Love Locked

by Britney M. Mills

  “I understand that one. I think that’s how I feel about your brother, like there’s still some minute chance he’ll look at me like he can’t go another day without me.”

  Lauren reached over and touched her friend’s arm. “Oh, Kass. Let’s go have the best night ever and not worry about boys. Just like the good old days.”

  Kassidy chuckled and pushed the gas pedal, sending the jeep hurtling forward. This was going to be a night they wouldn’t forget.

  Chapter 21

  Walker had come in around five, his stomach roaring with hunger after a long day of working. Things were slowly coming together, and he knew it would only be a few more days before he would know if all his efforts over the past twelve months had been worth it.

  One thing he was grateful for was the work around the place that kept him active. He hadn’t been able to do much for the first few months of owning the property, but it had worked out with the contractor starting the plans and getting it ready to go.

  Lauren was nowhere in sight, and when he glanced outside, the old beat-up truck she’d been driving around the past week was gone. Did she really have something to talk to him about? He wished he’d insisted that they talk then, because the suspense of it was killing him.

  Deciding he needed to get out of the house for the night, he drove over to the ranch, knowing most of his family was probably still out doing chores. He walked in and left his hat and coat on the coat rack just inside the door. Making his way into the kitchen, he could smell his mother’s garlic mashed potatoes, and his mouth watered.

  “Hi, Mom.” He took a seat on one of the barstools facing the stove and grinned at her.

  “Well, if it isn’t my son that never visits me anymore.” She winked at him and laughed. “How’s everything coming at the lodge? Is there anything I can come help you with tomorrow?”

  Walker thought about it, trying to mentally go through all the rooms to determine what still needed to be done. “I’m not sure yet. Let me text you when I get back tonight.”

  “What brings you here tonight?” His mom turned and leaned over the counter, always good at making eye contact and taking the time to talk.

  But Walker wasn’t sure he wanted to talk. He’d just needed something different than the lodge, where he’d been working and sleeping for the past four months. It was exhausting trying to get all the little things done, but his contractor had agreed to let him do some of the final work, which helped save a little money.

  “Just needed a break. And if I stay at the lodge, I feel guilty for not working on every little thing.”

  She smiled and reached her hand out to him. “It’s okay to have a little fun, you know.” Taking a step back, she stirred something in one of the pots on the stove. “Kassidy told me you hired Lauren Burke to be your manager. How’s that going?”

  All sorts of complicated is what he wanted to say. “Going well. She’s very organized and has already gotten the place halfway decked out for Christmas. I was thinking I need to go cut down a tree for the great room. With the vaulted ceiling, a big tree will top it off.”

  “That’s a good idea. Take Lauren with you. I’m sure she’d have a good eye for what would work.”

  It was a good idea, and he tucked it away so he could remember to call her once he left the ranch. That would be something fun for the two of them to do to ease the tension before opening day.

  As he sat there, he started thinking about his mom and dad and how they’d gotten together. His mother had been from a family of five boys and herself, and he wondered if any of them had been like Preston.

  “Were your brothers really protective of you, Mom?” he asked, twirling his key ring around his finger.

  “Oh, yes. There were several times when I would catch them threatening a date I’d had the weekend before, and I finally figured out why none of the guys would ask me on a second one.” She chuckled, her eyes far away with the memories.

  “So, what did Dad do to get through that?”

  His mom shifted back to the island, leaning against it as she poured out the water from the potatoes into the sink. After adding butter and milk, she began mashing the potatoes. The smell of the garlic hung heavy in the air.

  “Well, Dad was best friends with Uncle Gary for all of high school. He’d moved to Coldwater Creek as a sophomore, and they’d just clicked. When Gary found out we were dating, there was a bit of a disagreement, but when Gary saw how happy I was, he finally gave in.” She looked at him, and Walker could see the wheels turning in her head. “All I can say is if you feel something for her, the family will understand.”

  His mother, always so perceptive. But Preston came to mind. He’d have to find a way to break the news to his best friend, and it was what he’d been dreading since the moment he recognized his feelings for Lauren.

  The back door opened, and in came the flood of the household, all of the siblings with red cheeks. The only one missing was Kassidy, but that wasn’t unusual for her. She tended to do what she wanted when she wanted.

  They all said hello, giving him a hard time for not coming by as often anymore, and they sat down to dinner. After grace, they ate the delicious steak and potatoes, homemade rolls, and fresh green beans from the garden. He was going to need more than just advice on love from his mother. He was going to need prayer and some good practice to make sure this next week worked out okay.

  Chapter 22

  Lauren didn’t see she’d missed a call until they’d gotten into the jeep and were heading back after a night of fun with a bunch of her old friends. They’d all changed in their own ways, but there was quite a lot that had stayed the same.

  The missed call was from Walker at nearly eight o’clock. He hadn’t left a voicemail, but she wondered what he could need.

  Before she could dial his number, a text came through from her landlord in Fort Collins.

  I’ve got someone to rent out your apartment starting next week. I’ll need you to clear your stuff out as soon as possible.

