Page 6 of Wild Hope
I run my hand through my hair and try to hide what I’m really thinking.
“No reason, bro. Just a busy night.”
He leans on the doorframe of the office, casting his face into shadow.
“You sure you’ll be all right on your own with me and the Prez gone?”
Geez, I must be jumpy if he needs to ask that. “Yeah, I’ve got it under control. Especially with Kendra here and Arlo helping at the bar. The restaurant is almost fully staffed.”
“About Kendra…”
He takes a step into the office, and I tense. Has he read my thoughts, or am I just that obvious?
“Like I said the other day, I need you to watch her while I’m away.”
My shoulders relax. He doesn’t know the thoughts I’ve been having about her. He doesn’t know that I’m the one who needs watching.
“I’ll look out for her.”
“Now that she’s here, I want her to stay. I want her close so I can keep an eye on her.”
The thought of Kendra living on the mountain, where I could see her every day, makes my heart sing. I won’t have to pull out the photo. The real thing will be here.
“Make sure none of the guys try anything.”
His voice goes serious, and he cracks his knuckles. “I don’t want some asshole treating her bad and scaring her off.”
The thought of another man with his hands on Kendra makes my fists clench.
“I’ll make sure.”
“Good. I’ll kill any fucker who messes with her.”
I nod. And he claps me on the shoulder, a grin returning to his face.
“Thanks, man. See you when we get back.”
Quentin leaves the office, and I lean on the side of the desk. He wants me to watch his little sister, but he doesn’t realize I’m the one he should be worried about.
4
KENDRA
It’s a few nights later, and only two tables remain in the restaurant.
One is a couple in the corner holding hands over the table. I’m trying not to feel envious of their easy laughter and the way they’ve spent the night talking and touching.
“That’s Kobe and Hailey.”
Arlo catches me watching them and leans against the bar next to me. There’s a note of envy in his voice too. I guess I’m not the only one wishing I had a love like that.
“I served with Kobe. He’s a good guy. They live on the other side of the mountain, but we don’t hold that against them.”
The only other table is a group of hipsters that were on the brewery tour this afternoon. They’ve spent the entire evening since in the bar. What started as a sampling of craft beer led to downing pints like water and breaking into song.
“I’ve given them their last orders,” Arlo tells me. “A taxi’s on its way to take them back to the lodge.”
“There’s a taxi service around here?”
