by Zoe York
“Did you get my message about the Mercedes broken down on Granite Street? I wanted to make sure it got taken care of.”
“I had the boys bring it in first thing this mornin’.” Doug pulled himself to a sitting position and gestured behind him, where Kari’s car was in fact waiting. “I took a quick look, but I don’t think I’ll really be able to get to it until later this afternoon, tomorrow maybe. She say what happened?”
“Just that it stalled.”
“Hmm.” Doug glanced down and picked at his greasy nails before looking up again. “Could be any number of things. One thing’s for sure. I don’t stock any parts for Mercedes. Not a lot of demand around here. Maybe those Harrison brothers with their fancy new resort might have the need for a fancy car, but I ain’t gonna stock parts for a few cars. Whatever it is, if it needs parts, it’ll take a few days. Ain’t nothing gonna happen fast on that car. Or cheap.”
Rhys nodded and fought the urge to smile. It probably wasn’t good news for Kari, but learning that her car wouldn’t be ready for a while meant she’d be in town for at least a few more days and maybe he could get to know her. And for Rhys, that was the best news he’d heard all morning.
“You can find the owner, Kari Fox, at Sam’s place. She’s staying at the Grizzly Paw.”
“I woulda thought she’d be up the hill.”
Rhys shook his head, remembering the way Kari’d panicked when he’d pulled up in front of the resort. She’d been looking for someplace less expensive to stay. But Doug was right: there was nothing cheap about the kind of car she drove. Why would she be worried about money? He said his goodbyes to the mechanic and headed back into the sun, ready for his fishing boat and some time alone with his thoughts. And he had plenty to think about. Especially the mysterious woman he couldn’t keep his mind off of. The little he knew about her, he liked. But Rhys couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling that there was more he didn’t know. A lot more.
Kari hadn’t expected it to be so easy to talk to Sam about her concerns for money. She’d originally intended to ask the other woman about tending bar, or waiting tables for her at the bar, but after talking to Jules, Kari’d decided to mention the idea of working at the Springs. Just for a few days, she’d told Sam, and herself. Just long enough to make some money so she could pay off her car and of course the room she intended to stay in a bit longer.
“I’m sure Trent, or more likely, Carmen—she’s in charge of staff—will welcome more help,” Sam said. They were on their way up the mountain, after Sam left her cook, Archer, in charge. “The resort only opened a few months ago, you know? So they’re still working out a few things, and if you have any experience with...well, anything, really...I’m sure they’ll welcome the help.”
Kari let her mind wander. She had experience with expensive hotels alright. But as a guest, definitely not as staff. It wouldn’t matter, she told herself. She was a smart woman; she’d figure it out. She had to.
“I really appreciate this.”
“It’s no trouble. I didn’t realize you needed money.” Sam didn’t look at her as she navigated the car along the twisty road, and that was probably for the best. For the last few years, since she married Brice, she hadn’t needed to worry about money. There was always more than she could ever need. Or want. Being dependent on the kindness of strangers was a new experience for her, and a humbling one. But it was better than the alternative. Especially if that alternative was Brice.
“That stupid car.” Kari tried to make light of the situation. “It’s more trouble than it’s worth, and I just didn’t plan on needing any repairs. Besides, this might be fun. Instead of just using a credit card, you know?”
Sam raised an eyebrow in her direction, and Kari knew she sounded ridiculous, but she couldn’t help herself. Although Sam might be the kind of woman she could confide the truth to, she wasn’t ready. It would be easier to have everyone think she had a few screws loose than to know the truth. At least for now.
They pulled up to the main drive of the Springs resort, and just as she had the day before, Kari took in the serene surroundings. The building blended in perfectly with the mountain backdrop, and with gentle water fountains burbling and flowing around the main doors, the entire effect was one of peace and rejuvenation. There couldn’t be a more perfect place for her to hide away for a little while.
