Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
“Ithought you could leave your vehicle parked here, and we could take my truck? It’s only a short distance, but with the snow and all…” Normally, I either ride over on horseback or walk during warmer months. But both of those options are out of the question where our situation is concerned.
This girl doesn’t need to be trekking through three feet of snow just to get to her cabin.
“Sure. That makes sense.” Mia’s eyes flicker over me and then toward the front door. “One vehicle for the two of us makes sense.” Her words are a little soft, distracted almost as she repeats herself.
“I wouldn’t be making a very good first impression as the boyfriend if I didn’t let you play passenger princess. You’d be wanting to read a book while we drove here to Mistwood Falls, wouldn’t you? Since I’m the type of boyfriend who would come and pick his girl up for the holidays.”
That makes her look back at me, with a hesitant smile and a soft laugh of agreement, she seems to shake off whatever was bothering her. “Oh, so you’re a details and planning kind of cowboy. That is a nice touch. Very thoughtful.”
“Especially since we’ve had a lengthy trip.” I hesitate to press too forcefully, not wanting to come across like I’m angling for the full map and street number of where she lives, or where she’s from. That might be coming on a little too strong.
“We have. I mean, it took us three hours to get here.” Her lips roll together, as if she’s thinking about elaborating on that detail, but decides against it. “That’s some quality reading time for a bookworm.”
Am I a terrible person for already mentally calculating all the locations in Montana within a three-hour radius of Mistwood Falls?
“More than enough time to enjoy your favorite monsters.” I tease her gently, and she flushes, dropping her eyes before peeking back up at me again.
“Give me a minute to go grab some things out of my car?”
“Sure. I need to make a quick phone call.” I dip my chin. “The truck’s unlocked. Keys are in the ignition, if you decide you’d rather steal it and escape. Throw her in four-wheel-drive, and those snow tires will get you just about any place you want to go out here.”
That makes her laugh more confidently now. The nervousness from before ebbs a little as her shoulders drop away from her ears.
God, she looks even more stunning when she laughs.
“I wasn’t planning on grand theft auto for Christmas. But now that you mention it, I’ll keep that in mind if this whole hare-brained scheme of yours crashes and burns around my ears.”
She gives me a look from behind a curtain of those thick, dark eyelashes. One that silently asks if I’m going to hold up my end of the bargain. One that thinly veils a glimpse of worry, a flicker of embedded distrust, as if I’m going to throw her to the wolves at the first opportunity.
I hate that she’s so young and yet so wary of putting her faith in someone, as if she’s never had anyone take care of her properly before. No doubt all thanks to the likes of that dipshit ex.
Mia heads outside, and I quickly pull my phone out of my back pocket. It only needs to ring twice before the call connects.
“I didn’t do it. Whatever it is, I didn’t do it.” A mischievous chuckle rumbles down the line.
“Knowing you, I can guarantee you’re lying out your ass.
” Exhaling and taking a glance around the kitchen, I’m trying to look at everything through fresh eyes.
Is the place a complete mess? I scratch at my stubble.
Crap. Should I have shaved? Maybe. But I didn’t exactly have time, and Mia didn’t seem to be scared off by my lack of interest in a razor.
“Is this some new game of telephone tag? Or are you having an aneurysm? Gonna breathe heavily down the phone until I read your tea leaves for you, or what?” His lazy drawl drags my focus back to the point of this conversation.
“Listen, it’s a long story, but I’m gonna turn up in about five minutes...” Swallowing, I pick my words carefully. Ford Tanner is going to be a pain in my ass when he figures out what’s going on. “I’m sort of unexpectedly going to be hanging out with one of the guests.”
He goes quiet on the other end of the call. “Like, as a tour guide? You hate taking the groups out for their activities and shit?”
“No… not as a guide.”
“You’re gonna be hanging out with one of the guests?”
Jesus Christ. My jaw pulses. “That’s what I said. Did you hit your head while you were out with the horses earlier?”
“You know, you and your brother are far too similar for your own good.” He clicks his tongue at me. “Boone doesn’t think he’ll make it back until closer to New Year’s Eve. His flight got grounded by snow after all, by the way.”
Well, that’s probably for the best. My brother would absolutely take the first chance to make my life hell if he caught wind of this plan.
“We’ll be there soon.”
“Ohhh. We?” He pauses. “I’m taking it you don’t mean Henri. Don’t you swoop in fast on fresh meat for an old dog.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Sure it isn’t. Found yourself a pretty little smoke show, huh?”
