Chapter 34

Chapter Thirty-Four

Bess

I noticed the spark in Charlie’s eyes before he spoke, and my whole body tensed in anticipation.

“You should stay! The cabin is paid for until Saturday morning. There are two double beds. The meals are included. I already booked myself into another place in town so it’s all yours.”

Mom raised her delicate brows, staring at him in disbelief. “Cabin? Here?”

Charlie got up. “I’ll go sort it out with the front desk.”

“But we don’t have anything. I mean, I packed a change of clothes but not much else. I wasn’t sure how long it would take.” She threw me a questioning look. “And I was under the impression that Bess really needed to get back to Denver tonight?”

Her look turned exaggeratedly meaningful, and Charlie responded with similarly over-the-top eyeballing. “That has been taken care of. She can stay.”

Mom looked a little confused. “What about Celia?”

“She can skip one day of kindergarten, can’t she? We can go to the Fall Festival in Cozy Creek tomorrow. I looked it up and they have a cotton candy stand and a petting zoo with bunny rabbits.”

Celia looked up from the phone, her eyes so huge she could have passed for a cartoon character. “Yes! Please, Mom! Please, Nana!” Her little head whipped back and forth between us.

“Well played,” I told him wryly. “Sugar and baby bunnies.”

“I play to win.” He grinned back, impervious.

Mom was warming up to the idea, her gaze frequently flicking to the mountains, which were beginning to take on that red evening hue. The sun hung low behind the trees, sending golden beams through the branches. “This is an exceptional place. I do have our knitting group meeting on Saturday morning, but I guess I could reschedule.”

“Perfect!” Charlie enthused. “Two nights of fresh mountain air, outdoor spa and catering. You’ll come back a new person.”

She blushed, giving him a shy smile. “You know how to convince a lady.”

“He works in advertising, Mom.” I flicked Charlie a bemused side-eye.

My mother was already sold. “I am borrowing Gail’s car, and I know she’s not fussy about it, but I could return it on Saturday since we’re meeting at her house.” Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she batted her lashes. “Did you say there was a spa?”

I rolled my eyes. Mom had spent more time studying Rubie Ridge website than I had. She knew exactly what the place offered.

“A hot tub under the stars,” Charlie confirmed with a grin.

“I have a swimsuit you can borrow,” I added, sharing a quick smile with Charlie.

“It is a gorgeous location,” Ilme echoed. “I wish it wasn’t run by pretentious moneybags.”

Charlie looked out the window, eyes hard. “I know the type.”

Listening to my mom and Ilme chat about the healing properties of the mountain air, my face softened into a smile. Despite everything on my mind, I was feeling hopeful again, almost giddy. Even the dull ache in my ankle couldn’t dampen my spirits. Charlie had done it again. He’d somehow turned everything around and saved the day.

“Do you want to see the cabin?” He asked Celia, who nodded vigorously, finally dropping Mom’s phone on the table.

“Will you be okay?” I asked Ilme as we got up. “Do you have to go back to Estonia?”

Her eyes met mine, sharpening. “There’s an Estonian saying—the brave wolf has a fat chest.” She frowned. “Okay, it doesn’t translate well. But it means if you want to be fed, you have to go hunting. I’ll hunt for a new job.”

“If I ever open an art center, I’ll hire you immediately,” Charlie said.

“Watch out. I’ll make people uncomfortable,” she warned him, whisking a long strand of dark hair off her face.

He laughed a little, then gave her a focused stare. “You’re an artist! Art is supposed to make us uncomfortable. Artists are the gatekeepers of truth.”

Before we left the dining room, I caught a glimpse of Ilme’s face and knew his words had hit home. Charlie had sprinkled his magic all over the room.

How did he do it?

A few minutes later, we’d dragged Mom’s bags into the cabin. Celia familiarized herself with every piece of furniture, jumping from the chair to the couch to the bed, squealing with delight. I couldn’t remember the last time we’d done an overnight trip anywhere. She occasionally slept on Mom’s couch. That was it. Witnessing the pure joy she drew from this adventure brought tears to my eyes.

“I’ll take this,” Mom announced from the loft, testing the sofa bed. “You, your giant boot and Celia can sleep in the big bed.”

“I’ll ask them to change the sheets,” Charlie said, already on his phone.

“No.” I placed my hand over his phone, enjoying the excuse to touch his fingers. They were so warm. “Unless you peed the bed.”

“Did you pee the bed?” Celia asked him in earnest. “I sometimes do. But not anymore because I’m a big girl.”

“That’s great,” Charlie said, struggling to keep a straight face. “No, I didn’t pee the bed this time.”

“Then it should be fine. You’ve only slept there for three nights.”

