After accepting the position here, I questioned Millie about her brother’s in-laws, but she admitted she didn’t know them all that well. She was twenty when Asher and Daisy got married at twenty-two. At that point Millie had already dropped out of school to pursue her theater career and was on the road a lot. But she assured me that they’ve only ever been pleasant to her. Though she did admit to holding a grudge against them for leaving Asher to run the camp on his own every summer.
I don’t have a clue why they stuck around this year, and I can’t help but wonder if it has anything to do with me, but I don’t know that it’s polite to ask.
The porch light is shining when I pull up to the cabin in the golf cart, but the lights are off inside. Bea is spending the night with her grandparents tonight so maybe Asher is over there too.
Jessica was right, after all. After my busy night at the clinic, I’m even more appreciative of my dinner delivery. I stayed much later than I anticipated because as I was wrapping up, a kid came in with a burn from roasting marshmallows. Fortunately it was mild, but his parents were yappers and couldn’t take a hint.
With the house to myself, I opt for the hot tub rather than a shower. It’s been tempting me all week.
After changing into a black bikini, I get my radio, then unlock my sliding door and slip outside into the chilly mountain air. While it’s moderately warm during the day, the temperature really drops when the sun goes down.
The porch is pitch-black, so it takes a minute and some fumbling to find the light switch on the wall. When I flip it on, I discover quickly that I’m not alone.
“Holy shit!” I clutch my chest with one hand, willing my lungs to chill out. “You fucking scared me, Greer. I nearly dropped the radio. I’m sure this thing isn’t cheap.” I hold up the walkie talkie I’m required to hang on to at all times, then set it down on the side table. “What are you doing with the lights off?”
He laughs, gesturing to the sky. “I turned them off so I can see the stars better. Look.”
Turning, I marvel at the silver dots splattered against the midnight blue sky. The moon is partially hidden by a tree, but its reflection is displayed on the water.
“Stunning,” I whisper.
“Sure is,” Asheragrees.
I turn around and discover he’s looking at me, and my heart takes off again.
He clears his throat as he stands, water sluicing down his chest. His blue swim trunks are bunched around his upper thighs, showcasing the taut muscles there before he tugs them down. “I, uh, I’ll give you some privacy.”
“No.” The word flies out of my mouth without my permission. “I mean…” My cheeks heat, making me thankful it’s dark. “I don’t mind if you stay.”
He stills, his uncertain expression barely visible from here. “You sure?”
I nod, and he reluctantly lowers himself back into the water. By the time I not-so-gracefully hike a leg over the side and settle on the seat across from him, he’s turned away, studiously not looking.
The water is scalding at first but soothes my sore hips in no time. I would consider myself a pretty active individual, but the last few days involved a lot of sitting.
“How was your first week?” he asks.
“Boring,” I blurt out, then slap a hand to my mouth. “Sorry. I forgot you were my boss there for a minute.”
“It’s fine. And I’m actually not your boss. I hired you, sure, but Dr. Parsons is your remote medical supervisor, even during his retirement.”
Hmm. Not my boss, eh? Good to know, not that it makes my outburst any less unprofessional.
Changing the subject, I ask, “Do the jets work?”
He flips a switch on a panel on the side, and bubbles abruptly whir to life.
In the next second, the pressure hugs my lower back, and an involuntary moan escapes me.
Asher coughs like he’s choking.
“You okay?”
“Mm-hmm. I need a beer.” He sits up straight. “Do you want anything? Wine?”
“Can’t.” I motion to the radio behind me. “On call.”
He shakes his head. “Of course. Could I offer you nonalcoholic sparkling wine, then? I think we still have a bottle left over from Bea’s party.” He thumbs over his shoulder. “She begged me to buy it, then spit it out after one sip. Said it made her tongue feel like it was going to explode.”
