Killing the ignition, I pulled the hood of my sweater onto my head and darted from the car. Running through the swirl of falling snowflakes, I moved into the hotel. Placing my hands onto the check-in desk, I smiled at the receptionist.
“Hello. I don’t have a room booked, but I was wondering if you have one available?”
She smiled and scanned the computer screen. “We do. How many beds?”
“Oh, it’s just me.”
She blinked. “So one bed?”
Slowly, I nodded. “Please.”
She rang me through before handing me a key card. “There’s underground parking and you’re in room 208.” She smiled widely. “Enjoy your stay.”
“Thank you.” I gave a small finger-wave as I walked back outside. Unlocking my car, I sunk into the driver’s seat before driving toward the underground parking garage. I was exhausted and I couldn’t wait to get in the shower and let some of the day’s stress wash away.
I don’t exactly think my mind has really accepted my actions as reality yet. It’s only six o’clock right now and I don’t expect my phone to explode with calls from Rhett until around ten when I don’t return home from work. I doubt he’ll notice my clothing gone and I didn’t really take much else. However, I know that when he does realize I’ve left - all hell will break loose.
Parking my car, I pulled my suitcases from the trunk before wheeling them to the elevator. I pressed the second floor and waited. It didn’t take me long to find my room. Ignoring the rowdy bunches of college kids lingering in the halls, I closed and locked my door behind me, leaning my back against the door as I sighed. I breathed in and out, in and out, in and out.
Pulling my phone from the pocket of my hoodie, I dialed Ember’s number.
She answered on the first ring. “Did you make it?”
“I’m at a hotel in Banff. I’ll stay here the night and drive to the Donnelley Ranch tomorrow morning.” I whispered. “I can’t believe I’ve ran away.”
“You didn’t run away, Kami. You’re just taking the steps you had to take to make your life better.” I nodded as she spoke assuredly through the phone.
Holding back my tears, I replied. “I wish I was as confident as you that what I’ve done is the right thing.”
“Hey,” Ember scolded gently. “You’ve done the right thing. You’re just afraid and alone right now, Kami, but you won’t always be. I promise the people at the Donnelley Ranch are super nice and the Donnelley brothers aren’t bad to look at either.”
I scoffed. “I am definitely not looking for another man, Ember.”
I imagined her rolling her eyes. “You’ll change your mind when you see how hot they are. Seriously, sweetie, that’s hot with a capital H.”
I chuckled. “Thanks for making me laugh.”
“No problem.” She assured. “So, I’m figuring by the lack of panic in your voice that Rhett hasn’t figured out you’ve left yet, huh?”
“He hasn’t called.”
“He will, Kami.” She said matter of fact. “And when he does, you need to ignore it. Do not answer your phone. Just turn it off when he starts calling, you hear me?”
“I hear you, Ember.” I said under my breath. And then I repeated, not for her, but for me. “I’ll ignore his calls.”
“Good.” She kissed the air into the phone. “I love you, sweetie, and I’m proud of you.”
“I love you too.”
“Call me for anything, anytime.” Her tone was filled with warning and I knew she was serious.
“I will.” I promised.
“Bye.”
I hugged myself. “Bye, Ember.”
Hanging up my phone, I padded across the little room. Tossing my phone onto the bed, I lifted my suitcase before emptying its contents onto the bed. In my frazzled packing moments, I’d made quite a mess of my suitcase. I didn’t have anything else to do for the remainder of the night, so I organized my suitcases, had a long hot shower, turned off my phone, and went to bed.
***
I arrived at the Donnelley Ranch at 9:32 a.m. feeling nervous and excited. True to my suspicions, Rhett had blown up my phone with calls and messages. I’d deleted every one of them without reading or listening. If I listened to them, I feared I’d grow weak and either tell him where I was or return home to him.
Home - I no longer had a home. I had nowhere to go or be but here at the Ranch. Every ounce of my strength to stay away from Rhett revolved around my getting this job and having a place to be without the man I’d relied on for comfort and the illusion of safety for much too long.
