“There’s our osprey whisperer,” Diego called out, raising his mug in greeting.
Jenn propped her feet on a log. “Want some coffee? Brie dropped off a sample of her latest roast.”
I hesitated in the doorway, thrown off by the casual scene. “Absolutely. But aren’t we supposed to be gearing up for Devil’s Ridge?”
Noah stayed quiet, the morning light catching the stubble along his jaw. His expression was unreadable, nothing like the man who’d held me close under festival lights the night before. Jenn and Diego, on the other hand, both stared at me with matching grins.
Something was up.
“Why is everyone smiling?”
“Noah’s not smiling,” Diego pointed out.
“Noah never smiles,” Jenn countered.
“Good point.”
“Why doesn’t it look like anyone is getting ready to go climbing?” This time, I directed my question directly at Noah.
“Change of plans.” Noah took a slow sip of his coffee. “There’s a small chance of a storm system moving in later tonight. Can’t risk getting caught up there when the rocks are wet.”
Jenn and Diego were still smiling suspiciously.
“What aren’t you telling me?” I planted my hands on my hips. “You’re all acting weird.”
“Weird?” Diego pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. “Us?”
“We would never,” Jenn added with an exaggerated shake of her head that only confirmed my suspicions.
“Well, I can’t afford to take a day off,” I said. “I have a job to do, remember? Victoria ripped me a new one last night. LuxeLife is expecting authentic Colorado content that’s luxurious, aspirational, and expensive. So whatever you have planned, I better look good doing it.”
Noah set down his coffee mug. “So that’s what your friend Victoria wanted?”
“She thinks I’ve strayed a little too far off-brand.”
“Then they’re really not going to like the content you’re going to be getting today.” Jenn’s smile grew even wider. Diego chuckled.
“What content?” I crossed my arms. I didn’t like where this was going. Not one bit. “It’s not more hiking, is it?”
Diego and Jenn exchanged another one of those knowing looks that made me want to scream. Jenn’s smile grew wider still. “You won’t have to take a single step.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Oh no. No, no, no.” I slowed my pace as Jenn led us toward the stables, the scent of hay and horse already making my nose twitch. “I don’t do animals.”
Yeti barked, as if to remind me she was there and could hear me.
“Except you, Yeti. You don’t smell. As much.”
As soon as I stepped into the stable, a massive brown head poked out over one of the stall doors, lips flapping as the horse nickered. I jumped back, bumping into Noah’s chest. After he steadied me, I quickly stepped away, trying to keep up with Jenn as she walked down the aisle.
“This big fellow here is Duke.” Jenn patted the brown horse’s neck. “He’s our gentle giant. Used to be a show horse in Denver until he got too old and his owner abandoned him.”
Duke’s liquid brown eyes fixed on me as he stretched his neck out, nostrils flaring.
“He’s just saying hello,” Jenn chuckled. “Here. Let him smell your hand.”
I shot Noah a panicked look, but he just crossed his arms, face still neutral. Taking a deep breath, I held my hand out. Duke’s whiskers tickled my palm.
