I thought longingly of a glass of wine and of the bottle I never got to enjoy. Perhaps after I got a room, I could have some sent up. I had to watch my spending, only having what I’d stowed away in my bag, but I deserved some wine.
Hell, I needed it.
Sinking my teeth into my lower lip, I glanced over at the registration desk. A man in a dress shirt and tie stood behind the counter. He glanced up and smiled. I looked away.
I didn’t even know how much the rooms cost. They could be crazy expensive. I hadn’t paid the last time I was here. Oh, to be sixteen again. To not have to worry about bills or responsibility.
You know even at sixteen nothing is perfect. Far from it.
I’d come all this way. I could at least spend the night. If the prices were too high, I could come up with a plan in the morning. I was tired. Hungry. Afraid.
Rubbing my palms down the front of my sweats (yes, Lord help me, I was still wearing these oversized lounge clothes), I padded over to the desk, cautious.
“Hi. Welcome to BearPaw Lodge. Do you have a reservation?” the man said, a friendly smile on his face.
“Hi.” I began as my hands started to shake. “I’m afraid I don’t have a reservation. Do you have anything available?”
“Hmm.” He turned thoughtful. “Let me check, and I’ll be right with you.”
He turned his attention to the computer in front of him, the sound of his fingers flying over the keys sort of relaxing.
“I do have a room. It has a double bed. Would that be okay?”
“I’ll take it,” I said, nearly crumpling to the floor in relief.
“Okay, for that room plus the breakfast buffet and a voucher for one free drink at the bar every night after five p.m., the total is…” He paused, his fingers doing something else. “Two twenty per night.”
My breath caught. Two hundred and twenty dollars a night! I couldn’t afford that.
My shoulders sagged.
The man frowned, seemingly reading the defeated expression on my face. He cleared his throat, hitting a few more keys. “I can take off the buffet, the drink voucher, and move you to a room without a view. Then the total will be one fifty-nine per night.”
Worrying my lower lip, I nodded. “Could I reserve that please?”
“Of course.” He beamed. “How many nights?”
“Um, I’m not sure,” I mumbled. “Just one.”
“Name?”
“Bella Lane,” I replied on autopilot.
Tomorrow, I could go back into town and look for a motel of some kind. Something much less expensive.
After a few more moments, he smiled. “All right, Ms. Lane, I just need to see a valid ID and a credit card for the reservation.”
I blanched.
I didn’t have either of those things. I’d run out of my house without my purse. No ID, no cell phone, no wallet… all I had was an envelope of cash and some clothes.
I mean, for heaven’s sake, the shoes on my feet were stolen!
“Of course,” I said and smiled. Plopping the bag down near my feet, I bent and pretended to rifle through it. “I have those things right—”
I popped up. “Oh no!”
The man’s eyes widened.
“Is something wrong?”
“I left my wallet in the cab!”
He made a sound. “Do you know which cab company you used? I will be happy to call them and have it brought back.”
“It was a yellow one,” I said, knowing just how idiotic I sounded.
This time he blanched. “They’re all yellow here, miss.”
Tears rushed to my eyes. I didn’t even have to pretend. They were genuine and real. There was no way I was going to get a room at this place with no ID and no credit.
Almost eighteen hours on a bus, and now I couldn’t even stay.
“Oh now,” the man fretted. Clearly, tears made him uncomfortable.
I sniffled, trying to hold back a full-on melt down.
“It’s just been a horrible day,” I told him, a whimper in my voice. “I’ve come such a long way.”
He fished under the counter and plopped a tissue box down in front of me.
“I’m so sorry to have wasted your time. I’ll go.”
“Wait!” he said when I turned away.
I swiped at my cheeks and glanced back.
“Where will you go?”
“I’m not sure,” I replied. “Would it be okay if I sat down for a few minutes to think?” I gestured to one of the cozy chairs near the fire.
“Of course,” he said. “You just want the room for one night?”
I nodded. “I have cash. I could pay.”
“Let me just run it by my manager. Have a seat. I’ll be right back.”
A speck of hope ignited inside me. Not enough to make me feel better, but enough to make the tears stop.
I knew I wouldn’t get the room here tonight, but at least I could sit down and figure out my next move. Maybe if I was lucky, he would forget about me, and I could spend the night in the chair by the fire.
I stole a glance over at the tray of cookies and hot coca. My stomach rumbled. It felt dishonest to partake of the treats. Instead, I went back to the fire and warmed my hands some more.
After a few minutes, I was toasty warm and so tired my eyes were watering from the amount of yawning I was doing. The nearby chair looked comfortable and welcoming. I sank into it, tucking my bag of possessions in with me.
A quick glance to the desk told me the man was still off doing whatever he was doing.
I hope he’s not calling the police.
The thought was random, almost sarcastic. But oh, it struck me wide awake. Jolting up, my back and shoulders went taut. I looked around as if the police were already here and coming straight for me.
I hadn’t technically done anything wrong, but if they were called about a woman with no ID, dressed like a bum, trying to get a room at some fancy resort, they would surely run my name.
They’d send me back.
