2. Nora
2
NORA
N ora wasn’t a hugger, but Clint’s hugs were like a warm blanket. His arms held her up when she wanted to let her knees buckle.
That would never happen. She was a master at hiding weaknesses, but relaxing against her best friend was a small pleasure she would allow.
Just this once.
Closing her eyes, the muscles in her body loosened enough to allow a deep, relieving breath.
“You smell like hay and sawdust,” she whispered.
Clint laughed, and the vibrations spread through her body. “Sorry. I’m not really a cologne kinda guy.”
“It smells like home.” She lifted her head and stepped out of the embrace. “I missed the ranch.”
“Almost there,” Clint said as he grabbed her luggage.
Nora scoffed. “We’re still half a state away. ”
He tossed her bag into the bed of the truck and opened the passenger door. “I promise to have you home before lunch tomorrow.”
Normally, she would have handled her own bag, but a thick exhaustion weighed on her limbs. If she hadn’t agreed to work on her last day, she could have booked a morning flight. Instead, she was fighting sleep and wishing she could teleport back to the ranch.
Clint carried the conversation as he navigated away from the airport, but her replies grew shorter and shorter. Her brain had a biological clock and locked up shop around nine at night, and not even catching up with Clint could keep it working after hours.
Nora rested her head on the door and blinked rapidly against the stinging in her eyes. Working a full day, packing up her apartment, and flying home on the same day was a bad idea.
Clint reached over and squeezed her knee. “You gonna turn into a pumpkin before we get to the hotel?”
“Maybe.” A huge yawn took over. “I’m ready for a shower and a bed.”
“Hang in there. Three miles.”
Three miles. She could make it. Stretching her arms above her head, she turned her attention to Clint. Passing lights lit his features in shadows, but she knew him like the back of her hand. He’d been the same since they were kids, and she’d never been more thankful for anything in her life.
She could only anticipate so many things, and knowing her best friend would remain the exact same until the end of time was one constant she would build a house on.
Her mom packed up and left her when she was a kid, but for some reason, she knew with all certainty that Clint would always be there for her.
Man, the exhaustion was doing a number on her. She would not get sappy just because it was past her bedtime.
Taking the traveling nurse job had sounded like a good idea at the time. The money was fantastic, but now she’d trade every dime for a glimpse at Redemption Ridge.
Ugh. When had she turned into a homebody?
Nora’s phone rang, and she pulled it out of her pocket. “It’s Bella.”
“Tell ‘em I said hey,” Clint said as he kept his attention on the dark road ahead.
Nora straightened in her seat and answered. “Hello.”
“Are you home?” Bella asked.
“Not quite. We’re west of Denver though, so getting closer.”
“Jesse is driving me crazy to know when you’ll be back.”
Bella’s son, Jesse, had always been like a nephew to Nora, and being away for so long was taking a toll on both of them.
“Can we get together tomorrow night?”
“Sure. I figured you would want to hang out with your dad tomorrow.”
“Hang out” was a stretch. She got along well with her dad, but they didn’t do much together except work. Granted, working the ranch dominated their lives, so the silence didn’t bother her much.
“And I guess Clint is getting his time with you on the way home. Tell him I said he has to share you,” Bella added.
Nora huffed. “No one is going to be fighting over me, and Clint says hello.”
“Tell him we miss him too,” Bella said. “He can come to our hangout if he wants.”
Nora glanced over at Clint. “I’ll see if he wants to join.”
A child-like scream wailed on Bella’s end of the call. “I gotta go. Myla is awake again. Sleep regression isn’t for the faint of heart.”
Nora covered her mouth as a yawn snuck up on her. “See you soon.”
Clint turned into the lot of the small hotel as Nora ended the call. A sign for The Gateway Inn was lit up by spotlights in front of the small building. A dozen vehicles were parked in rows facing the street and hotel.
There wasn’t much between Denver and Redemption Ridge unless they deviated from the main path. The family-owned hotel from the early twenties was the only place to stay within thirty miles.
They parked beside the main entrance and walked inside. The lobby was small and welcoming. A few couches were situated around a coffee table, an elk antler chandelier hung in the center of the room, and the reception counter was a short mahogany desk beside an open door that led into a dining room.
“Hello!” the smiling woman greeted them from the other side of the desk. “You must be Nora.”
Nora opened her bag and pulled out her license. “I am. Sorry we’re so late checking in.”
“It’s no problem at all. Gives me time to catch up on my reading.” The woman held up a thick hardback book with the name Marcus Warner written in big letters on the front cover.
“You have a nice place here,” Clint said as he looked around.
“Thank you. It’s been in my family for generations. I’m Irene, by the way. If you need anything, just holler at me.”
Nora handed over her license, and Irene gave it back to her a minute later along with her room key. “You’re in the room just up these stairs on your right. ”
“Thanks,” Nora said before pointing to Clint. “He needs to check in too.”
Irene blinked. “Oh, do you need a key as well?”
