Page 7 of Desired By the Lumberjack

"I called ahead," I whisper to Laurel, guiding her around the groups of people in the lobby. "There's a lunch for the fraternity in the private room beside the main dining space."

She walks beside me, and my heart thuds when she wraps her arm through mine, linking us together. It feels more intimatethan just holding her hand. Like she's publicly claiming me. And I don't mind a bit.

Raucous laughter grows as we get closer to the private dining room, spilling into the hall even through the closed door. Laurel takes a steadying breath, then looks up at me and nods. I open the door, and she walks in ahead of me, her fingers trailing over my arm as she steps away.

The laughs stop, and there's a pause as everyone takes in the sight of this beautiful woman, hair hanging down over her shoulders in long waves, another of my sweaters draped over her curves. I enter and wait, letting her take the lead. Much as I would happily stalk over to the guy she's here to see and force him to sign the papers so we can go, I know this is something she needs to do.

She sets her shoulders back and raises her voice. "Sorry for the interruption, gentlemen, but Mr. Fallon needs to sign some important documents for the company, and it truly couldn't wait."

She navigates around the table to where a reedy blond man is sitting. He gets to his feet as she makes her way toward him, eyebrows raised as he looks at me and then back to Laurel. I lean against the wall, arms folded over my chest.

"Laurel, surely you didn't drive all the way up here just for this?"

She pulls the papers from her bag, hands them to him with a pen and gives him a sharp, polite smile. "Yes, actually, I did. Initial at the bottom of the first page, then sign and date the second, please."

The silence in the room goes tense, the large group of men watching the exchange, and finally, Fallon leans over, does as Laurel asked, and then hands everything back to her.

"Thank you, sir. That's all. I hope you enjoy your reunion."

Chatter starts back up as Laurel heads toward where I'm waiting, and once we're back in the hall and the door shuts, her trembling hands grip my arm tight.

"I can't believe I just did that." She says, voice shaking.

I pull her into a hug and press a kiss to her forehead. "I can."

"Mr. Merritt," calls someone, and I look up to see Paul Masters walking toward us. "How nice to see you."

Laurel turns in my arms, eyes wide as she recognizes the man's familiarity with me.

"It's been a while since your last visit. Is there anything I can do for you?"

I shake my head. "Not today. Just helping a friend get some paperwork taken care of."

Paul smiles, extending a hand to Laurel. "Lovely to meet you, Miss. I'm Paul, General Manager here at Timber Ridge Peak."

"Laurel," she says softly, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you as well."

"Actually, Paul, there is something I think you can do for us." He looks at me with a genial smile, and I add, "Would you mind if we use the fax machine in your office?"

9

LAUREL

I'm quiet as we drive away from the resort, my thoughts jumbled up. I got the signature I needed, and Paul faxed the documents in to the Accounting Department so they'll have them in time to process the donation before the end of the quarter. He even let me use the phone to call my mom and best friend, so I could tell them both I'm all right. I left out any mention about my car, because that would only make for conversations I don't want to have at this time.

But none of that is what I'm thinking about. Instead, I'm trying to understand how the General Manager of a fancy resort is on such familiar terms with the lumberjack I've been staying with.

"Sweetheart, let's talk about what's bothering you."

His voice is low, and I can feel the thread of worry in it. Like he knows I've stumbled upon his secret. Except I can't put all the pieces together. Things just don't seem to fit.

"Can you explain why the General Manager of a very expensive resort knows you so well? It sounded like you're a regular guest there."

He sighs and then laughs, shaking his head as he guides the truck carefully through a turn. "I've never been a guest. Though I've been told the spa is wonderful, the food amazing and the beds are very comfortable."

More pieces that don't fit. "Then how does he know you so well."

"I'm part of the investment group that started the resort. And I serve as their environmental consultant."

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