Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
H unter
Before climbing from my truck, I opened the console in between the front seats. I’d placed my Glock inside, loading it with a new magazine. Before leaving my parents’ place, my brothers had encouraged me to always keep a weapon with me. The permit I carried was legit, although if anyone tried to determine where I’d purchased it, they’d come up empty handed.
I was a ghost, a man without a background. Yes, I had a new one that was still considered viable, but I’d switched to my real name once I’d made the decision to move to the small town.
After shoving the gun into my jacket, I finally climbed out. The hotel was busy as usual, the upcoming snow the weather service insisted was on its way bringing out more tourists than a typical February.
At least the freaking holiday was over.
I headed toward the building, taking a glance at the mountains and wondering if I’d ever call this place home. It seemed farfetched to me unless I had a real reason to stay.
Once inside, I debated going straight to my office. The dinner was something my parents would be looking forward to, which meant Esme was the key. I walked toward the main kitchen facilities, all of them interconnected throughout the resort.
I found Esme inside her office, scratching down notes as I’d seen her do. On purple paper. Everything about the woman could make me smile. Watching her had suddenly become a pastime. However, I didn’t get away with it for very long. Her body tensed and she didn’t bother looking up at me before addressing my stalker-like presence.
“Is there something I can do for you, boss ?” Why did she just accentuate the word?
“Can I come into your office so we can talk?”
Now she lifted her head, her eyes darting back and forth. “Is something wrong?”
“Does anything need to be wrong?”
“Usually when you take someone into your office or take over theirs, it’s because they’re in trouble.”
“I don’t do that.”
She issued a slow and easy grin. “Yes, you do.”
“Well, shit. I guess I’ll need to change my method of operation then.” I walked in, closing the door behind me. When I sat down, she leaned over the edge of her small desk.
She remained quiet, but was still tense around me. I guess I really was a bear to work for.
“I need a favor.”
Her ears perked up. “O-kay. What kind of favor?”
“I’d like for you to make a special dinner for my parents. And for the family. At their house. My father has just arrived back in town and I think, well, my brothers and I think a dinner would be nice.” I sounded like an idiot.
She didn’t react at first, finally laughing. “You and your brothers want to do a big family dinner?”
“Yes.” Why did she have the innate ability to make me feel so uncomfortable? “Why do you say it like that?”
“Because from what I’ve heard, the three of you only tenuously get along. That’s why.”
Snorting, I sat back in my seat. “True, but it’s a special occasion. I’m sure we can spend an evening without killing each other.”
The woman was assessing what I was telling her. I should be incensed, but it was just another part of her personality. She tore the sheet off her pad and picked up her pen. “I’ll do it if you grant my wish.”
“What wish is that?” My mind was actively heading to some very filthy places.
“Teach me how to shoot.”
Well, hell. I hadn’t thought the conversation would come up again so quickly. “If you tell me why.”
“Nope. One favor for another. What’s it going to be?”
The last thing I wanted to do was to place her in any kind of danger. Not that she would abuse using a weapon, but when some people felt confident they could hit a target, it made them feel invincible. I could tell by the scrunched-up look on her face that she wasn’t going to budge.
“Fine. But you follow my rules to the letter. If you don’t…”
“Hmmm… Are you threatening me, boss?”
“No, I’m telling you how it is,” I stated, although my tone seemed like I was snapping at her. “I don’t want you hurt.”
“Relax. I’m not an idiot,” she insisted.
“I never said you were.” The opposite was the truth. She was far too intelligent for her own damn good. “Fine. As long as you obey me, I’ll do it. We’ll go tomorrow for your first lesson.”
She lifted her head and nodded. I could sense a hint of fear. Maybe that was good. She did need to respect the weapon and the responsibility of using it.
“Fine. Agreed.” She held out her hand for a handshake. I accepted and cringed when the same jolts of current hit me hard. This time, I couldn’t tell if she was affected or not. “What kind of food?” She was ready to write everything down. All business.
I breathed a sigh of relief that she was willing to help, praying to God I hadn’t just put her in some crazy kind of danger. “A pasta dish of some kind. Bread. I don’t know. Whatever you come up with.”
“No meat and potatoes?”
“Um, no.”
Every time she looked me directly in the eyes, she had a question in hers. “Okay. I have a few delicious recipes. When are you thinking?”
“Maybe in a week. I’ll talk to Mom again about their calendar.”
“Okay. What’s the celebration?”
How the hell was I supposed to answer that? Dad didn’t really want anyone to know about his condition. “A celebration of life.”
Esme started to say something, but stopped herself. “No problem. Is there a dining room?”
“Yes, Pops’ house is huge. Plenty of room.”
“Good. Then I can have one of the waitstaff help with decorating it.”