  Of course. She’d called him on Tuesday after her first day working at the lodge, knowing that this was where she wanted to stay. She’d told him she would wait until the end of the month to move out since she’d already paid, but she didn’t have much of her wardrobe in Coldwater Creek, and it might be better to get it all now rather than wait until after the holidays. She’d have it all tied up and really be all-in for a new life here.

  “What’s with the look on your face?” Kassidy asked, finally sliding into the driver’s seat. She’d been talking to a cute guy from Jackson for most of the night, and while Lauren didn’t mind, she was ready to get home and get to bed.

  “What’s that look on yours? Seems like mission accomplished on the ‘Forget Preston Operation.’ That guy was cute.” Lauren nodded out the window in the direction the guy had gone.

  “Yes, he is. But he lives in Jackson. We’ll see if he calls.”

  Lauren frowned, not getting the connection. “What’s wrong with Jackson?”

  Kassidy gave her a look of disbelief as she turned the key in the ignition. “It’s winter, and there are a ton of ski bunnies up there looking for guys to hang out with. I’ll just be a quick memory.” She said the last sentence with her voice rising so high that Lauren laughed out loud.

  “I don’t think you’d be a quick memory to anyone, Kass. You’re definitely the life of the party.”

  “Not always. I just needed tonight. Lots of decisions coming up, and it’s nice to get out all the worries with a night out with a bunch of girlfriends.” She pulled out of the parking spot and started the drive down the highway back to Coldwater Creek.

  “What kind of decisions?” Lauren didn’t want to pry, but if she was going to be living back in her hometown, she should probably start being the best friend Kassidy deserved.

  Kassidy sighed. “The bank is going through some restructuring, and I’m hoping I get one of the spots left open from the people that leave. I could use a promotion from being a te
ller.”

  “But I thought it was perfect for your rodeo schedule? Don’t they work around you for that?”

  “I don’t know how much longer I’ll be doing that, Lauren. Barrel racing used to be so much fun, but now it seems like it’s more work than it’s worth to get ready to go. I’m feeling an itch to try something new.”

  Lauren grinned at her friend. “Why not skiing? Get that guy to take you.” She winked and Kassidy batted her away softly.

  “Skiing would be fun for a change. We’ve never gone because of the chance of getting hurt. But I’m ready to move on.”

  Lauren knew how her friend felt and hoped they’d be able to help each other figure out their new lives in the coming months and years. She’d forgotten how at-home she felt with Kassidy, like she was her real sister instead of a good family friend.

  “I’m sorry I’ve been such a bad friend,” Lauren confessed. “I promise I’ll do better.”

  “It’s all in the past, Laur. We’re moving on and figuring things out as we go, right?” Kassidy grinned, her white teeth beaming from the lights of the jeep.

  That sounded good to Lauren. She’d begin tomorrow with a fresh start. She’d pick up her stuff from Fort Collins and rebuild and revamp until she had the life she wanted in Coldwater Creek.

  Chapter 23

  The roads were a bit icy early that next morning, but she knew she needed to get a good start so she’d have time to load everything she needed in the back of her truck. She’d planned to leave most of the furniture as she’d acquired it all from the classifieds around town over the years, some of the pieces even coming from her college apartment.

  Everything would fit into the back of her dad’s pickup—at least, she hoped. She’d told her dad she needed to head to Fort Collins and then she’d be back early Sunday morning, giving her enough time to be there for the dinner.

  As she passed by the Silver Brook Lodge on her way out of town, all the lights were off, and she could picture Walker sleeping peacefully with Bear by his side. It was only five thirty in the morning, but tying up loose ends was her mission, and she was ready to be done with Fort Collins. As she thought back to all the times she’d had there, she wondered what had pulled her to stay.

  College had been a lot of fun, especially being a small-town girl in a big city. But life after college had dragged on, mostly due to her complacency in staying with Cory. But like Kassidy said, that was all water under the bridge. She’d see where this fresh start took her and make the most of it. If nothing else, she was closer to family and had a job she already loved after one week.

  And then there was Walker. She’d loved him for so long, but these feelings now were like separation anxiety. Being away from the lodge and from him was making it difficult for her to function without all the emotions swelling up inside her.

  He was a good guy, and maybe after this trip, she’d have the guts to face him, to tell him she loved him and always had and see where the chips fell. Because if she could just say it out loud, that would take care of half of her inner struggle. The other half would just have to accept whatever answer came around.

  A little more than eight hours later, she pulled into the driveway of her townhome. Looking at the outside, she realized this was no longer her home. She pulled out boxes she’d gotten at a nearby grocery store and carried them inside.

  She began by filling the boxes with books and the knickknacks she’d collected over the years. Her shoes and clothes all went into the suitcases she’d brought, making the house look empty after many of the personal effects had been taken away.

  Making her way to the kitchen, she boxed up all the food in the kitchen and set it in the front of the pickup cab so she could donate it to a food pantry. She threw out all the perishables and made sure to clean as much as she could.

  A knock sounded on the door, causing her to pause. Who would be here now? She didn’t know many people in the neighborhood despite living there for three years, the problem with only associating with her ex-boyfriend’s schedule and family.

