Maybe he had meant it when he said my scars didn’t bother him. Maybe he’d just been trying to prove something. Maybe he was being kind. But after the kiss—after the spark and the hush and that powerful pull—he’d slipped back into teasing like nothing had happened.
I’d seen that before. Cole was a flirt. He dwelled in lightness. There might as well have been a sign on his chest announcing he was a casual guy.
And I didn’t do casual. Not anymore. I’d tried. It made me feel hollow.
The Silvers had assured me they’d get my car fixed, squirrel damage and all. Cole had even texted me, saying the “creative chewing” the squirrels had done would take a bit of time to repair, but he was confident he could take care of it.
So far, the only thing Icouldn’thandle was being near Cole without my brain turning into static. Meanwhile, I was still going back and forth mentally on the apartment in the barn. My short-term rental was, well, short-term. I needed to make a decision and soon.
If it weren’t for that kiss, I would’ve already said yes. But now, I was hesitant. Which was ridiculous. Was I really about to let one stupid kiss get in the way of housing?
As if the universe heard me spinning, I pulled into Firehouse Café in downtown Willow Brook. I’d left so early for Anchorage that I’d skipped my morning coffee. With it mid-morning now, I needed caffeine, something sweet, and maybe a little bit of distraction. Inside, there was a lull in this usually busy place. The espresso machine wasn’t steaming from the pace, the tables were half-full, and the light filtering through the windows was warm and soft. At the counter, Maggie was talking to Janet.
When I reached the counter, Janet’s face lit up. “Adele!”
Maggie turned and smiled as if she’d been expecting me.
“Maggie was just telling me,” Janet said, “you’re going to stay in the barn apartment.”
I blinked. “I am?”
Maggie tilted her head slightly, hopefulness written all over her face. I decided to roll with it.
“It’s a great option,” I said, nodding. “So yes, I’m going to take you up on that.” I needed a place to stay. The apartment was perfect. It was time to stop dithering.
Janet clapped her hands. “This is great. I’ve been so worried since my rentals are all booked.”
“Of course they are,” I said. “Honestly, whenever I’m doing these kinds of trips, I’m mostly flying by the seat of my pants, figuring out what works and where I’ll land. Maybe someday I’ll settle in one place.”
“Well,” Maggie said, with a sly smile, “what would you liketo do?”
“I like hiking. I like the outdoors. What I’ve done for work—at least the last few years—is short-term guiding. Contract trips. I used to work with Lacey Haynes.”
“Oh, from Diamond Creek?” Maggie asked. “I know Lacey.”
I nodded. “She still organizes trips, but she’s cut back since she had her baby a few years ago. So I’ve just been freelancing.”
“Well…” Maggie paused, slow and deliberate. “Not to get ahead of myself, but you must know that’s exactly what we do at Heartfire Falls.”
“Well, I know that, but what do you mean?”
“I mean,” she said, brows arching high, “you could work for us. At the resort.”
“She’s offering you a job,” Janet chimed in matter-of-factly.
I blinked. “Wait—don’t you need to check with someone first? Like, I don’t know, your sons?”
“I own the place,” Maggie said, with a casual shrug. “I mean, we all do, but Haven’s just the official boss because someone has to be. I hired Chloe. The boys lead the trips. We’re overloaded with bookings. And frankly…” She tilted her head to the side, her gaze thoughtful.
“It would be great to have a woman leading hikes on staff. Some of our guests request women-only guides. They want someone they feel more comfortable with. You’d be perfect.”
Janet leaned in. “Some people think male-led wilderness trips are too competitive, too pushy. You know that bro energy where all the guys say ‘bruh.’” She rolled her eyes. “Your boys aren’t like that,” she added, nodding to Maggie, “but you know what I mean. A female guide on staff would definitely be a good option.”
Something quiet and maybe even hopeful stirred inside me. Possibility glimmered ahead on my internal horizon. But then I thought of Cole, and how my hormones went haywire whenever I was too close to him.
Don’t be stupid about Cole,I ordered myself.It’s a job. It’s housing. You need both. Just take the damn opportunity and draw your boundaries.
“Well,” I said, lifting my chin. “If you’re offering, Maggie, I’d love to say yes. My sister’s in Anchorage, and being able to stay closer to her more consistently would mean a lot.”
