Chapter 4
FOUR
WEST
I’d learned long ago that one downfall to growing up in a small town and now living up on the mountain above it wasn’t what most folks thought it would be. Not spotty cell service, or having to drive long distances to larger retailers, or even road closures because of heavy snowfall. Nope. It was because at least someone you knew, knew someone you didn’t know, or were related to someone you knew but didn’t know they were related, which made the chances that your personal business wouldn’t remain personal for long way above the national average.
It was enough to give a man a migraine and heart burn all at the same time.
I’d just learned Lauren Davis was Beckett Rivera’s stepdaughter. The ranger I’d looked up to most during my second tour overseas had moved to the Pineville area after retirement, bought a cabin right here on the mountain a few miles below the lodge, and married a woman with grown daughters. Lauren and her fraternal twin, Dylan.
It didn’t matter that Beck didn’t have a hand in raising them. Family was family. And I was lusting after a member of his family. We’d seen each other from time to time when we passed on the road, or when his wife Taya had still worked at O’Malley’s Pub. I’d go in with the guys for a meal and a beer while we rehabbed the lodge I’d inherited from my late uncle.
Beck and I would shoot the shit while avoiding any in-depth talk about what we’d gone through when we’d served. He seemed to have come out of it better than most, settling down with his wife and discovering he had a half-brother he never knew about living in Pineville.
So as chill as he seemed to now be, would he care if I dated his stepdaughter? It shouldn’t matter, but it did. But I didn’t have time to track him down and have a heart to heart. I should figure out first if she returned my interest. Plus, there was an age difference there I should figure out before I made any moves.
Part of me said hell with it. Her age or mine didn’t matter. Or it shouldn’t. But it did.
“What’s got your thong all hiked up?” Lars lumbered in; his tree trunk sized legs covered in sawdust along with his ever-growing beard. It seemed as if he tracked in more dust than he created while finishing the framing of the barn/utility vehicle garage that would eventually house more than just our off-road vehicles. The plan was to have a couple of horses on site for therapy rides before fall.
“Maybe if you swept up after yourself once in a while, you wouldn’t have to hear me complaining. And when are you going to start interviewing? We need someone to run housekeeping for us before we open. Ridge found the caterer and I’m working with a local psychologist. She’s married to Ridge’s cousin, and she’s going to see if her new partner could handle therapy sessions for us.”
I knew better than to rile Lars, much. Out of the three of us, he was the most closed off. But to be fair, he’d finished the laundry room ahead of schedule. It was just his bad timing. He came the closest target for my self-induced frustration over my Lauren problem.
“Got it handled. I set up an account on one of those job seeker websites, apps, whatever they’re called. Just waiting for the right candidate to apply.” Lars stopped behind me and peered over my shoulder. “Who’s that? Didn’t you just say Ridge found a caterer?”
I’d left the Full Plate Catering website open on the laptop we’d positioned at the welcome desk set up in the foyer that led into the great room. I’d clicked on Lauren’s photo, making it larger on screen. Shit . Hadn’t expected him to take any interest in what I was doing. Slamming it shut, I instantly regretted it. Now he had more fuel to mess with me.
“No one. Uh, just something I’m working on as I finish up our website before launch next week.”
“Huh. Seemed like you were stalking someone to me. A very pretty someone. What’s her name?” Lars wasn’t going to leave until I caved with the information or punched him.
“Don’t you have another tree you need to chop down?” Why I felt I needed to hide my interest in Lauren, I didn’t know. I just met her yesterday so until I could see her again, acting like a lovesick schoolboy was keeping me from our very long punch list to finish before we opened in the next seventy-five and counting days.
Lars grunted, then flipped me the bird and left. Muttering under his breath as he stomped toward the back door that led out onto the large deck he’d finished last month. Hmm, guess he wasn’t the only one who needed to let off some steam. It’d been quite some time since any of us had been with a woman. Guess we all figured there’d be time for that after we got the Triple R up and running.
I stopped in front of the double set of sliding doors, peering out over the forest and lake you could just make out over the treetops. The space had really come together better than planned. Not only was the view spectacular, but the deck invited anyone to stay as long as needed. We’d set up a fire pit, outdoor couches and chairs and even added a bunch of tiki torches for ambiance. My sister Kiersten suggested them, and she was right. At night, they made it even more welcoming of a space for relaxation.
Along with her husband, Jack, a doctor at Harmony Hospital, they’d been a big part of our support system. They helped whenever they could, but she hadn’t been out recently since they added a third son to their growing family. Wondering if Kiersten knew Lauren, I made a mental note to text her later.
Time to get back at it. All this wool gathering, as my grandmother called it, only made me want to drive into Pineville and track Lauren down. Turning on my heel, I went back to the laptop to answer emails from some of our major donors. I’d been putting off sending out status updates with how their money was being put to good use and now was as good as time as any to knock those out.
When Ridge, Lars, and I began conspiring about this project, we’d surveyed our former unit members first. The response had been overwhelmingly positive. The need, they assured us, was great. Plus, our contacts in the Pineville community and beyond had affirmed our low-key, no pressure, person-centered facility founded and run by veterans was just what had been missing in our area.
