Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Erin wasn’t surprised to see the paved parking lots packed since the Lyons children coming home to turn their parents’ farm into an adult-only ranch resort was the talk of the town.
And had been for the last eight months.
Erin tried to stay away from all the gossip and rumors. She managed to avoid Dylan and Dayne Lyons whenever they came into town.
But here she was anyway.
At the Double D Ranch’s open house.
Some folks were happy since this new endeavor created a whole lot of jobs for area residents. The Lyons family was also helping local businesses by using their services.
Some folks weren’t happy at all.
Not because the resort’s guests would pump more money into the community—something badly needed—but because there were rumors floating around on why the ranch resort was adults-only.
And to find out that reason was why almost everyone from town and the surrounding area were here being nosy.
Including her.
She came to see if some of the whispers she heard in passing were true.
Not because she wanted to see Dylan again.
Not because after running into him a few months ago, she hadn’t stopped thinking about him.
Not because the bitterness in his tone had made her heart ache.
To this day, she regretted hurting him even though that hadn’t been her intention. At the time, she thought they had both moved on.
He’d been in a rush to leave Fisher Falls, to go off to college, to make a life elsewhere. While she wanted to remain in the town where she grew up, surrounded by family and people she knew. This community was where she wanted to raise her children.
The children she never had. Kyle’s unexpected death changed her future’s trajectory.
She glanced around the property, at least what she could see of the three-hundred-acre resort. She didn’t even recognize it. The only thing remaining somewhat the same was the lake. But even that now had a small dock, as well as a few kayaks, canoes and paddleboats pulled up on shore. On the opposite side, she could see a half dozen brand-spanking new cabins.
Also facing the lake was a huge lodge made of logs, mountain stone and massive two-story high windows to give the guests a beautiful view of not only the lake but the surrounding mountains.
A small pop-up tent being used as an information booth caught her eye. As she approached, Erin was greeted with a huge smile. “Hi, Erin! Welcome to Double D Ranch! We have a pamphlet that includes a property map, the schedule of today’s events and demos, as well as a coupon for a free adult beverage.”
She accepted the pamphlet without a glance. “Hi, Cherise. I didn’t know you got a job here.”
“Today I’m the greeter but they hired me full-time as part of the cleaning staff. I’ll be cleaning the guest areas.”
“Like the cabins?”
“I think our team will be rotating between the lodge rooms, the cabins and cleaning the common areas.”
Erin gave the twenty-something single mother a smile. “I’m glad you finally found employment, Cher.”
“With benefits!” she chirped. “It’ll be a lifesaver for me and the kids.”
Erin flipped open the pamphlet. “What kind of demos are they doing?”
When she glanced up, she saw that Cherise’s cheeks were a bit pink when the girl whispered, “Not any of those.”
Not any of those?
“Only things like?—”
Erin read the list and read a couple of things off, “Horseshoeing. Cow milking...”
“They wanted the open house to…”
Erin didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable having to explain. “I understand.” She lifted the pamphlet. “Thanks for this.”
“Free refreshments are available in the lodge. They’re taking people out on ATV and trail rides. You’re welcome to take a kayak out on the lake, too. Feel free to look around. And don’t miss the big bonfire tonight! They’ll be having a band.”
She wouldn’t be doing any of that today. Most likely never.
“Nowhere is off-limits,” Cherise continued. “Except for the second floor of The Mane Event Hall. That’s currently closed.”
“What’s on the second floor?”
That pink in her cheeks turned bright red. “I… I’m not sure. It might still be under construction.”
That was funny. The last time she talked to Ford, he told her all the projects needed to be finished before the open house. He had even worked longer-than-normal hours seven days a week with a large crew to get everything done on time.
She had hardly seen him in town once Dylan hired him to head all of the construction. And the few times she did see him, he looked exhausted.
“Today’s open house is to get in good with the locals, I see,” Erin murmured.
“I haven’t heard too many complaints because a lot of residents are benefitting. Even the county government.”
“ Mmm hmm . Well, I guess I’ll wander around a little. This place sure has changed.”
Cherise’s smile widened. “It sure has. For the better.”
Erin would hold her opinion on that until she knew if it was true or not. She was sure, if the rumors were correct, that not all the town folks would be thrilled when they actually found out what kind of “resort” Double D Ranch was, at least, according to the rumors.
It might look family-friendly on the surface today, but there was a good reason why it was an adults-only resort.
She decided to head to the lodge first. From the outside it was gorgeous and fit into the landscape well. She couldn’t wait to see the inside.
On her trek to the lodge, she recognized just about everyone wandering around and exploring. She said endless hellos, waved to people she knew and kept a sharp eye out for Dylan or Dayne.
She planned on changing direction if she spotted either twin.
Instead, she ran into their mother, Evelyn.
“Erin! So good to see you,” she gushed, giving Erin a big hug.
Evelyn was one of the kindest women she knew. She never held it against Erin what happened between her and the woman’s son. Though, she wasn’t sure of how much Dylan told his mother.
“The lodge is gorgeous! And I didn’t even recognize this as your farm, Evelyn!”
“I know. Dylan had such a vision, and it turned out beautifully. He was lucky that Ford was available and able to gather a large enough crew to get it done in time.”
“Will you miss the dairy cows?”
Evelyn squeezed her arm. “I’m just thrilled the property is staying in the family. David would be so happy. He loved this land and his cows. I appreciated the land and loved their dad with all my heart and soul, but, truthfully, I did not love those damn fly-drawing, shit machines.”
Erin laughed. “I was never a big fan, either.” She tipped her head to the side and considered the older woman. “How do you feel about them turning this into an adults-only resort?”