Wearing my best interview outfit of black dress pants paired with a fantastic pair of high-heeled boots, a flowing cream top and a black blazer, I felt confident and hopeful. I wore my hair down like usual. My hair was my favorite feature. It was thick, dark brown, and reached down to the small of my back in loose curls. I was of Spanish descent and it was obvious by my curvy, but toned figure. My mother had been positively gorgeous and Rhett had always said that I looked just like her by the photo’s he’d seen. That was a compliment - ever since I was little I’d wanted to look like her.
Pushing my car door open, I climbed from the low seat. There was a lot of snow out here on the Donnelley Ranch, but thankfully the roads, walkways, and parking lots had been plowed. It was a nice sunny winter day, but there were plenty of people wandering about the property. I hadn’t thought it would be very busy here in the winter as Ember had only bothered to come out in the summer, but it was obvious by the number of people who were cross-country skiing, that the Donnelley Ranch was an every season oasis.
I spotted a little sign-in shop that was connected to what looked like a large house and walked in that direction. The open sign was glowing and I didn’t know where else to go. Taking the steps carefully in my heeled boots, I pulled on the door and walked through. Comfortable warmth met me and I gave a small sigh at getting out of the winter air. I wasn’t exactly dressed for the weather as much as a position.
A woman walked out from a back room holding a little green mug. The liquid in the cup was steaming and the aroma of caffeine was mouth watering.
She smiled as she caught sight of me. “Oh, you must be Kamilla? I’m Gracie.”
She offered me her hand and I shook it. “Actually, I prefer Kami for short. It’s nice to meet you, Gracie.”
“Likewise, Kami.” Gracie smiled. “I have my coworker and future daughter in law meeting us here for your interview. It was actually Reese’s idea to hire some female guides for the Ranch.”
“Oh,” I nodded. “Why did she think there needed to be females?”
“Well, Reese actually contacted me to take her on a month long tour. She had requested a female tour guide for personal reasons and as I was the only guide available, I agreed to her tour. Then, as fate had it, I broke my ankle two days prior to her tour and was no longer able to be her guide.”
I raised a brow, “So she couldn’t go?”
“She did go on her tour. I actually placed her in Logan’s care. Logan is my eldest son.” She beamed. “It was a good thing it all worked out as it did, because now Reese is pregnant and she’s set to marry my son this September. It will be a lovely wedding.”
“So, it all worked out.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Why hire more females?”
“Well, it came to my attention that it probably won’t always work out so nice in the future. The Donnelley Ranch would really like to cater to everyone’s needs and providing only male tour guides can be uncomfortable for some women.” Gracie explained.
I nodded, wondering what Reese’s reasons were for requesting a female, but I didn’t ask. “I can see that.”
Gracie cocked her head to the side, studying me. I wondered, had I given something away? Had I said something wrong? Something to make her think I really was the wounded soul I was pretending not to be?
“Hmm,” Gracie lifted her coffee cup. “Did you want a coffee, Kami?”
Again, my mouth watered.
“I’d love a coffee, please.”
“If you drink it then there will be nothing left for Reese to salivate over.” She chuckled. “That woman needs to slow her caffeine intake now that she’s pregnant.”
I followed her into the back room when she waved me along, smiling politely as I asked. “How far along is she?”
“She’s only just found out that she’s pregnant. I probably shouldn’t be telling everyone, but it’s not like it’s hard to piece the puzzle together with all of Logan’s frantic fussing over her.”
I smiled, but I couldn’t help the tight feeling inside of my chest. This Reese woman sounded really lucky to have a man who cared for her as much as Gracie’s son, Logan. “He sounds like he loves her.”
“Oh,” Gracie nodded as she handed me a mug. “He does.” She pointed to cream and sugar. “Help yourself.”
Moving forward, I poured a dash of cream into the black and took a little sip. “Mmm, I needed this. Thank you.”
