Chapter Eleven
MATT
The early morning chill bites at my skin as I make my way to the lodge. It's been ten days since I first arrived at Crystal Creek Retreat, each one a blur of work and emotion.
Eliza's been juggling her studies and helping at the lodge, like we agreed. She clocks in her hours, but our interactions have been more limited than I'd expected. Her brothers keep her busy with errands—supply runs to town, and today, picking up Finn from the airport. But it's more than that.
We still have dinner together every night, sharing a quiet meal before she buries herself in study guides.
I love those moments, but they feel too brief, like we're scratching the surface of something deeper.
By the time we've wrapped up the day and finished eating, she's back to her books, determined to stay ahead.
I get it—her exam is important, but it doesn't stop me from missing her. It feels like we're both running on fumes, circling around each other without connecting.
I hear the hum of the ATV long before I see it. Eliza's driving like she's competing in an off-road race, and sure enough, Finn's sitting in the back, clutching his pack like he's holding on for dear life. When they pull up in front of me, Finn jumps off, staggering a bit.
“Matt, it's good to see you.”
Before I can respond, he lunges at me, arms wide. I barely have time to react before he wraps me in a bear hug and lifts me clean off the ground.
“Finn, you oversized mountain goat!” I shout, laughing as I try to wriggle free. “Put me down before you break something!”
He tightens his grip, spinning us both in a circle. “What's the matter? Can't handle a little love?”
I twist in his arms, getting one foot on the ground, and use all the leverage I can muster to flip him. It works—sort of. He stumbles, but instead of going down gracefully, we both tumble into the snowbank, landing in a heap.
Eliza is full-on laughing, watching the two of us rolling around like kids. “This is better than TV,” she shouts, barely containing her giggles as Finn and I wrestle for dominance in the snow. “I'd stay, but I've only got one more night to cram.” She waves and disappears into her cabin.
I pin Finn down, panting. “See? Still got it!” I say, holding him there for a second before letting go.
Finn sits up, wiping snow from his face. “Alright, alright. I'll give you that one. But next time, I'm coming for you. I hear you and my sister are a thing. I don't know whether to beat your ass or feel sorry for you.”
I roll my eyes. “Dude, we've kissed once, that's all. Your brothers keep her too busy for anything else. I'm surprised they haven't boarded me up in my cabin.”
Finn laughs. “Oh, it was discussed, believe me. But honestly, your cheap skilled labor won out. We needed the extra manpower.”
“Glad to know I'm valued for something,” I reply dryly.
“Hey, in this family, that's high praise,” Finn says, clapping me on the shoulder. “But seriously, man. Eliza ... she's one of a kind. Treat her well, okay?”
“Always,” I promise, touched by the concern beneath his teasing.
As we reach the lodge, Finn looks satisfied. “Great. Now let's see if we can survive her exam stress without anyone getting injured.”
I laugh, grateful for the moment of light-heartedness.
But as we enter the lodge, my thoughts return to Eliza and her test tomorrow.
The day passes in a blur of physical labor and mental gymnastics.
By the time evening rolls around, I'm exhausted, but still too wired to settle down.
I check on Eliza to offer some encouragement before her big day.
As I approach her cabin, I spot her through the window, surrounded by a mountain of books and papers.
Even from here, the tension in her shoulders is obvious, the deep furrow between her brows showing how much pressure she's putting on herself.
I raise my hand to knock, but then I pause, Kane's words echoing in my mind. She needs to focus.
For a second, I consider turning back. Let her study. She doesn't need distractions right now. But then I take a breath and knock gently. When she calls out, “Come in,” I push the door open.
Her head pops up from her study guides, eyes softening a little when she sees me. “Hey. What's up?”
“I thought you could use a break and maybe food. I've got a can of soup in my room.”
“Thanks. I wolfed down a sandwich a little while ago.”
“Do you need any help with the studying?” I ask, though I already know her answer.
She shakes her head. “No, but thanks for offering.” She glances back at her papers, already half in study mode again. “I need to get through this last chapter.”
I hover for a second, then lean down and press a quick, gentle kiss to her lips. Not the kiss I want to give her—no fire, no passion—but something simple and supportive. “I'll leave you to it,” I whisper as I straighten.
She blinks, surprised, then her expression shifts to gratitude. “Thanks. That kiss was exactly what I needed.”
