“I told them a maximum of twenty-five rooms, but more likely we’d go for twenty. We want to make sure we can fill the rooms for most of the year.”
Matto continued talking as they passed the strangers. “That will be a bit of a stretch when the temperatures drop to minus twenty or worse.”
As the two men walked into a restaurant and disappeared, he and Matto stopped walking and stared after them. Dakota and Kansas turned onto the main street and joined them.
“They were about to enter the dorm when we came out,” Dakota said. “They changed their minds when they saw us. It was obvious.”
“We need to watch over Renee. Sheisin danger,” Calian said.
“I’m still hungry,” Dakota declared. “Did I see those two guys go into the restaurant?”
Matto winked. “I could eat.”
“We’ll make a plan during dinner,” Calian decided. “All this fresh air has made me hungry too.”
Renee dragged herself out of bed when her phone alarm buzzed. As she’d expected, sleep had been elusive. She grabbed her washbag and towel and left her room. The hot water of the shower prodded her awake, but she had a long day of hard concentration flying her helicopter ahead of her.
As she made her way to the kitchen, a knock on the front door made her jump.
She cautiously opened the door to a smiling Matto and older brother Calian. Calian handed her a coffee.
“Thank you! I was about to make coffee. Do you want to come inside?”
“Come for breakfast with us. Even if you don’t want to eat,” Calian said.
She bristled when it sounded more like an order than a suggestion. “I don’t—”
“Please.” Calian’s brown eyes remained steady on her face. He radiated sincerity and some of her angst faded.
“I can’t stay long. Where are Kansas and Dakota?”
“Are you ready to go?” Matto asked. “We’ll talk on the way.”
“We decided to keep watch on the men.” Calian slipped his arm around her waist. “That’s what the twins are doing now.”
“What if they catch Dakota and Kansas spying on them?” Renee asked, frowning.
“They won’t.” Calian’s absolute confidence in his brothers soothed her fears. He opened the café door for her and ushered her inside and to an empty table.
She scowled. It was a large table, big enough for the five when the twins arrived. Whenever she wanted to dine in the café, she was lucky to find a spot.
“I’ll order at the counter to speed things up,” Calian said.
“You didn’t sleep.” Matto lifted his hand and traced the area beneath one eye. “Will you manage work today?”
“I have to,” Renee said.
“Stay with me tonight,” Matto said. “Or with one of my brothers.”
“I don’t think so.” Renee shook her head for emphasis.
Matto straightened. “Kansas and Dakota are here.”
The two men strolled over to join them, drawing the attention of a part-time waitress and several of the female customers. The waitress who was topping up coffee cups overfilled one because her attention fixed to Dakota’s backside. Renee couldn’t fault the woman for staring, but old Victor Bannerman yelped when the hot coffee flowed from the cup and onto his pants.
She shook her head as Dakota and Kansas took possession of two empty seats. Matto was grinning.
“What?” Kansas asked.
