by Maine, Miley
Maybe he didn’t even want that. Maybe, deep down he was secretly a nice guy. I looked up at his scowling face. Okay. That was doubtful.
A good guy, who didn't want three young women to die, yes. A nice guy who cared about feelings… not really.
I could not imagine disrupting his holiday. But at the same time, I couldn’t allow my friends to miss such important events.
I had my own important events too, but those would need to be handled by someone else now. I wouldn’t be much help if I was still taking pain pills on Tuesday when it was time for the first interview I was scheduled to participate in for the Children's Hospital.
At that moment, my life in Little Rock seemed very far away. I wanted to stay here with Logan.
Even if it means missing Christmas?
Yes. Even then.
My parents would flip out. My younger brother would be upset. My sister would pretend she didn’t care, but she’d probably be upset too. None of us had ever missed a Christmas before.
I toyed with the idea of leaving now, but when I imagined sitting up straight and walking, my lustful thoughts abandoned me and my stomach twisted in an unpleasant fashion. I wasn’t sure I could make it to a taxi without puking. I definitely couldn’t imagine dealing with the airport and hours of being crammed into an airplane, not even if we had a first class seat.
I tried again. “Guys. Go home. Seriously.”
Logan stepped closer. He looked both of them in the eye.“I’ll take care of her.”
Emma finally smiled. “He is the one who said going up on that mountain was stupid.”
Mia nodded in agreement. “That’s true. And he rescued you too.” She raised her eyebrows. “We might’ve been eaten by a bear if he hadn’t come.”
I rolled my eyes. “We weren’t going to get eaten by a bear,” I said, even though I’d had that exact thought. I definitely needed to practice minimizing this story before my parents heard about it.
“If you ladies are going to the airport, you should go now. There’s a snowstorm coming.”
I squeezed Mia’s hand. “Go.”
The more I thought about staying, the more appealing it sounded.
Emma grimaced in my direction. “Are you absolutely sure? I just hate this.”
“I’m sure.” And I was. I felt really good about it. If Logan was a creep, he wouldn't have saved me. He was just rough around the edges.
Mia leaned down and hugged me. “We’ll be expecting a text every twelve hours.”
“I can do that,” I said.
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Next emmaline hugged me. “Before we go, what are we going to tell your parents?”
“Oh Lord. I’ll have to call them. But not yet. I’ll wait until I’m back at Logan’s, but before you arrive home tomorrow.” It would be my luck that they’d use the finder app and see that I was at the hospital. I wasn’t going to take that chance.
“We need a story. Something believable,” Mia said.
“I know. I’ll come up with something. And I’ll text you as soon as I do.”
“Okay,” Mia said. She grabbed my phone from where it was charging. I had no idea who’d brought a charger and plugged it in, but I appreciated it. “I’m setting an alert to remind you to call your parents,” she said. “For noon tomorrow.”
Emma kissed me on the forehead and Mia kissed me on the cheek. “Please be careful, and please don't do anything else crazy.”
“I won’t. I think I’ve used up all my craziness for the rest of my life. Send me photos when you get home.”
Logan stood up. “I’m going to take you two to the airport.”
They looked over at me, as if I was going to object, but I thought it was a great idea. I’d much rather Logan was driving them around in the middle of the night than some stranger. “Thank you,” I said. And the three of them walked out.
I had to admit that I watched Logan's ass as he walked away. Winston was a good-looking guy but I had never once looked at his ass in jeans. Maybe that should have told me something about our relationship.
I attempted to stay awake long enough to practice what I was going to say to my parents, but I drifted off, thinking about Logan.
14
Logan
What the fuck had I been thinking?
This was the second damned time I’d been wondering that in the last twenty-four hours. Both times it was over a young woman named Bethany.
This time I’d invited her to stay with me. For the goddamned Christmas holiday. A holiday that I didn’t even celebrate.
After I’d gotten Beth to the hospital, I was relieved to find out that other than a broken arm, she was fine.
I’d walked to the front door, intending to leave. But I hadn’t been able to. Despite her tumble down the mountain, It was clear that Beth was a competent adult. She’d done many things right after her injury.
And once we’d gotten to the hospital, she’d handled all the questions with ease. She was self-possessed and confident, even while in pain.
There was no need for me to stay. But I couldn’t bring myself to walk through those glass doors and leave her behind.
Was I being dramatic? Yeah probably. Cameron would definitely think so.
So I had stayed and hung around making sure that Bethany and her friends had everything they needed. They were treated well by the staff, and both Emma and Mia were cleared by the doctor.
Then I heard her telling her friends to go back home without her. Apparently they had a 6:00 a.m. flight for the following day. I looked at my watch. I already heard the doctor say Bethany needed to stay until the following day around noon.
She was also still medicated. There was no way she was going to be able to handle flying home.
That’s when I had stepped forward.
I wasn’t sure what came over me. I’d declared that Bethany would come home with me, and that I’d take care of her.