Back where I’d be a sitting duck.
Back to be murdered.
Visions of my father being shot to death in front of me assaulted my thoughts. I leapt out of the chair and saw the man still wasn’t back.
If I ran now, I could still get away.
Scooping up my bag, I rushed around the back of the chair, away from the front desk. I’d take this way around, maybe keep to the wall so if he came back, he wouldn’t see me.
In my haste, I didn’t watch where I was going. I collided with a large, solid form and bounced back.
Right before I crumpled to the floor, strong hands grabbed me around the arms and hauled me upright.
“Whoa,” he said.
Every hair on my body stood up. My heart caved in.
Even after eight years, I’d know that voice anywhere.
I gasped at the same time I looked up.
Gray eyes collided with mine.
The hands around my arms tightened, and shock filled his expression. “Bellamy?”
Oh my God. He wasn’t supposed to be here.
Oh my God.
It was him.
Liam
The tavern right off BearPaw lodge was basically just like every other gathering place here at the resort. With the same soaring ceiling, wooden beams, and views of the picturesque slopes, no one could say this bar felt too much like a bar.
Even though that’s what it was.
The bar itself sat in the center of the room, basically forming a giant U. It was made of pine, and the countertop was a giant map of the resort and surrounding town under a layer of thick, clear resin or something that didn’t let all the alcohol spill through.
Off to one side, there was a stage for karaoke or nights when we had live entertainment. There was, of course, a fireplace, and the rest of the space was filled with tables and chairs.
Alex was already at the bar when I walked in. He signaled, and I headed right for him. The bartender called out a he
llo and held up a glass. I nodded as I took the stool beside my friend.
“Started without me,” I said, tapping the side of his beer.
“Honestly, wasn’t too sure you’d show.”
I made a face. “When’s the last time I told you I’d be somewhere I wasn’t?”
“Never.” He allowed.
The bartender set a full draft in front of me, and I wrapped my hand around it, sliding it closer.
“Thanks, Todd.”
“No problem, Liam,” he said and moved off to another customer.
“I wasn’t sure what kind of mood you’d be in after the meeting with the big man.”
I chuckled a little. It was funny to me how everyone saw my father as this big head honcho, and I guess he was. I mean, he basically built this entire place from the ground up, and with it came a lot of business and opportunity for the entire town of Caribou.
Some people referred to him as the founder of Caribou.
Some viewed my entire family as the royals of Colorado.
I just thought of him as my dad.
“I don’t know why you call him that, man,” I said, sipping the draft. “He used to change your diapers, too.”
Alex cackled. “That’s why! The big man himself changing our diapers.”
I rolled my eyes and snickered into the beer.
“So how’d it go?” he asked.
I stared at him a minute, taking in his long-sleeved T-shirt and black fleece vest. The collar was flipped up so it shadowed his jaw, which was already shaded with dark stubble.
His hair was out of control, as always. But really, it was part of his charm. The ladies seemed to love the way it was cropped super close on the sides in a fade then sort of full and curly on the top.
Alex always said being born to a white woman and an African-American man gave him the best of both worlds: piercing light eyes and tight curls that were still manageable.
His skin was the color of coffee with cream, and it never burned, even when the sun was nearly blinding as it mirrored off fresh snow. He never got a raging case of hat hair, even when he wore one all day, and his light eyes combined with the rich color of his skin always made the bunnies (as he liked to call them) look twice.
“You checking me out, L?” His teeth flashed as he lifted the beer to his lips.
“Fuck no,” I argued. “Just wondering how much gel you had to put in your hair to make it stay like that all day.”
Alex chuckled. “All natural, my friend. All natural.”
“Dad wants to start training me in the spring,” I said, quiet.
Alex made a sound. His beer thumped onto the bar top. “As in this spring?”
“Shocked the shit outta me.”
“You boys want a pizza?” Sharon said as she walked behind us. She’d been working at this resort for as long as I could remember, and to her, we’d be nothing but boys ‘til the day she retired.
I glanced around and gave her a smile. “Extra pepperoni.”
“Like you need it,” she muttered fondly.
“I’m a growing boy.”
She laughed beneath her breath. “Keep eating pizza and you’ll be growing all right.”
“Thank you, Sharon,” Alex called out as she walked away.
“Yeah, yeah,” she called back.
One good thing about not training constantly was all the pizza and beer I could eat.
“So why so soon?” Alex asked when she was gone.
I shrugged. “He gave some excuse about Mom wanting to take a winter cruise.”
Alex gave me a WTF look.
I nodded. It was complete bullshit.
“Maybe he’s ready for a break and just doesn’t want to admit it.” Alex proposed.
“Maybe.” I allowed. “He sure does work a hell of a lot.”
“You ready for that?”
I made a sound. “I love this place and I want to do my dad proud, but I can’t say I’m too eager to work my ass into the ground.”
“So what are you gonna do?”
“I told him to offer you the job instead.”
Beer spewed out of Alex’s mouth and splattered the bar top.
“Clean that mess up!” Sharon yelled from somewhere in the bar.
I swear she had eyes in the back of her head.