“I think you’re going to like it here,” Sam said as they got out of the car. She handed the keys to the valet, who greeted her with a warm familiarity that Kari was envious of. When was the last time someone greeted her like that? Someone who wasn’t on her ex-husband’s payroll, that was.
Kari forced a smile. “I don’t see how I won’t.” She fell into step beside Sam. “It’s gorgeous here and so calm. Exactly what I need.” She looked around and took in the entire effect of mountains, water, and serenity that simply oozed from the resort. “I bet it’s amazing to stay here.”
“Hey.” Sam lightly smacked her arm. “Are you saying the Grizzly Paw isn’t calm and luxurious?”
Kari opened her mouth to backtrack when she saw the laughter in the other woman’s eyes. “I’m teasing. The Springs is amazing. Everything about it is spectacular. Trent and Dylan considered every detail and it shows.”
They walked across a small footbridge that took them over a small stream before the large wooden doors opened to reveal a marble tiled lobby. “It does.” Kari sighed.
When she’d first married Brice, they were always traveling and staying in hotels that were all fancier than the next, but never did he treat her to a luxury experience. Even when some of his business partners and their wives were planning a weekend spa trip, he blew it off, saying it was unnecessary and excessive. For a man who liked to showcase his wealth whenever he had even the slightest opportunity, he certainly didn’t like to spend any of that money on her. No, all Kari, or Karina, had ever been to Brice was an accessory. She filled a need for him to have a beautiful woman on his arm to make his partners happy. Nothing more. She’d been stupid enough to believe he loved her, but that illusion was shattered after they exchanged their vows. But by that point it was too late. Even if she’d wanted out of the loveless marriage, Brice had dug his claws into every part of her life, indebting her to him. Ever the shrewd businessman, he’d been protecting his investment from the beginning.
“I called Trent,” Sam was saying. Kari did her best to pay attention as the other woman chatted. “He said Carmen would be—oh, Carmen.”
Kari followed Sam’s gaze to a striking dark-haired woman who was making her way across the foyer, her arms outstretched for a quick hug for Sam. “You must be Kari.” She turned to greet her with a smile, and Kari immediately felt a surge of warmth toward her. “I hear you’re going to be saving me,” Carmen said.
“Saving you?” She tried not to laugh. “More like you’re going to be saving me.”
“Whatever—we’re helping each other, then.” She linked her arm in Kari’s and started to lead her away. Kari twisted around to say goodbye to Sam, but she seemed preoccupied with what had to be her boyfriend, Trent.
“You haven’t met Trent yet?”
Kari shook her head.
“You will. He’s great. And between you and me...” Carmen bent down and whispered into Kari’s ear, “So much easier to deal with now that he’s with Sam. Never underestimate the power of love, Kari.”
Outwardly, she smiled, but on the inside, Kari shook her head. She’d learned a lot of things over the years, and skepticism toward love of any kind was definitely one of them.
Carmen kept up a healthy banter as they walked through what had to be the most majestic hallway she’d ever seen. The room was spectacular, and completely took her breath away. With one entire wall made of glass that showcased the mountain outside, it was almost as if the outdoors were in. The other wall was made up completely of a water wall. In fact, there was water everywhere Kari looked: fountains, water walls that bubbled silently, and even hot pools throughout the
space that was otherwise decorated in a spectrum of calming blues and neutrals that allowed the space to maintain a sophisticated, yet very natural appearance. Serenity didn’t even begin to describe what the Springs was. It was more than that. So much more. Kari could feel every shred of tension leaving her muscles, just by walking through the space. And she hadn’t even seen the famous springs themselves.
“Sam wasn’t sure how long you’d be able to help me out,” Carmen said.
Kari pulled her gaze away from the spectacular view out the window and focused on the other woman. “I’m not really sure right now how long I’ll be staying.” She was going to add that she needed to wait until her car was fixed and she had enough money to pay for the debts she continued to accumulate. But the truth was, the longer she spent in Cedar Springs, the more she liked it. It reminded her of her childhood and the simple town her mother had raised her in. Everything was easy then.