“Nothing too fancy.”
“Don’t worry, Hunter. Just trust me.”
I leaned forward, placing my arms on her desk. The surface was small enough our elbows were touching. “I do trust you. More than you know.”
At least my comment brought an entirely different aspect of light to her silver-gray eyes. They were almost luminescent. Sitting in a chair in front of my employee with a hard-on was a huge red flag in the rule books. Not that I followed rules. However, I couldn’t help myself. Even her light perfume was driving me crazy today.
“I’m curious about something.”
Her nose was pinched as she looked at me. “You’re full of questions today. Go for it.”
“How do you know Italian?”
She laughed. “Really?”
“Really.”
“I did a semester in Milan. Being there with the culture, the people, and the food was the best time in my life. I think that’s the moment I knew I wanted to become a chef. Where did you learn Italian? You don’t look like you have it in your blood.”
I contemplated giving her a fake answer. Why bother? “Let’s just say in my line of work different languages were necessary.”
“Okay then. I won’t pry. Back to the dinner. I assume Bella and Denise are invited.”
“Yes.”
“Anyone else?” She wasn’t looking at me.
“No. That’s it.”
The air was suddenly ice cold.
Call me fucking dense as shit. I knew it. She knew it. The entire fucking world knew I shouldn’t be around any other human beings. The instant look of hurt on her face cut through me. Not with a knife, but with a machete. “But of course you’re going to join us after preparing dinner.”
“I don’t think so. It’s best if I didn’t.” She still wasn’t looking at me.
Fuck.
“Why? I’d like to have you there.”
“I don’t like eating the food I make. Okay? Now, I have a couple things to do. When you finalize the date, just let me know.” Esme smiled, but it was as plastic as any container in the walk-in.
That was my cue to leave. So I did.
Of all the times in my life I’d taken control of a situation, knowing exactly how to handle any and all difficulties, I’d fucked up the one thing that was very personal.
As soon as I walked out of her office, she closed the door behind me.
“Shit.” What now?
Esme
Why was I attracted to a man who obviously wanted nothing to do with me?
I’d told myself that Hunter was just a man and they were a dime a dozen. However, he wasn’t just any man. He was larger than life, his gruff personality a clear reflection of his stunning, rough exterior.
He was lethal and predatory, every muscle carved out of stone. He had a way of presenting himself that exuded dominance while being able to hold himself still as he observed all those around him. Within two seconds, he sized up his opponents, calculating what it would take to drive them into extinction.
Yes, I’d captured that from the first moment we’d met. He’d brought me to silence that first day even though I’d had no clue who he was. He’d continued to do the same thing, sucking all the oxygen out of whatever room he was standing in. With every thought I allowed myself to indulge in, my pulse quickened and my toes curled.
Hating him wasn’t an option, but I was damn well going to try.
Poppy’s Diner was packed as usual. I’d grown to love the place as much as everyone else in town. I usually enjoyed just meeting with Bella for a quick bite. Today, I needed someone to vent to.
I could see both Bella and Denise in a booth near the back of the diner. I kept my head down as I walked through, avoiding any eye contact. I wasn’t in the mood for small talk. As soon as I slid into a booth, I glared at both of them. “Men. I hate them. Every single one.” I was in such a sour mood I purposely raised my voice so other men inside the joint could hear me.
Bella chuckled and Denise continued to flip her engagement and wedding rings. It was annoying as hell, but I guess she deserved all the happiness and accolades for being able to put up with Shephard.
“Let me guess,” Bella spoke first. “Hunter,” they both said at the same time.
“How’d you know?” I jerked off my jacket, glaring from one to the other. I still could not believe what had occurred between us. At least I’d managed to avoid him the rest of the day. Not that he’d tried to talk to me.
Oh, no.
Bastard.
“What did he do?” Denise asked.
“I guess his dad and mom are back in town. Hunter asked me to make a special dinner at their house for all of you guys. Guess who he didn’t invite?”
Bella leaned forward, her mouth dropping open. “He did not do that!”
“Yes, he did. He tried to backpedal like the dick he is, but I don’t care what he would have said at that point. I should tell him no on dinner.”
Denise wrinkled her nose and purposely looked out the window.
“What? You know about this?” Boy, I was a demanding bitch today.
She shrugged.
“Go on and tell her,” Bella encouraged.
“It’s a sworn secret.”
I didn’t like Denise’s answer, but I wanted to respect that. I failed as it seemed I had at everything else around Hunter. “Tell me.”
“Yeah, tell her. She’s practically family.” Bella winked.
“Not true, but…”
Denise sighed and leaned further over the table. “You can’t say anything to anyone. I mean to anyone. Promise.”
