Chapter 4

Chapter Four

Ivy

I finished typing my last email of the day and sent it off before rocking back in my chair and pulling in a centering breath. Twisting toward the window to my left, I took in the beautiful view beyond the glass as twilight spread like a blanket over the valley. My office sat on the second floor of Second Hope Lodge, giving me an unobstructed view of the ranch stretching out below and the mountains beyond surrounding my small town. If I thought that it was beautiful just then, it was even better in the winter when everything was covered in fresh white snow, making it look and feel like the whole town was in a snow globe.

I was four years old when my mom moved us to Hope Valley, but the beauty of this place still managed to take my breath away all these years later. I might not have been born in Hope Valley, but it was home, and would be forever. I couldn't imagine wanting to live anywhere else.

Standing, I placed my hands on the small of my back and arched my spine, giving it a much-needed stretch. I shut everything down and grabbed my purse, flipping the light switch off as I exited my office and headed down the hall to the main staircase that would take me out into the great room.

The massive space was the main hub of the lodge. Everything about it screamed cozy country living, from the high wood-beamed ceilings to the stone fireplace that was big enough to warm the entire area in the winter. The room was decked out in buttery-soft leather couches the color of cognac, and the rich wood-paneled walls were covered in paintings or sepia-tinted photographs of vast fields of flowers or horses and cows. Those that didn't contain art were lined with custom-built shelves full of books that spanned across any genre a person could want.

It wasn't uncommon to find guests dotted around, either cozied up on the couches reading from our vast selection, enjoying a coffee from the restaurant off the back of the great room or a cocktail from our bar, Saddled and Spurred, off to the left.

The reception desk, where guests checked in, stood between the branched-off grand staircase. Tucked into a nook beneath the left staircase was the activities desk where I spent at least half of my workday, signing guests up for all the different excursions we offered on the ranch.

It would have been faster to go out the employee exit where my car was parked, but I liked to end each day here, taking time to feel things out and keep my finger on the pulse of the place. And more times than not, I'd run into a guest who had a question I was more than happy to answer.

"You finally heading out?" Becky asked as my heels clicked against the scraped wood floors at the bottom of the steps.

I turned to face the reception desk with a big smile. Becky Hightower might have been up there in years, but the woman didn't know the meaning of the word slow. She and her husband, Bill, had retired a million times, first from the Tap Room, their family's bar. Then from this very ranch, handing it down to their grandson Zach. But none of those times ever seemed to stick for long. Hell, they were the brains behind opening Second Hope Lodge and played active roles in its day-to-day operations. Becky herself managed the place and had been the one to interview me before hiring me a few years ago.

"Yep. Just have to run home real quick to change before I meet up with Rae and the rest of the girls."

Her grin deepened the smile lines around her mouth and eyes that had formed thanks to the long, happy life she had lived so far. "Good. I'm glad you're getting out. You need to live, Ivy girl. You work too damn much."

She wasn't exactly wrong. Most days I didn't leave here until the sun had already gone down, but you know what they said about doing what you love. "I like my job," I said with an easy shrug. "I love it here."

"And we love having you, sweetheart, but your work can't be everything. You're still young. You should be out living it up, having fun. Meeting fine young men," she said with a waggle of her brows.

I tossed my hair over my shoulders on a laugh. "Don't let my parents hear you say that. According to them I've had more than my fair share of fun. If it wasn't for the fact this is a small town, I'd have the arrest record to prove it."

"Okay, fine. Maybe don't go buck wild, but this town is full of fine men who would give their left arm for a shot with you. You should be out there leaving a trail of broken hearts in your wake."

Oh, if only it were that easy. What I didn't bother saying was that I wished I could put myself out there and start dating again. I'd always enjoyed it. Unfortunately, ever since Connor, it seemed a switch had been flipped and I couldn't bring myself to accept any of the offers that had come my way these past few months. It was like that asshole had managed to break something inside of me, making it impossible for me to say yes to another man.

It was reason enough to punch him right in his perfectly proportioned face.

"Who knows, maybe tonight I'll get lucky," I offered, even though I knew I'd most likely end up going home alone like I had every single night for the past few months. That knowledge set me on edge, because after witnessing that kiss, it was obvious Connor wasn't having the same issue.

"Fingers crossed, darlin'. Either way, enjoy yourself tonight, and I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you," I said as I spun on the sharp point of my heel and proceeded to slam into a wall of firm, hot muscle. "Oh my God."

"Whoa," a deep, husky voice said as I dragged my eyes up the broad chest covered by a soft navy T-shirt. "You okay?"

"I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going," I insisted as I finally met the gaze of the man I'd collided with.

"It was an accident. You have nothing to apologize for."

"Mr. Fine," I greeted as a slight warmth filled my cheeks.

It was ironic that Becky and I were just talking about attractive men only moments before, because the guy standing in front of me certainly lived up to his last name, that was for damn sure. Tanner Fine had been at the lodge for three days, and everyone was losing their minds. The women couldn't get over how attractive he was and the men were drooling over the professional athlete in their midst. Apparently the guy was a famous hockey player for a team in DC. He sure was built well enough to be one. I couldn't imagine what it would feel like to have the guy crash into you on the ice. He was the human equivalent of a brick wall. To say having him here had made things interesting would have been an understatement. He was all anyone had been able to talk about for days. I had to admit, even I wasn't immune to all that he was. I'd been more than a little flustered during our brief encounters so far.

"Please, call me Tanner. And you're Ivy, right?"