I turn to leave, feeling lighter.
The next morning, I brew a pot of coffee and prepare two travel mugs. Steeling myself against the cold, I head to Eliza's cabin.
When I get there, she's already outside, pacing anxiously on her porch. The moment she spots me, her face lights up, and my heart skips a beat.
“Matt,” she says, surprise clear in her voice. “What are you doing here?”
I hold out one of the travel mugs. “Thought you could use some coffee.”
She takes the mug, her fingers brushing mine, and that simple touch sends a jolt straight through me.
We stand there in the crisp morning air, the steam from our coffees curling and mingling between us.
There’s anxiety in her eyes, but beneath it lies a spark—something that sets my pulse racing and makes the moment feel electric.
I lean in. Our lips meet in a tender kiss. It's brief, but it carries a promise—one that says there's more to come. Not now, not while today's test is heavy on her mind. But later. After.
When we part, I tell her, “You've got this, you know,” I whisper. “You're smart, you're prepared, and you're going to do great.”
Eliza swallows hard, probably fighting off the lump in her throat. “Thank you, Matt. For everything.”
“Good luck,” I manage, my voice rougher than I intended. “I'll be here when you get back.”
Her expression brightens, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. “I'm counting on it.”
As she steps back, I hear the unmistakable rumble of an ATV approaching. I glance over my shoulder, and sure enough, Kane pulls up, his expression unreadable as he watches us. He kills the engine, but remains silent, his attention shifting briefly to Eliza before turning back to me.
“Well,” she says, sounding a little breathless, “looks like my ride's here.”
I step back as Kane dismounts. There's a tension in the air now—nothing aggressive, merely an unspoken acknowledgment between us. He saw the kiss—that much is obvious—but he doesn't comment on it.
“Good luck,” I say again, this time a little louder, as she walks over to the ATV.
“Thanks,” she says, giving me one last look before she hops on behind Kane.
As they ride off, I stand there for a moment, the cold biting into my skin, but all I can think about is what that kiss means and the hope that after today, there will be time for more.
The day drags on. I throw myself into the repair work, hammering and drilling with more force than necessary, trying to keep busy.
But I can’t help thinking about everything Eliza’s been through today.
A ride to the pier, a floatplane to Craig, the pressure of the test, and then making the same trip back—all in one day.
It’s a lot, but if anyone can handle it, it’s her.
She doesn’t give up, no matter the obstacles, and that determination is something I can’t stop admiring.
Late in the afternoon, the rumble of the Polaris cuts through my thoughts. My chest tightens as I spot it coming up the drive. Dropping my tools, I make my way down from the roof, wiping my hands on my jeans and trying to look casual.
Eliza steps out, her posture showing the burden of the day, but her eyes tell a different story. There’s a light there—a quiet flicker of triumph that sends a wave of relief and pride through me.
“How did it go?” I ask, barely concealing the anxiety in my voice.
A slow, genuine expression of relief spreads across her face. “I think ... I think it went well,” she says. “I won't know for sure for several days, but ... I feel confident about it.”
The relief that washes over me is almost physical. Without a thought, I sweep her up into a tight hug. “I knew you could do it,” I say.
As we pull apart, I notice Kane watching us, but for once, I don't care what her brothers think. Eliza's done what she set out to do, and I couldn't be prouder.
“Matt,” Eliza says, her voice soft but determined. “Can we talk? There's something I want to tell you.”
“Of course.” My heart races. “Do you want to take a walk?”
She agrees, and we head toward the creek, leaving Kane behind. The sound of rushing water fills the air, a soothing counterpoint to the tension I feel.
We stop at a fallen log, sitting side by side. Neither of us speaks. Then Eliza turns to me, her blue eyes serious.
“Matt, these days with you, they've changed everything for me. And I don't only mean the avalanche and the repairs. I mean you.”
I lean forward, pulse quickening. “Eliza, I—”
She holds up a hand, silencing me. “Please, let me finish. I know you came here to heal, to figure things out. And I know your stay was supposed to be temporary. But I can't ignore what I'm feeling anymore.”
She pauses, and I can see the vulnerability in her eyes. “I care about you, Matt. More than I've cared about anyone in a long time. And I think ... I think you might feel the same way.”
I'm speechless. Everything I've been feeling, everything I've been too afraid to say, she's laid it all out there.