“Fine. I promise.” I had my fingers crossed under the table.
She looked behind her to make certain no one was paying attention. “His father came home to die.”
Before I could say anything or react in any way, Poppy dropped by the table. “Diet soda? Right?”
“That’s great, Poppy. Thank you,” I told her. The other two already had soft drinks in front of them.
“You guys ready to order?”
Bella shook her head, her expression filled with pain. “Just give us a couple minutes.”
“Sure thing, sugar. And as far as what’s wrong with men? Everything. But imagine a world without them. Want my advice? Keep the house in your name always. Take the good with bad. You can always toss them out on their asses if they act like dickheads. That’s what I did.”
Poppy was always amusing, her keen wit keeping everyone laughing, but I sensed she had a back story like everyone else in life. Romance wasn’t dead, but it wasn’t tops on my list right now.
“I’ll heed that advice,” I told her.
“Be back in a few.” Poppy immediately started barking at one of her regulars. At least she knew how to handle men. I sucked at it.
“You’re serious about their dad?” I couldn’t believe it.
“Sadly, yes. Cancer. I don’t think he has long. Shephard is pretty broken up about it.”
“You might want to give Hunter a break. They don’t act emotional, but trust me, girl. They’ve been holding all the bad things they went through inside for so long, they don’t know how to express their feelings very well.” Bella squeezed my hand.
“Why is that?” The girls didn’t act like they wanted to tell me anything.
Bella sat back in the seat. “I’m not going to betray Jagger’s confidence, but if what Hunter experienced was anything like Jagger’s terrible time both in the military and afterwards, then he’s a little broken inside. Healing takes time. Jagger finally went to see a specialist.”
My God. I hadn’t realized what he’d endured had been so horrific. “I’m sorry for both of you.”
“We try and allow our men time and space. Hunter needs to tell you what he went through if and when he’s ready.” Denise smiled. “While all three are a little rough around the edges, waiting patiently for them to work through their demons is well worth the time.”
“And the effort,” Bella added.
“I admire both of you. I don’t know if I have it in me.” I was telling the truth. Then again, I had my share of demons that prevented me from getting close to anyone.
“Do you like him?” The way Bella could prompt me was based in science. I was positive of it.
Poppy was back in a flash, placing the glass and a straw down in front of me. I waited until she’d walked away to open my mouth.
“Of course I like him. There are hours, days I don’t know exactly why.”
Denise made a face and I knew what she was thinking.
I threw out my hand, pointing my index finger at my best friend. “You told her.”
“No secrets between us girls.” Bella batted her eyelashes like she was innocent in all of this.
At least I was laughing, even though the way Hunter had handled the favor had really hurt. For once I’d felt like I belonged in Danger Falls. Maybe I would always be an outsider.
My facial expression must have changed because Bella was now pouting her lips. “Don’t do this to yourself. You’re both stubborn and set in your ways. I think you both have reasons to feel that way. Why don’t you just talk? You know, talk like two people who just might end up really caring about each other?”
“Easier said than done,” I quipped. “Talk is highly overrated.”
“No, it’s not.” Denise was being so serious, I had to take a moment to think about her answer and all they’d told me.
Maybe it was time to extend a permanent olive branch. I could do that. I was a big girl.
“I hear both of you. I’ll make dinner and I hope you both have a wonderful time. Family is very important.” Whether or not Bella had told Denise about my family, I couldn’t tell, but hearing about Mr. Fox had driven me back to the long, dark night and so many others that had befallen me after the horrific events.
I’d been so lonely, trying my best to fill my time with work and reading books that I’d forgotten I needed to move on. To live again instead of shutting myself off inside a shell.
“Don’t worry, girl. Trust Hunter. He’s a good guy.” Bella gave me a knowing look. We’d been through thick and thin for each other. Providing hugs and wiping away tears. Laughing while drinking wine. Talking about anything and everything just to feel normal.
“I know.” He was. I felt it in my soul like I had with the soaring electricity. I missed having him close. I longed to hear his voice and not just at work.
As I sat back with a heavy sigh, the three other huge gossipers in town happened to close in on our table. I adored Jenny, Lois, and Camilla, but when they overheard anything juicy, the town knew it within minutes.
Lois leaned over, giving me the kind of look that screamed I was an idiot. Dressed in all hot pink today, she’d even added a touch to her normally blondish gray hair. “Honey. If you don’t want that hunk of a man, I’ll take him. I’ll give him a run for his money and then some. Hot. Hot. Hot.”
“Whew, baby,” the other two said as if they were a singing trio. They walked away and it was all I could do to keep from laughing before they were out of hearing distance.
“I like those women,” I told them and we continued laughing.
But I knew something I liked even better.
Hunter.
My own personal mountain man.