As soon as the words were out of my mouth I’d regretted them.
How the hell was I going to protect her?
But I could see that her friends were going to leave, at her insistence. And there was no way I was leaving her alone.
I didn’t care how much money she had, or how nice the lodge where she was staying was. It wasn’t safe for her to live without someone with her.
I’d expected her friends to object, and say I wasn’t suitable. But they’d only looked me up and down, and they’d been eager to agree.
They must have known we slept together the night before. Maybe that was enough to assuage any fears they had that I would harm her. I definitely wasn’t going to harm her. I’d protect her until she was well, and then I was going to get the hell away from her.
My cabin was no place for a young woman. Especially not an injured one.
But it was too late. I made the offer. And she accepted. Her friends had clearly been desperate to get home. And while they had refused to leave her at first, I feared they would eventually cave. Especially with her insistence.
I didn't want anything happening to her friends. I insisted on driving them to the airport.
As we rode along, the one named Emma spoke up. I had finally learned which one was which. They looked nothing alike but I had never planned to learn their names. Mostly because I had never planned to see Bethany again. But now her friends were in my truck.
They had both gotten in the backseat together. Neither had wanted to run the front with me. Whatever appeal Bethany saw in me, they clearly did not.
“What are your intentions toward Bethany?” The one named Emma asked.
Were we living in a Jane Austen novel now? “My intentions? I don't have any intentions, other than keeping her alive until it's safe for her to fly home.”
“She is very strong-willed and determined,” Mia said from the back seat.
“I've noticed.”
“Look. We know this is awkward. But Bethany does not have a lot of experience with guys.
She might seem really mature and she is, but she dated this one guy for seven years and he was a complete tool.”
“Yes. So please don't treat her badly.”
“I don't plan on doing anything with Bethany besides making sure she doesn't bust her head open, accidentally over medicate herself, or run off on another crazy adventure before she's healed,” I said.
“She told us about last night. “
“She came to me.”
“We know. We're not accusing you of doing anything wrong. We just want you to think about making another move on her. She's just getting over a really difficult breakup,” Mia said.
I bit my tongue. I was tempted to tell them that there was no evidence Bethany was disturbed about her breakup. The young woman who had been in my bed the previous night showed no signs of being upset about a break up. She had been passionate, responsive, and vocal about what she wanted. I decided not to remind them that Bethany was an adult and could make her own decisions. Even if they weren't good decisions. I gathered that the two of them had followed her lead about skiing the summit today.
“You don't have to worry about me taking advantage of her. I wouldn't sleep with someone who's taking pain medication she's not used to. It wouldn't be right.”
Mia nodded. “Good. I'm glad to hear that.”
Emma stared at me in the rearview mirror. “Bethany's dad is a doctor and her mom is a lawyer. I promise you they would make your life a living hell if you do something to harm her, even if it's only emotionally.”
That explained her unrestrained spending. We had more in common than I'd thought. I hoped her dad was less of an asshole than mine was.
“You have my word that I'm not going to harm her.”
After that declaration they both seemed satisfied. Maybe I did still have a knack for consoling people, and it wasn't like I was lying to them. I did not intend to sleep with Bethany again. It was clear that she was nothing but trouble.
They managed to get on their flight without incident and I headed straight back to the hospital.
Even if she was trouble, I did not want to be away from her in case she needed something. After all, I had promised her two friends that I would take care of her.
When I arrived, Bethany was still in the ER. The nurse explained that the rooms were all full, and since Bethany wasn’t going to stay past noon, they hadn’t put her on the waiting list. The nurse remembered me from earlier, and led me toward her cubicle.
Bethany was sound asleep. She looked beautiful, even lying there in faded hospital scrubs.
My heart clenched when I thought about what might have happened to her if I hadn’t gone after her.
I’d felt like an idiot at first, charging down that mountain, looking for her, after she’d so clearly dismissed my warnings. But now that she was safe, my brain churned.
But there was more than just saving her life, although that was a constant refrain in my head. My mind was playing all the ‘what ifs’ in a loop. What if I had not gone to look for her? What if she suffered serious frostbite? What if she had gone into shock? What if a mountain lion pounced from one of the trees and she had been unable to move?
The questions didn't stop. How did anyone ever maintain a relationship? Wasn’t it just non-stop worry about the other person?
Not that I wanted a relationship with Bethany.
I did not.
I just wanted her to be safe. A relationship wasn’t even possible. She lived in the south, in Little Rock. I never planned to live that close to people again. And her age. She was so young. And so head-strong.
But I had to admit to himself, there was something different about Bethany.
She affected me in a way no other woman ever had.
I wanted to be near her.
I had slept with plenty of women, but I had never wanted to be with them afterward. I certainly wouldn't have stuck around a hospital once I knew a woman was in good hands with the doctors and nurses. I wouldn't have offered her a place to stay while she recovered when her friends had been willing to handle the task.
