Hidden Gifts_A Castle Mountain Lodge Romance

by Elena Aitken

  “Ah,” Jeff said with a nod. “By the way, hi, Morgan.” Jeff waved his hand sheepishly. “I’m really not usually so rude.”

  “Yes, he is.” Bo shifted Ella so she could see what was going on.

  “Hey,” Jeff said, turning to Bo, “I really am sorry. I was just so excited to find you.”

  “Why? What’s up?”

  “It’s overnighter time,” Jeff said excitedly. “We have our first booking for tomorrow night. A small group, just a couple and their teenage daughter. I was telling them about Stanley’s Cabin, and they thought it sounded great. We leave in the morning.”

  A million thoughts flashed through Bo’s head. An overnight excursion meant good money and that didn’t even include the tips. Plus, he was itching to get up on the mountain; it had been too long since he’d been surrounded by nothing but the wild. But a small sneeze, and the growing ache in his arms, gave Bo a whole new type of awareness. Ella. He had more than just himself to consider now. He couldn’t leave Ella behind. Besides, who would he leave her with?

  Bo’s eyes flicked to Morgan. Of course.

  Before he could say anything, Morgan beat him to it. “It’s a trip with horses?” she asked Jeff, who nodded. “So you take people on a horseback ride into the mountains? Overnight?”

  “That’s about it,” Jeff said. His eyes gleamed. He lived for the overnight trips as well, the chance to take the horses out for a really good trek. He was like a little kid who’d been given a pass to an amusement park. “It’s great. Out there with nothing but the wilderness surrounding you. The quiet is so intense that it’s almost a religious experience. You’d love it, Morgan.”

  Bo swallowed a laugh. The idea of Morgan, who until today, had never even been on a hike, participating in an overnight trek was pretty funny.

  “What?” Morgan turned to face him, her hands on her hips. “Is something funny?”

  Bo bent down to put Ella, who was now completely awake and listening intently, on her feet. He took a moment to regain his composure before standing. “It’s just that you’re not so much of an outdoorsy type of girl. An overnight trip might be a little much.”

  “I wasn’t saying I wanted to go,” Morgan said. She was trying to look put out, but he could see the smile in her eyes. “But,” she said, “I bet I can think of someone who would want to go.” Morgan looked pointedly down at Ella.

  He followed her gaze and sure enough, Ella was looking up with a wide grin on her face. He raised his eyebrow in question and Ella held up her ever-present clay “horse”. Of course. Horses.

  “Oh,” Bo said. He looked to Jeff for help. “I don’t know…it’s a pretty big trip.”

  Ella’s face fell.

  “Are you sure?” Morgan asked. “Ella did such a good job hiking today, and the horses…I’m sure it would be fine.”

  “I don’t-“

  “It’s a great idea,” Jeff jumped in. “It’s the perfect time to take her out, Bo. The MacDonalds are a great family, and because it’s just a small group, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

  Bo looked at his partner, still unsure. “It would be okay with the MacDonalds?”

  “I’ll run it past them, but I know they’ll be cool with it. The only thing is…” Jeff drifted off, his eyes flicking between Morgan, Bo and then Ella.

  “Oh,” Bo said, picking up on what Jeff was thinking. “That’s a good point.”

  “What?” Morgan asked warily. “He didn’t say anything.”

  Bo looked at Morgan and gave her the most charming smile he could muster. “It’s just that—we might need a little help.“

  “Help?” She looked between them and Bo saw in her eyes the exact moment that she realized what he was asking.

  “Oh no.” She held her hands up to defend against the request. “You said yourself I wasn’t the outdoorsy type.”

  “You’re a natural,” Bo said, before lowering his voice and adding, “I don’t think I can do it alone.” It was a risk, being so vulnerable, but Ella had really enjoyed the hike earlier and she was clearly excited by the idea.

  As if he’d planned it, Ella grabbed Morgan’s hand and asked in her tiny voice, “Please?”