“Yes, but for a different room,” Clint said.
Irene turned to the computer beside her. “What’s the name on your reservation?”
“I don’t have one. I was just planning to get a room when we got here.”
Nora turned to glare at Clint. She’d sent him the information for the hotel weeks ago. In true Clint fashion, he hadn’t done any planning.
Irene squinted through a tentative grin. “I’m sorry, but all of our rooms are full.”
Nora’s eyes widened, and she whipped back around to Irene. “You don’t have any?”
Irene fidgeted her hands. “I’m sorry. The harvest festival started today, and quite a few vendors are visiting from out of town.”
Closing her eyes, Nora counted backward from ten. This was one of those times when she wanted to smack Clint and remind him that planning ahead was always best.
Clint sighed. “Shoot. What’s the closest hotel around here?”
“You can try some of the places in Mill Creek or Vail,” Irene offered.
“Vail is backtracking for us,” Clint said.
Irene covered her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I assumed the two of you were together. ”
Nora’s eyes shot open. “We’re just friends.”
Clint’s hand rested on her shoulder. “I’ll sleep in the truck. Wouldn’t be my first time camping out.”
Fighting the urge to smack him, Nora shoved her license back into her bag. “Don’t be ridiculous. You can stay with me.”
“Are you sure?” Irene asked, looking back and forth between Nora and Clint.
“Yes, my friend might be stupid sometimes, but he’s harmless.” She looked up at Irene. “There are two beds, right?”
Irene slowly shook her head. “I’m sorry. It’s a queen, Miss St. James. I can bring up a cot for you.” She gave Clint a good once-over. “It’ll be small for you.”
“Don’t worry about it. Can I get some extra blankets and pillows? I’ll just sleep on the floor.”
Irene avoided looking at them as she held up a finger and disappeared into a back room.
Nora rounded on Clint. Her exhaustion had morphed into irritation. “I can’t believe you didn’t reserve a room.”
Clint held up his hands. “I’m sorry. I’ve never booked a room before I arrived.”
Pinching the bridge of her nose, Nora took a calming breath. “I want to strangle you.”
“I’ll let you take a few swings at me when we get to the room. Come on, I really am sorry. ”
He was using his pleading voice now, but she wasn’t ready to let him off the hook yet.
Irene walked back into the room and handed Clint a stack of blankets and pillows. “I am just so sorry about this.”
“Don’t worry about it another second,” Clint said. “I’m just glad my girl will have a good place to sleep tonight.”
Nora’s ears perked up. His girl? Well, that was new. Apparently, Clint thought it was okay to take liberties these days.
Irene gave him the warmest smile. “You’re so sweet.”
Clint gave Irene a playful wink, and the woman’s cheeks bloomed in a pink glow. Nora rolled her eyes. Irene was more than twice Clint’s age, and he already had her wrapped around his finger.
“I’ll add another plate to the breakfast lineup. It’s on the house.”
“You’re my new favorite person. I’ll gladly pay for breakfast,” Clint said.
Man, he was laying it on thick.
Irene waved him off. “Don’t be silly. What time will you be down?”
“Is seven okay?” Clint asked.
Apparently, he was taking over the planning now because Nora was still too heated to trust her words. If she opened her mouth, she might spit fire at her friend .
Closing her eyes, Nora reminded herself that Clint drove across the state to pick her up from the airport and drive her home–all for free. She couldn’t exactly decapitate him under the circumstances.
Irene shooed them off toward their room, and Clint walked quietly behind her up the stairs. The carpet covering them prevented Nora from stomping out her frustration and waking up the other guests.
On the second floor, she stopped in front of their room and jabbed the key into the lock. With a quick turn, she swung the door open and marched inside.
She’d taken two deliberate steps before arriving in the center of the room. The bedroom was exactly that–a bed in a room. There was a nightstand, a dresser, and a small table with two chairs.
Absolutely no room for Clint to sleep on the floor.
Nora tossed her backpack onto the bed and turned to glare at Clint. “I’m getting a shower.”
He had the good sense to look sorry as he nodded. “I’ll grab our bags and park the truck.”
As soon as Clint turned to leave, Nora let out the shaky breath she’d been holding. What did it say about her that she didn’t want to be mad at her best friend? She’d missed him too much to hold a grudge.
“Clint.”
He turned, and she took the first good look at him. He’d changed in the months they’d been apart. They were subtle differences, like small crinkles at the corners of his eyes and a darker tint to his skin. Were his shoulders broader? He’d always been in good shape, but she’d been remembering the boy he’d been in high school for the last eight months.
Time was getting away from her. She’d missed so much.
“I’m not mad. I’m just tired. Sorry for snapping at you.”
Clint flashed his signature smile. “I’m glad you’re back.”
Nora nodded. “Me too.”
He closed the door behind him, and she grabbed a change of clothes out of her bag before heading to the shower. She could survive one night with Clint. She’d be asleep before her head hit the pillow anyway.