Rocky Mountain Home

by Hayes, Cassie

  Zach’s gaze flicked over to the back of Mike’s head, her dark hair styled more than when he’d taken her to dinner. She didn’t need to stand for him to know she stood five-six and had an athlete’s lithe body. Despite his friend’s stupid quiz the other night, he knew for a fact she hated laying out on the beach, and judging from the pile of pineapple on the side of her plate, she felt the same about Hawaiian pizzas. He wasn’t sure where she stood on romance novels, but the two women appeared to be complete opposites. If he wanted to get Mike out of his system for good, Deidre might just be the perfect medicine.

  “Oh, what the hell!” He tapped the big heart icon and accepted the match. He had no idea what would happen next, but he felt exhilarated at the idea of finding out.

  “Good man!” Spike said, slapping him on the back a little too hard. “Now I’d better get going. Anyone mind if I take the leftovers? Ethan will murder me with his lethal farts if I don’t bring some back for him.”

  “Egads, take ‘em, man!” Sam laughed as they all piled out of the booth.

  Ahead of them, Marc stood and waited as Mike struggled to shrug into her coat. Classy guy! At least he held the door open for her as they left. They caught up with her standing just outside the door, watching as Marc climbed into a black two-door BMW on the other side of the lot.

  “Wow, he didn’t even walk you to your car?” Spike asked, wrapping an arm around his sister’s shoulder. “What a D-bag!”

  “That’s okay,” she said with a weak smile. “This wasn’t really a date, as it turns out.”

  “Oh?” Zach asked, drawing a sharp look from her brother.

  He couldn’t defend himself at the moment, but he was simply curious. He’d avoided calling Mike to allow his new resolution to let go of any romantic feelings for her to set in. Watching Mike and Marc tonight, Zach had been surprised to find he wasn’t jealous or sad or anything else he might have expected. He only wanted her to be happy.

  “All he wanted was to ask me to emcee the blues festival.”

  “And are you going to do it?” Spike asked.

  Mike nodded. “Yeah, might as well. Gotta do something to keep myself busy.”

  “Hey, nice to see you, Mike,” Anthony said, waving on his way to his own car.

  “Yeah, see you soon, cuz,” Sam added as he left.

  “Looks like you have a hungry family at home, brother dear. You better get a move on before that za gets cold.”

  “Huh?” Spike said, brow furrowing.

  Mike chuckled. “Never mind. Now get.” She kissed him on the cheek, then gave him a hard shove.

  “Fine, fine, I’m going. Later, sis. Zach, we’ll talk logistics tomorrow.”

  Zach nodded and moved next to Mike. “I’ll walk you to your car when you’re ready.”

  “Okay,” she replied, but didn’t move.

  She stood staring up into the night sky, her coat clutched around her, a profound sadness wafting off her. When a shudder racked her small frame, Zach grew concerned.

  “Hey, are you okay?” he asked, touching her shoulder lightly.

  When she looked up at him, he saw her pain and uncertainty, and all he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and comfort her. So that’s exactly what he did. Over the last few days, he’d realized he didn’t need to hold back his affection from her any longer. Since he was “over” her, he no longer needed to be afraid of her reaction. Friends hugged friends who were sad, and she’d made it abundantly clear they were only friends.

  Mike buried her face into his chest and clutched at his coat. His heart ached for whatever emotion she was feeling. Her shoulders weren’t shaking, but he assumed she was crying. That’s what women did when they were sad, after all. When he pulled back and brushed her mussed hair from her face, he was surprised to find her eyes completely dry. A quiet strength glinted like granite in them.

  Huh.

  “What’s going on? Talk to me.”

  She took a deep breath and shook her head. “It’s never going to end, at least for a long time.”

  “What?”

  “The soul-sucking. Practically every guy I’ve ever met has wanted something from me. To have a brush with fame, or steal one of my sponsors, or get me to endorse something, like Marc there. None of them are interested in me, the real me. They have some fantasy in their warped little brains about how I should be, and they’re always disappointed when I turn out to be…me.”