I blow out a heavy breath. Ford will take one look at the two of us and be quick to ask questions, because he might be my brother’s best friend and practically family, but he is a nosey prick.
“Extremely. And you won’t have eyeballs if you or any of the other ranch hand fuck faces look twice at her. ”
“Wow. You’re balls deep already, ain’t cha?” He snorts.
Why does everyone keep saying that? “I’m doing her a favor, that’s all.”
“Yeah… riiiiight… what does Henri think?”
“None of your business.”
Tanner whistles. “Did he meet her yet?”
My teeth are gritted as I reply. “Yes.” And of course, it was obvious she had stars in her eyes as soon as he strolled out of his workshop. Which is good, all things considered, but I know he’s going to use that to his own advantage. Forever the troublemaker.
“Oh, shit. You’re in danger then. He’s much hotter than you. I always told you that you were punching above your weight with him.”
“I won’t hesitate to kick your ass.”
“What? You know I’m right. He’s a ten. Those tattoos? The porn stache? The French accent? Don’t get me started on the whole former pro rugby player thing. Chicks dig a retired athlete.”
I pinch my brow. “Are you done jerking off to the sound of your own voice?”
“Aw, listen to you all hot and bothered under the collar. She must be something special. What’s her name… I’ll check what cabin she’s been allocated.” He chuckles darkly.
“Mia… Rearrange things if you can. Put her furthest away from the rest of the guests. Number eighteen should do.”
“Nice and secluded. Right next to your place, so you can get up to no good at all hours of the night, and no one will hear the headboard banging with extra Christmas spirit. Gotcha.”
“It’s not like that.” But I have to admit there’s a depraved part of me already thinking that I do want it to be like that. So I’m lying through my teeth to both Ford and myself at this point.
Typing away on the keyboard keeps him occupied for a moment before he whistles. “Oh, you’re a naughty old man. Your girl is young.”
A groan escapes me. Fuck. He’ll have her personal details right there on file.
“Does she know you’re the crypt keeper compared to her?”
“Like you can talk. You’re inching closer to forty these days, prick.” With a pause, I sink my fingers into my hair and pace toward the kitchen, keeping one eye on the front door in case Mia suddenly reappears. “How bad is it?” Squeezing my eyes shut, I prepare for Ford to drop the bomb.
The way he snorts tells me everything. “You were sneaking beers in the hay loft for your eighteenth when she was born.”
“Fuck me.” I have to thump my fist against my chest as I sputter.
“Yeahhhh… don’t do the math. You’ll probably burst a valve.” His mirth is entirely unrestrained. “But if you do wanna do the math, she’s twenty-four. So you don’t have to worry about checking her ID before offering a drink. Or your dick.”
“Screw you.”
“Mmm, I’ll pass. Out of the two of you, your brother’s more my flavor of grumpy bastard. So what’s the deal?”
“We ran into each other in town, and she could use a friend while she’s staying. I promised I’d do her a favor for a couple of days over Christmas.”
“A friend, huh.” The words drawl out. “I bet you’re thinking extremely unfriendly thoughts about a pretty young thing. Sounds like you’ve got yourself tangled up tighter than a calf at a rodeo.”
“Don’t you go concerning yourself with my life.”
“Love it when you try to keep secrets from me, precious. It’s cute you still think you can. I’ll get it out of you.”
Just at that moment, Mia lets herself back inside. “I gotta go. Just do your job.” I hiss into the speaker, and as I pull the phone away from my ear, I hear his laughter pealing down the line.
“Got it, boss.”
“You’re still here.” I flash her a smile. Fuck. Twenty-four. Twenty. Four.
“Apparently so.” Mia’s teeth catch that plump bottom lip I’ve struggled not to stare at during all our interactions so far. “Stella was very convincing earlier.”
Yeah, the dog, and I’ll bet the handsome tattooed prince charming with his swoony fucking French accent had nothing to do with it.
“Would it be okay if I use your bathroom and get changed? Seeing as you’re putting me to shame right now.” She holds up a weekender bag and gestures up and down my frame.
“Of course. However, let the record state, you look beautiful as you are, sugar.” I clear my throat and point down the hall. “Third door on your right.”
She ducks her head as she goes past. Trying to hide that pretty blush once again. “You’re too good at this game.”
A game? Oh, I’m definitely in the mood to play along. However, I goddamn hate that she’s not used to receiving compliments.