Chapter 10
SAMANTHA
I walk back inside the hotel in a daze. After last night, I had managed to convince myself that the sparks I felt with Weston meant nothing. Now, after riding in the car with him, I’m not so sure. He was different today - a little less guarded, a little more open. A lot friendlier, for sure. Is it just because he’s glad to be seeing the back of me, or did he feel it too?
When I pass the reception desk, the same woman from yesterday is smiling over at me. She seems to have a glint in her eye.
“Did you enjoy the stormy weather?”
I blush. “It was...unexpected. I guess I’ve learned my lesson…listen to the locals.”
She grins triumphantly. “I couldn’t agree more. And speaking of the locals...I assume you’ve met the Redwood family?”
“How...how did you…”
“Madeline Mutch called this morning to check you made it back,” the woman says in way of explanation. “I take it you and Weston hit it off?”
I sigh. Looks like my stay at Weston Redwood’s house is going to be the talk of the town. The receptionist laughs.
“I’m just playing with you, Samantha. Enjoy your day here! If you’re tired from your walk, perhaps a trip to the shopping center out of town might suit your needs for the day!”
I blush. I get the feeling that Weston rescuing me from the storm is also common knowledge now. But she’s right. I’m certainly not in the mood for another hike just yet. I head back to my bedroom to charge my phone and I slip into my pajamas, trying to put last night out of my mind.
As my phone gets some juice and flickers back to life, I’m bombarded by a series of texts and missed calls. When I check them, I realize every single one is from Ashley. I guess she got worried when I didn’t call back. I immediately pick up my phone and call her back. She picks up almost right away.
“Where the hell have you been, Samantha? I was about to call out a search party!”
“Sorry, Mom,” I mutter, rolling my eyes to myself. I’m too hungover to be dealing with an overprotective best friend right now. “It’s a long story, but I’m fine now.”
“A long story? Well, I think I’m owed some juicy gossip considering you’ve had me worried about you all night. Spill the beans.”
I chew the inside of my cheek. I don’t want to admit my embarrassment to anyone, but if I’m going to talk to anyone about it, it’s got to be Ashley. And she’s right - I owe her that at least when she’s been such a supportive friend. I sigh as I lean back into my plump pillows.
“After you called, I got kind of lost in the forest. There was a storm, and I ended up not knowing how to get back to the hotel.”
“I knew it! I just knew you shouldn’t have gone out there on your own!”
“Ashley…”
“That was so reckless, Sam! I can’t believe you’d be that irresponsible…”
“Ashley! Do you not want to know about my knight in shining armor?”
I hear the intake of Ashley’s breath. “A knight in shining armor? Why didn’t you say so sooner?” Ashley tuts to herself. “Well, your lecture can wait. Spill the juicy details right this second!”
I smile to myself, closing my eyes. Less than twenty-four hours ago, I had to fight off memories of Colin. Now, I imagine Weston, his shirt tight across his torso, his cheeky smile fixed in place. I guess you could say I’m moving on?
“This guy...Weston Redwood. He picked me up and rode me back to his ranch on his horse. He fixed me up with a hot drink and let me stay for the night…”
“God, this is almost too much to handle, you lucky devil! Is he dreamy? Wait, don’t answer that, of course he is! Did anything happen? And if not, why not? When’s the wedding? If you make it soon, I’ll start dieting to fit into my old bridesmaid dress…”
I chuckle. “Oh, I don’t think that’s necessary. I’m pretty sure the guy is married...even if he didn’t mention his wife...”
“Sam! Did you get with a married man?”
“Of course not! But there was definitely a vibe...at least on my end, there was. He was teasing me a lot, making me blush every five seconds...as if I wasn’t already embarrassed enough from being found unconscious in a fricking forest.”
“So let me get this straight...he did this ultra-romantic rescue, put you up in his house for the night, drank with you...and nothing happened?”
“Come on, Ashley. Let’s not over-analyze this. He brought me back to the hotel this morning. I won’t ever see him again.”
“Are you insane? You’re just going to forget all about it like it never happened? If you felt sparks, so soon after Colin, then I know this is a big deal for you. You wouldn’t fall so quickly for someone that didn’t really capture your attention. I know you, Sam, better than you know yourself sometimes. I’m telling you now, you need to get back there and see if this is worth pursuing.”
“Earth to Ashley? I told you, I think he’s married. He’s got a ring.”
“Screw the ring!” Ashley cries. “I want you to be happy, girl!”
