They parted, and Logan made his way to room 201. Like the rest of the place, it was dated, but clean and cozy. It would do for a couple of nights anyway.
The afternoon orientation for the campout was the next day. And the day after that, he’d be sleeping in the mountains.
It had been so long since he’d “roughed it,” some doubts began to creep in. He’d talked a big game in front of Cooper and Skye, but what if luxurious penthouse living reallyhadmade him soft? Well, he was here now, and ready or not, was about to find out.
CHAPTER THREE
Tess
“Hope!” Tess greeted the barista at the Rise and Grind. “You’re back. We missed you.” Hope was Faith’s younger sister and had just returned from college.
Hope gave a little courtesy. “Missed you too,” she said. “I’ve been home about a week, but this is my first morning shift. Faith says you’re off to the mountains tomorrow?”
“Yep. Orientation’s this afternoon, and then we leave tomorrow before dawn. Today’s my last shot at good coffee for a week, so give me a large.”
“You got it. Is the weeklong thing new? I thought you just did weekends.” Hope put Tess’s money in the till, wrote something on a cup, and handed it to her coworker, Willie.
“Yeah,” Tess said, dropping the change into the tip jar. “It’s the ultimate survival version. We started offering it last year. I’m not a huge fan—I hate going so long without a shower—but we’re only doing them in the summer and just one per month, so it’s not too bad.”
“Faith also said Moody is selling The Outpost. Will the new owner keep doing them, do you think?”
Tess shrugged. “No idea.”
The bells on the front door jingled, and they both watched as a tall, handsome man in cowboy boots entered. The boots looked well worn, but the brand-new jeans and button-up dress shirt screamed big city.
“Howdy, Tex,” Hope drawled, causing the man to look over his shoulder. Hope and Tess giggled.
“So, enough about me. Spill it,” Tess said, turning back to Hope. “How was your first year at college? You’re studying communications, right?” She felt the man move into line behind her.
“It’s fun living in another town—and away from Dad—but I did kind of miss it here.”
“And the boy sitch?”
“Well.” Hope leaned in, but before she could say anything, the man in the boots fake-coughed, clearly signaling he was waiting.
Tess spun around and glared. “Ya in a hurry, Haus?”
“Just trying to get some coffee,” he said. “I mean, it’s a coffee shop, right?”
The women shared a look—out-of-towner alert! Tess rolled her eyes at Hope and scooted over toward the “pick up” counter, as the cowboy ordered a large black coffee.
“Dollar fifty. We only take cash and cards,” Hope said when he tried to pay with his phone.
“Oh,” he said. “I didn’t bring my wallet. I always pay with this.”
“Sorry,” Hope said. “We’re not set up for that.”
He looked uneasy. “I’m staying at the inn. Could I open a tab? Or come by and pay you later?”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Tess interrupted. “Here.” She handed Hope two ones.
“Thank you,” the man said.
“Number one,” Willie yelled, holding up Tess’s order.
“I know what it’s like to need coffee,” Tess replied, walking away from him to grab her cup at the end of the counter.
He grabbed a napkin, wrote “IOU $2” on it, and offered it to her. “That’s as good as money.”
