Chapter Seven
THORN
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THE HOT WATER stings the scrapes etched down my chest.
Bloody hell.
I scowl and clench my body as I take the quickest fucking shower of my life.
I step out of the stone and glass enclosure and pat my body quickly. With a scrub over the foggy glass, my hand rids the condensation.
My mood is as sour as buttermilk left out in the sun. What the hell possessed her to string me and take off?
I pull my skin and twist my torso, examining the long scratch marks reflecting vivid and raw—beads of blood form in spots. I’d enjoy the repercussions had the incident not ended with me breaking Santa’s antique chair. Mayor Thomas will be as cross as a bear with sore paws—and likely as deadly. Damn good thing I’m not going to be here.
I snatch my phone and scroll through my contacts.
Who would’ve thought finding a replacement would be so complicated? I guess if I hadn’t berated Kyle, he wouldn’t have declined to step in for me. My thumb lingers over another friend, and finally, I hit his number, set the phone on the counter, and put it on speaker.
“Hey, Slater, what’s up?”
“Bronx, listen, I need a favor, man.” I grab the towel and run it vigorously against my hair.
“Anything for you.”
“Something’s come up at my ranch that I have to tend to, but I’ve committed to this calendar fundraiser event at The Fox Lodge. If you can spare this weekend, there’s a helluva fancy room included, free meals, and a couple of days of posing with woman after woman.”
“Hell, yeah, I’m in—”
“What the fuck are you doing?” My brother barges into the shared bathroom from the bedroom he’s staying in.
“Dude.” I slap the towel to cover my joystick.
“Bronx, he’s not leaving. I got the ranch figured out. Thanks, buddy. Bye.” Theo hits the end button and glares at me. “You rope me into this event and then attempt to ditch me? What’s the matter? Can’t take a little friendly competition?”
I ain’t getting into it, especially not with my brother.
“Boundaries.” I wrap the towel around my waist.
“Screw boundaries.” He sits on the counter. “Oh, shit. Where did you get these?”
I swat his hand away from my chest.
“Is this Freak Frame, Flora?” He whistles. “I wouldn’t have guessed she was freaky in the sack. Why have you been a sourpuss if you knocked boots with freaky—”
I grab him by the throat and shove him against the mirror. “Say. It. One. More. Time.”
He holds up his hands. “Chill, bro.”
I let him go, and he rubs his throat. “What’s got your britches in a bunch?”
“This conversation.” I shut off the light when I exit the bathroom.
“Asshole,” my brother mutters.
I lock my bedroom door adjoined to the shared bathroom.
Theo pounds on it. “Come on, Thorn. What happened? Is she dating someone? Engaged? Secretly married? Has all your planning halted, and you need a pick-me-up?”
“Fuck off!”
Surprisingly, he goes quiet.
I rip off my towel and tug on a pair of briefs. I don’t even have my jeans up my legs when Theo storms into my bedroom through the main door.
Bloody hell.
“I don’t care about what happened between you and Flora. Whatever it is, it’s for the best. Adios, Miss Flora. Sayonara. Take care, and don’t let the tumbleweeds catch ya.”
I grab a T-shirt from the drawer and pull it over my head, not remembering the last time I felt so damn irritated and grumpy. The stinging reminder on my chest isn’t helping.
“Listen, I was paired with Agatha’s great-granddaughter today. Now, if you know little ol’ lady Agatha, she ain’t from around these parts. Neither is her great-granddaughter. Sweet little thang with her northern twang and city getup as sharp as a new saddle.”
Listening to my brother’s potential moonlight mingle prospects wasn’t on my agenda today.
“But the real excitin’ news is she brought her sister as her assistant.” He jabs my middle with a few punches before flopping sideways onto one of the overstuffed chairs in front of the fireplace. He dangles his legs over one arm.
Lord, help me now. My brother is trying to get me laid. And I’m pretty sure after tonight’s incident with Flora my junk is broken.
“These gals don’t seem to have a reputation for burning the dance floor, if you know what I mean.” I know exactly what he means. “Unlike the Rowe gals.”
My energy to punch him square in the jaw is drained.
