Page 14 of Fallen Hearts

It was done.

Pushing my glass away, I stood up and grabbed my purse.

“Where are you going?” Mason asked, almost like he didn’t want me to leave.

“Back to Oregon,” I said. “There’s nothing for me here.”

I couldn’t stay another second. Mason smiling was a sight to behold, and one that would be burned onto my brain for life. I all but ran from the bar, realizing I’d never said goodbye to Parker. Or Beck for that matter. They seemed like decent guys, but I just had to get out of there.

Pushing open the door of the bar, I stumbled out into the chilly fall night but didn’t move. I leaned against the brick building, closed my eyes and imagined getting off the plane in Oregon. Failing. Again.

“Pia?”

My eyes flew open.

Apparently Mason had used his stealth training to follow me. I hadn’t even heard the door open. “Do you still want the job?”

6

MASON

Sometimes you made a decision that was guaranteed to bite you in the ass. This was going to be one of those times. It didn’t matter how much training I’d gone through for the department and as a Ranger, learning to avoid making split-second calls that I might later regret. Every once in a while, we all just ended up doing stupid shit.

Hiring Pia fell firmly into that category.

First of all, if I sold the inn, she’d likely be out of a job anyway. The most likely candidate for a buyer would be Paul Baker. He collected real estate in Cedar Falls like other people collected baseball cards or pennies. For years he’d told my father that Heritage Hill was the top on his list of properties he’d love to own. And for years my father had told Paul that it was not for sale. Knowing he’d pay top dollar, I’d almost contacted him earlier today but held off. If he did purchase it, Paul had more kids and grandkids to run the place than anyone I knew. Better to let Pia head back to Oregon before establishing a life here and having the rug pulled out from under her, as it certainly would be if Paul bought the place.

Second, I was attracted as hell to the woman. Having her work for me was not ideal. Mixing business and pleasure was never a great idea, especially when I had no intention of ever sealing the deal with a woman, long-term commitment and all. My friends and I may have been college kids, but I’d agreed to the bachelor pact for a reason.

“I do,” she said now to my stupid fucking question. What the hell had I been thinking?

“You sure? I’m not my father.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What does that mean, exactly?”

“I’m pretty sure you know what that means.”

“That he was nice and you…”

I raised my brows. “Go ahead.”

“Fine,” she said, lifting her chin. “You are less nice.”

Refusing to smile, I inwardly gave the woman credit. She was quick. And honest. I liked both of those things about her.

“I might not have put it exactly like that.”

“No?” she asked, back to herself. The fire in Pia’s eyes had gone out just before she ran out of the bar. Even if Parker hadn’t pushed me off the bar stool, I’d planned on coming after her anyway. Seeing her defeated, eyes closed, when I opened the door hadn’t felt… right.

“No. As long as you realize we’re two different people, and that there’s every likelihood you’ll be out of a job sooner rather than later anyway?—”

“Jesus,” she said. “You’re planning on firing me again, even before I start?”

“No, but I haven’t made any long-term decisions about keeping the inn. If I do sell, the most likely buyer will just as likely hire a family member to manage the place. That’s one of the reasons I didn’t want you to stay.”

“Oh.”

“Did I take the wind out of your sails, Pia?”

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