“I committed to the ski resort and to Abby. It helped draw people to come into town. She even got some hockey player from Houston to come.”
“Shit.” He frowned. “You gave them your word.”
“If it were just the ski resort, I would tell them to kick rocks, but it’s Abby, Caleb. She’s like a sister to me. I couldn’t let her down last minute.”
“I know.” He nodded. Caleb’s gaze dropped to the counter. “Fuck.” He swallowed. “Maybe this is for the best. A reality check.” And there was the shoe I had been waiting to drop.
“What?” I whispered. A knot formed in my belly.
8.Caleb
“Areality check,” I repeated, my jaw clenched. The words sounded bitter as my eyes rose to meet hers. “Life happens, and last night… was hands down the best night of my life. And I meant everything I said.”
“Until this morning,” she interrupted. Rosie pushed me away and hopped off the counter, reaching for her sweater. Looking at her now, I had no idea how the hell I’d missed who she was. I’d seen her on designer perfume ads. My daughter had told me all about Rose Baker being the spokesperson for her favorite makeup brand.
“No.” I shook my head. “I didn’t mean it like that,” I said as she pulled the damp material over her head.
“Sure,” she said under her breath, her eyes avoiding mine.
“I’m serious, Rosie.” I pulled her close, cupping the sides of her face with both hands. “I love you. I meant that. I have no idea how the hell it’s possible when I didn’t believe in love at first sight, but with you… there was a spark.”
“It was just the lightning,” she shrugged off with a half-smile. She was trying to lighten the mood and give me an out. If I wanted one, this was it. But that was the last thing I needed. I leaned in and rested my forehead against hers.
“It was you and me finding one another.”
“Caleb, really, it’s okay if now that you know?—“
“What I already knew?” I cut her off, and she looked at me, confused. “That you’re the most beautiful woman on the planet? Yeah, I knew that the moment I saw you when you scared me in town.”
“What?”
“You being a model doesn’t change things.” I stood firm on that. “You have a commitment, and I get that. If I could stay and be here with you, I would.”
“Okay,” she drawled slowly. “Why does it feel like there is a hugebutcoming up?”
“Because there is.” I swallowed. “I’m just… me. A single dad who lives in a small mountain town with a teenager who is about to graduate and go away to college. I own a small landscaping business.”
“And?”
“And maybe you should do this event or take some time to think if I’m the kind of man you would want.”
“You think I’m shallow? That what? I want some guy with money?” She slipped out of my arms, and it felt like a limb had literally been cut off, but I had to give her space.
“Rosie, baby?—“
“I get it.” She pulled her pants on without panties. “It’s fine.” She shook her head, her red hair wild and free. It made my hands ache to wrap it around my fist. I shook my head, noticing she’d moved closer to the door while my thoughts had dipped into the gutter.
“It was nice meeting you, Caleb Walker,” she said after slipping her shoes on, and before I could ask what the hell she meant, she walked out of the cabin, shutting the door behind her.
Shit. I had been so captivated by her I hadn’t got dressed. By the time I was clothed and about to rush after her, my sister called again with the address of the urgent care she’d taken Cassie to. I pinched the bridge of my nose and headed to my hotel room.
Every step I took felt wrong.
I was torn between two choices, but Cassie needed me to be there to be seen. I did quick work of grabbing my things and keys before checking out and driving directly to Pinehaven.
All while trying to come up with a plan on how the hell to make things right with Rosie before it was too late.
9.Caleb