“And we’re meeting them for dinner.”
“No.” I strode out of the room, hitting off the light as I leave.
“Seriously, bro.” He trudges behind me. “You have to eat.”
“Room service.”
“You have to—”
I hit the kitchenette’s countertop with my flat palm. “Theo, I’ve had a fucking day, alright?”
He halts, not hiding his surprise at my temper. Our dad had a temper. I held the cool. And Theo always danced between.
I rub the back of my neck where tension has thickened. “I’m not interested in snagging a lady for my bed this weekend. I’d appreciate it if you quit trying to get me laid. Big surprise, I don’t need help getting the ladies when I want them.” That all but applies to tonight’s scenario—damn, Flora.
My brother chuckles.
“I set up this weekend to show Flora I’ve always loved her.”
Theo’s curled lip gives away the repulse coursing through him.
“I just didn’t realize she didn’t feel the same way.” The words cut hard being said out loud, but that’s a truth I have to face.
“I’m sorry, brother.” He sounds sincere, and maybe he’s even sorry I’m hurting, but there ain’t no way he’s sorry things didn’t work out between me and Flora. “Let’s skip the women tonight, the event dinner, and have a brother’s night out. Just me and you. We’d be late to dinner anyway.”
He tosses my Stetson, but I don’t immediately put it on my damp hair.
“That’s how I was going to pick up little Agatha’s great-granddaughter. Late to dinner, let’s catch a round of pool.”
I wonder if he even took the time to find out her name.
“I’ll skip it all. You and I will hit up The Lodge Lounge. It’s a no-kids zone where we can drink away our problems—your broken heart and my blue balls—over a game of pool. Watcha say?”
“Best damn idea I’ve heard all day.”
FLORA
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FOR THE FIRST time since I’ve arrived, I feel as light as a snowflake. Surrounded by twinkling lights and festive decorations, the atmosphere of the lodge embraces my holiday spirit.
Does sweet revenge also do that to a person?
Or is it the countless glasses of wine in as short a time period?
The soft glow of an antler chandelier hanging inside the entrance of The Lodge Lounge welcomes us.
“Drinks!” My sister heads to the mahogany bar, dominating the wall lined with bottles. Each shelf is meticulously arranged, showcasing an impressive array of colorful bottles and liqueurs.
“What to choose? Something strong or something seasonal?” Dani taps her fingernails on the weathered wood countertop.
“Seasonal.” I only catch a few drinks flashing by on the illuminated sign when one pops out at me. “Frosty Coconut Snowfall.”
“Sounds good.” My sister tosses back her hair and playfully flicks her wrist at the bartender. After a short flirt session, we walk away with two drinks garnished with a sprinkle of shredded coconut and a festive twist of mint.
“There he is.” My sister’s nails dig into my arms when she stops me.
“Who?”
“You know who.”
I don’t want to know who, and the idea of who crumbles my inner peace.
I spot him at the pool table. That didn’t take long for him to escape. I’m mildly disappointed. I was even more disappointed he didn’t pack up and leave.
He leans casually against a beam, laid back, confident. He is looking unhitched by the night’s events.
Why does that bother me?
The dim, recessed lights in the beams highlight the strong lines on his face. He’s the definition of a cowboy—worn denim, flannel shirt, untucked and unbuttoned, clinging to his broad shoulders over a T-shirt, scuffed boots, and his famous Stetson on top of his head. Damn, the man is confident in his skin—too confident after our playtime.
“We should go play a round of pool with them.”
“What?” My sister doesn’t hide her shock at my suggestion. “Obviously, I was going to suggest playing with them, you know, being I’m working hand-in-hand with the sisters? But you suggesting it—what?”
I shrug. “Maybe I did share a kiss with him, and maybe I left him lassoed to Santa’s chair with twinkling lights. I am curious how he got out so quickly.”
Dani’s hands clutch my arms, and her drink spills on my skin. “What?! Tell me everything!” Her eyes are as wide as teacup saucers.
“Let’s see if he’s in the mood for a share and tell.” I walk around my sister.
“This is the best day of my life,” my sister squeals.
I have to admit, it beats the heartache of his deception.