Kiss and Don't Tell(20)

She gives me a get real look. “He did not say that.”

“Something like that,” I say. “But seriously, this is going to be your best bet. Any lodging that might have occupancy is going to be sketchy or astronomically priced. At least here, you have company, or you can be left alone, you’ll be fed, and we can help you get back down the mountain when it dries out.”

She nibbles on her bottom lip and looks down at her plate. “But it feels as though I’m taking advantage of the situation, and I’m not that kind of person.”

“You’re not taking advantage of the situation if we invited you. Seriously, we have the space, we have the food, and it’s no problem. And, hey, whatever you really are here for, you can focus on it in peace, or we can help you. We’re just hanging out here.”

“I don’t want to be in your way.”

“You won’t be. And if you feel like you are, then just retreat to your room.”

“It doesn’t feel right.” She picks at her pancake. “I didn’t come here for charity.”

“Then make it up to us,” I say. I want her to stay. I want to find out what this adventure is all about. I want to try to figure out how I know this girl. And . . . yeah, maybe I just want to get to know her better. She’s interesting. A little quirky, very stubborn, but incredibly independent. She fascinates me.

Plus, she’s someone else to talk to besides my boys. Don’t get me wrong. I would fight to the death for them, but I’ve also spent an entire season with them. Some female companionship wouldn’t kill me.

“I don’t have a lot of money,” she says, looking embarrassed.

“Good, because we wouldn’t want your money. Make it up to us in different ways.”

She lifts a questioning brow. “Excuse me, sir, but I don’t do that kind of stuff. Well, I do perform those kinds of things, but in a consensual relationship, not as favors . . . if you know what I mean.”

“Jesus, not like that.” I chuckle. “I didn’t even think about how that sounds. I mean, like . . . help us in other ways.”

“And how would that be?” She gestures to Stephan. “It’s not as though I can make you dinner. And for being five men in one house, you’re all really clean.” She looks around the house. “I honestly don’t know what I could do to pay you back.”

“Then don’t. Why don’t you just let us be nice?”

“Because I’m used to doing everything myself,” she answers briskly while looking away. “I—” She lets out a deep breath. “I don’t usually look for help. Coming here last night, staying here, that was hard. Accepting help has never come easily to me, so staying here for longer, I just don’t think I can do it.”

“Well, I hate to break it down like this for you, but you’re in a tough spot.” I force her to look at me by reaching out and placing two fingers on her chin until her eyes meet mine. There they are, those deep blue eyes, a color I’ve never seen in person before. “Your car isn’t getting out of that ditch at least for a few days. There’s no hotel available in town and, unfortunately don’t have any other options. It’s either us or staying in your car in a ditch until help comes, and frankly, that would be insulting to us if you chose your car over this nice cabin.”

She worries her lips and then exhales softly. Her shoulders slump and I see when she capitulates. “Unfortunately, I think you’re right.”

“I know I am.” I stand from my chair and stretch my hands over my head. “Make yourself comfortable, Winnie. Looks as if this is your new home for a few days.”

And then I take off toward my room for a much-needed shower.





I towel off my head just as my phone rings on my nightstand. I quickly throw on a pair of boxer briefs and then jog over to the nightstand where I spot my dad’s name across the screen.

“Hey, Dad,” I answer while taking a seat on the bed. “How are you?”

“Doing pretty good,” Dad says, his gruff voice sounding clear over the phone. Retired now from teaching for over thirty years, he’s spending his days with my mom in Minnesota enjoying a calm, peaceful life. “Are you and the boys in Banff?”

“Yeah, got here yesterday.”

“Your mom and I really need to get up there soon. We enjoyed our trip two years ago, and I’m thinking of a repeat.”

“Just let me know when and I’ll be sure to be here as well. There is room here at the house, we could even put you in a spot here.”

“No, no,” Dad scoffs. “You know I don’t want to bother you boys, especially when you’re trying to unwind. The last thing you need is for a couple of old people cramping your style.”

“Not sure what you think we do here, Dad, but until yesterday, we’ve never had a girl here . . . if that’s what you’re implying.”

“You mean Silas never had his girl up to the cabin?”

“Well, she was different, but we don’t bring girls back to the place.”

“Uh-huh, so then why did that change yesterday? Who brought someone? Wait, let me guess, Horny did.”

I chuckle. “No, surprisingly. The girl is actually someone who dropped by yesterday. Bad storms led to her car getting stuck in the road, which led her to the cabin for help. She stayed the night because there was nowhere to go. Taters is mad about it but we couldn’t turn the girl away.”