“Three nights pining for you.” He raised a meaningful eyebrow, and I nearly choked on my saliva. I’d forgotten how men could be shameless and disgusting and charming, all at the same time.

“Okay, yeah. Let’s change the sheets. Maybe on both beds.” I looked up at the loft, then locked eyes with Charlie. From the look on his face, I knew he was thinking of that first night.

“Good call,” he said, his voice a little husky.

“So, where are you staying?” I asked.

I wanted to stay there, too. Not that I didn’t want to cuddle my child. Only those cuddles would progress to her kicking me in the shins all night long. I’d carry her to the toilet, disoriented and violently thrashing in my arms, so she wouldn’t have an accident, since Mom hadn’t packed any diaper pants. Despite the fear of hypothermia and other complications, I’d enjoyed the respite from my usual nighttime routines.

“I… it’s a small place, just outside Cozy Creek.”

“Are you coming here for breakfast tomorrow?”

“I wouldn’t miss it! Seeing you mix all the cereals is the highlight of my day. I can only imagine what your daughter will do.”

“Is it okay if she eats there? What about Mom?”

“It’s all sorted. They’re more than happy to let them stay, knowing that I won’t sue them.”

“Seriously? What would you sue them for? Your own stupidity?”

He lifted a shoulder. “A poorly organized excursion, failure to provide instruction, general health and safety. It doesn’t really matter if you can afford the lawsuit.”

“Did you threaten them?”

“Not in so many words, but they know my family.” He sighed. “Look, it’s complicated. The main thing is that I won’t be suing them, as long as they treat you and your family like royalty. So, let me know how they’re doing.” He flashed me a cheeky smile.

The rules really were different for rich people. My mind boggled, but I couldn’t deny it felt nice to know Mom and Celia would get preferential treatment. They never got that.

“Are you joining the art classes?” I asked.

He looked down, a little ashamed. “I’d love to, but I’m running out of time. I need to work on the new campaign. I’m trying to set up a meeting to present it first thing on Monday.”

“I’ll help you. Mom can watch Celia. What time is the festival?”

He looked up something on his phone. “It starts at midday and goes until sundown.”

“Maybe we’ll go after lunch?”

“Sounds good.” He smiled.

I bit my lip. “Sorry, I’m in mom mode. It’s mostly scheduling, with some health and safety thrown in.”

His smile widened. “I can see the spreadsheets reflected in your eyes.”

I made my eyes comically large, staring at him. “It’s my default setting. Sexy stuff, eh?”

“The sexiest,” he said, licking his lips.

There was no joke that could ruin the mood for this guy, and I kind of liked it. The way he looked at me left no doubts. I no longer wondered what Charlie thought of me, or bothered to hide the way my body responded to him. It felt good to be open about it, even if I now worried how I was ever going to reel it in and act professionally around him.

The stairs creaked as Mom returned from the loft, grabbing Celia off the bed where she was doing somersaults. Charlie waved his hand, retreating to the door. “I’ll be off then. See you in the morning!”

“Text me when you get there?” I asked him. “I’ll charge my phone. It’s still somewhere in my bag.” I gestured at my backpack lying on the couch.

Charlie’s expression shifted, and he leapt to the couch to grab my bag. “I totally forgot!”

“Oh, right. Your wallet!”

I walked over to the kitchenette to give Celia a drink of water as Charlie retrieved his valuables from the bottom of my bag.

Suddenly, I heard his alarmed voice. “Your phone’s not here!”

“What?”

“It’s not here! It must have dropped somewhere. The bag was open on the side. Did you ever tip it over?”

“No. I don’t think so.” I rushed to examine the bag.

I turned it inside out, sticking my hand into every pocket. The phone was gone. This couldn’t be happening! “Where the heck is it?”

He gave me a pained look. “I don’t know. Sorry.”

“Did you lose anything? Your wallet?”

“No, all good.” He lifted the wallet to show me it was safe before slipping it into his back pocket.

Deep breaths, I told myself. The phone was worth nothing. I only had to replace it somehow.

“Kathy?” Charlie called from the door. “Can I have your phone number? Just in case, since we’ve lost Bess’s phone.”

Mom appeared by my side, Celia in tow. “You lost your phone? How?”

“I don’t know,” I said, my chin wobbly. “Maybe in the forest? Maybe when I fell?” I turned to Charlie. “Was it in my bag when you put your things in there?”

He looked away, thinking back. “I’m not sure. I guess I didn’t really check. I just dropped my things in there.”

“Then I must have lost it when I fell,” I decided, not that it made any difference. I’d never see that phone again.

“Anna from that ranch emailed back. They found my backpack in the forest. I’ll send someone to get it. I’ll let you know if your phone’s in there. If it’s not, I’ll get you a new one,” Charlie said decisively, opening the front door. “Let me know if you have any preferences.”

