“This doesn’t even make any sense.”
Pax had muttered that to himself with each flip of the page. He’d gotten Hank’s financials for the past five years, and for reasons Pax couldn’t comprehend, the dude ranch had consistently lost money. Willowvale Springs might be a hidden gem, but at one time, this place thrived and raked in millions per year. Had Hank just given up? The robust, powerful man in the town had been a staple. He’d been the one constant in Pax’s life, and many others here. The jobs he’d provided had kept everything running.
Hank had demanded loyalty and respect, and that’s why everyone wanted him as an employer. He might have been old and somewhat crabby at times, but he was fair and just.
The fact the dude ranch started spiraling downhill just didn’t sound like the Hank that Pax remembered.
He curled his fingers around the tumbler of bourbon he’d poured. He hadn’t taken a sip. Each time he reached, he saw something else in the numbers that pulled his attention from the amber liquid.
He’d just picked up the glass when the chime from the main door echoed down the hall.
Pax opted to stay in the main house, where Hank had living quarters and a study in the back. The entire front part was the guest check-in, but since the one other guest checked out a couple hours ago and nobody else was scheduled to arrive until after the new year, that meant either the one employee left had come in or Cabin Five had just entered.
He pulled in a deep breath and rounded the old, scarred desk as he headed for the corridor. As he made his way to the front, Pax had to put himself on high alert. This woman could be trouble. She was too sweet, too adorable, too...everything.
He’d fallen for sweet and adorable once before. That mistake had nearly cost him a portion of his savings and his heart. He’d never make that mistake again. His heart and his money were all his, and he had no interest in sharing either. He’d worked damn hard to protect his professional and personal life, so no distractions would throw him off course.
Pax didn’t want this guest in his headspace and he didn’t want to think about her any more than necessary. He had a business to decide to sell or restore and keep. Neither option appealed to him because he didn’t want to be here. Didn’t have the time, either.
The moment he reached the open two-story lobby, there she stood all wrapped up in her coat, scarf, hat, with dark hair tumbling down around her shoulders...and a foil-wrapped package in the exact shape of a loaf of bread.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d be up here or not, but I was going to leave this here for you at the front desk,” she told him with one of those wide smiles that shouldn’t affect him...but did on every primal level.
Little did she know, he was the front desk right now. The very few employees he had left were doing other things. He could run the main quarters. What he couldn’t do was clean up after guests and provide the snacks in the lobby. Thankfully, Kira’s package for her stay didn’t include the extra amenities other than, apparently, fire starting. He did see on her preference sheet that she might want to see the stables and possibly ride a horse, weather permitting.
He’d have to hand that off to their lead ranch hand, because the last thing Pax had time for was to give this city girl the lay of the land. While she was incredibly adorable and sexy, and part of him wanted to give in to his primal urges, he had no intention of being her bestie during her stay here.
“You didn’t have to come all the way up here,” he told her. “But I won’t turn down homemade bread.”
She crossed the open lobby area and headed toward him with that wide, megawatt smile spread across her face. The closer she came, the more his heart kicked up. Just because they were essentially alone in the place didn’t mean anything. They were strangers and adults. He needed to remember that as well as all the tasks on his priority list...none of which involved a fling with a guest.
“You might want to hold the compliments until you try it,” she warned, handing the package over. “I’ve never tried this recipe before.”
“I’m sure it’s fine.”
He took the loaf and sat it on the live-edge check-in counter. She’d come all this way. He felt like he should offer her a drink or something, but she wasn’t a guest in his home, she was a guest at the ranch. His ranch, now.
“Do you live here on the grounds?” she asked.
Pax nodded, not really wanting to get into the current status of his life. He was simply passing through, not wanting to stay any longer than necessary. He’d been in Spain when the letter had come to his office about the inheritance. He should have known Hank had left him something, mainly because of the other guys who had been left substantial properties from their old employer.
“I’d love to see more of it if you ever have the time,” she added. “Just the drive from the cabins to here is gorgeous. But I’m sure you’re busy with your family and all with the holidays.”
Family? He had no family. The only family he had was a set of divorced parents who were so miserable in life, he tried to steer clear as much as possible. He worked his business from the ground up and refused to allow negativity into his life to ruin what he’d built.
