Kinley

I have a ton of emails and voicemails to return when I get back, and Kate, the bar manager has also left a note saying she needs to speak with me. A few hours work has me mostly caught up, and I send a reminder to the rest of the staff that the suites are still being remodeled so they know the contractors will be coming and going.

It’s our off season, and not many people stay during the winter months, so I’ll be able to focus on the changes I want to make. The most interesting call was from a nearby children’s hospital, looking to see if I’d be willing to discount a few rooms for the families of the children being treated.

I don’t know why it never occurred to me before. We have multiple empty rooms right now, and there’s no reason not to help them out. The lady I speak to is thrilled when I volunteer three junior suites for no charge, plus meals for the family. They have enough to worry about trying to save their child’s life, they shouldn’t have to think twice about where they’re going to eat or sleep.

The morning passes quickly, and I decide to have lunch in the bar so I can talk to Kate about her concerns. She didn’t mention any specific complaint, and I suppose it’s unfair to assume it’s about Heather, but it’s still in the back of my mind when I take a seat and wave to her.

She smiles and holds up her finger before turning to talk to another employee. By the time she joins me, I’m halfway through my BLT and chips.

“Sorry, the distributor screwed up our tequila order and we’re nearly out. I got it straightened out.”

“No problem. I’ve just been feeding my face. I know I haven’t been around a lot. How have things been going?”

Sighing, she sits back and sips her drink. “Everything is under control, but you said if there were any issues with your mother, I should tell you, even though I have it handled.”

I knew it. “Absolutely. I trust your judgement, and as you know, I haven’t known her long.” And she hasn’t really tried to get to know me either.

“I had to warn her about giving out free drinks.”

What? Who does she even know here that she’d do that for? “Has she been bringing friends in or something?”

“Uh…no, and that’s the real issue. She’s a little too friendly with the men when they come in, and often tells them their drink is on the house. And not just the single men. She’s also started dressing more provocatively. I warned her she needs to stick to the dress code. I mean, it’s not like it’s strict.”

The dress code basically says no bare midriff or low-cut blouses, and that skirts and shorts should cover the top of your thighs. It’s a bar, but there are still children around.

It suddenly clicks in my head what she’s getting at. “You think she’s looking for a sugar daddy? Trying to pick up the successful men?”

“Exactly, and she’s not very subtle.” Kate rolls her eyes at me.

“Okay, I agree that’s completely unacceptable. I’ll talk to her.”

Kate reaches across the table and lays her hand on mine when I reach for my phone. “I really don’t need you to intervene, at least not yet. I just thought you’d want to know. I’ve warned her about the dress code and the free drinks. If she doesn’t stop, I’ll let you know so you can deal with it.”

“Okay. Have there been other issues? Tardiness, missed shifts, et cetera?”

“No, and she knows her drinks. She just needs to tone down the flirting and learn this isn’t a meat market for her to choose from.” She sips her drink, then smiles. “Now, new subject. What’s up with you and the not rock star? Do you know the video of him singing to you is everywhere?”

Damn it. I should’ve expected that. He’s Marcus Singleton’s brother, after all. “Uh, no, I haven’t seen it.”

“It was the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen. Are you back together?” she gushes.

“Yeah, he’ll be here tomorrow for the weekend.”

“I’m happy for you. He is fine as fuck. And that voice! Whew, wet panty alert.”

We both crack up laughing, and one of the servers calls her name. She turns back to me. “I should get back to work. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

“Thanks, Kate.”

I’m glad the news wasn’t worse. There was a small part of me that thought she might be stealing and gambling again, but I’m still not thrilled with the news. I’ll let Kate handle it for now because I don’t want her to think I don’t have faith in her abilities, but Harriet and Clark may have been right when they said I was making a mistake hiring Heather. My phone beeps with a text from the front desk that says the contractors in Suite A have a question, so I head upstairs.

All in a day’s work.

The time passes fast with all the catch up I have to do. Before I know it, it’s Friday afternoon, and I’m waiting for Holt to show up.

The crunch of tires on gravel alerts me to Holt’s arrival, and I barely let him get to my cabin door before throwing myself into his arms. His lips crash into mine, and we stumble inside. He kicks the door shut behind him and backs me up against the wall, devouring my mouth with his while our hands roam over each other.

I don’t know how long it is until we break apart, and he chuckles. “You didn’t miss me at all, did you?”

“Nope, not a bit.” I grab his arm and tug him through the foyer. “Let me show you around now that it’s finished.” He may not have seemed too interested in my cabin when I brought him here while it was under construction, but he’s impressed now.

I lead him through the kitchen where sunshine pours in from the skylight, making it bright and cheerful. He remarks on the two spacious guest rooms, my home office that looks more like a small library, and the large living room, complete with fireplace.

“Your home is beautiful. It fits right in here.”

“Thanks. That was the plan.”