“Hey, calm it down, Ashley. I’m not a homewrecker…”
“No, of course you’re not. Sorry. I got caught up in the moment. Life back here is super boring without you in it, I’m itching for drama.” Ashley clears her throat. “Alright, so back to the subject at hand...even if you’re not going for it with him, I guess this is good. I’m definitely not saying you’ve forgotten Colin, or got over him...but you’re rebounding, and that’s the first step towards recovery. You might not see this Weston guy again...but at least you’ve been reminded that you can feel this way still. Right?”
“Ashley...that was actually some pretty sound advice.”
“Girl, I’m not completely useless, you know! Love might never come my way, but I know the ins and outs of it. And I want to see you happy, but obviously, if this guy is taken, it’s not meant to be.” Ashley pauses. “Hang on...what did you say his surname was?”
“Redwood...why?”
“I know that name...hang on, I’m investigating.” I wait while Ashley types something in on her laptop. I listen to her rattling away on the keys, and then she gasps.
“What? What did you find out?”
“Samantha...have you heard of Redwood Capital? It’s a hedge fund company.”
“It doesn’t ring a bell…”
“Well, looks like Weston was keeping that quiet from you. It’s his family’s business. From what I’m reading here, Weston stepped down as the CEO around four years ago. His brother Brandon took over from him. By the way, they both look totally hot.”
I shake my head to myself. “That’s crazy...I mean, I could tell he had some money...and he did mention that he was the CEO of a company back in New York...but I assumed it was smaller scale.”
“Samantha, how could you not tell how minted he is? I’m not talking a little bit rich, here. He’s a filthy rich billionaire!”
“He...he doesn’t seem like he is! If he’s rich, he definitely doesn’t flaunt it…”
“Well, there’s definitely information he’s holding back from you...maybe you made a lucky escape, honey. Sounds like he’s not very open.”
She could be right. Not that I was ever thinking that far ahead when it came to Weston...or was I? Was I picturing us in romantic scenarios? If you count that crazy dream, then yes. Was I imagining what it would be like to live on the ranch with him, and not in the spare bedroom of Ashley’s apartment? Perhaps. But that must have been some newfound post-storm craziness that’s settled into my mind. Who knows? Maybe I really am sick after getting caught out in the storm. It would explain why I’ve clearly lost my mind.
Still, what does he matter now? He’s gone. I need to put him behind me. I chat with Ashley for a little longer about how things at home are going, but when I hang up, I can’t help wondering what Weston is up to. Is he out enjoying the sunshine with his son? Is he joking with Madeline about the crazy girl that walked into his life yesterday? Or is he doing the same as me?
Is he wondering about me too?
This is ridiculous. I can’t sit around here all day, mourning something that was never even close to being mine. This silly idea I’ve got in my head about Weston has to leave. I need a distraction. I take a quick shower and change into fresh clothes before heading down to the reception area. The woman on the desk smiles at me.
“Can I do anything to help you?”
I place my credit card on the desk. “Yes, please. I want to hire out a car for the week.”
***
Half an hour later, I’m on the road, heading to the mall outside of town. It feels strange, driving away from this beautiful vista and towards an ugly little building containing the most mainstream stores imaginable. I don’t understand why I thought dragging myself away from such beauty was a good idea, but maybe that’s not what I’m avoiding. Maybe my body has realized that the more distance I put between Weston and me, the easier it is to forget him. In theory.
Except that’s not true at all, of course.
I get out of the car as quickly as possible and dive right into shopping. I dip in and out of my favorite stores, hastily throwing items into a basket as I whiz through the racks of clothes. When Colin broke off the marriage, Ashley tried to distract me with shopping - one of our favorite pastimes. It didn’t work at the time. I couldn’t think about treating myself when I felt so terrible.
Now, my problem is exactly the opposite. I find myself piling expensive things into my baskets. Things I know I’ll look great in. Because I’m not busy mourning Colin anymore - I’m trying to impress a man I’ll never see again.
What the hell am I doing?
I curse myself and return all of my items to their rightful places before leaving the store empty-handed. Impulse shopping is always a terrible idea, but to impress a guy? Even worse. I’m not that kind of girl, and I don’t want to head in that direction. But I am desperate to see Weston again - if only to say a better goodbye than this morning.
Before I know what I’m doing, I’m heading into the toy shop, picking out a train set for Eric. Then, barely pausing for breath, I find Weston a new tie and a bottle of expensive whiskey. I even pick up a set of fancy jams from an independent condiments shop that I think Madeline would like. Then, I practically run back to the car and head back towards the hotel. Back to the forest, the lake, the beautiful vistas...
And the beautiful man who is known as Weston.