  Chapter Twelve

  Morgan didn’t know the first thing about camping or trail rides, let alone combining the two. For the hundredth time that morning, she wondered how on earth she’d been talked into going on the trip to Stanley’s Cabin. It was Ella. She couldn’t say no to those sad eyes. And even if she could have said no, it would have meant that Ella wouldn’t have been able to go and Morgan refused to be responsible for that disappointment. Even if it meant that she’d have to go way out of her comfort zone. Besides, she wasn’t going to deny the fact that spending all that time with Bo wouldn’t be a draw as well.

  “What else do I need?” Morgan asked Astrid, who was sitting at their kitchen table with a variety of yarn and fabric and was making what looked to be like a half-finished miniature bag in front of her.

  “Did you pack the stone I gave you?” Astrid didn’t look up as she began to expertly weave a piece of fabric onto the bag.

  “I can’t take a rock into the woods—there are tons of rocks out there.”

  “It’s not a rock. It’s a stone.”

  Morgan sighed and picked up the crystal from where she’d tossed it on the bed. “Fine. I’ll take it.” She tucked it into the outside pocket of her backpack. “But seriously, what am I really going to need out there?”

  Astrid turned around, a smile on her face. “Trust me. You’ll be glad you have it. The powers of sunstone are strong. It will keep you safe.”

  “It is pretty,” Morgan admitted. “But I’m pretty sure it won’t do me any good. Besides, do I need protecting?”

  She’d been trying not to think about all the dangers that were waiting for her in the forest. Let alone the fact that they were taking a small child into that danger zone.

  Astrid laughed, and abandoning her craft project on the table, she moved to investigate the contents of Morgan’s backpack. “You have extra clothes. That’s good,” she said as she peered inside. “Four extra pairs of socks?” Astrid gave Morgan a questioning look but Morgan only shrugged.

  “I hate wet feet.”

  “It’s not calling for rain.”

  “Bo said there might be snow up high.”

  Astrid shook her head and continued digging. “You won’t need this.” She pulled Morgan’s make-up kit out of the sack. “In fact, I’d wash your face right now before you go. You don’t want to wake up all smeary.”

  “Smeary?”

  “Morgan, there’s no running water at the cabin. There is actually a small, although very cold, glacier-fed lake, however.”

  Bo had told her roughly what to expect from the trip, but there was a part of Morgan that was hoping he’d been kidding. She didn’t even want to think about the bathroom situation. Sometimes she was embarrassed by her naiveté when came to anything outdoors. But she was still willing to try.

  Morgan grabbed her make-up kit out of Astrid’s hand and went to the bathroom to wash her face. She really was trying and even though Morgan kept telling herself she was just trying to do a good job as a Cub’s Club counselor and make a difference for Ella, she couldn’t keep lying to herself. It was a whole lot more than that.

  She swiped a cotton pad over her eye and blinked at her reflection. Yes, it was a lot more. And the tightening in her stomach confirmed that it was definitely not just about Ella anymore.

  ~ ~

  The stables were located about five miles down the road from the main Lodge building. Known simply as the Ranch, the site consisted of a few outbuildings, surrounded by the main circular building that reminded Morgan of a wagon wheel. From what she was told, it was that building that served as the staging area for all excursions. The upscale log building theme from Castle Mountain Lodge was carried over at the Ranch, and while the place looked rustic and very Western, it still had an underlying feeling of luxury to it.

/>   Morgan pulled the heavy pine door open and called out in the open space, “Hello?”

  She checked her watch. She was right on time; everybody must be around somewhere.

  Dropping her pack, she walked across the empty room to the floor-to-ceiling windows that covered the far side of the “wagon wheel.” The view was breathtaking. Large fenced pastures that had just come to life after a long winter were spread out before her. Horses grazed on the new grass sprouting in the fields and there was Ella standing on the lower rung of a fence, her hand outstretched to a dappled mare that had wandered close. Morgan’s breath caught when she saw her. Her first instinct was to run out and pull Ella off the fence, but something told her the child wasn’t in danger. Instead, she watched as the horse came near and sniffed Ella’s hand. Ella reached out and without a trace of shyness, patted the horse’s nose.

  Morgan released the breath she’d been holding. Ella was fine. The protectiveness over the little girl surprised her but it shouldn’t have. After all, Morgan had always been drawn to kids. Isn’t that why she’d chosen to major in child development? All she’d ever wanted was to work with kids and make a difference in their lives. For years, when she thought about her future, that was what she pictured. That, and her own babies in her arms. The familiar pain in her chest sparked to life at the thought that she’d no longer have that. Motherhood wasn’t in her future. Her brain knew that; now she just had to make her heart understand.