His wicked smile sends a spike of lust through me. “I have some plans of my own.”

“I have two hours before I have to be back at Foxhaven.” The words are a little muffled in our attempt to strip each other in record time.

“I can work with that.”

Oh, can he ever. By the time we head over to Foxhaven, I’m still weak and shaky from all the orgasms, and there’s makeup on my neck and face, covering the stubble rash from his kisses.

Clark and Harriet are both aware of our reconciliation. The video won Harriet over, but Clark still gives Holt a look of warning when we enter the lobby. “I have to meet one of the families I told you about. They’ll be staying here for a couple of months while their little boy goes through chemo. It won’t be long. Do you want to wait for me in the bar, then we’ll have dinner?”

“Sure thing.” He squeezes my hand, then heads down the hall.

Vera, the general manager, has already settled the family into their junior suite, but I want to introduce myself and make sure they have everything they need. When I tap on their door, it’s opened by an older lady with curly gray hair and a quick smile.

“Hi, I’m Kinley Matthews.”

She throws her arms around me in a hug, nearly knocking me over. A laugh is surprised out of me. “You are an absolute lifesaver is what you are. Do you have any idea what sleeping on those hard waiting room chairs is like?”

“It’s no problem,” I assure her, stepping inside after she lets me go. “I just wanted to come and make sure you have everything you need.”

A boy who looks eight or nine sits on the bed, his gaze focused on a tablet. His mother walks out of the bathroom, drying her hair with a towel. “Oh! I’m sorry,” she exclaims. “You’ll have to excuse me. First shower I’ve had in days.” She approaches me and shakes my hand. “I’m Bianca, and this is my son, Mitch, and my mother, Della. Thank you so much for letting us stay.”

“Please, make yourself at home. Has anyone shown you around?”

“Yes, this is such a lovely place.”

“The restaurant is open from six a.m. to midnight, and that includes room service. Just tell them to charge it to your room, and I’ll comp everything, so you won’t get a bill. Please feel welcome to use any of our amenities here, including the pool and the gym. And if you have any problems, just let the front desk know.”

We spend a few minutes chatting before Bianca has to head back to the hospital to be with her sick child, and Della stays with Mitch. It looks like that’s the plan, to switch off occasionally, so both kids are taken care of.

My thoughts are gloomy as I make my way down to the bar. What a nightmare they’re going through. Her son that’s undergoing treatment is only four years old. It breaks my heart.

Seeing Holt smiling up at me from the table brings a grin back to my face. We get to spend the whole weekend together, and nothing makes me happier than being with him. He’s promised to be here as much as he can.

There’s a big snowstorm predicted for our area, which doesn’t happen very often, and Holt is coming to get snowed in with me. Marcus is improving, especially physically, and it won’t be long until he’s moved to the long term rehab center in Colorado. I haven’t asked what Holt plans to do then, because I’m afraid of the answer. I don’t want him to go, but I can’t ask him not to care for his brother. So, I’m taking the opportunity to spend a long, snowed in week with him in my cabin.

The past month has been amazing. He has stayed with me every weekend and drove up to stay a night or two during the week as well. It may be too cold to be on the lake, but we find plenty of ways to enjoy ourselves, sometimes even with our clothes on.

We watch horror movies—both our favorite genre—swim in the indoor pool, work out together in the gym. The evenings spent cuddled on my couch are the best, just wrapped in his arms as we talk about anything and everything. I’m so in love with this man, it’s terrifying.

I haven’t seen much of Foster, since he’s dating some new guy, but Anavrin has been over a few times. I’m hoping to have them both over for dinner with Holt and I soon. I really want my friends to like him.

Foxhaven only has a few guests—not counting the family from the hospital—and they’re all leaving today. It’ll be one of those rare times when the hotel will be nearly empty. I’ve excused any employee who’d rather not get trapped here, and offered overtime pay and a free room to a skeleton crew of staff just to keep the place running through the storm.

The big generators are full of fuel, food has been delivered, and we’re about as prepared as we can be. I know most people are dreading it, but I can’t wait.

Bring on the snow.

The first flakes fall as Holt pulls into my driveway. “Made it just in time, didn’t you?” I remark as he comes through the front door.

“Raced it all the way here.”

Damn, he looks good. His cheeks are bright from the cold wind and his dark eyes seem to smolder when his gaze travels up my body. His black leather jacket screams at me to rip it off.

The rumble of an engine distracts me from my ogling.

“Expecting someone?” he asks, peeking out the window.

“No.” I join him just in time to see the huge white Foxhaven maintenance truck pull in. Damn it. What’s wrong now?

Clark steps out, and I open the front door before he can knock. He spares Holt only a scathing glance before handing me a set of keys. “If we get the ten inches they’re forecasting, you’ll need four wheel drive to get through your little road.”

“I hadn’t even thought of that. Thanks. I’ll drive you back.”

