This was all her fault. In the sudden change of plans, Charlotte hadn’t thought to reserve a room for herself.

The only bright spot was she’d gone with her gut and put together an overnight bag last night. Unfortunately, she didn’t have much in it. She’d brought some sweats and had one set of clothes for tomorrow, but she’d have to wear what she had on now again Monday. Not her style.

She went to the window and admired the view. She could no longer see the mountain tops. They were hidden in low hanging clouds.

It was beautiful. She took a quick picture with her phone and sent it to Abby. Abby would love it here.

She took a deep breath. She needed the money and Noah was paying her well to be here. The little plane didn’t require a flight attendant. She had been there more for appearances than practicality. But, hey, she wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

She unpacked her sweatpants, tee-shirt, and sweatshirt. What had she been thinking? Last night when she was packing, she had no idea she’d actually use the stuff she put in here, much less be staying in a lodge. With the guy she’d been crushing on for two weeks. In the same room.

She sat on the bed and ran a hand across the down comforter. It was a big enough bed. They wouldn’t even know the other was there.

It was definitely a day of new experiences. Flying. Colorado. Sleeping in the same bed as as a guy she just met that she was crushing on. And getting paid handsomely for the whole thing.

Maybe she’d fallen down a rabbit hole.

Rabbit hole or not, she would make the best of it.

At the moment though, she was starving. Lunch had consisted of cheese and grapes. She locked the door and headed downstairs. The lodge was stunning. It had huge cathedral ceilings, an oversized fireplace, and comfortable chairs and couches scattered all around.

Off to one side was a restaurant. It was early, but she headed that way and checked the menu on the wall. There was nothing on the menu that was in her price range.

She went over to the front desk and waited until Nate finished up a phone call. “Is there anything less expensive to eat than the restaurant?”

“There’s the gift shop. They have crackers and such over there.” He pointed toward the other side of the lodge. “Sometimes they have a cold sandwich, too.”

“Thanks, Nate.”

She turned and went back the way she’d come. Just as she passed the stairs, Ryan came bounding down and hit the bottom step just as she reached it.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi.”

“Where are you headed?”

“To the gift shop to get something to eat.” She took a step, but he moved in front of her.

“They have a restaurant.”

“I know.”

“You don’t like restaurants?”

She laughed. “I like them fine. But… I don’t like to eat alone, so I’ll just take a sandwich to the room.”

“Oh. Well. I’m headed there now. Come buy me lunch.”

Her stomach dropped. She couldn’t afford to buy for herself, much less the both of them. Her expression must have shown the panic she felt.

“I’m kidding. We get a per diem.”

“Do we?”

“Sure. Come on.” He gestured for her to follow.

She stood her ground. “I don’t think I get one.”

He looked a little perplexed. “I’m sure you do. But no matter. I’ll buy yours.”

“Oh no. I can’t let you. It’s terribly expensive.”

“Charlotte. I promise I can afford it.”

She was out of excuses. “Okay.” She walked next to him to the restaurant.

They were quickly seated with a perfect view of the mountains. “Snow clouds.” He nodded toward the mountain peeks.

“How do you know that?”

He laughed. “Pilots have to be mini-meteorologists.”

“Yeah. I guess you do.” She picked up the menu and looked for the least expensive thing. “I’ll have the grilled cheese.”

“What? You will not.”

“I like grilled cheese.”

“So do I, but this isn’t the place to get one.”

“I’m sure they have a perfectly good grilled cheese. I’ll get fries, too.”

“Do you like pasta?”

“Of course.”

“If you’re a vegetarian, you can get this four cheese pasta.”

“I’m not a vegetarian.”

He shrugged. “It still sounds good. I think I’ll have it.”

Her mouth watered.

“Will you eat some?” He asked.

“Sure.”

The server came to take their orders.

“We’ll each have the four cheese pasta and a glass of champagne.”

“Ryan,” she hissed when the server walked away.

“What?”

“You’re bad.”

He grinned. “I know.”

“You could get in trouble.”

“For what?”

She leaned toward him and whispered. “I’m underage.”

“Right. Okay then you don’t have to drink it.”

She shook her head, but couldn’t keep from smiling. His good humor was contagious. “Do you like travelling all the time?”

“It comes with the territory.”

“I know. But do you like it?”

His expression turned serious. “Sometimes I love it. Especially when it gets me out of something I don’t necessarily want to do. At other times, I’d rather spend the weekend at home watching football and taking a nap.”

“And this weekend?”

“This weekend I’m glad I’m here.”

The server, a boy who barely looked eighteen himself, brought two glasses of champagne. “Can I get you anything else?”

Ryan looked to Charlotte. She shook her head. “We’re great. Thanks.”

Ryan picked up his glass and Charlotte followed suit. “To a day of new experiences.”

Charlotte took a cautious sip of the bubbly drink. Wrinkled her nose.

“What do you think?”

“I think I’ll stick to my water.”

“I guess it takes some getting used to.” He sipped from his glass and turned his gaze to stare out the window.

Another new experience. Charlotte mused, studying Ryan. This time yesterday, Charlotte Cooper would never have imagined that she would be sitting in Colorado having dinner – and a glass of champagne she was too young to drink - with the guy she was crushing on.

She jumped when her cell phone rang. He turned his gaze back to her.

“I need to take this.” She felt him watching her as she walked toward the lobby.