“How much more is there left to do?” I glance over my shoulder at Tillie and another staffer, Bellamy—Bell for short—as they stretch a crisp white sheet over the master bed.
“What’s the matter? Not as exciting as watchin’ the big, bad wolf fire people?” Tillie says, throwing a smirk over her shoulder. She’s been casting off little snipes like that all afternoon. I can’t help but feel like some of them are directed at me, simply through association. Or maybe I’m just overly sensitive to anything negative Henry-related.
“Starving,” I murmur, dragging the duster along the dark corners where the walls meet the ceiling, catching any last remaining cobwebs along the way. I’m not exactly dressed for heavy-duty cleaning. I peeled off my jacket and untucked my blouse, making it a little easier to help.
“Well, it’s no wonder. You shoulda eaten when they brought over dinner.”
“I wasn’t hungry then.” I was too worried about Henry and what is happening back at the hotel. I’m still worried, but hunger pains are finally winning out.
“There are probably some scraps left, if those savages downstairs haven’t devoured it all. Or you could make a run back to the hotel in the truck.”
Driving alone on that road? No thanks. “I can wait a bit longer.” I toss the duster into the cleaning supply bucket and scan my phone for a text from Henry that I already know hasn’t come. I’ve been at this house all afternoon. It’s now after 9:00 p.m. and the sun is beginning to set—Alaskan summers are still something to get used to—and Henry hasn’t called or messaged me once. I’ve been managing his e-mail as best as I can from my phone, though I’d rather be on my laptop.
What did his father say after I left? Has the media heard about the wrongful dismissal suit yet? How fast do things like that spread?
I know nothing, I remind myself. Absolutely nothing, should anyone ask.
Which reminds me…
Pulling my personal phone out of my pocket, I open up the text thread from Jed. I really don’t want to message him, but I told Henry I would and it’s a good idea to get it over with now. Still, I won’t acknowledge his last message to me, about how he’s been thinking about me. So instead, I go for casual conversation:
How are things back home?
I have no idea if he’s still up, given Pennsylvania is four hours ahead. He has always been a night owl but he has a full-time summer job that he has to be up early for so I don’t know if—
Three dots start bouncing on the screen.
Same ol’ Greenbank. Nothing much has changed.
A second message comes shortly after:
Way more exciting up there, I’ll bet.
I bite the inside of my mouth to hide my smile, even though he can’t see me. You have no idea.
It has its moments. The grand opening is this weekend so there are all kinds of magazine reporters and other important people. Working lots.
I need to do damage control for that text Henry sent on my behalf, but I don’t want it to be obvious that that’s what I’m doing.
How are you managing with your boss?
Fine. He’s so busy, I barely see him. Honestly, I was just kidding about what I said before. I mean, he’s an asshole but he barely even looks at me.
I can’t bring myself to add the last part, about how I was just trying to make Jed nervous. That makes me sound weak and like I want him back. I know now, without a doubt, that I don’t want Jed back, ever.
Oh, good. I’m glad. You had me worried. You’re such a sweet girl, Abigail. I wouldn’t want anyone taking advantage of you.
I can’t keep the snort from escaping me. Someone like you, Jed? Asking me to hold out and save myself for him, that he was just “sowing his wild oats.” Now, seeing it from the outside, it makes me sick. It makes me grit my teeth with anger.
“What’s up?” Tillie asks, dropping the pillows into their cases.
“Nothing.” I put my phone away, no interest in carrying on the conversation. My purpose for texting Jed is over. I take in the bedroom now that it’s dressed, so to speak. “This place looks amazing.” The housekeeping staff that’s been working here all day have done an incredible job, transforming the cabin from a dusty, desolate space to a cozy and rustic getaway. Yesterday, it was empty except for a few random dusty dressers and side tables. Today, each room has a bed—pulled from the excess supply room at the hotel. John, the old man who drives the ferry, showed up with a dark leather couch and armchair set and a harvest table around dinner time, hauled all the way from a furniture store in Homer. Between the new furniture, the crisp towels and bedding, a few new lamps and rugs and other accessories, you’d never know that it was all but abandoned only twenty-four hours ago.
