I was incredulous as I almost goggled at my mother.
She ignored me. “Towels, linens, and so on. Honestly, I was so busy today. I meant to check on the apartment, and I didn’t.”
I knew my mother had ulterior motives for this, but it was fine. Well, fine-ish. I wasn’t going to admit to her I wanted tosee Adele again. I calculated it was better to go along with her request than resist.
“I’ll go.” As I stood from the table, I narrowed my eyes at her. “You know, you could ask Lincoln or Grady or Asher.”
“Uh-huh. I could. But you’re right here. The bag is in the mudroom off the kitchen.” Her lips curled in a satisfied smile.
Biting back my sigh, I left, picking up the definitely-not-small bag on my way out. I loved walking outside in the late evening in Alaska. It was peaceful. As I walked the short distance from the main resort over to the old barn, a pair of owls in the trees exchanged calls. A raven flew above, its black form barely visible in the almost darkness. Its wings made a soft swoosh in the air above me.
As I approached the barn, my pulse began to kick faster with anticipation a spur in its flanks.
Just play it cool, I told myself.
Dude, you can’t play it cool with Adele. It’s impossible.
You might want to ponder what that means.
For fuck’s sake. I was having silent conversations with myself. I definitely didn’t want to ponder that issue.
When I peered up at the windows in the upper floor of the barn, light shone out. A moment later, I was standing in front of the door at the top of the stairs. I actually had to take a slow breath to try to calm my pulse before I lifted my hand, curling my knuckles and knocking lightly.
“It’s Cole,” I felt the need to announce. “My mom wanted me to check on you, and I have some things for you from her.”
I heard the sound of footsteps, just barely above the pounding rush of blood in my ears.
Adele swung the door open. Her auburn hair was twisted into a messy bun with tendrils dangling down around her cheeks and her neck. Her hazel eyes were bright, and her cheeks werea little flushed. What she was wearing was unremarkable—just a T-shirt and a pair of swingy sweatpants.
“Hey!” Her eyes widened slightly before dipping down to the bag I held in my hand, which, to be honest, was huge.
“Your mom sent me stuff?”
I took a breath, clearing my throat—for fuck’s sake—so I could speak. “She did. She wanted to make sure you had everything you need. She said she didn’t have time to check on the place earlier today.”
“Oh.” Adele’s gaze softened. “Your mom is such a sweetheart.”
“Absolutely,” I agreed. That was easy enough.
We stood there for a beat before she swung the door open wider. “Come on in.”
I glanced around, taking in the space that was so familiar. There wasn’t much to it—just a large living room and kitchen area with one bathroom and three bedrooms. Just enough for our family to crowd in here. But after the fire and after everything that happened, it had at least been home, because we’d needed that.
“What’s in the bag?” Adele asked.
“Well, I didn’t look, but she said towels and linens. Lord knows what else, Adele.” I gave her a lopsided smile as I shrugged. “Take a look.”
Her fingers brushed mine as she reached for the handle of the bag. That subtle touch was like fire licking over the surface of my skin, the heat radiating outward in a blast through me.
She set the giant duffel bag on the coffee table and unzipped it. There were, from what I could see, probably eight towels in there and multiple sets of sheets.
“And—oh—she sent a picture over.” Adele pulled it out and held it up. It was a photograph my mom must have taken atsome point of the waterfall that was our resort’s namesake when the sun was setting. “It’s so pretty.”
“That’s my mom for you. She also told me to make sure you know you can stop by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner anytime. It’s available for staff.”
“Really?”
“It’s my mom. Of course.”