  “Hello?”

  Morgan turned around, saved from her own thoughts by the arrival of the MacDonald family.

  “Hi there.” Morgan pasted a smile on her face and walked toward them, hand outstretched.

  “I’m Dan.” He took her hand in a firm handshake. “You must be Morgan,” he said. “Jeff told us you’d be joining us.”

  “I hope that’s okay. It was all very last minute.”

  “Don’t be silly,” the older woman spoke up. Her eyes sparkled with kindness and Morgan instantly warmed to them. “I’m Georgia, and this is our daughter Sawyer.”

  Sawyer looked to be about fifteen, and much to Morgan’s relief, did not seem to be the sulky teenage type. She gave Morgan a wave in greeting before a movement from the barn caught her eye. Morgan looked outside just in time to see Bo and Jeff leading the horses out into the yard. Morgan honed in on Bo. Watching him without being seen was a luxury she didn’t even know she wanted. He moved with such ease and handled the horses with such expertise that she couldn’t help but be impressed.

  “Looks like they’re ready,” Dan said. “I can’t wait to get out there.”

  They all went out to the yard where Jeff and Bo immediately started to load the gear on the back of the saddles. Morgan took Sawyer, and went to say hello to Ella.

  “Sawyer, this is Ella.”

  The teenager bent down, so she was at Ella’s eye level and said, “Hi, Ella. I’m really excited about our trip. Are you?”

  Ella blinked slowly and nodded her head, but didn’t answer. Sawyer looked up to Morgan for explanation.

  “Sometimes Ella doesn’t like to talk,” Morgan said. “But we’re working on it, aren’t we Ella?” Morgan looked at her pointedly and waited for her answer.

  “Yes,” Ella said after a moment.

  “Well, I’m glad you’re coming, Ella,” Sawyer said. She leaned in a little and said, “I don’t think I could handle being surrounded by so many adults.”

  Ella’s face split into a smile and she willingly took Sawyer’s hand.

  “Hey, ladies,” Bo called. “Are you ready to go?”

  Morgan turned around and her breath caught. His soft, work-worn jeans hugged his thighs; a red plaid shirt peeked out from a denim jacket; and atop his head sat a cowboy hat. Morgan smiled. She hadn’t taken him for the cowboy type, but she had to admit, it suited him just fine. Just fine indeed.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Two hours into the ride and everything was going well. Bo had Ella tucked in front of him on the saddle and because she was so tiny, she fit perfectly. Ella hadn’t even hesitated when he told her it was time to climb onto the horse. He’d expected her to be a little frightened, maybe even a bit intimidated by the large stallion, but she’d only held out her arms and allowed Jeff to lift her up. From the moment she sat in the saddle, she had one hand tightly wound in the mane, and with the other, she continually rubbed his neck. Bo thought Ella might be talking to the horse, but every time he looked, he couldn’t be sure.

  “You still doing okay?” he asked her.

  Ella’s head whipped around to show Bo a huge smile. Her grin was beautiful and lit up her entire face.

  “He’s a pretty good guy, isn’t he?” Bo said and gave his horse a pat. “He sure likes to get out,” Bo said. “But you know what he really likes?”

  Ella shook her head.

  “He really likes to trot.” When Ella looked confused, he added, “That’s kind of like running for a horse. Maybe more like a jog. Do you think you’d like to try that with him?”

  Her eyes widened in response and she nodded her head so hard that Bo was afraid she’d lose her balance. “Okay,” he said with a laugh. “We’ll give it a try when we get to the meadow. Now why don’t you tell him what our plan is?” He gestured to the horses ears and Ella smiled again before leaning down to whisper something into his ear.

  Bringing Ella on the trip had been a good idea. Anything that could make a sad little girl so happy had to be a good idea, and more and more Bo was realizing just how good it felt to make her smile. Bo snuck a glance to his right and to Morgan, who was moving up and down in rhythm with her mare. For such a city girl, she looked like a natural on a horse. Not to mention, incredibly sexy. He watched her tip her head up to the sun, warming her face. She was completely unaware of him watching her, at least he thought she was, but when she turned and aimed her smile at him, he had to laugh.