“No problem.” She leaned against the small kitchenette counter. “We’re all pretty big coffee drinkers here, so you’ll fit right in.”
I eyed her nervously. “So, do I have a job?”
“Well, I have a few questions first, but as it stands now, yes.”
“What are your questions?”
Just then, I heard the door of the sign-in shop open and a frustrated female voice rang through the space. “I’m fine. Seriously!” A long sigh sounded. “Stop touching me, Logan. I can walk from the truck to the door.”
“Reese,” A man sounded exasperated, but the woman was having none of it.
“Logan.” She snapped back. From inside the small kitchen, Gracie was giggling under her breath as she listened. Reese continued. “I’m pregnant. I’m not suddenly breakable and I swear to all that’s holy, if you don’t let up on this behavior, I’ll be moving in with your mother until I have this baby.”
“Like hell you will!” The man bellowed. “Who’d rub your feet?”
“You’d have visitation feet rights!” The door swung open to the kitchenette and a stunning little firecracker stormed inside. Seeing me, she straightened, “Oh, hello.”
A man, just as stunning as the woman, followed behind her. He didn’t even notice my existence. He was too focused on his pregnant fiancée to notice little old me. “Reese, as much as I love your feet, that’s not how this relationship is going to work.”
Reese narrowed her eyes, lifting one finger to me and Gracie. “One moment please.”
“Of course.” I nodded, enjoying the show.
That one little finger became intimidating really quick as she directed it at the large man towering over her. Straightening her back, she glared up at him. “I will not go through the next nine months like this. We either find a balance, I move in with your mother, or I move in with Kat. You can choose.”
Logan’s face was red by the time she was finished laying out her ultimatums. “We’ll find a balance. But your driving, woman, is horrendous. If you think you’ll be driving anywhere before the snow’s gone, you’re crazy!”
With that, Logan stormed from the room, slamming the door on his way out.
Reese turned to face the two of us with a smile. “Well, score one for Reese.”
And my mouth dropped. The woman was insane and hilarious. I really freaking liked her!
“Congratulations.” I breathed, trying to hide my grin. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”
“Oh,” Reese waved her hand. “The Donnelley men are bossy, but when it really comes down to it, they know their place.” She winked and Gracie shook her head.
“I’m glad to see you’re giving the boy a run for his money, Reese.”
Reese’s eyes focused on my cup. “Ohhh, coffee.” Her eyes swung to the pot before her lips formed into a pout. “There’s no more.”
Gracie offered. “There’s non-caffeinated tea.”
Reese frowned as she waddled to the kettle, flicking the switch. As Gracie walked back into the little shop, she said loudly enough for Reese to hear. “Score one for Gracie!”
Reese yelled. “I heard that!”
And I laughed. For the first time, in a really long time, I laughed.
It felt wonderful.
Reese joined Gracie and I inside the sign-in shop, taking a seat beside me in one of the comfortable chairs before the desk where Gracie sat with her feet curled up in her chair. This was the most unorthodox interview I had ever had.
Crossing my legs, I placed my mug to balance on my kneecap. “So, is there anything you wanted to ask me?”
Reese nodded as though just remembering why we were here. “Yes,” she took a small sip of tea. “What made you call us?”
“A friend, actually. She showed me the hiring ad.” I replied.
“Where did you come from?” Gracie asked interestedly.
“A little town outside of Edmonton, Alberta.” I replied tightly. I didn’t want to answer personal questions. I didn’t want the conversation to turn to Rhett.
“Your family, parents, a boyfriend, are all alright with you moving so far away for a wilderness position?” Reese’s brows rose as she waited for my reply.
I shifted. “Well, um, I grew up in the foster system so there’s no family and I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Well, then we sound like the perfect place for you.” Gracie clapped her hands together. “As you know, we’re looking for a white water rafter, a mountain climber, and a horseback rider. Of the three activities, which interests you more?”
“Um,” I’d never done any of the activities, but I’d always had a thing for hiking. The closest I could come to that would be mountain climbing. “I suppose mountain climbing.”