“I’ll be spending the holidays alone,” he found himself saying, then wished he’d kept his mouth shut.
“Well, you’re more than welcome to come to the cabin for Christmas dinner,” she offered. “I have the kitchen fully stocked for my stay, and I do have something special planned for that day.”
“You planned something special for a day alone?” he asked.
Kira shrugged and slid her hands into the pockets of her long puffy coat. “Why not? I have to eat and it’s Christmas, so I might as well make it fun. You in?”
Hell, he shouldn’t be. He really shouldn’t agree to this.
“Sure.”
But he couldn’t stop himself. One meal wouldn’t hurt, right?
If possible, her smile beamed even more, warming something deep inside him he hadn’t even known had chilled. What had he just gotten himself into? He hadn’t even tried to resist.
“I should let you get back to work,” she told him. “Thanks again for the fire earlier. The cabin is so nice and warm. Just what I imagined when coming here for a remote getaway. I am surprised you don’t have more guests right now.”
Yeah, that made two of them.
“We’re undergoing some transitions at the moment,” he explained, trying to keep any and all replies about the business vague. “The ranch is normally booked to capacity.”
Or it had been back in the day, and if he had his say, it would be again. No matter if he kept ownership or sold it off, he fully intended to get this ranch back to the way Hank had it when everything thrived. The man had always had a big vision, which was part of what shaped Pax into the real estate mogul he was today. Hank had instilled a strong work ethic and fast drive. As much as Pax didn’t want to be here, or have the time to undertake another project, he owed everything to Hank.
And still couldn’t believe the man who seemed larger than life was truly gone. Nobody before or since had shown Pax such love. There was a hole Pax hadn’t counted on and a void that might never be filled with love again.
“You okay?”
Pax shook away from the past and the impending decisions he had to make and wondered what look he’d had on his face to warrant that concerned tone from Kira.
“Perfectly fine,” he replied with a firm nod. “Just lost in thought.”
“Well, let me know if you liked the bread. And if you don’t, just throw it out.”
He’d never be that rude.
“It will be fine. I don’t know the last time anyone gave me something homemade before, so I appreciate the gesture.”
“It’s the least I could do. Besides, I might need to call on you for another fire in case I can’t figure it out.”
“Happy to help.”
Kira turned to leave, then glanced back over her shoulder. “If you get bored, you know where to find me.”
Then she slipped out the double doors and down the steps, leaving him with what he knew was a blatant invitation. He didn’t need to get involved, he needed to get the business sorted out and employees back on the payroll. In order to do that, he had to get business back on this dwindling ranch. He’d come to town for one reason and one reason only. Figure out what to do with his inheritance and get back to Spain.
But the very masculine part of him wanted to explore Kira’s offering and maybe take a page from her book and relax. When was the last time he did something that didn’t involve work or making money?
Years, if he had to guess. Maybe even a decade. There was nothing wrong with enjoying the company of a woman...that didn’t mean anything other than a little conversation and a meal.
Right?
“Your stuff is in a storage unit right now.”
Kira rubbed her temple and attempted to concentrate on the sweet aroma coming from the oven and the crackling fire. Thinking about the mess back in Portland really didn’t help her sanity or her calm retreat.
But the entire situation was out of her hands, and she couldn’t change the fact she was essentially homeless. Why did her stupid landlord have to have an undisclosed gambling problem, owe back taxes, and have all of his properties seized? None of that was her problem, yet his lack of financial common sense had trickled down into her own life, and now she had to find a place to live. Portland had grown so much, yet the housing market still wasn’t as broad as she’d like. So far, all she could find were condos or apartments outside of town or something well beyond the monthly allowance she’d given herself for housing.
And she could only stay in Wyoming through the second week of January, so time definitely wasn’t on her side. Still, she had to believe that everything would fall into place as it was meant to be.
“Kira, are you still there?”
She focused back on Delilah and the phone lying on the old wood coffee table.
“I’m here,” Kira sighed. “I’m just thinking. Thanks for making sure my stuff is safe.”
“Nothing you wouldn’t have done for me,” her friend replied. “I only paid for a month and I’ve got some local agents looking for a place for you. If nothing else, you can stay with me until something becomes available.”