“What? No!”

“No preference? I’ll choose, then. Judging by your wardrobe, I’m going to go with something black.” He glanced at my black jeans and dark sweater. “With amazing battery life.”

“Get purple, Mommy!” Celia yelled, hanging on my arm.

“No… I’m not arguing over the color! You’re not buying me a phone. I lost it. It’s my problem.”

“It’ll be my problem if I can’t call you.”

“Here’s my number.” Mom interrupted, sticking a piece of paper in Charlie’s hand. “You can contact us on this. And my daughter is most grateful for your offer to replace that phone if you can’t find it. She’s having trouble remembering her manners.”

“That’s okay. Tell her it’ll be my pleasure. I love shopping.”

Charlie winked at me, pocketing the note. He crouched down to say good night to Celia, teaching her an elaborate handshake that involved some slapping and clapping and lots of giggling on the girl’s part. Finally, he stood up and gave me the saddest smile I’d ever seen. “Are you okay?”

I nodded a little shakily. “Are you?”

He looked like he was about to say something, but instead waved his hand and pivoted on his heels, rushing down the steps. I watched him jog down the path towards the parking lot, eventually disappearing into the shadows.

For a moment, I felt his absence like a tangible void, a vortex of negative ions that seemed to suck the joy right out of me. How was I supposed to neutralize the effect of Charlie fucking Wilde?

I’d made myself a cup of tea when I heard knocking. Had he come back? I put down the cup, my heart pulling me toward the door until I realized it wasn’t him.

It was Trevor.

The burly, bearded, six-foot-five Scot with a distinctive laugh I could both hear and recognize from anywhere in the office. But he wasn’t laughing. Swiping his mop of curly hair off his eyes, Trevor handed me a paper bag with a pharmacy logo on it.

It took me embarrassingly long to figure out what it was. The morning-after pill! The delivery man Charlie had arranged was his star copywriter who worked with our biggest clients and had a way with the words that could turn every woman’s knees to jello—he’d proven that on one slam poetry open mic night I’d uncharacteristically taken part in. Now, staring at his slightly hunched frame and apologetic face, I thought of the haunting lines he’d written for his deceased mother.

“Please, don’t tell anyone,” I asked breathlessly.

“I already promised Charlie. I’m not a gossip.”

“Of course not.”

“Well, I better get back.”

“Right away? It’s such a long drive.” I frowned, staring at the paper bag. At work, I struggled to order more toner for the printer and now I was getting one pill hand delivered. The whole thing seemed insane.

Trevor flicked his wrist to dismiss my worries. “Trust me. Right now, it bodes well for me if Charlie owes me a favor. The bigger, the better.”

“Why? What do you need from him?”

Trevor looked a little startled, like he’d remembered something. “No reason. Nothing. Um… It’s just something I like to have in my back pocket to pull out at an opportune time.” He flashed a cheeky smile, wiggling his eyebrows, but I couldn’t shake the feeling he was hiding something.

I didn’t have time to figure it out, though, before he excused himself, jogging back to his car.

I closed the door as Mom appeared. “Celia’s ready for bed. Who was that?”

“A delivery guy,” I said, too tired to explain. “He dropped off the morning-after pill.”

“Wow! That’s an amazing service. You wouldn’t think it’s even possible in such a remote location.” She nodded appreciatively, wandering off.

“It’s not,” I said quietly to myself.

But with Charlie, things seemed possible. How would I cope with my old life after tasting such freedom and ease? I’d begun to believe in good things in a way that was most certainly foolish, and likely to cause pain. I was also growing attached to the beautiful things. The cabin was filled with them. It was the kind of space I would create if I’d ever had the money. The kind of space I wanted to be mine.

For a long time, I’d told myself it was best not to want for or even dream too much. When you weren’t moving towards those dreams, they became irrelevant, even hurtful. But having the front-row seat to Charlie’s reality had stirred up the old dreams. I’d caught myself mentally identifying with his world, sensing those same possibilities. If I wasn’t careful, I’d succumb to my old Pinterest addiction.

While I feared the impending reality check, I also loved that glimpse of the old me. The person I’d been with Jack in the good old days. We’d shared so many ideas, our heads in the clouds, minds full of excitement and endless belief. Well, him more than me, always. But I’d been far more trusting. So much more optimistic. I’d been ready to take risks.

The brave wolf has a fat chest.

I tried to laugh at the ridiculous Estonian saying, but it niggled at me. I’d been the brave little wolf. I’d ventured off the familiar path, chasing something elusive and exciting, and that’s why I no longer had a phone. That’s why my heart fluttered around Charlie and I couldn’t even think about returning to the office. That’s what risk-taking brought me: trouble on top of trouble.