“Oh good!” Gracie beamed. “That was where I was planning on placing you. I’m happy we’re on the same page.”
Reese blinked at Gracie, her lips curling up at the corners. “Kyle?”
“I think it’s a good fit.” Gracie eyed Reese. “Don’t you?”
Reese turned to study me carefully and I couldn’t deny that my insides were a raging mess. What were they talking about? Finally, Reese nodded. “Yes, Kyle will be a good fit.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked tensely. Who was Kyle?
Gracie explained. “Kyle is the mountain climbing instructor. He’s my second oldest son and he’s quite quiet. I think the two of you will get along well.”
“What do you mean by get along well?” I felt my throat close and I had to clarify. “I’m not looking for - um, a relationship.” I was blushing fire engine red, but I had to clarify that little tid-bit. I felt as though I was sitting in a match-making meeting, and that terrified me. I’d only just gotten out of the hell I’d been in with Rhett and I wasn’t eager to get into another kind of hell with another man. No, thank you.
Gracie grinned. “Oh sweetie, that’s not what we were talking about. Kyle can be difficult to work with and around. It’s why he instructs mountain climbing. It’s more solitary than white water rafting. If I sensed that you had a more outgoing personality, I would have placed you with Collin, the white water rafting instructor.”
Feeling silly, I nodded. My face and chest were stinging in humiliation I tried desperately to hide. “Of course, I’m sorry for assuming.”
Gracie waved off my apology. “Don’t be sorry. I know where your mind was going and I can see why it went there.”
Blushing, I nodded. “Alright, well, I am interested in mountain climbing and Kyle sounds like he’d be more intuned to my personality than Collin, so, I think I’d like to learn from him, if that’s alright?”
“Certainly.” Gracie winked at Reese before flashing a grin at me. “You’re hired!”
A breath of relief fell from my lips as I smiled. “Thank you so much.” I held my hand over my chest. “You have no idea how much I wanted this.”
Reese spoke beside me. “We could tell, honey. It’s written all over your face.”
Blinking, I tried t
o keep my tears of happy relief at bay and thank the heavens I succeeded. “When do I start?”
“You’ll start with indoor training. I’ll talk to Kyle and he’ll set up a schedule.” Gracie glanced at Reese. “I think she should stay in one of the cabins between your house with Logan and Kyle’s house. Would you and Logan mind taking her out to one of the cabins - maybe helping her set everything up?”
“I would love to.” Reese announced. “I’ll take her to my pantry and she can pick through some of the food until we make a trip to the grocery store again.”
“Oh, I can go into town today and pick up a few things.”
Gracie frowned. “The weather network is calling for a pretty intense snow storm, I think you should just hit up Reese’s pantry and wait until the roads are a little better.”
Glancing out the window, I shrugged. “The sky looks pretty nice to me. I think I’ll take my chances. Plus, I’m not a horrible driver.” I raised a brow at Reese who huffed in her chair. “I’ll be fine.”
“Just so you know, Logan is exaggerating. I’ve only hit the ditch a few times, but once you’re here for a little longer, you’ll know that these roads are way more difficult to see during a snow storm than the city roads.”
“Uh huh,” I nodded exaggeratedly. “I’m sure.”
Reese narrowed her eyes. “You’ll see. You’ll be calling me saying, ‘Reese, you were right. Come rescue me.’“
“That is exactly what I’ll be saying.” I laughed.
Gracie sat back in her chair. “It’s good to see you two getting along. Reese has been dying for a female companion apart from me. She can’t tell her future mother in law about everything, no matter how many times I tell her she can talk to me about anything.”
I laughed and Reese rolled her eyes. “You know I love you, Gracie.”
“I know that.” Gracie smiled softly. “But I know you miss having a girlfriend. I hope the two of you will find a friendship.”
Reese beamed at me. “Oh, I think we will.”
A Safe Surrender: A Donnelley Brother's Novel (Donnelley Brothers Book 2) Page 3