“Paige warned us to bust our asses and make this place shine. God knows what would happen to us if we didn’t. Probably be ridin’ the ferry with our belongings, just like Rachel.” Tillie fluffs the pillows with firm smacks before dropping them onto the bed to arrange them neatly, the bitterness in her voice obvious.
“It seems like a lot of people are angry about Rachel.”
“Honestly? It’s a great big ol’ pile of bullshit is what it is. I mean, come on! This is the hotel industry for God’s sakes! Everyone sleeps with everyone, especially round here. Put a bunch of hot-blooded men with attractive women in a village of cabins and what do you expect!” Tillie’s southern twang really kicks in when she’s passionate about something. I would probably enjoy listening to her, if it wasn’t Henry’s head on her pike.
“She didn’t sleep with a coworker. She was with a guest.” Do not defend. Do not defend.
“And who do you think Wolf is sleeping with up here, because don’t tell me he’s not gonna get his dick wet the entire summer. If it ain’t his staff, then it’s the hotel guests, too. And how does that look? Man runs the whole damn chain and beds his paying customers, but goes all big brother on his staff when they’re off shift. It all reeks of hypocrisy, if you ask me. ’Specially when his own assistant is using the spa and pissing guests off, and gets off with nothin’.”
I feel my face turn bright red.
“Oh, you thought people wouldn’t find out about that?” Tillie laughs. “Darlin’, there are no secrets within these walls.”
I’m guessing that’s not entirely true, because if they knew what was going on within the walls of Cabin One, Tillie would flat-out say it. But still… this is what Connor meant when he said I was above the law. Oh my God! Do they know that Katie gave me a Brazilian wax?
I turn to gaze out the window at the peaceful water and empty dock, taking a moment to let my face cool. I’m going to murder Katie if she told people!
Clearing my voice, I offer, “I didn’t get off with nothing. I got written up.”
“Did you get put on a boat and shipped off after spending a pile of money on a plane ticket to get here?”
Point taken. It isn’t fair that I got off, and the only reason I got off is because I’m sleeping with Henry. This is why Tillie’s not entirely friendly with me today. I guess I can’t blame her.
“So, is someone actually staying here?” Bell asks, fussing with the eyelet lace on the duvet.
I offer her a smile, a silent thanks for changing the topic. “No. It’s all for the media this weekend. They want to see the history behind Wolf Cove and why Mr. Wolf chose this location to build the hotel.”
“There are a lot of them comin’ in. Talk about a dog and pony show. I guess with William and Scott Wolf coming in, too, it’s only expected.”
“What do you know about Scott Wolf, anyway?” I ask, faking mild curiosity. If anyone knows anything, it’ll be the queen of gossip, Tillie.
“Oh, he’s a real piece of work. Has a major Henry Wolf complex. He’s older than Henry and yet his baby brother gets all the love. Rumor has it Scott lost his everlovin’ mind when their father told them that Henry would be takin’ over the hotel chain. I guess he’d rather have that than the gold mine and thinks he should have first dibs. Spoiled brat, if you ask me.”
Bell snorts. “Wow.”
“Wonder why their father is handing it over. I saw him earlier. He doesn’t look very old.”
“Who knows. Doesn’t want the headache, maybe?”
So Tillie doesn’t know about the cancer. The only reason for that would be that they’ve kept it secret.
And yet Henry divulged it to me.
Tillie straightens the end table, eyeballing it against the other one. She’s suddenly more chipper, which usually happens when she’s dishing out gossip. “Either way, Scott has not taken it well. He owns a stake just like his brother, and I hear he’s been fighting against Wolf Cove the entire time. Probably out of spite because his brother inherited all the land. Then again, I also heard that the strife is more about Scott’s wife than it is about any mine or hotel.”
