“How long have you worked there?”
“Since I graduated from business school. So, almost five years. I manage the place. For now.”
A shadow crossed his face, an expression she couldn’t read. He didn’t ask her to elaborate, so she didn’t. Then again, what did he care if her livelihood was being sold out from under her?
“You like living in a small town?” he asked, taking another sip.
The question usually made her defensive. Most people who asked it had a sneer in their tone that indicated judgment. But he sounded sincere, like he genuinely wanted to know.
“I do,” she said. “Growing up, I was always gunning to leave, but after college and coming back here…I don’t know. I like it now.”
“It seems like a pleasant way to live,” he mused. Again, totally sincere.
“Look,” she whispered, pointing across the river to where two deer had come to drink. Strong and sleek, they spread their legs for balance and lapped up the water. One was bigger than the other and had antlers.
“A buck and a doe,” she said. “Bet they’re on a date. He was probably like, ‘Hey baby, I know this great place. Come on, I’ll buy you a drink.’” The Jack Daniels convinced her that was funny, and she laughed to herself.
“They’re beautiful,” he said, voice deep and husky.
His gaze turned to her, and the way his eyes bore into hers caused her brain to turn to mush. It might still be the whiskey talking, but she would swear he was about to kiss her. And damned if she didn’t want him to.
Instead, she snatched the flask from his hand. “Okay. You’re cut off.”
He stared a second longer and then chuckled. “Yeah, right.” He shook his head. “Booze on an empty stomach can mess a guy up. Guess I better get back and cook up these fish. Don’t want any trouble from the boss for not having camp set up by dusk.”
“Good luck.” She raised the flask in a toast. “See you in the morning.”
She stared as he walked away.
“Are you staring at my butt?” he called without turning around.
“No.” She smiled. “Well, now I am.” It was another quote from another movie.
No denying it was a nice view. She watched until he disappeared into the trees and then smacked herself on the forehead. What had just happened? Why had she let him stay so long? And how had she come so close to kissing him?
“Get it together, Walker,” she mumbled. “One more day, and then you’ll never see him again.”
CHAPTER TEN
Logan
Logan left his filthy rucksack in the car trunk and trudged into the lobby of the Three Bears Inn. Max was behind the counter, and his eyes widened at the sight of him.
“Hey,” he greeted. “You survived.”
“Barely,” Logan admitted. “Pretty much anything that could’ve gone wrong, did.”
“Well, glad to have you back. I had your suitcase taken to your room already.”
“Thank you,” Logan said. “I’m dead on my feet and don’t think I’ll be conscious much longer.”
He arrived at his room, stripped, and stepped into a scalding hot shower. When the water finally ran cold, he got out and wrapped a towel around his waist. It was only four o’clock, but the bed called urgently, and he barely made it between the sheets before falling asleep.
A few hours later, he woke up. He’d thought for sure he’d sleep through the night, but his stomach had needs and complained loudly, demanding they be met. Logan dressed and went downstairs, thinking he’d run to a local deli or have a pizza delivered.
It was right about eight o’clock, and the lobby bar was hoppin’. Looked like Cocktail Hour Fridays was a hit.
Max sat on a stool, flanked by two other men. Logan approached, intending to ask where he could get food at this time of night.