Why did I feel so protective of her?
She was breathtakingly beautiful. I’d been with beautiful women before. She had been eager in bed, but I’d had that before too.
Was it her adventurous spirit? The same one that drove me crazy?
I wasn't sure. I just knew I wasn't ready to let her go yet.
As she slept, I put my hand on her forearm. I didn't leave the room again until she was discharged.
15
Bethany
I didn’t want to be a burden, but I couldn’t help but feel excited about the prospect of spending Christmas with Logan.
As expected, the process of leaving the hospital was slow and annoying. Logan didn't speak at all but he was quietly competent. And he dealt with the discharge nurse and the paperwork.
He was also very gentle as he helped me into his truck. He didn't speak at all on the drive back to his cabin. But he drove slowly and I could tell he was trying to be careful. I didn't speak either because I wasn't sure what to say.
When he offered for me to stay with him it had seemed like a fabulous idea. It still felt like a good idea in many ways. I was excited and looking forward to being alone with him again.
But was he looking forward to me being in his space for several days? Or was he dreading it? It was really hard for me to read.
How did he feel about spending Christmas with a near-stranger?
After he’d gotten me back to his cabin and settled on the couch, I knew I had to call my parents. But first, I needed to thank Logan for his generosity.
Surely I told him thank you at the time that he offered, but I didn't remember it clearly. My parents had always stressed the importance of manners, but I didn't want my thank you to be just a reflex. I wanted it to mean something.
Because I really did appreciate what Logan had done for me.
He still hadn’t spoken to me. He’d sat me on the couch, handed me a bottle of water, a down blanket and a pillow and then he’d started a fire in the fireplace. Now he was doing something in the kitchen.
Before I could ask, he returned with a plate of cheese, olives and crackers. “You need to eat,” he said.
After having only packaged pudding at the hospital, the simple plate of snacks was mouth-watering.
“Thank you,” I said, taking the plate with my right hand. “Logan.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you also for coming after me on the mountain.”
“You already thanked me.”
That was good news. “I don’t remember it. So I want to say it again. You were right. The summit on that mountain was too risky. We didn’t have a backup plan, or a satellite phone. I should never have done it, and when I think about how I risked Emma and Mia’s life too, I…” My eyes filled with tears.
Dammit. I was not a crier!
I blinked rapidly before any tears could spill over.
Logan’s brusque voice interrupted me before I could get going again. “It's not necessary to thank me.”
“But I want to. I really do appreciate what you did. You didn't owe me anything, and yet you spent your day looking for us. And then allowing me to stay here is really above and beyond. If there's any compensation needed for missed work, then I'll be happy to cover it.”
“I don't want your money.” This time Logan's voice was curt but not uncivil.
I’d take it. Civility was better than nothing. At least he’d heard me out, sort of. I should have known he wouldn’t want money. He’d probably guessed the money I’d offered wasn’t mine, but my parents. Or my grandfather’s, if I paid from my trust. I couldn’t imagine most men accepting my money in that position, especially not one as rough and tough as Logan appeared to be.
“Well thank you anyway. For everything.” That was about as eloquent as it was going to get.
“It’s not a problem.”
And that was as close to ‘you’re welcome’ as I was
going to get.
“I have to call my family,” I said. “I have to break the news I’m not coming home. It will probably be pretty loud, even if they’re not on speakerphone.” I smiled. “You may not want to subject yourself to hearing them shout.”
“I can step out. I have wood that needs chopping. Give you some privacy.”
“That’s not necessary. But it won’t offend me if you don’t care to listen.”
“What are you going to tell them?”
“I'm going to lie. And then I’m going to text Mia and Emma, so they can promote the lie too.”
“Have you lied to your parents before?”
Surely I didn’t hear disapproval in his voice.
“Not much. Mostly I just keep things from them.” I titled my head to the side. “Why? Have you always been honest with your parents?”
I grinned to soften the snark, but Logan frowned at me and walked outside. He was probably still pissed off that he had to waste an entire day looking for me, and then sitting at the hospital with me. I didn’t blame him for being mad.
I steeled myself. They were great parents, but pretty excitable at the best of times.
I pressed the green button that would call them.
“Hello Bethany!” my mom yelled into my ear. She was an enthusiastic phone talker. “Sweetheart, are you having fun?”
“Yes. I am.” That part was not a lie.
I should have already told her about Winston. She knew his mother fairly well. Sometimes they had dinner together with another group of moms. I wondered if Winston’s mother knew that we had broken up. I wonder if she would care. “Mom, I have some crazy news. I didn't tell you the entire reason I went skiing.”
I heard a scraping sound. “We’re listening. Your dad's on the line now too.”
I had to smile. The two of them could be a disaster on the phone together. They always talked over each other. Family conference calls with them were always interesting. “Last week after the tour of homes, I went to Winston’s house.”
“I did notice he didn’t stop by that evening.”
