The Tourist Attraction (Moose Springs, Alaska #1)(100)

“Zoey.”

A bellman almost lost a limb when one of the entry doors slammed open with far too much force. When Graham’s familiar voice roared her name over the angry yelling all around her, Zoey’s heart leapt in her chest.

Easton was head and shoulders above everyone else, but Graham was tall and strong and pissed, wearing almost as much mud as she was.

She hadn’t realized how much she needed him until his eyes locked onto her from across the lobby. Graham didn’t part the crowd as he strode toward her…he walked right over them. Ignoring more than one offended look and harsh word, he bulldozed his way to her. He crushed her into his body, arms wrapping around her shoulders.

“Are you okay?” Graham rasped, voice harsh and desperate. “Are you hurt?”

He stepped back a little and ran his hands over her body, checking her for injuries even as he hauled her close.

“I’m okay. Easton found me.”

“Thank God.” Then those warm, strong hands were tilting her face up, tracing her jaw, tangling into her soaked and bedraggled hair.

“I can’t believe my glasses survived all that. Look, the tape held.”

Even Zoey could hear the edge of hysteria in her voice. Graham must have heard it too, because he tightened his arms around her even more.

“Zoey. What happened out there?”

Her answer was muffled by his chest as she whispered, “It was a bad morning. Killian was trying to be nice, offering a trip out when mine had been canceled. We knew we were going to get muddy, but we were planning on getting back before the storm hit.”

Graham shook his head. “It doesn’t work that way. These summer storms hit fast.”

“Don’t interrupt her,” Easton grunted. “Keep going.”

“We went down that hill to the waterfall to take pictures, but we stayed too long, and the storm started getting bad. We raced back, and I was the last of the group, and the ground was a mess. They took off, but it kicked mud up into my face. I couldn’t see and…”

She trailed off. At her side, Easton went still. Graham’s eyes widened, then his tanned features went pale with rage.

“They left you?”

Even with her silence, Zoey knew the truth was written all over her face.

“I tried, but I couldn’t remember my way back. Then the four-wheeler got stuck, and I scratched up my glasses. I’m so glad Easton found me.” She didn’t add how terrifying it had been to be lost in the woods alone in such a violent storm. “It’s my own fault. My decision to go out in the weather, my decision to stay too long at the waterfall. It’s no one’s fault but mine.”

“I found her on Switchback Trail,” Easton growled. “She was headed right for the ravine. In that visibility…”

A shudder of sheer rage rolled through him, and then Graham was twisting on his heel, heading right for Killian.

“Graham, don’t!” Zoey tried to stop him, grabbing for Graham’s arm, but he ignored her as he stalked up to Lana’s cousin.

“You left her?” With a snarl, Graham shoved Killian backward. “She could have died out there.”

“It wasn’t his fault,” Zoey tried, but he wasn’t listening to her.

“Hey, we didn’t even know she wasn’t there until we got back.” Killian held up his hands in defense, but Graham didn’t bother to wait for an explanation. Even over the crowd, Zoey could hear the crunch of a nose when Graham slammed his fist into Killian’s handsome face.

Easton breathed out a curse, pushing Zoey behind him just as Graham tackled Killian around the waist. Both men fell into the delicately carved cedar statues decorating that side of the lobby. Killian wasn’t going down without a fight, but Graham had lost it completely. He had the other man beneath him, slamming his fists into Killian’s face and torso.

“Graham, stop!” Zoey yelled again.

“Enough,” Easton barked. “He’s done, man.”

When Graham ignored them both, Easton strode forward, forcefully hauling Graham off Killian. Zoey caught a brief glance of Lana crouching by Killian, helping him sit up, but her attention was diverted as Hannah shoved her way into the mess. Just as the lights flickered back on, Hannah grabbed Graham’s shirt, forcing him to listen to her. “Out! Get out of my hotel, Graham. Don’t come back here.”

For a long moment, Graham just stared in sheer hatred at Killian, then he stepped back, away from Hannah, away from Zoey, away from all of them.

“Graham,” Zoey started, but he shook his head.

“Don’t. I knew better than to start this with you. Just don’t, Zo.”

*

A hot shower would have been amazing. Theoretically.

Too many guests had the exact same idea as Zoey, leaving the water pressure less than impressive and the temperature lukewarm at best. Still, it was good to wash the mud from her hair, face, and limbs.

Lana was waiting for her when Zoey came out, bundled up in one of the thick bathrobes provided by the hotel. Brush in hand, Lana settled on the couch next to her. Letting her friend brush her already combed hair was incredibly soothing to her frazzled nerves. Even better than a hot shower would have been.

“He was frightened for you,” Lana said softly. “I’ve known Graham for a long time, and I’ve never seen him so upset. When he realized you were still out in the storm, he went right out there. He’d still be out there if Easton hadn’t found you. You should call him.”