  Walking over to open it, she caught a glimpse of a familiar patch of light brown hair sticking up enough to see through the window at the top of the door.

  She opened the door a few inches and scowled. “What do you want, Cory?”

  “I made a mistake, and I’m here to fix it. Wait, what are you doing?” He stretched to see over her, taking in the boxes scattered over the floor.

  “I’m moving. I’m heading back to live in Coldwater Creek.” Her tone sounded flat. Even though she was overjoyed to be moving back home, she wanted Cory to leave, and the best way to do that was to not show excitement.

  “Come on, you’re uprooting your life because of a little argument we had? Things were good between us, and they can be again.” He paused a moment. “My mother agreed to give you a raise.”

  Lauren snorted. “Yeah, probably a whole fifty cents so I’m no longer living on the poverty line, right? No, I’m moving back home. I’ve already got a job, and my boss values the skills I’m bringing with me. At least I know all that time doing your job helped to make me more marketable once I left the insurance business.” She glared up at him, waiting for him to say something, anything, about their relationship.

  “Well, stay here. We can get married, settle down, and have fun.”

  “Is that what you really want, Cory? Do you want to marry me? Because it seemed like I was just a stand-in. Have you not found the girl of your dreams in the last ten days?” Lauren folded her arms over her chest, causing him to shift from one foot to the other with discomfort.

  When he didn’t answer, Lauren said, her tone softer now, “Why are you really here, Cory? I know you don’t love me like that, and I’ve come to realize that I never loved you. Just be patient. You’ll find someone who your mother approves of, and you’ll realize that what we had was friendship, not love.”

  His jaw twitched back and forth, and she wondered if he would cry. “You really don’t love me?”

  “No, I think I left my heart in Coldwater Creek long ago and never really got it back.”

  Cory nodded, disappointment crossing his face. “Well, I can’t really argue that one. I guess I got so used to having you around that I took you for granted. Good luck in your new adventure.” He waved as he turned away from the door, his shoulders slouched a bit as he made his way to his car.

  Lauren shut the door and leaned against it, her chest heaving. She hadn’t imagined saying all that to Cory, but the realization that she’d left her heart in that lodge with the retired bull rider made her want to get home as fast as possible.

  Loading the boxes into the bed of the truck took about thirty minutes, and she would already have to add a tarp to the top and tie it up so nothing tumbled out on the long drive home. She was grateful her father had made her learn even little things like that, helping her with some bit of independence.

  She walked back in and looked around, realizing all that was left was the furniture. She’d messaged her landlord the night before, asking if she could leave the furniture for the next tenants, and, thank goodness, they’d agreed so she didn’t have to try and find some way to get it out of the building. It wouldn’t have been hard if she’d told Walker where she was going and asked him to come along, but this was something she needed to do, like painting the last few brushstrokes on an almost finished painting.

  She checked her phone and saw it was six in the evening. But the part that made her stomach drop was the red signal for the battery on her phone. The charger was still plugged into the outlet in her room in Coldwater Creek. She’d just have to stop and buy a car charger. It would be better to travel with a charged phone than a dead one, especially after what happened last time.

  After punching the icon for her dad, she waited while it dialed. When he finally picked up, she said, “Hey, Dad. I’m all packed up. I’ll leave and get a hotel in Rock Springs, and then I should be home in the morning tomorrow.”

  “Make sure you s
top this time, then. I don’t want to hear you had to be rescued because you were too stubborn to pull over.” He paused a minute. “In fact, maybe you should stay there tonight and start driving in the morning. It’s already nearly dark here.”

  “Dad, I’ll be fine. And I’ll listen to my body and how I feel. If I get tired, I’ll pull off for the night.”

  “Just be safe. I don’t want to lose you.” His voice cracked a bit.

  Lauren teared up, now understanding his caution. He’d already lost one woman in his life. He didn’t want to lose another. “I’ll be safe, Dad. See you tomorrow.”

  After hanging up, she opened a text to Walker, wanting to tell him she would be back tomorrow. She’d forgotten about his phone call the night before and hoped it hadn’t been something urgent. The one-percent battery on her phone gave out before she could send the text, and the screen turned black.

  She looked around the place one more time before getting into the cab. She’d run a few errands around town and go from there. As happy as she was to go, it was still hard to leave a place where eight years of her life had been spent. But new beginnings awaited her, and she wasn’t about to pass that up.

  Chapter 24

  Walker tried calling Lauren again Sunday morning, wondering why she wasn’t answering. This time, the call went straight to voicemail, only causing his frustration to heighten. Was she avoiding him now? He hoped not.

  Everything had gotten turned around, and he just needed another chance to make things right, to not lose the person he felt alive around and who would work alongside him no matter what he was doing. She was like a ray of sunshine, and now that she’d gone and disappeared, it was like the darkest cloud had descended over him.

  He’d been disappointed when Lauren hadn’t called him back to go look at Christmas trees for the lodge, but now, hours away from the dinner they were to host for the Burkes and McBrides, he needed to hear her voice and her assurance that he could actually do this.