Those who sought us out wouldn’t care about all the minor crap that needed to be finished before we could take in the first guest. However, the state and local inspectors cared so until we had all our major ducks in a row, like food, safe, clean overnight accommodations, and the cornerstone of the Triple R, counseling, getting the final license for occupancy was crucial to our timeline.
After that was accomplished, we’d focus on the second phase of offering outdoor activities like horseback riding, fishing and rock climbing, which we all had either expertise in or accreditation with. Then we’d add skills training sometime during our second year.
We didn’t want to become so big we needed to hire more people since none of us would take a salary. Donations and grants would fund everything we wanted to accomplish.
So, the last thing I should be doing is thinking with my dick, but unbelievably my heart had become invested as well. I just had to deal with the wait. Something we’d all earned a master's degree in while on active duty.
Unfortunately, when I heard voices filtering in from outside, one was Ridge’s the other female, my good intentions to tackle today’s priorities went out the window.
Walking out to the front porch, I met them just as they rounded the walkway from the front drive.
Lust and jealously seized me. Lauren was back. And she was laughing at something Ridge had said. I flexed my fingers and tried to release the tension that had overtaken me from seeing her with another man and stepped down to welcome her.
“Hey. Looks like you recovered your food.” I pointed to the basket Lauren was carrying, but what I was really looking at was her flushed face, dark wavy hair as the breeze lifted it off her shoulders, and her full, rosy lips. Lips that had been smiling over something Ridge had said.
Jealousy took a second swipe at my gut. The punch of emotion was so unexpected I didn’t know how to act beyond remaining silent. I was fucking pouting because my buddy had been on the receiving end of Lauren’s beautiful smile. I wanted all of her smiles.
“Hi. Uh, no. That food was spoiled by the time the towing company delivered the van to the repair shop. I made up some fresh samples for you all to try. I couldn’t let Ridge give us the contract without tasting anything.”
“You didn’t have to do that, but I’m glad you’re here.” Waving her inside, I waited for her to pass me, and damn if I didn’t take a deep inhale as she did. Ridge caught the move and smothered a chuckle as he wiggled his damn eyebrows. Before he could follow Lauren, I cut him off and moved behind her. “The dining area is to the right.”
We both watched as she took out container after container of food. The space filling with the delicious scent of roast beef and something sweet. Almost as delicious as her. I’d noticed today she had worn closed toed shoes. Smart considering the weather was still overcast, but the severe rainstorms had thankfully passed.
Her outfit today, a white long-sleeved button down and dark blue slacks, shouldn’t be sexy as hell, but the form hugging material showed off her curves and I couldn’t stop staring. The reminder of how she’d been pressed up close to me yesterday as I’d warmed her up now made my hands itch to touch her again. Did she have any idea how much she tempted me?
Ridge made groaning noises over the food she placed on the table and I wanted to punch him. He knew without me saying a word that I was into Lauren, but he was having fun at my expense, dammit. Get a grip Stafford. There was no way either of us would allow a woman to come between us, but getting my heart and my once again raging erection to accept that was becoming more difficult by the minute.
“Uh, is everything okay? I know I should have called first, but I thought you’d both be here, you know, working, so I took a chance.” Lauren’s gaze flicked from Ridge to me, worry lining her features. Damn, she’d picked up on my aggressive thoughts. Not the impression I wanted to give.
“No. This is great. Please go ahead.” How I sounded half-way unaffected by her presence was a fricking miracle. Sure, there were a ton of things I could be doing, and this was Ridge’s responsibility, but nothing was more important than spending more time with her.
“Yeah, I skipped lunch, so perfect timing.” Ridge happily continued digging into the various dishes and, thankfully, stopped smiling at Lauren.
Light had filtered in through the window, the setting sun’s rays bathing Lauren in a soft glow and damn, words failed me and all I could do was nod my head in agreement. Jesus, she was so fucking beautiful.
Her smile returned, and this time it was all mine. For the next half hour or so the three of us sat at the large table discussing the ins and outs of delivery, ordering and billing for the food Lauren and her mom, Taya and staff would provide once we officially opened. Sure, technically Ridge was in charge of the food for the lodge, but was I going to leave him alone with Lauren? Never. Or at least until I figured out what was going on between Lauren and me.
Because, oh yeah, she was into me. Her brief glances toward me when she didn’t think I was looking had been a revelation. The slight flushing on her cheeks and neck when I caught her gaze and held it, allowing all my inner desires for her to be on full display, made sitting still nearly impossible.
Ridge and Lauren both chuckled, and I realized I’d become lost in thought over her once again.
“Alright, then it’s settled. Send me the contract and I’ll get it signed. We’re really looking forward to working with Full Plate Catering, Lauren. And thanks again for the extra effort today.” Ridge took Lauren’s hand in his and I almost came out of my seat.
What the hell? They both looked at me and for a moment, I thought I’d spoken out loud. But then I realized I’d growled, actually fucking growled. Ridge’s eyes were full of humor. And Lauren’s? Hers were wide and full of dare I hope excitement.
Guess there was only one way to find out.