CHAPTER 5 #4
“Well,” Riggs says to his sister, “you can murder us later, but right now, we’re at this ski resort and we have no money, not even our wallets, and no phone. What do you want us to do?”
There’s an awkward pause, then in a more subdued tone, she says, “Okay, go to the resort. I’ll book your accommodations and set it up so everything is charged to your rooms. I’ll wire some money.
But don’t you fucking go anywhere. I’ll make some calls and see if I can salvage this mess.
I have an idea, and if it works, you two owe me big time.
” Suddenly, her voice lowers and goes icy cold.
“And I’m talking real big. Do you understand? ”
I can almost hear the theme music to The Godfather playing in the background. Pretty sure this woman is my new hero.
“Yes,” both men answer sheepishly.
“Thanks, sis, you’re the best,” Ash adds nervously in a kiss-ass sort of way.
These two giant men are clearly terrified of her. That’s so interesting, and I can’t help wishing Josh and Keegan respected me like that.
Riggs hangs up and hands the phone back to Randy.
Ash’s shoulders relax as he turns his attention to us. “A ski resort, you say? The kind with bourbon?”
Never one to miss an opportunity, Rhonda perks up and holds out her hand. “Oh, honey, let’s get you cleaned up first, then I’ll show you around.”
A mischievous smile spreads across Ash’s face as he extends his arm. “I like the sound of that, pretty lady. What did you say your name was?”
Rhonda’s cheeks flush at the “pretty lady” comment, but that doesn’t stop her from wrapping her arm around his.
“I’m Rhonda. So, you’re a bourbon man?” She makes a very calculated move that brushes her chest against his massive forearm.
Damn, she’s good. Then, looking up through her eyelashes, she playfully says, “I like bourbon. Hope you’re not a lightweight.
” Her lips go pouty as she drops her voice to a sultry tone.
“Because it would be so disappointing if you couldn’t keep up. ”
Clearly taken aback, Ash stops and eyes her for a moment. Then that melt-your-heart smile appears again. “Rhonda, darling, where have you been all my life?”
Her gaze gets lost in his panty-dropping eyes, rendering her speechless. Yeah… I get it. I’m kind of doing the same with his brother.
“You know what?” he adds slinging an army-green canvas courier bag over his shoulder. “You’re right. I’m a dirty boy. Let’s get me cleaned up.” He tilts his head toward the sky and shouts, “Then let the fun begin!”
Randy’s phone rings. He answers, then turns to Riggs. “It’s your—”
“I know who it is.” He takes the phone. “What’s going on?”
He listens with the occasional “uh-huh,” then says, “I’ll get right on it.” He ends the call, hands the phone to Randy, then turns to Ash. “She wants us to—”
“Don’t wanna know and don’t care. Whatever it is, it can wait until we’ve had showers and something to eat.”
Riggs sighs. “Figured as much. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it and meet you at the lodge later. Shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours.”
Ash turns to Rhonda, lets his eyes drop down to her backside in the cockiest, albeit sexiest way, then directs his gaze back at Riggs. “Your choice, big brother. But I’m sure whatever it is, it can wait.”
Riggs shakes his head like he didn’t expect any different from Ash. “You know me.”
“I do,” Ash says over his shoulder. He’s already walking away, following the trail we made in the snow.
Rhonda is at his side with her arm still wrapped around his.
“Have fun,” he calls back, clearly not fazed that his brother is staying behind to do whatever it is they’re supposed to be doing together.
Randy, Glen, and Damon turn towards Ash, then back to Riggs, then to Ash again like they’re not sure if they want to stay or go. Meanwhile, Rhonda is putting a little extra sway in her hips and looking sexy as hell doing her boom-chicka-boom walk. I’m sure Ash notices. He is a man, after all.
Glen glances down at his wet trunks and cowboy boots just now realizing how redneck all three of them look. “Wow, you’d think we’d have mullets looking like this.”
Randy and Damon nod in agreement. Suddenly, it’s an easy choice. They turn and follow Ash to the lodge.
This whole thing is as interesting as it is puzzling. I turn to Riggs. “What do you have to do that’s so important?”
Picking up his backpack, he exhales a deep sigh.
“A film crew is on their way. I’m not sure when they’ll get here, but I need to set up our usual camp, which means making some chairs, a table, and building a shelter with a couple of beds.
It shouldn’t take long, and I don’t want to come back out here, so might as well get it done now. ”
“A film crew? Wait, you’re going to do all that in a couple of hours?”
“I’ve had a lot of practice.”
“Do you want some help?” This just got a whole lot more interesting, and honestly, it sounds kind of amazing.
I love outdoor stuff, and this isn’t your typical pitch-a-tent-next-to-the-car-in-a-campground kind of thing.
Besides, I want to know what the film crew is about.
I want to know who they are and why they’re famous.
How have I not heard of them? They can’t be actors.
I would have recognized them. But what then?
They’re out here without phones and obviously lost, then one call to their sister, and suddenly they’re making some kind of movie? Yeah, color me intrigued.