  Guilt flared inside Zach, and he pulled her back into a hug to hide the shame in his eyes. Maybe his fantasy had been different, but then again, maybe not. He’d put her on a pedestal all these years, thinking the girl she used to be would still be the woman she’d become. What a fool!

  “So why did you agree to emcee the festival?” he finally asked quietly, releasing her.

  Mike grimaced. “Because I can’t afford to pass up a paycheck, and it’s quite a nice one at that. Besides, I need to do something. All this sitting around is driving me bonkers.”

  Another wave of shame overcame Zach, but this time, it was for not calling her since their non-date. He hated that he was really no better than Marc or any of the other jackasses she’d dated. She should at least be able to always count on him as a friend.

  “You should come by RMA tomorrow,” he said. “You, me, Spike and Amy can have a good old-fashioned brainstorming session. I’m sure we can figure out something you’d like to do with your life.”

  A flicker of a smile warmed her face. “You’d take time out of your day to do that for me?”

  Zach snorted. “Psh! Of course. We’re practically family…practically.”

  5

  Mike jumped when her car rang. Her phone was set to auto-connect via Bluetooth, but the loud ring through the car’s speakers never failed to startle her.

  “Hi, Spike,” she half-shouted, after pressing the accept button on her dash screen.

  “No need to yell, sis.” Spike’s voice echoed through the car. Mike turned down the stereo’s volume.

  “Sorry.” She dropped her voice to a normal level and refocused on the road. “I just left Mom and Dad’s. What’s up?”

  “Could you do me a solid?”

  “Sure, bro. Least I can do, since you guys are going to tell me what to do for the rest of my life.”

  Spike laughed. “As if anyone’s ever been able to tell the great Mike Roberts what to do.”

  She couldn’t deny it. “What do you need?”

  “Would you take a little detour to Zach’s place and pick up my hiking boots? We have a hike scheduled for tomorrow and I need them. They’re in his hall closet in a taped-up box.”

  “Why don’t you just ask him yourself?”

  “He’s not home and he’s not here, and you’ll be driving right past his place. His spare key is under the dead mum on his front step.”

  “I don’t think so, Spike. A breaking and entering conviction on my record won’t look so good to prospective employers.”

  Mike nearly gasped as she rounded a corner and caught sight of the town below her. The warm morning sun sparkled off windows and cast romantic shadows that would have been at home on a picture postcard. The beauty of her hometown never failed to astound her, and she hoped she’d never have to leave again. The realization came as a bit of a shock, considering her state of mind when she’d returned home.

  “Mike, don’t be a dork. I know it’s hard, but try, okay? You know as well as I do Zach could never be upset with you.”

  “Right,” she snorted. Even best friends didn’t simply break into each other’s houses whenever they wanted.

  “Please, sis? I really need those boots, and I don’t want to make Zach drive all the way back just to get them. You’ll be right there. I’ll bet you a raised glazed with sprinkles he’ll actually thank you.”

  Mmm, a raised glazed from the local bakery, Sprinkles, sounded divine.

  “Fine,” she said with a sigh. “Give me the address. But those donuts had better be there when I arrive. And you�
�d better save me two!”

  “Done! See you soon.”

  The car speakers booped when the call disconnected, and the classical station she’d been listening to resumed. A few minutes later, she parked in front of Zach’s tidy craftsman and immediately spotted the dead plant Spike had mentioned.

  Every time she returned home, she was stunned all over again by how trusting people were in Silver Springs. A key under a garden gnome or a potted plant? So obvious! They might as well leave their doors unlocked. Clearly, she’d grown cynical over the years.

  Grabbing the key — exactly where Spike had said it would be — Mike purposely rang the bell first. She didn’t want to throw open the door, only to find Zach standing in the middle of his living room completely naked and dripping wet from a shower.

  Whoa! Where had that image come from? Now that it was in her mind, she had a hard time unseeing it.

