Page 36 of Worth the Rush
“That’s good to know, Alder. I don’t think I’ll be requiringany of your moonlighting services tonight, Lover Boy.” I pray that I sound nonchalant, and he smirks at me, at the nickname I’ve given him. He’s never afraid to go toe to toe. Something I'm finding is a kink of mine.
“Maybe tomorrow night then,” he shoots back at me after I’ve turned away from him. I laugh loud enough for him to hear me, but in my head, I hear myself reply,maybe.
It’s four days until Christmas and four since the tree lighting. I have a list of things to accomplish, and at the top is to finish gift shopping and wrap the ones I already have. Thankfully, I have a few things already ordered for Hazel and Mom. We have a predicted two feet of snow on the way, so tonight may be the only option for leaving my house until Christmas day. I was already planning on this shopping trip when Knox called and asked if I could watch Hazel for him and then take her to Mom and Dad’s, so now, it’s date night with my favorite girl. I’m pulling on my boots when there’s a knock on my door. I’m not expecting anyone, but that doesn’t always stop any member of the Holloway family from coming over unannounced.
I lace my boots up, and as I’m walking from the couch to the front door, I catch a flash of purple in the window, and my heartbeat picks up. Is this a Pavlov situation? Because that’s going to be really annoying. I open the door, and there on myfront porch, looking like she’s been conjured from my dreams, is Ivy Rutherford.
“Hi,” she greets me. A small smile on her lips. “Sorry to just stop by.” Looking me up and down, her cheeks are tinged pink, she asks, “Are you going somewhere?”
“I am,” I tell her. If she wants to know, she’ll have to ask.
“Okay, I’ll be quick then. I’m sure you’re busy. I am too. Busy. I have a lot to get done. Which is why I’m here.” Her small ramble makes me unhealthily happy.
“Go on,” I encourage. Her eyes are starting to smolder. She’s wising up to my game. Play with me, princess.
“I’m hosting an event on New Year’s Eve at The Edgemont,” she says forcefully, like I might question her on it. “I’m hosting an event,” she starts again. “It’s a silent auction, and there will be live music and dancing.” She rushes the information out. Like if she were to slow down, I might interrupt her. I wouldn’t. I like listening to her. And I’ve been thinking about hosting an event at The Lodge for some time.
“That sounds like a great idea,” I say. “Do you need my help with something?” I’m not an event planner, but I’ve organized town events before. I can also put you in touch with the town's event committee if you want and see if they would be interested in co-hosting. Cross marketing. That sort of thing.” Her face changes from one of a soldier ready for battle to a softer look of confusion as I offer to help. She should know by now that I like helping her.
She takes a big breath in through her nose before speaking. “That would be great actually. Thank you.” I can tell by the reluctant thank you that she doesn’t like saying it and definitely doesn’t givethem out often.
“Of course. Anything else?” I don’t mean for it to sound as short as it does.
Clearing her throat, she answers, “No, no, that’s all. I was just going to see if you thought I could promote it at AJ’s in town, but I’m sure I’ll get it figured out. I’ll let you get going.” She peeks over my shoulder into my home, and I suddenly feel like a dick. I should have invited her inside. Instead, I’ve made her stand outside in the cold when I knew it was already hard for her to come here and ask something of me. She turns to leave, and I open my mouth to apologize for not inviting her in, but she’s already turning, and words are being asked.
“Where are you going?” she calls out, and I can’t help but bite my lip. I think she cares about my answer.
“Worried about me going on a date, Stormcloud?” That earns me an Olympic gold medal eye roll.
“No, Alder. I’m not worried about you doing anything,” she tells me, bristling. “I was just curious. You look…”
“Good?” I supply. She looks up to the sky, tilting her whole head.
“Nice.” Is her begrudging reply. I’ll fucking take it.
“Thank you, Miss Rutherford. You look nice too,” I compliment her. Which is mostly a lie. She looks like I want to bury my hands in her hair and bruise her mouth with mine.
“Thank you…so, where are you going if it’s not a date?” She smiles, asking me again. I hope she’s jealous. I want her to be jealous.
“It is a date.” I can’t help but tease her. I like getting her all worked up. I want to let her take it out on me. Her smile turns to ice. Frozen in place, but I can practically feel her teeth grinding. “With my niece,” I add, putting her out of her misery. “Knox is working on a case and has to be gone for thenight, so I’m taking Hazel with me and dropping her off at my parents’ tonight.” I lean against the door frame and smile widely at her.
She bites her bottom lip at the corner, trying to hide her smile. I see it though. I see her. “I see. Well, I hope you have a good time then. Bye, Alder.” She turns to leave again, but something in me just isn’t ready to say goodbye to her yet.
“Do you want to come with us?” I call, and she whips her head around, eyes wide, questioning. “That way, I don’t have to worry about you getting out in the next few days trying to get any last-minute shopping done. The weather that they’re predicting coming in isn’t something you want to be caught out in.” I try to say this in a teasing way, but I mean it. It happens more frequently than anyone knows. You’re heading down the road in the morning, and the next thing you know, you’re caught in a whiteout with no sense of direction.
“I can?—”
“—take care of yourself,” I cut in. “I know, princess, and I believe it. The point remains the same. You haven't experienced it, and I have. It’s not something to leave to chance. So, what do you say? Wanna spend the day with me and Hazel? I’ll take you to the grocery store so you can get more oranges,” I offer. She looks surprised at that.
“I do need more oranges,” she says. “Fine, I’ll go. I wouldn’t want to get caught out in a blizzard.” She sighs. “Just let me stop by my cabin and get my bag.”
“I’ll drive you. We can stop on the way.” I grab my keys and coat from the hook by the entrance and walk out the door, twisting the lock on the handle before closing it. She walks to my old Bronco. It’s a faded green. I’m sure it used to be a shiny forest. The color now looks like Ivy’s eyes, and I don’t think I’llever be able to think of that color as anything but hers ever again.
Ivy opens the passenger door and hops in, slamming it behind her. I wanted to get it for her, but I also didn’t want to fight with her about how capable she is of doing it herself. I like the way she looks in my space though. More than I should. I rub the back of my neck, trying to change the direction of my thoughts.
The only problem is all my thoughts eventually circle back to the redhead, with a penchant for purple, sitting in my faded-green Bronco. I wonder if she’s even been in a vehicle this old. I’m sure she’s used to new and shiny and sleek. I did a little research on the Rutherford name after I found out who she was. She comes from plenty of money. Her father is a big name in Northern California. I’m not sure why she’s here instead of back there running one of his other businesses, but I’m definitely not complaining.
We drive in companionable silence for the couple of minutes it takes to get to her cabin. I’d like to ask her things; I want to get to know her. I mean, that’s allowed, right? If I’m going to be her pretend boyfriend at some point, I should probably know something about her life. I slow to a stop when her driveway comes into view. She gets out and jogs up to the front door with the big green wreath that has cream and red bows on it. She disappears into the small cabin for only a moment, and then she’s back out. I’ve passed this cabin more times than I can count, but seeing it today brings a smile to my face—knowing she’s there. Here. On my mountain at my lodge.