“Let me,” Holt volunteers. He regards Clark. “I’d like to have a word.” He gives me a quick kiss. “I’ll be right back.”

Oh, this could go all kinds of wrong. Clark is overprotective on a good day, especially since my father died, and he is not a fan of Holt’s. I can’t blame him since he witnessed the whole devastating scene where I found out he wasn’t Marcus.

“Okay,” I mumble.

Holt is only gone for a few minutes and he returns in a chipper mood. “Something smells good. What are you making?” He hops up to sit on the opposite side of the kitchen bar where I’m chopping tomatoes.

“Chili. How did it go with Clark?”

“We’re besties.”

He grins at my snort. “Yeah? Did you swap friendship bracelets?”

Shrugging, he snatches a piece of tomato and pops it in his mouth. “I doubt I’m top of his Christmas list, but everything is cool. As long as I don’t hurt you again, I get to live.”

“Sounds like a fair trade.” I dump the tomatoes into the pot. “How is Marcus doing?” I feel like a bitch because the truth is I don’t care about Marcus one bit. I only ask because I know how much it affects Holt. I’m not ready to forgive Marcus for trying to fuck me when I thought he was Holt, not that he’s apologized or asked for forgiveness.

“It’s a process,” he sighs. “He’s doing okay for now. Using crutches and spending time playing his guitar in between therapy sessions. I don’t expect his cooperative mood will last much longer though. Right now, he’s still getting his pills, once they start cutting back the opiates, he’ll be a complete asshole.”

I put the lid on the crock pot of chili and walk around the bar to drape my arms over his neck. “You’re a good brother. Better than he deserves. You know that?”

His smile makes my stomach burst with flutters. “I’m also the best looking.” He palms my ass and pulls me in for a kiss.

“And modest. Don’t forget modest.”

“The most modest,” he agrees, kissing me again.

“Look.” We turn to the window where snow is now falling in large flakes. “Do you want to take a quick walk in the woods before it gets bad?”

The corner of his mouth tilts up, and he raises one eyebrow. “Our gazebo?”

Laughing, I step back. “We aren’t having sex outside. I don’t think you realize how cold it gets beside a lake. I’m going to go put some layers on.”

We both bundle up well, and Holt waits while I pull on my boots. He grabs my hat and pulls it down over my head, covering my ears, and tilts my face up to kiss me. “Mmm, I like the lip balm.”

“It’s supposed to taste like a sugar cookie,” I giggle, turning to lock my door as we step outside.

The maintenance truck is parked under the carport beside my car where it won’t get buried. Holt rejects my offer to swap my car with his car, since he’s the one who will need out first. “The longer it’s buried, the longer I’m here,” he states.

I can’t argue with that.

“Let me swap some stuff over though.” He pulls a bag out of his front seat and tosses it in the bed of the maintenance truck.

Laughter pours out of me when he produces two plastic sleds from the back seat. “Are we going sledding?”

“With that huge, perfect hill right behind Foxhaven? You bet your pretty ass, we are. I brought one for Mitch too, in case he’s still here.”

“He is. His mother is staying at the hospital, but Mitch and his grandmother are at the hotel.”

The way Holt has befriended Mitch over the last few weeks confirms my instincts about him. They’ve played video games and watched cartoons. I think Holt feels a certain kinship with him because Mitch also has a brother in the hospital.

“Okay.” He smacks my ass. “Let’s go.”

The woods are eerily quiet, the snow muffling the sounds around us and making it feel like we’re miles away from civilization. I wrap my arm around Holt’s as we walk the well worn path that winds around the lake.

It’s so peaceful, and neither of us feels the need to talk. I don’t think I’ve ever been more content in my life than I am in that second, walking in the softly falling snow with the man I love more than I thought was possible.

A deer crashes through the underbrush and darts away from us, and I giggle at the way Holt jumps. “Still not that comfortable in the woods, are you?”

“Actually, I spent a month alone in the woods in a tiny camper after I left here.”

I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t wondered what he did after I threw him out, but a part of me was sure he just moved on with someone else, so I didn’t want to ask. “What did you do by yourself all day?”

“Wrote songs, played my guitar, hiked a lot.” He squeezes my gloved hand. “Thought about you and how I screwed up.”

“That’s in the past now. We can let it go.”

Nodding, he gives me a shy grin. “I may have also spent a few evenings catching fireflies because they reminded me of you.”

Bumping his shoulder with mine, I stare at the ground that’s now covered in white. “Don’t make me cry. It’s too damn cold.”

Chuckling, he wraps an arm around me. “It is. I’m freezing my nuts off. You weren’t kidding about the wind off of the lake.”

“Let’s go back. The chili should be done. And that new horror series we were talking about watching is available to stream now. Assuming the wind doesn’t knock out my wifi.”

“Sounds good to me.”