Wyatt’s brother was married to Victoria’s sister. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder if she and Wyatt knew each other more intimately. I scanned my brain to the time she told me about her sister’s crazy fake marriage scheme, and the guy she thought was perfect for Allie if Allie would get out of her own way. I thought back to her report of Josh and Allie’s wedding, and while she did have some sexy words to describe Wyatt, she hadn’t said they’d done anything. She would have told me, right?
“He’s quite the Boy Scout,” I said, glancing over at him.
He turned away, and his expression suggested he didn’t like that name. I wondered why? But if he was going to return to how we’d been before, then I would too.