Page 9 of Wild Rush Of Love
“Do you like it? Managing the bar?”
“I did. I didn’t. And now I do again.”
“Oh?”
He waved that away. “Long story. Not really dinner conversation. Okay, so tell me the plan.”
“What plan?”
“For your holiday. You strike me as the type to have a plan.”
“Actually I’m not. Usually. But you’re right. I’ve got a plan for the next two weeks. Although yesterday may have put an end to that.” Reena frowned.
“Why?”
“Well, as embarrassing as it is to admit, and even more so to know you saw, I barely made it up to the lookout and I wanted to go up to Fire Trail Ridge while I was here.” Sighing she added, “There’s no way I’ll make it all the way up there without dying.”
Rush chuckled. “You’re not used to the altitude. It won’t take much to get you there. Why don’t I take you on some of the easier treks around here, then when you’re ready we can hit Hargrove Trail up to Fire Trail Ridge.”
“Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“Why not? I like hiking and I usually do some in my free time anyway, so why wouldn’t I want to do it with a pretty woman at my side?”
Warmth filled Reena’s face. She wasn’t used to men calling her pretty. She’d never been one of those women who men hit on.
Not that Rush’s comment was a line; she could tell he meant what he said and while she might be a little uncomfortable with the attention, it was a pleasant sensation that was unfamiliar rather than embarrassing or disturbing.
And really, was she going to knock back his offer to show her the area? He’d lived here for over a decade—he would know all the best places to see.
“Are you sure?” she asked and took another sip of her delicious cocoa.
Nodding, he reached for his beer. “I’d love to spend some time showing you Winter Lake.”
“Deal.” She stuck out her hand. When his warm hand enveloped hers, she sucked in a breath.
She hadn’t planned on a holiday romance no matter what her friend Caitlyn had been saying ever since Reena had booked this trip, but if she were honest, Rush made her think about it.
Chapter Four
Rush filledthe below-bar fridge with more bottles of beer with a smile on his face. Yes, he loved his job and it made him happy to be doing something he loved but that wasn’t why he was smiling.
Nope. The no doubt goofy grin on his face was because of Reena.
He’d taken her along the edge of the lake to a small secluded clearing to the west of the Lodge on their first hike. He’d only had a few hours before he had to start work but they’d gotten in a good walk and she seemed to handle it well. Unlike Sunday when she’d been all but breathless up on Lake View Lookout.
She’d even managed to carry on a conversation while they dodged trees and the mounds of snow that still stuck to the ground.
The weather was warming up, and there wasn’t any snow in the forecast but it was still cold. Still required layers for venturing out longer than a few minutes.
He’d enjoyed showing her some of the place he’d called home for the last fifteen years.
Couldn’t wait to show her more.
He figured he’d take her along Lake Front tomorrow, let her explore the shops that lined the street, before he started his night shift. He glanced at his watch. Four. They’d been apart only five hours and already he was thinking about when he’d see her next. Hell, he’d been thinking about it the minute he’d left her outside the door to her room.
Tuesdays were slow—then again most days were in recent years—so they only needed three bar staff for the whole day. He had the mid-shift today. Luke had opened and Desi would close. They had seen a steady increase in business since Cam had taken over as GM—since Harry had come out of retirement to take a more active role in the day-to-day running of the Lodge.
Rush had been ready to confront Harry about what was going on at the Lodge when the last GM had disappeared.