  “You caught me,” he said as he rode up along side her. “I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay, but you seem to be handling yourself on Chestnut here pretty well.”

  Morgan bent forward and stroked the mare’s neck. “She’s beautiful,” she said, “and a perfect traveling companion. She knows she’s in control but she hasn’t pulled on the reins once.”

  He tipped his head and examined her. “She is a good horse,” Bo said. Morgan’s body rolled with the movement of the horse. She wasn’t rigid, or tense. Not at all the way he’d expected a city girl to behave on a horse. “Wait a minute,” he said. “This isn’t your first time on a horse, is it?”

  She laughed and gave him a quick smile before shaking her head. “Growing up, my uncle had horses.”

  “Really? In the city?”

  “Come on,” she said with a smile. “I may be a city girl, but I did leave sometimes.”

  He gave her a sidelong look.

  “Okay, he had an acreage right on the edge of town. It was practically the city,” she relented. “And really, I haven’t been in the saddle for years. But when I was younger, he taught me to jump.”

  “Jump?”

  “Don’t look so surprised,” she said. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

  It was true. There was a lot he didn’t know about her. But what he did know, he liked. And despite his vow to avoid distractions, he was drawn to her in a way that was increasingly difficult to ignore.

  “Everyone seems to be having a good time,” Morgan said, breaking his train of thought. “Especially this one.” She pointed in front of Bo’s saddle. “Are you having fun, Ella?”

  Ella looked up and smiled at Morgan. “Yes,” she said quietly. It still boggled Bo how Ella didn’t seem to have any trouble speaking to Morgan, but she would only talk to him when absolutely necessary. But their easy silence didn’t bother him as much as it had at the beginning. They seemed to be developing an easy way of communicating.

  “What’s the horse’s name, Ella?”

  Ella glanced up at Bo quickly before answering, “Horace.”
r />   “Horace?”

  Ella nodded and returned her attention back to the horse, whispering something else into his ear.

  Morgan looked at Bo as if he’d lost his mind. “You named your horse Horace?”

  “Technically,” Bo said, “he’s not my horse.”

  “But you ride a horse named Horace?”

  “I do.” He met her gaze, and tried his best to look serious. He failed and together they burst into laughter.

  Horace jerked his head and snorted as if he knew they were talking about him, which only made them laugh harder.

  After a moment, the laughter faded and Morgan asked, “I just noticed, where’s Ella’s clay "horse"?”

  Bo smiled as he remembered how he’d persuaded Ella to tuck the horse into the pack. “I told her she’d need both hands to hang on to Horace.”

  “Looks like you were right.”

  “But don’t worry, we brought it. He’s wrapped in the pack. I don’t know much, but I do know enough not to mess with a woman whose made up her mind about something.”

  Morgan raised an eyebrow. “Well, I think the real thing is better, anyway. Don’t you, Ella?”

  Ella nodded, but didn’t look up.

  “I’m glad she likes it so much,” Morgan said. “And I think she’s a natural like her daddy.”

  Daddy.

  The word slammed into him and sent his thoughts spiraling. Intellectually, Bo knew he was Ella’s father. But it was still new. Too new. Daddy. He still wasn’t convinced that he could be someone’s daddy. There was a lot of responsibility. Maybe too much. But the more he rolled the word around in his head, the better it felt. He looked down at the little blond head that was bobbing along with the motion of the horse and instinctively bent and dropped a kiss on the top of it.

  ~ ~

  By the time they got to Lake of the Hanging Glacier and the cabin, it was late afternoon and everyone, including Ella, was more than ready to get off their horses.

  Bo left Jeff to brush out the horses with some help from the MacDonald family, who enjoyed being as hands-on as possible with the animals. They felt it gave them the entire experience, and Bo wasn’t complaining because it gave him a few minutes to escape and check on Ella and Morgan. The moment they dismounted, Ella was off exploring, which meant that Morgan was right behind her. And more than anything else, those were the two people that Bo wanted to spend time with.