“Earth to Eira.” Holly’s fingers snap directly in front of my face. “How was La-La-Land? Is Ryan Gosling as dreamy as we think?”
No, but your brother is.
“Sorry.” I blink away a fleeting memory of Lucas kissing his way down my body in the dark hotel room. “He’s still the hottest of the Ryans. What’s the scheme you have planned?”
“So, my brother’s ranch. I convinced him to rent out the spare cabin as a vacation rental. Lucas renovated it, and it’s gorgeous. Doesn’t feel like a cabin in the woods, I promise. Since we’ll mostly be renting to city people, and you’re…you, I thought you might be a good test subject.”
“A good test subject for murder?”
“There will be nobody around to murder you.”Just me and him. Alone. In the woods.“And Luke doesn’t exhibit any classic serial killer traits, so I think you’re safe. Besides, you’re both total homebodies, and he’s a complete grump. I bet you won’t even see him.”
None of that sounds anything like the charismatic, flirty, and funny guy I spent the night with. The mountain man who stole every ounce of my attention all night, who tenderly washed my body in the hotel’s walk-in shower after hours of intense sex, and who insisted he order room service before I left the following morning.
“He didn’t seem that way at your party,” I say.
“You caught him on theonenight he let loose. He’s usually so wrapped up in trying to keep the ranch afloat. And it sucks he’s so stressed and irritable all the time, because he’s a really sweet guy.”
“And having somebody intrude on his personal space over Christmas is going to make him less stressed and irritable?”
“Like I said, you won’t even see each other. Spend the holidays there and let me know if anything needs to change to make itmore inviting for guests. He hates the idea of having a vacation rental, but I’m hoping the extra income will take some weight off his shoulders.”
Okay, if I frame it as beinghelpful, the idea doesn’t sound so terrible. Getting out of the city means a few days to work on commissions, unplug from dating apps, and relax. Without distraction, I’d be able to get a lot done.
Sure, Lucas and I hooked up once six months ago, but I’m confident we can be adults about that, on the off-hand chance we see each other from afar.
“There’s a gorgeous clawfoot tub big enough you can submerge your entire body,” Holly says with a raised eyebrow.
“Well,fuck. Now I’m sold.”
Chapter three
Lucas
December 20
Tugging my arm across my chest to stretch out the constant dull ache in my shoulder, I stare down the alley at the final mare for the night. I typically limit myself to working Monday through Thursday—any more and I feel it in my bones for days. But after a rough summer, nasty fall, and the start of what looks to be an abysmal winter, my options are busting my ass for more money or selling the ranch. Which is why I’m working at six p.m. on a Saturday, listening to the wind whip through the rafters of the otherwise silent barn.
I’mnotselling the ranch.
Don’t give a crap what my family thinks.
I give the old mare I just finished trimming a few extra scratches along her back while feeling around in my pocket for a mint. She takes it greedily then politely sniffs my hand for more.
“Sorry, girl. Just one today. Not supposed to give you any, but you know you’re my favourite here.”
Her withers shudder as I drag my nails down the root of her mane.
I plunk my tools down ten feet away, and a resounding crack carries up my spine. The obnoxious ringer my little sister set for herself echoes through the barn. Frigid air has me creating billowing vapour when I bark out a surly greeting.
“Did you put any more thought into my proposition?” Holly asks immediately.
“No.”
“No, you didn’t put more thought into it? Or no, you don’t want to do it?”
I take a swig of coffee. It was hot when I took a lunch break four hours ago. Now it’s disgustingly cold, but I need any jolt of caffeine I can get, so I throw my head back and chug it.
“No to both.” Switching the call to speakerphone, I balance the cell precariously on a sawhorse and grab my tools. The sooner I get this horse done, the sooner I can have a hot shower and collapse into bed. The sooner I get up and do this again tomorrow.