  She shook her head and cracked the door open, calling out, “Zach? You here?”

  No answer. Phew, I won’t catch him in the buff, she thought, then wondered at the flicker of disappointment in her tummy.

  Mike stepped inside and paused. So this was Zach’s house. She’d never visited it on her trips home, and curiosity got the better of her. Closing the door quietly behind her, she tiptoed into the kitchen, though no one was there to hear her. It just seemed like the thing to do.

  She glanced at a pile of mail on the counter, but managed to restrain herself from shuffling through them. Probably just bills. Popping open the fridge, she was impressed by the array of vegetables and healthy foods neatly stored inside. Zach obviously enjoyed pizza with friends from time to time, but he appeared to be a bit of a health nut otherwise.

  Wandering into the living room, she flopped onto a comfy-looking couch that faced a big picture window. A peace she’d almost forgotten settle on her as she gazed out at a close-up view of the Rockies. As if on cue, a bald eagle soared past, riding on the morning zephyrs.

  As much as she wanted to sit in that spot for the rest of her life, she had to get going. Zach, Spike and Amy were taking time out of their busy schedules to help her — it would be rude to keep them waiting.

  The distance between the couch and the closet couldn’t have been more than fifteen feet, but Mike dragged it out as long as possible, drinking in every detail of Zach’s house, from the restored hardwood floors, to the very masculine warm grey walls. It even smelled manly, like a mix between cedar and leather. She took a deep breath as her hand settled on the doorknob.

  Mmmm….

  Throwing the door open, she instantly spotted the box Spike wanted. It was definitely big enough to be a hiking boot box, but any images or words were covered over by layers of duct tape. Yeah, that looked like something her brother would do to repair an old shoe box.

  Mike grabbed it, then realized she’d better double-check. She had no idea what Spike’s boots looked like, but she didn’t want to carry around a box of old golf balls or something.

  Settling back into what had quickly become her favorite spot in the world, she pried the lid off and froze. She stared in confusion at what she saw. Not boots, not shoes of any kind. It was full of photos and scraps of paper. This was obviously Zach’s personal stash of stuff, and Mike moved to replace the lid when the top photo caught her eye.

  That’s me! Correction, that’s me and Zach.

  It had been taken her junior year in high school, shortly before she left to train for the Olympics. The entire extended Roberts clan had driven up to Telluride for a ski day, and Zach had joined them. Cousin Chase had snapped the shot right after she and Zach had finished a friendly race down the mountain. She’d won, and Zach had hoisted her arm in the air as the victor. They both wore huge grins.

  Mike knew she should put the box back where she found it, but she couldn’t help picking up the old photo to get a closer look. How young they both looked! Those had been good times, some of the best of her life, not counting winning a bronze medal not long after.

  She moved to put the photo back, completely intent on returning the box to the closet, but the next photo was another one of her. And the next. Then a press clipping about her injury. Rifling through the contents of the box, her heart starting thumping uncontrollably. It was jam-packed with photos, news articles and magazine covers, all featuring herself throughout the last decade. And it looked as if Zach had saved every postcard she’d sent him from various ski spots she’d visited.

  “What is all this?” she whispered to no one. She could barely breathe.

  The only photo she could find that didn’t include her was of a teenage Zach in a rented tuxedo. He stood smiling in front of a cheesy backdrop and held up a sign that read, “Go for the Gold, Mike!”

  “Prom,” she muttered.

  She’d stood him up to train for the Olympics, and from the looks of it, he hadn’t asked anyone else. She’d always assumed he’d invited one of the dozens of girls who were in love with him at the time. Even though he looked like he was having a good time in the photo, his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

  A sadness settled low in her belly. After Tommy had dumped her just before prom, she’d thought her life was over. So dramatic! But the minute Zach had asked her to prom, she’d forgotten all about her dillweed ex.

  Her skin tingled, recalling how she and Zach had started spending more time together. Not really dating — they’d never even kissed during that time — but growing closer in a way she’d never expected. Then she’d received the news about the Olympics, and in only a few days, had left Silver Springs for good.