“Scott’s married?”
“Was. She’s an ex now, and apparently Henry helped with that, if you know what I mean.” She waggles her eyebrows.
Ugh. Please tell me that’s wrong.
Tillie grabs the bucket of cleaning supplies, her sinewy arm flexing under the weight. “Come on. I think we’re done up here.”
I trail her down the rustic stairs—the steps made from logs split in half—that overlook the grand room, doing my best to push away the uncomfortable conversation from upstairs. The crackling fire in the massive stone hearth helps.
“So? What do you think, boss?” Connor asks, stooped over to shift the burning log with an antique iron poker, his back muscles shifting beneath his t-shirt.
I think that, though I was drunk and it was dark the first night I met him, the weeks of outdoor work in Alaska have honed his body even more. But I don’t say that. “It looks like it’s actually usable.” Everything is clean, the wood polished, the furniture rearranged. Once they close the windows that have been sitting open all day to air it out, and let the fire warm the place, it’ll be cozy.
“Yeah?” Connor’s eyes dip down to my blouse. “Here, you should come by the fire and warm yourself. You look cold.”
Only five minutes after my last embarrassing moment, I find my cheeks flushing again. I cross my arms over my chest, silently cursing the lack of any padding in this bra. Had I thought ahead, I would have run back and changed, or at least grabbed a sweater. Thankfully I found a safety pin to secure my shirt, so I’m not flashing anyone anymore.
I wander over to stand next to him, holding my hands in front of the flame, because I am cold and I do need to warm myself up.
“We’re done here, Connor,” Tillie calls out. “Let’s wrap it up.”
“Yeah, well, you’re gonna have to wait. Paige asked me to burn a fire for a few minutes. She wanted to give it that freshly used look and smell.” He turns back to the fire. “We’ve got two trucks here. You and Bell go ahead with Ronan. I’ll drive Abbi back with me.”
Tillie’s eyes narrow for just a moment before a wide smile stretches across her beautiful face. “No, that’s okay. I can stick around for a bit. Abbi’s the one who’s starving, right, Abbi?” There’s something decidedly insincere in her manner, something disingenuous behind those eyes.
“It’s okay. I can wait. I’m supposed to leave with the last crew,” I explain. “Mr. Wolf’s orders.”
“Well, we wouldn’t want to anger Mr. Wolf. Connor, can you help me get these things into the truck?”
“Ronan’s out there.”
With a glare and a small huff, she spins on her heels and heads out the door. She’s obviously pissed about something.
Connor seems oblivious or unfazed. To me, he says, “Pretty amazing, don’t you think? It’s kind of cool that the old man built—”
My work phone chirps with a text. It’s an instant reaction, lifting the phone to my face. It’s also incredibly rude. I smile an apology to Connor as I read the text from Henry:
Take the morning off and meet Belinda in the lobby at 11. She’ll prep you.
I frown. Of all days to give me the morning off, I would think it wouldn’t be on the day of the grand opening. I quickly type out a response:
Are you sure? It’s going to be really busy. I can be there early to help.
I’ll be tied up with my father and Scott all morning.
Ugh. I think I’m okay with not facing either of them again, especially after today’s introductions.
K.
I hesitate, but then I quickly punch out:
Do you want to review the schedule one more time, tonight? I know you’re stressed about it
I add a smiley face and then promptly erase it. That screams “code for sex” if someone were to read this.
I’ll be fine. See you tomorrow, Abbi.
My shoulders sag with frustration at his refusal. I really wanted to see him tonight. But then I remind myself that he’s been with his father and Scott all night. I don’t blame him for not being in the mood.
“Trouble in paradise?” Connor asks, earning my wide eyes of panic.
“What are you talking about?”
He shrugs. “Just that look on your face. You look disappointed about something.”