“I’m not sure,” she said. “I guess it depends on a lot of things.” Not the least of which was how long she could stay undetected. “But I’m really thankful you have a job for me while I’m here. You have no idea how much you’re helping me out.”
“Like I said.” Carmen flashed her a warm smile and squeezed her arm. “It’s you who’s helping me out. We’re still getting up and running, and things have been a lot busier than I think anyone expected. Which, of course, is a good thing.”
“Of course.”
“But as with anything, there are a few growing pains. And you, my dear, are going to be my salvation. How are you with a computer?”
“I can hold my own.”
“Perfect. I’m going to put you at the front desk for a few days. Is that okay?”
Kari seriously doubted her ability to work the reservation desk, seeing as she’d always been on the other side of it, but she wasn’t going to say no. And she certainly wasn’t going to back down from a challenge. That would be something Karina would do, and she was ready—no, more than ready—to rediscover Kari.
“Sounds perfect.”
Chapter 4
Sitting on Aunt Daisy’s porch, Rhys picked up a fallen leaf and crunched it in his hands before watching the crumbs fall to the ground. Even though it was the middle of September, summer still seemed to hang on. It was as beautiful as the day Kari Fox had come to town, two weeks earlier. Like a teenager, he’d divided his life into “before Kari” and “after Kari.” Archer was after him to ask her out, but there was something about Kari. Something that made him want to take it slow. She’d finally started to relax around him, and every day she came out of her shell a bit more.
“You’re making a mess.” Aunt Daisy swatted him on the shoulder as she joined him outside. He smiled and accepted the glass of iced tea she offered. It was another beautiful day, and since his shift was pretty slow, Rhys’d decided to pay Aunt Daisy that visit he owed her.
She set a tray of cookies on the table between them, picked up her own glass and without any preamble, said, “Tell me about the girl.”
Rhys almost choked on his drink. “What girl?”
“Don’t play dumb with me.” His aunt sat in her rocker and stared at him until he cracked. He never could fool her.
“You mean Kari?” He hid his smile behind the rim of his glass.
“If that’s the girl I met two weeks ago, right out here, then yes. And judging by your ridiculous grin, I’d say that I was right about her.”
Had it already been two weeks since Kari had arrived? Rhys could hardly believe it, yet at the same time he couldn’t imagine not knowing her. He put his glass down. “What do you mean? What are you right about?”
“As soon as I laid eyes on her, I knew she brought change with her.”
“I don’t think she brought much of anything with her,” Rhys joked, purposely ignoring Aunt Daisy’s deeper meaning. “As far as I know, her car still isn’t fixed and she’s been working up at the Springs because she didn’t have the money to pay for it.”
“A woman in that kind of car?” Aunt Daisy clucked her tongue. “I don’t believe it.”
“I think she likes it here, Aunt Daisy. I don’t think she’s in a hurry to leave.” And Rhys certainly hoped that was true. Because he was getting used to having her around. She seemed to have settled into things at the Springs pretty well, even joining the group for drinks on Sunday. For Rhys, it’d been great watching her come out of her shell, day by day. And even more fun when he flirted with her, how she’d flirted back.
“What’s not to like?” His aunt raised her gray eyebrows in his direction, and he knew she could see right through him. “She’s very pretty.”
Rhys didn’t bother hiding his grin. “Yes she is.”
“Are you courting her?”
“I love you, Aunt Daisy, but you know it’s 2014, right? We don’t ‘court’ anymore.”
She let out an exasperated sigh and took a sip of her own drink. “There’s no reason you can’t,” she said after a moment. “What do you call it, then?”
“Dating.”
“Well, are you ‘dating’?”
“No.” Rhys tried not to laugh at the disgust in his aunt’s voice when she spoke the word.
“Why not?”
