Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
I chuckle. “It’s hard to miss anything that happens in the valley when you’ve pretty much got a 270-degree view.”
“Fair enough.” More tension eases from her shoulders, and she relaxes a little as she asks us questions about the company and life in Silver Ridge while we eat.
We tell her everything she wants to know, then she ends up on the porch with us for our nightly drink, even kicking her sneakers up next to our boots. As always, the propane heaters hum and the night stretches quiet around us.
Roxie sits bundled in a blanket, cradling a beer between her palms. Chance leans against the railing beside her, talking about the local wildlife. Bears. Coyotes. Basically, the Montana starter pack of don’t go out alone at night.
Boone just listens, that unreadable expression of his giving nothing away. I watch her, noticing how easily she laughs with Chance, teases Boone about being too serious, and even asks me about coding like she actually cares.
It’s obvious that she’s smart, effortlessly reading the room before she speaks. She also doesn’t fawn or flirt to fill the silence.
Honestly, it’s almost eerie how well she fits. Maybe a woman really had just fallen right into our laps and maybe this time, she’s the one who would finally understand what we have going on, and actually want it.
“Do you really expect me to believe that you wrestled a bear?” She gives Chance a look that says there’s no way she’s falling for it. “I might be new around here, but even I know that’s not possible.”
“I didn’t wrestle him.” Chance’s lips curve into a slight smirk. “Although, that does sound better than what really happened. I just had a stare-off with him. Luckily, one of the rangers was with us and he managed to scare it off.”
“And all of this really happened over at the Morrison cabin?” she asks, her eyes wide. “Like, between the truck and the front freaking door?”
Boone cuts in before Chance scares her into staying with us permanently. “It was out back. In the woods. Some trees fell over in a storm, and we went to help clear them. Again, it’s in our interest to make sure the area around that property is well-maintained. And because there’s never been anyone there until you arrived, it’s been up to us to keep an eye on it.”
She nods, stifling a yawn as she burrows deeper into the blankets. “It’s a whole different world out here, isn’t it?”
“Depends where you’re from,” I reply. “Over the years, we’ve run into some folks from Oregon and a few other places who don’t think it’s too different. I suppose you’re not from any of those places, then?”
“No,” she says quickly, but doesn’t’ elaborate. “I’ve only ever lived in the city. No bears or coyotes for miles except maybe at the zoo.”
I bite my tongue to keep from asking which city, glancing at Chance and sensing that he’s wondering the same thing. Boone sighs, but he doesn’t take the bait either. We’re all aware that people were entitled to their privacy, especially all the way out here.
“No zoo here,” Boone says finally. “Unless you count Dillon. He should definitely be in a cage.”
I laugh and shrug when she glances at me. “They’re just jealous because I’m the one who keeps things fun.”
“Speaking of fun, what—” The question cuts off when she stifles another yawn and gives her head a quick shake. “Sorry. I was about to ask what there is to do around here.”
“All sorts of outdoorsy stuff,” Chance replies, gently scratching the side of his neck as he thinks it over. “Hiking. Fishing. Amazing winter sports if you’re into that kind of thing. There’s also a bar in town, but I think the closest movie theater is probably in Bozeman.”
Her eyebrow lifted. “That’s over a hundred miles away.”
“Welcome to Montana,” I joke. “If you wanted to go to the movies, you’ve come to the wrong place.”
“Darn it,” she says, snapping her fingers with amusement lighting her eyes. “Why didn’t they put that in the brochure?”
“We’ll have to speak to the tourism board,” Chance replies solemnly. “Get them to clear it up right away.”
She chuckles, but when she emits her third yawn, I realize it’s time to pack it in. As much as I’m enjoying this, the mountain air always hits newcomers hard. City lungs and the thinner oxygen, all that good stuff out here, don’t always play well with newbies.
“How about we call it a night?” I drain my beer before I stand up. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
She hesitates for half a second before nodding. “Thanks. I guess I’m a lot more beat than I thought I was.”
“Goodnight, Roxie.” Chance tips his beer toward her. “Remember what I said about closing both eyes.”
Boone frowns at him but then manages a rare smile when he looks at her. “Key’s in the door if you want to lock it.”