I nodded, the warmth in my cheeks intensifying beneath his gaze. In the past I wouldn't have hesitated to shoot my shot with a guy like Tanner, but that was before stupid freaking Connor. Still, I couldn't help my body's reaction to having the attention of such an attractive man. "That's right. How has your stay with us been so far? Are you enjoying yourself?"

He grinned at me, and I waited to feel the flutter of butterflies in my belly, but it never came. It was a good smile. A great smile, actually. But it didn't have dimples. It didn't have that tiny hint of wickedness that promised something wild and crazy and reckless.

"I am, thanks," he said, his charm more All-American than the playboy type I found myself most drawn to lately. Damn it . "Did some fly fishing today. It was exactly what I needed. Quiet and relaxing."

"Good, I'm glad. You know, if quiet is what you're after, there are some incredible hiking trails all around here. I'd be more than happy to sign you up with one of our guides."

Tanner tucked his hands into his pockets, his smile going crooked in the most adorable way, showcasing a bright white smile. "I don't suppose I could get you to be my guide for one of those hikes?"

The sound of Becky clearing her throat from behind me was obnoxiously loud. I cast a quick glance over my shoulder, throwing a glare her way that said pipe down, woman before looking back at the big wall of beefcake. "Sorry, that's not really my area of expertise. Trust me, you don't want me as your guide."

He took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Then maybe you'd just like to go with me," he suggested, and I silently cursed Connor for ruining everything .

"I really appreciate the offer, but things are kind of crazy right now," I said gently, hating turning down a man who, at least on paper, seemed like an absolute catch. It pissed me off that I couldn't get my head on straight, even months later. I really needed to get my shit together.

He started walking backward slowly. "I understand. Maybe some other time. You know... when things are a little less crazy."

"Yeah, maybe."

I really hoped that happened sooner rather than later.

The Tap Room was already busy by the time I arrived there later that evening. I pushed through the door and stepped inside, scanning all the familiar faces in search of my crew. That was one of the things I liked most about living in a small town, you knew most everybody. It could be a pain, especially when you were prone to trouble and trying to hide it from your parents, and the gossip mill worked faster in smaller towns, but mostly, I loved knowing everyone around me. It was a tight-knit community, and I loved being a part of it.

Something caught my attention from the corner of my eye and I turned to see Rae standing at a round high-top table equal distance between the bar and dance floor. Our other friends, Lennix, Holly, and Holly's sister Sunny, were already there with drinks as well. Aside from Rae, the rest of us had practically grown up together.

I moved through the crowd, offering smiles and waves and returning hellos to the people I passed along the way.

"You made it," Rae said happily, pulling me in for a quick hug. "Here, I ordered for you already."

She slid the blond ale I favored my way and I quickly picked up the glass, taking a much-needed sip. "Appreciate it. I told you I was coming."

"I know, but you'd usually still be at the lodge right about now," Lennix added, arching a brow in a silent dare for me to tell her she was wrong.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "You know, you and your grandmother are too damn much alike."

She smiled proudly. "My mom and dad tell me that same thing all the time." Of course she would take pride in the fact that she drove her parents to the brink of insanity. That was a shared quality that she and I had bonded over in the past, but she wasn't supposed to use it against me.

"Well, excuse me for liking my job. I figured you of all people would understand. It's supposed to be your night off and you came out with your friends to your own bar ."

She laughed, lifting her beer to her lips and drinking. "All right, point taken. I'll cut you some slack."

"Speaking of your job..." Lennix wiggled her brows. "I heard a particularly hot guest asked you out today."

Damn it, Becky !

"It was nothing," I insisted.

Lennix shot me a look that said she knew I was full of shit. "Didn't seem like nothing to grandma. She said he seemed really into you."

Rae bounced in her seat. "Ooh, was it that guest at the lodge everyone at the ranch is talking about? I only got a brief glimpse of him once, but he was gorgeous ." She pointed a finger at each of us. "And if any of you tell Zach I said that I'll lie through my teeth."

"Isn't he some kind of athlete?" Holly asked.

"He plays hockey," I answered before I could stop myself. "And yes, he's hot, and he asked me out, but it would be totally inappropriate to get involved with a guest."

Sunny reared back on her chair. "Says who? Is that a rule or something?"

I took a big gulp of my beer. "Well, no. Not technically. But what the hell would I do with a famous hockey player?" I scoffed.

"Oh, I can think of quite a few things," Sunny said, garnering a laugh from everyone else.

I balled up a napkin and threw it at her. "It doesn't matter. I already turned him down."

I hadn't been able to bring myself to tell my friends about what had happened with Connor. The whole situation was too embarrassing, and I didn't want to rehash my own stupidity, but I wondered if they'd push so hard for me to date if they knew.

"Then take it back," Rae insisted, like it made all the sense in the world. "The man didn't lose interest just because you shot him down once."

Holly nodded in agreement. "She's right. Find him and tell him you changed your mind."

Rae pulled in a sharp gasp and slapped a palm down on the table, her eyes going wide with excitement. "You know what you should do? You should invite him to the wedding next week."

I choked on the sip of beer I'd just taken. "I'm not asking some guy I don't know to be my date to your wedding."

She lifted her hands in curiosity. "Why not? I mean, it's basically just one big-ass party. Think about it. An open bar, great music, dancing, and if he turns out to be a dud, you'll be surrounded by your friends to keep you company."

She had a point. There was also the silver lining that I wouldn't be alone the first time I was forced to see Connor again.