Rhys paused for a moment. He couldn’t explain it to her when he could hardly understand it himself. It was just a feeling. “It’s not that simple, Aunt Daisy.” The smile fell from his face.
“Well, I don’t understand why it has to be hard.” His aunt rocked for a moment before she looked him in the eyes. “What are you waiting for?”
Long after Rhys had left his aunt’s house, her question kept rolling through his head. Why wasn’t he dating Kari? Or at the very least, why hadn’t he asked her out on a proper date? They’d spent plenty of time together in the past few weeks, and unless he was imagining it, she liked him, too.
But he’d been taking things slow with her. There was something special about Kari, something almost a little bit broken, and even though he’d watched her get stronger and more self-assured since she’d been in Cedar Springs, there was still something he wanted to be cautious about.
Why not? Aunt Daisy’s words replayed again.
“Why not indeed?” he spoke aloud in his cruiser.
It was time to take things further, and as Aunt Daisy would say, make his intentions known. But first, he needed to get through his shift.
And preferably without melting, he thought as he flicked the controls on the cruiser’s air-conditioning. He needed a call out to relieve him of his daydreams. It was almost impossible not to daydream. Especially when those daydreams were fueled with a certain petite blond in her cut-off shorts, and blouse with a hint of creamy skin peeking out. Yes, as entertaining as those daydreams were, they weren’t helping his concentration and if he was going to get through his shift, he needed to focus on something else. As far as Rhys was concerned, a day off went far too quickly. And even though he hadn’t caught anything out on the lake, drifting around aimlessly in his boat while the late summer sun warmed his skin was a whole lot better than sitting in his patrol car, with sketchy air-conditioning, while he waited for a call that would relieve him of his daydreams.
Like getting his air-conditioning fixed.
With his mind made up, Rhys drove the few short blocks to Doug’s garage and pulled up in front. Kari’s black Mercedes sat out front. Maybe it was fixed? The thought bothered him more than he cared to think about. She hadn’t mentioned her car, with the exception of the few times Rhys asked about it. And both times, Kari closed up, and looked at him like she was afraid he’d discover some deep dark secrets about her.
His intuition had been sharply honed with his years on the force in the city. It’d never steered him wrong in all that time; there was no reason to think it would now. But when it came to Kari, he wasn’t interested in using police work to discover things about her.
No. He slammed the door of his cruiser shut and went in search of Doug, and put all suspicious thoughts of Kar
i out of his head. The only thing he needed to concern himself with as far as she was concerned was getting to know her. And possibly taking her out for dinner. The thought popped into his head and made him smile.
Yes. Taking her out for dinner was definitely something he should concern himself with.
“Doug!”
“I’m right here. Quit yellin’.”
He’d expected to find the man underneath the hood of a car, or elbow deep in motor grease, the way he usually did. Instead, he was sitting at the desk in the small reception area. Rhys blinked. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen Doug sitting at his desk. If ever. Of course, the idea was ludicrous—of course he needed to prepare invoices at some point. But still. It was strange.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m workin’. What the hell does it look like?”
Rhys pulled up a vinyl-covered chair, the seat cracked from age. He straddled it and rested his arms over the back. “I’ve never seen you outside of the shop. It’s strange.”
Doug shook his head. “What can I do for you? Comin’ to arrest me?”
Rhys narrowed his eyes. “Should I be?”
The other man waved his hand, and Rhys laughed. “I need you to fix the A/C in my cruiser. This heat’s killing me.”
Doug shook his head and returned to his paperwork. “It’s mid-September. The snow will fly soon and you ain’t going to need no A/C.”
“Ah, but I need it now.”
“No can do.”
“Sure you can. Don’t tell me you’re run off your feet with work, ’cause I’ll call bullshit.”
“Nope. But I don’t work for free and it’s not in the town budget.”
Rhys could see his chance for a cooler car vanishing. “And how could you possibly know that?”