Page 5 of Worth the Rush
I’ll be by in a little bit. I’m not on call for the next two days, so I’m going to AJ’s for a beer before turning in for the night since it’s right across the street. Anyone care to join?
Rhett
We can’t, we’re busy.
Winnie
Busy with what?
Rhett
We’re busy.
I can read between the lines. There aren’t many nights that Rhett and Winnie aren’t “busy.”
Alder
That’s fine. I’ll see you guys for dinner in a few days at Mom and Dad’s.
Baby Lo
I’m heading home now before it gets too bad out there. I left you a key at the front desk.
Knox
Hazel and I are already home, but she says, “Hi!”
His message has a picture attached, and I smile at my phone screen. Hazel is the most special two-year-old in the world.
Alder
Hi, Hazey baby!
Knox
I make it to my truck as the last text comes in and send a goodbye to the family group chat.
Alder
Okay, getting ready to drive. Love you all
It’s only a ten-minute drive from the hospital to downtown Silverthorne. I park in front of the hotel and cross the freshly snow-covered street to AJ’s. The town has been festive since Thanksgiving passed two weeks ago, but this is the first big snow of the season, and there’s something about Silverthorne at Christmas. I personally have a harder time getting into the merriest of spirits when December rolls around, but I’ve worked hard to get where I am, and that is something I remind myself to celebrate often.
The lodge is a big part of that. When I decided to invest in the old ski lodge, I never would have thought that a few years later, I would be a part owner. Now, I am, for all intents and purposes, a silent partner, but able to take care of the day-to-day running when needed. After the most recent shift inownership last week, I’m anxious to see whether it will affect my silence. I don’t know much about my new partner, only that he’s sending someone here to run the hospitality side of things.
I push open the heavy wooden door that leads me into the bar, letting some snow and cold air in with me. I look around the old brick walls and hanging green lamp lights over the tables. It’s a slower night tonight for a Friday, but I’m not complaining. I’m just looking to get one beer and then get some sleep. The rush from our rescue earlier is wearing off, and I want to be in bedbeforeI crash. I make my way to the polished live edge bar top, taking in the way the grain and natural shape of the tree has been showcased. Then I drop onto an empty stool.
“Hey, Alder. What are you doing in town so late?” Buck, Winnie’s uncle and the owner of AJ’s, asks.
“Hey, Buck. I’m stuck here until the storm passes. Staying at the hotel for the night because your niece's fiancé wouldn’t let me stay at their place tonight.”
“Not surprised. He’s pretty greedy with her, isn’t he? What is he, in love with her or something?” he asks, and I laugh.
“Right. Maybe he should just marry her or something.” I wink at the older man behind the counter, who’s beaming. When Rhett asked Winnie to marry him a few weeks ago, there wasn’t a single person in town who wasn’t beyond thrilled. That being said, Buck was the happiest, and he’s been flying high ever since. Having raised Winnie and Colt after their parents passed, it’s evident that all he’s ever wanted for them was happiness, and by some miracle, my wonderful, charming, hot-shot little brother just does it for her. Who would have thought?
“Well, what can I get you tonight, son?” Buck asks.
“I’ll just have whatever IPA you have on draft.”