She wondered if Evelyn knew the details yet.
“Honestly, I think it’s a hoot. If this is how the kids want to handle running the farm, then more power to them. I’ve never been a prude and what happens in someone’s bedroom is their business, not mine.”
“Do you think what happens here will be confined to the bedrooms?” she asked cautiously.
Evelyn shrugged. “Well, since you have to be over twenty-one to be a guest, my guess is, anything goes.”
Anything goes.
Dylan’s mother laughed. “When I was young, I actually considered running away and joining a nudist colony.”
Erin didn’t think a nudist colony was even close to what Dylan had planned for this property. Again, according to the rumors. But the more she heard, the more she had a feeling it was truth and not speculation.
Actually, it really surprised her Dylan was the one to come up with the idea. She would expect Dayne to be the instigator. He’d always been the wilder one of the two.
Of course, people tend to change after they’ve graduated high school or college and matured. But still…
This was not the direction she’d ever guess Dylan would head.
Evelyn clapped her hands sharply together once. “Well, I have to run. I hope to see you again soon, Erin. Don’t be a stranger!”
“Same, Evelyn.”
As his mother walked away, she tossed over her shoulder, “Make sure to check out the old farmhouse before you leave. I’m not sure you’ll recognize that, either!”
“Is it open to the public?”
“You’re not just anyone, Erin. I’ve always considered you family.”
She doubted Dylan and Dayne did. “I’ll check it out.” She probably wouldn’t. “Have a great day, Evelyn!”
Dylan’s mother waved a hand over her shoulder and kept moving.
The woman was in amazing shape for being in her early sixties. She was also in good spirits, even after losing the love of her life over a year ago.
Maybe it was true that time healed all wounds. She only wished it applied to Dylan, too. As well as herself.
She shook herself mentally. She needed to continue looking forward and not live in the past.
But one thing was for sure, if she and Dylan would once again be living in the same town, they needed to settle some things between them. This way, every time they ran into each other, it wouldn’t be uncomfortable for either of them.
They were immature kids back then. They were mature adults now. They needed to act like it.
She could if he could.
The second she stepped inside the lodge; she lost her breath. It was absolutely stunning. She was proud of Ford for taking Dylan’s vision and making it a reality.
The main area of the lodge—what she would consider the “lobby” if it had been a normal hotel—was full of people milling around, snacking on hors d’oeuvres, carrying around drinks—including champagne flutes—while chatting and laughing.
She spotted a high school friend standing at the back of the room near the impressive two-story stone fireplace. It was flanked by propped-open French doors since the day was beautiful.
They sure lucked out with the weather today.
As she headed in that direction to say hello, a man stepped in front of her and blocked her path.
“Hey,” came the deep greeting as she glanced up.
She smiled. “Hi, Ford.”
He grabbed her elbow, leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
Even such a simple show of affection from Ford made her heart flutter. The man was criminally handsome, and had a rocking hot body as well.
With one side of his mouth pulled up, he asked, “How have you been?”
“Surviving. I’m glad to see that you are, too,”—she swept a hand around—“after working your magic.”
“I appreciate the work the Lyons brothers threw my way.”
His head tipped down as hers tipped up to search his face. She cupped his bearded cheek. “You look exhausted.”
Ford pulled in a breath. “I am. I had a hard deadline, and I busted my ass to make it.”
“Well, you pulled it off. So, now what? Do you have another job lined up?”
“Now, I sleep for the next week.” He dragged the rough pad of his thumb over her lower lip. “Do you want to join me?”
“Sleeping? No. You snore.”
Ford chuckled. “I figured if I tired you out enough that you’d sleep right through the sound of a chainsaw.”
“You are always good at tiring me out, but no one can sleep through that, except you.”
He gripped her hips and pulled her tight against him in what appeared to others as a friendly “hug.” With heat filling his dark brown eyes, he dropped his voice an octave, as well as the volume. “It’s been a while.”
“It has.”
“Why?”
“Obviously, you’ve been a bit busy.”
“True. But I should never be so busy that I ignore you.”
“We have our own lives, Ford. You don’t owe me anything.”
One dark eyebrow cocked. “A few orgasms?”
“Those are great and all but not required for us to be friends.”
He jerked his chin into his neck. “Erin Hart, have you just friend-zoned me?”
She laughed softly. “I’d like to think we’ve always been friends.”
He squeezed her hips. “Normal friends don’t do what we do.”
He was right.
“Mr. Harris, are you getting hard right here and now?” she asked under her breath, so no one nearby heard her.
“I’m exhausted but not dead. Though, you could still give a dead man an erection.” He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. “Sorry.”
She placed a hand on his chest. “It’s been ten years, Ford. I think I can handle a joke, and I know you weren’t referring to Kyle.”
When he leaned in and pressed his warm lips to her forehead, his short, dark beard scratched her skin. It had been too long since she’d felt the same on her inner thighs.
Her pussy clenched with the memory of the last time they were together. Maybe she did need to do a sleepover with him again soon. She’d simply have to pack some ear plugs in her overnight bag.
Or leave before he fell asleep.
“Have you seen the rest of the property yet?” Ford asked.
“No, this is as far as I got.”
He released her and jutted out his elbow in invitation. “Well, let the guy who knows this place inside and out show you around.”
She placed her hand in the crook of his arm. “Do you happen to have access to the second floor of the event hall?”
He dug into his jeans and pulled out a set of what looked like shiny new keys. He held them up with a gleam in his eyes and a wicked smile. “I certainly do.”
“Then, I’d love a tour.”