Page 34 of Stout Bear

The attendant’s face brightened with recognition. “Of course, Mr. Bock. Congratulations on your win. We have you in our Evergreen Suite.” She processed their information quickly and handed over two key cards. “You’ll find it on the third floor with a beautiful view of the lake.”

A porter appeared beside them, offering to take their bags. “I’ll show you to your suite.”

Their suite was spacious and inviting, with a king-sized bed, a sitting area near a private fireplace, and large windows showcasing the spectacular mountain and lake view. The porter set down their bags, gave a brief overview of the room features, and departed with Max’s tip.

“What do you think?” Max asked once they were alone.

Laney walked to the window, taking in the panoramic vista of forest, lake, and sky. “It’s incredible. I can’t believe we’re staying here.”

“Only the best for my favorite environmental scientist,” Max said, moving to stand behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her gently against his chest. “And we’ve got that spa package waiting downstairs whenever you’re ready.”

Laney turned in his arms, looking up at him with a mixture of excitement and something else he couldn’t quite read. “Leadthe way. I could use some serious relaxation after the past few weeks.”

Max took her hand, leading her back through the lodge toward the lower level where the spa was located. They stepped out of the elevator into a tranquil space with dim lighting and soft instrumental music playing in the background. A skylight above the central area allowed natural light to filter down, illuminating a decorative water feature. The subtle scent of lavender and cedar hung in the air.

“Mr. Bock, Ms. Collins, welcome,” said the spa receptionist, checking their reservation. “We have your treatments ready. Please change into these robes, and your therapist will be with you shortly.”

They were led to separate changing rooms where Max exchanged his clothes for swimming trunks and the provided plush robe and slippers. When he emerged, Laney was already waiting, her hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. The simple white robe somehow made her look more beautiful than ever.

“This way, please,” their attendant said, guiding them through the spa. They passed a heated pool where several guests lounged in the steaming water, sipping beverages and chatting quietly.

Their first treatment was a couples mud bath in a private room with stone walls and subtle lighting from wall sconces. Two tubs of dark, mineral-rich mud awaited them.

“I’ve never done anything like this before,” Max admitted as they prepared to enter the mud baths.

Max eased into his own tub, surprised by the warm, thick consistency of the mud. It took a moment to adjust, but as he settled in, he had to admit it felt surprisingly good. The warmthpenetrated his muscles, and he could feel the tension from the festival week beginning to melt away.

He leaned his head back against the tub’s edge. “This is pretty amazing.”

Their attendant returned with a tray of herbal tea and fruit skewers, setting it on a small table between them. “Enjoy your soak. I’ll return in twenty minutes to prepare you for your facials.”

Once they were alone, Max reached over to take Laney’s hand, their arms resting on the edges of their respective tubs. “How’s work been since the festival? Any progress with the county?”

Laney’s expression grew more serious. “Ivy’s been applying more pressure, but they’re still claiming they’re backed up. They don’t seem to consider it urgent, despite all our data.”

“That’s frustrating,” Max said.

“How’s the new filtration system holding up?” Laney asked, taking a sip of her tea.

Max hesitated, not wanting to bring more worry into their relaxing weekend. “The beer quality is good, but some of the filter readings have been odd this past week. Nothing alarming yet, but I’m keeping an eye on it.”

“Let me know if anything changes,” Laney said. “I can always run more tests.”

“Let’s not think about that now,” Max suggested gently. “This weekend is about us, not water problems or the brewery.”

Their conversation flowed easily as they soaked, moving from brewery talk to lighter topics. Max found himself laughingmore than he had in weeks. The stress of the festival and the ongoing water investigation was temporarily forgotten in Laney’s company. When the attendant returned, they moved on to facials, where Max endured Laney’s teasing as his face was covered in a cool mask and cucumber slices were placed over his eyes.

“If the staff at the brewery could see me now,” he groaned, though secretly he was enjoying the pampering more than he cared to admit.

“Your secret’s safe with me,” Laney promised, her voice lilting with amusement. “But I might need photographic evidence for future leverage.”

After their facials, they were led to showers where they could rinse off the remnants of the mud bath. The warm water washed away the mud, leaving Max feeling lighter than he had in months.

In a changing room, he dressed in the clothes he’d brought for dinner. Nothing too formal, just dark slacks and a button-down shirt. He arrived in the lobby first, positioning himself near the grand fireplace. The fire had been built up for the evening, casting dancing shadows across the floor. A few other guests milled about; some heading to dinner, others returning from afternoon activities.

Max looked up to see Laney walking out of the elevator. His breath caught in his throat. She wore a deep blue dress that hugged her curves and fell just below her knees. Her auburn hair was styled in an elegant updo with a few loose curls framing her face.

His inner bear practically roared with possessiveness and desire. Heat surged through him, and for a moment, he seriously considered forgetting dinner altogether and taking her straight back upstairs.

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