Kira shook her head no, even though her friend couldn’t see her. “You have a new baby and a demanding job. I won’t shack up, but thanks for the offer and thanks for the storage unit. I’ll send you money as soon as we hang up.”
“I’m not worried about getting paid back. I’m worried about my homeless friend.”
Kira laughed...because what else could she do at this point?
“I’m not homeless. I’m in a lovely cabin right now that I decorated, got a fire going, and I’m currently making turtle brownies.”
“Wow, I’m impressed. Any hunky cowboys out there?”
Pax instantly came to mind. With that brooding gaze beneath a wide-brim, black hat and the firm lips and strong jawline, how could she not find him hunky? Beneath the gruff exterior, he did have manners...somewhat.
“I’ll take that silence as a yes.” Delilah snickered. “Good for you. I hope you’re having the best time. You deserve it.”
Yeah, she did, but nothing too crazy was happening here. Just a decorated dead tree and wedding planning for her mother’s fourth walk down the aisle.
Sometimes the people-pleasing aspect of her career spilled over into her personal life, and she had a difficult time expressing how she truly felt. She didn’t like conflict of any kind and perhaps that’s why she thrived in her field.
“I’m not having some hot affair, D.” Kira laughed as she went to the kitchen. She peeked through the oven door and closed it back up. “The ranch is pretty vacant for the holidays, but the property manager did help me bring in my Christmas tree,so I made him a loaf of bread. He’s a bit grouchy, but he’s coming around.”
“Oh no. Don’t make him a temporary client. You’re supposed to be taking a break from everything, including work.”
“I don’t know any other way.” Kira leaned against the counter, waiting on the cookies to finish baking as she watched more snow fall outside the back window. “I just want to help people.”
“And that’s why I love you.”
Kira smiled. All she ever wanted out of life was to make people happy. Since being little and seeing her mother’s own happiness ebb and flow, Kira had always wanted to fill in those gaps when her mom seemed down. Of course, looking back now, Kira could see that nothing could make her mom happy, not even hunting for a new man.
But since Kira had started working on filling voids when she was little, that just spilled over into every aspect of her life, and she’d been smart enough to make a career out of her knack for people-pleasing.
“Just make sure you’re still doing your own self-care,” Delilah scolded. “This trip is all about putting you first. Got it?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Kira tapped the screen and ended the call, then grabbed a pot holder to get the cookies from the oven. She’d just set the pan on the stovetop when her cell vibrated on the counter. Kira glanced to see a text from her mother.
Do you think personalized coasters for each guest is too much?
Too much what? Money or over-the-top? Because Kira thought yes to both. Did a fourth wedding really require party favors? That whole concept was ridiculous anyway in her opinion. Why did weddings have to get so outrageous with everyone trying to outdo others and compete from what they’d seen on social media?
Just another reason Kira needed the break. Trying to keep up with millions of lives and make her clients see that they shouldn’t live that way was getting even more stressful. She just wanted to make a living to support herself and help others. Was that too much to ask?
Kira opted to not answer right now.
The turtle cookies smelled amazing, and Kira was so glad she’d brought her cozy elastic waist leggings and sweat pants. Didn’t everyone gain a few pounds over the holidays? Weight never mattered to her. That was another aspect she tried to instill in her clients who struggled. Being healthy was a great thing, but being on a constant diet for the sake of the reflection in the mirror was a surefire way to be miserable.
Self-confidence could be found in so many other areas of life, and Kira happily would show them the way.
Kira slid her spatula beneath each hot cookie and transferred it to a cooling rack. She really didn’t know what she’d do with two dozen cookies, but she loved baking, and since that brought her joy, she’d just go with it. She’d make another run to the main house and drop off some goodies again. Or she could make a little bundle of this and other goods and gift it to him when he came for Christmas dinner.
Why did the thought of him coming here for that make her stomach curl with anticipation and excitement? They weren’t doing anything other than eating and chatting. Maybe she could dig into his mind a bit more and peel back another layer.
Just because she found him attractive and invited him for dinner didn’t mean anything. She had to keep telling herself that. The man hadn’t even shown interest or flirted with her. Hell, she didn’t even know his last name.
But Delilah did tell her to do something for herself, and maybe getting to know Pax a little better was just what she needed during her temporary stay.