Alex wiped at his mouth with his hand. “What the fuck?”
I laughed. Then I laughed again. “Your face.”
“Fuck you, Mattison. Fuck you.”
I was still laughing when I helped him clean up the mess then tossed the rag into the bucket behind the bar.
A few minutes later, Sharon slid a large pizza dripping with extra pepperoni, sausage, and green peppers in front of us. “I brought plates,” she informed us, giving us one each. “Use them.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said dutifully.
She patted me on the cheek. “I’m so glad to have you back here.” Then her pat turned into more of a gentle slap. “Now eat nice and don’t embarrass me. This place is filling up.”
I glanced around with a chuckle. It was getting full.
Just to irritate her, I grabbed a slice and shoved half of it in my mouth. Groaning around the cheesy goodness, I grinned, showing the food in my mouth.
“Absolutely disgusting.” She shook her head and walked away.
The conversation never did turn back to the meeting, which was just fine with me. I wasn’t sure what to think of the entire discussion. I knew my dad always hoped I’d come back here someday and run the place.
Hell, I never ruled it out either. I just never thought it would be this soon.
It was hard to reconcile what was with what could have been.
That thought brought along an image from long ago that had absolutely nothing to do with business.
I tossed the pizza down and picked up the beer for a guzzle.
Fuck. What is wrong with me today?
“Ladies,” Alex drawled, rotating on the barstool so he was facing into the rest of the room.
A light giggle answered, and my back teeth came together. I wasn’t in the mood earlier, and I was in even less of a mood now.
Alex hit me in the shoulder. “How lucky are we? The ladies from this afternoon have graced us with their presence.”
I took my time setting down the now-empty glass and rotating. My burly attitude was pushed down, and I offered up a smile. “Ladies,” I said. “Looking good tonight.”
It was true. They both looked hot. I knew I could score with one of them. The blonde was looking at me the same way she had out in the snow earlier. Her friend divided her attention between both me and Alex, as if she were trying to decide.
Man candy. That’s all we were.
What a tough job.
If it had been any other night, I’d be up for it. Hell, I’d lead the brigade.
I just didn’t feel like it tonight.
“Shall we grab a table?” Alex hopped off the stool and gestured for the women to follow him toward one of the last tables open in the back.
The blonde hesitated, glancing back at me. I gestured to Todd for a round of drinks, then stood. Out of habit, or maybe because I wasn’t the uncouth boy Sharon so loved to call me, I placed my hand on the small of the girl’s back and led her to where Alex and her friend were already sitting.
She watched me from beneath dark lashes, and I smiled.
I might not be in the mood, but I wasn’t an asshole.
Besides, maybe after another beer, I’d feel differently.
At least now this chick didn’t leave me feeling this funny sensation in my gut when I looked at her. She was more made up now. Full makeup, tight top that left little to the imagination, and her hair was dry and curled so it didn’t wave over her shoulders anymore.
It wasn’t the right color blond now. It was too light.
I should have been relieved.
I wasn’t.
The second Todd brought us our beers, I took a healthy drink. Alex gave me a look, asking
me what the fuck was up my ass. I ignored him.
I let him do most of the talking. Charm was his specialty. It could be argued it was a specialty of mine, too. But tonight, I was content to sit back in my chair and watch the room.
The girl—I think she reminded me her name was Heather—was making it pretty easy. The way she crossed her legs toward me and leaned over the table, giving me a straight view into her bra. She laughed and giggled, putting her hand on my arm.
After the second beer was empty, I realized something. It didn’t matter how many beers I drank tonight. I wasn’t going to feel different. I didn’t get drunk just to get laid anyway. That was something only assholes did.
Abruptly, I stood, fished around in the pocket of my jeans, and dropped some bills onto the table. “It’s on me tonight,” I said.
“You’re leaving!” the blonde exclaimed, eyes widening.
“‘Fraid so. I got an early morning tomorrow.”
Alex was staring at me as if I’d grown an extra dick. He knew damn well I didn’t have an early morning. I didn’t do early.
“I can’t convince you to stay? Just one more drink?” Heather asked, jumping from her seat and hanging on my arm.
Casually, I pulled back, smiling down at her. “If anyone could convince me, darlin’, it’d be you. But not tonight.”
Her eyes flickered with shock. She just couldn’t believe she’d thrown herself at me and I was turning her down.
I almost laughed.
“Catch you tomorrow, bro.” I held out a fist to Alex. He smashed his against it, and I started away from the table.
I only got a few feet when he called my name and appeared behind me. I turned, glancing over his shoulder to see both women watching us from the table.
“You’re for real leaving?” he asked.
My eyes met his. “I’m done tonight.”
He frowned. “Yeah. Okay. Want me to come back to your place with you? We can just chill.” He was a good friend, willing to give up the ass I knew he was going to get tonight.
“Nah, stay. I want details in the morning.”
He made a sound. “I don’t kiss and tell.”
I snorted.
After the shit-eating grin on his face died down, he asked, “Seriously, you cool?”
I nodded. “I am. I’ll see you in the morning.”
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