The Tourist Attraction (Moose Springs, Alaska #1)(104)

“Maybe it’s for the better.” Nudging a cedar chip with the side of his work boot, Graham looked at the trees rising around him. “Maybe L will do this right.”

Easton didn’t seem convinced, but there was nothing either of them could do at this point. Discussing it only left them both without any ideas, so they talked about Easton’s climbing season instead. He was considering taking one more group up Mount Veil, the beast of a mountain not far from Moose Springs, but it was risky. This late in the season, the cold weather could hit fast and hard up there. Eventually, Easton went home, leaving Graham to consider his little home and what would become of it.

He went back inside his workshop, because contemplating his future felt a little rough right now. It was easier, better to contemplate her. Zoey was awake, sitting up on his workbench when he returned. Graham went to her, gazing down, memorizing her in that moment.

“You leave tomorrow morning?”

She nodded, sadness in her eyes. That just wouldn’t do.

“We’ll worry about tomorrow when it happens.” Graham kissed her again, soft, slow kisses, then he pressed his face to her neck, stealing one more kiss as he murmured, “This is your last day in Moose Springs. How do you want to spend it before we say goodbye? What is the epic adventure of your dreams?”

Anything. He’d do anything she wanted.

“No goodbyes. From now until I leave, I just want to do this.”

Smiling against her skin, Graham nodded. He’d always known she was perfect.

*

Zoey’s bags were packed. Her heart was shattering, but she’d wrapped cellophane and duct tape around what pieces were left, and she’d packed that too. It was time to go home, away from this amazing, wild place that had crawled into her soul.

It was time to leave the man who’d done the same.

“When will I see you again?” Lana asked, unusually subdued as she watched Zoey double-check their room for any forgotten items.

“When are you heading down the highway at midnight again?” Zoey shot Lana a little smile. “I’ll keep the coffee on for you.”

“Zoey? Be my assistant. Or just be my friend, and we’ll work out the finances later. I hate that we can’t spend the time together I want to spend with you. You’re the only real friend I have.”

Reaching out her arms, Zoey hugged her tight. “We both know that’s the best way to mess up a good thing. Let’s just stay in touch and see each other as often as possible.”

Lana hugged her right back, and when she pulled away, there were tears in her eyes. “Well, I don’t know about some people, but I adore the truck stop in Mudgeton. It’s the place to go, so of course I’ll be there.”

Deeply grateful for having Lana in her life, Zoey hugged her again, whispering goodbye.

The valet would have carried her suitcase, but Zoey only had the one. She wheeled it down the hall where Graham had asked her out to her favorite cinnamon roll breakfast, into the elevator they had used to escape the gala, across the lobby where Graham had lost his mind at the thought of her being left alone in the woods during a storm.

So many memories, too many memories. Good and bad and amazing and heartbreaking.

They’d already arranged for her rental car to be returned, so Zoey went to the desk instead.

An exhausted Hannah welcomed her. “Good morning, Ms. Caldwell. I hear you’re leaving us today.”

“I’m just Zoey,” she replied softly. Just Zoey. Just a tourist who was destined to leave. Maybe Graham’s ex would help him pick up the pieces of what this vacation had done to them. Maybe when Zoey got back home, she’d meet someone who could help her do the same.

“Are you okay?” Hannah asked, reaching out and squeezing her hand. “I know goodbyes are hard.”

Overwhelmed by Hannah’s kindness, Zoey had to fight not to cry.

“Some more than others.” Hesitating, she asked, “He’ll be okay, right?”

Intelligent eyes searched Zoey’s face, and Hannah’s expression softened. “He’s tough. A big marshmallow, but he’s tough as any of us up here. It’s not an easy life, but Graham’s made for it.”

Nodding, Zoey wiped at her eyes with the heel of her hand. “Good. Thank you. Umm, I need to have a car drive me to the airport, please. I called down yesterday to be put on the schedule.”

“I would, but I think I might get in trouble for letting you.” Hannah tilted her head toward the valet pickup. “He’s been out there for an hour, waiting on you.”

Through the windows, Zoey could see a moose-loved Dodge pickup truck was parked out front. A man who had changed her life, even as he opened her eyes, leaned against the hood. Gripping a single flower in his hand, he stared at the ground beneath his feet. Shoulders slumped, body language defeated.

Then Graham looked up, meeting her eyes through the glass. His gaze raked over her, his expression shifting to hunger, to pride, to so many amazing things as his body language changed.

Loving her hadn’t broken him. Her leaving, that was what was crushing them both.

“For what it’s worth, I was rooting for you two,” Hannah told her, smiling sweetly.

At her side, Quinn’s large eyes were gleaming. “I was too!”

Quinn burst into tears, leaving a groaning Hannah to attend to comforting her and Zoey to head outside.