  Then it hit her like a bolt of lightning. After she’d kissed Zach full on the mouth back in high school, she’d told him they would pick up where they left off when she got home after the Olympics. But after she’d “podiumed,” sponsors had started calling and she’d found herself on the professional circuit. Her visits to Silver Springs were few and far between, and typically very short. Truth be told though, she’d all but forgotten her pledge the minute she arrived at the training center in Park City.

  Zach had obviously remembered.

  Mike’s entire body vibrated with emotions she couldn’t yet identify. Some of it was shame from snooping, but no one could have resisted such a temptation — or so she told herself. Mostly she was simply confused. The most recent clipping was from her accident four months earlier, which seemed to indicate he’d had feelings for her all this time. How was she supposed to act around him now? Was this even a bad thing?

  Shaking her head, she started to put the memorabilia back, when she noticed a sealed envelope at the very bottom of the box. She pulled it out and sucked in a breath through her teeth. It was addressed to her, and even had a very old stamp on it, but it had never been mailed.

  If she opened it, he’d see the broken seal and would know someone had rummaged through his private things. But it had been stuck under all the other bits and pieces, so maybe he’d never find out. But it would be wrong. But it was addressed to her. But he never sent it. But—

  Enough! Make a decision!

  Closing her eyes, she slid her finger along the seal. It lifted easily without tearing the envelope, which was a relief. He’d never have to know. With trembling fingers, she pulled out the single piece of ruled paper, unfolded it as if it were a priceless artifact, and began to read.

  * * *

  “Who’s hungry?” Zach asked as he walked into the newly redecorated office of Rocky Mountain Adventures carrying a big pink box full of donuts from Sprinkles.

  Mike sat stiffly at Spike’s desk, but no one else was there. He smiled and set the box in front of her.

  “Hey, you. Where are Spike and Amy?”

  “They, um… I guess Ethan got sick at school, so they went to take care of him,” she said, chewing on her lips as she looked everywhere but at him. “He’ll be fine.”

  What’s up with her?

  “That’s good.” Zach flipped open the box and grabbed a buttermilk bar. He’d inherited his
love for them from his grandmother. “Want a cup of coffee?”

  Mike looked jittery enough as it was, but he didn’t want to be rude. Besides, Amy’s coffee was almost as good as the liquid bliss Emma Roberts brewed up at Books ’N Beans.

  “No thanks,” she muttered, pulling out a raised glazed with sprinkles.

  He would never have pegged her as a sprinkles kind of gal. Another thing he’d never known about her.

  He sighed as he sat at his desk and kicked his feet up. He wasn’t going to let anything get in the way of his good mood. He was heading to Golden bright and early the next morning to interview for his dream job, and he had a date lined up with a beautiful woman. What was there to complain about?

  “You okay?” he asked, breaking off a piece of donut and dunking it in his mug.

  Mike’s head popped up and her cheeks grew rosy. Weird. Something was definitely up.

  “Fine!” she said, much too quickly. “I’m fine, just…worried about what I’m going to do.”

  That made sense. She had to be feeling utterly helpless at the moment. No wonder she was so on edge this morning.

  “Well, what would you do if all your dreams came true?”

  The pink in her cheeks deepened to red and she dropped her eyes to her donut. “I honestly have no idea.”

  Her tone implied she was talking about more than just a career, but what did he know? Not much, as Spike had pointed out.

  “Would you want to own a restaurant?”

  “Ugh, no. I can’t even boil water right.”

  Zach laughed. “To be fair, at this altitude, no one can. Okay, so restaurants aren’t in your future. What about sales? Maybe Marc could get you a job at the dealership he works at.”

  She wrinkled her nose in that way he’d always found so charming. It still was, but it didn’t have the power to buckle his knees anymore. Of course, he was sitting down, and he didn’t really want to test the theory in front of her.

  “Accountant?” he teased.

  Mike burst out laughing. “You really are a dorkus malorkus!”