“It’s nothing. I’m just… I can’t seem to do anything right,” I lie.
“Yeah. I’ve heard that about him.”
Man, does Henry have a bad rep. How much worse is it going to get if people hear about Kiera’s claims?
A horn blasts several times outside, followed by Tillie’s, “Come on! We’re waiting!”
Suddenly, I’m exhausted. Today has been a long day. Tomorrow is going to be even longer. “We should get going. I think this looks plenty used for Paige.” I push the glass door shut and pull the lever to close off the chimney, cutting off the air circulation and effectively smothering the fire.
“Where’d you learn how to do that?” Connor eyes me curiously.
“Years of fires in the wood-burning stove at my family’s farmhouse.”
He stands taller, looming over me. “Damn, I sure do like a woman who knows how to handle a fire.”
After an afternoon of overt flirting, I’m somewhat more comfortable around Connor. Enough to joke with him, at least. “Well, I just put your fire out for you.”
Deep dimples mark his cheeks as he laughs. “You heading back to the staff lodge for dinner? I heard you were starving.”
“Actually, I think I’m more tired than I am hungry. I need a good night’s sleep.” Something I haven’t done since the day I stepped foot in Wolf Cove.
We hit all the lights and lock up—in case of who out here in the wild, I don’t know—and head out the back door to find both trucks rumbling.
Ronan is waiting on the stoop. “Tillie’s waiting for you, C. And you’re coming with me and Bell. We’ll have to come back in the morning to drop some plywood down over the mud for people to get across.” I hold my breath as Ronan scoops me up without warning, carrying me across the thick mud to the flatbed truck in much the same way Connor did earlier. I’m forced to settle my hands on his firm, broad shoulders to keep myself upright.
“See you back at home!” Tillie calls out in that sweet drawl, already sitting in Connor’s truck.
As luck would have it, I’m in the middle again, only the interior of the flatbed is much less comfortable and narrower. There’s a giant gearshift jutting up from the floor that I can’t really avoid straddling.
“It’s so dark,” Bell whispers from the passenger side as we move slowly along the laneway. “Do you think there’s bears and stuff out here?”
Ronan reaches over to shift gears with his big, work-worn hand. Even without touching me, the simple motion somehow feels sexual, the gear sliding closer toward me. “Bears, wolves, cougars.” Bell slams her hand over the pop-up lock, earning Ronan’s deep laughter. “Don’t worry. Nothing’s going to get us in here.”
I bite my tongue against the urge to tell them about the grizzly bear we saw. That would mean telling them that I was out with Henry cutting firewood, and there’s enough gossip around here, clearly.
I breathe a sigh of relief as we turn onto the main dirt road, a road built to truck wood to and from the clearing site. I can’t even fathom how all this property is Henry’s. I’m sure part of the tension between him and his brother has to do with his grandparents leaving this all to him. If I were Scott, I can’t say I wouldn’t harbor at least a bit of resentment.
Then again, he was handed a gold mine to run. He’s not exactly hard done by.
We turn right onto the main road, toward the hotel. I expect to see the headlights that have been trailing us all this time come into view in the rearview mirror appear again. When they don’t, I look over my shoulder to find the truck sitting idly, the distance between us growing. I frown. “Something’s wrong. You should turn around.”
“Nah. They’re fine. They’ll catch up with us in bit.” There’s just enough light in the truck to allow me to catch the sly grin on Ronan’s face as he peers down at me, his gaze flickering to my mouth.
And it clicks.
Tillie’s sleeping with Connor.
And he’s been blatantly flirting with me all afternoon. No wonder she’s been so pissy. My head falls back against the rear window and I chuckle at myself for not seeing it sooner. “Oh…”
“You’re quick, red.” Ronan changes gears again, his fingers doing a split-second graze along the inside of my knee on his way past.
It could easily have been an accident, but something about Ronan tells me it wasn’t.
