She smiled. "Sounds good to me. We'll have to find something really good to win."
Leaning down, he gave her a swift kiss. "Let me get going. I'll see you over there."
About ten minutes later, after making certain the last of the children in her care had been returned to their parents, she stood at the far end of the pavilion. Opposite her, at the other end, in front of the band, a small, portable stage had been set up for the contestants to parade across, so those in the back could see them. Different judges were chosen each year, and it was always considered an honor to be selected. Grace kept a running list of past judges, so she could change them each year. No one was allowed to be a judge twice within three years, with most not being picked more than once during a five-year span. This year, the five judges ranged in age from thirteen to eighty-one. The winners would receive a medal and an LRSR certificate pronouncing their accomplishment.
Glancing at the people around her, Regina spotted Renee Miller. The octogenarian was a well-known and well-liked member of the Largo Ridge community, having been the town clerk for over forty years before she'd retired at the age of seventy-eight. When she noticed the older woman shiver, Regina stepped over and squatted down next to her. "Hi, Mrs. Miller. Are you cold? I can run inside and grab a blanket to wrap around you."
Mrs. Miller smiled and cupped Regina's cheek. "Such a sweetheart. Do you mind, dear? The heat lamps don't seem to be penetrating this old, wrinkled skin of mine."
"I don't mind at all. I have plenty of time before the women have to line up.” The under-three kids would go first, followed by the four-to-nine-year-olds. Then the ten-through-sixteen-year-olds were next. Seventeen and older put you in the adult categories. The solo men’s and women’s costumes were judged separately, as were the couples. The final group was the seventy-five and older bunch. It would take about an hour to get through all of them, and the band would provide background music throughout the event.
"All right, everyone, let's get this contest started!" Buck stood on the stage, using one of the band's microphones. "We have some amazing costumes out there this year, and I know it's going to be tough for our judges. Speaking of which, let me hand over the microphone to one of the greatest women I've ever known, LRSR's own Grace Scott, to introduce you to this year's distinguished judges."
As Grace joined him on the stage to a loud round of applause, Regina glanced over her shoulder. It was only a short distance to the main lodge. She'd promised Buck she wouldn't go any place where no one else was around, but with the skeleton crew in the lodge she wouldn't be alone. Someone was working the front desk and bar, while one of the bellmen would be there too. A few others would be in and out, helping deliver food and drinks to the party. And, of course, there was always someone manning the security office. While there wasn't often a need for security in the family-friendly resort, things occasionally popped up that required them. As for the ski patrol/EMTs, they had their own cabin which was closer to the ski slopes than the lodge, but they were walking around the different event areas in case they were needed anywhere.
Feeling quite safe—especially since nothing bad had happened, vandalism-wise, since the brick through their window—she made the decision to run and get the blanket instead of sending someone else or finding an escort to go with her. It would only take a few moments.
As she hurried toward the lodge, a dozen or so teens and adults were either coming from or going to the building, dressed in all sorts of costumes—mostly ghoulish ones. Those were probably the volunteer staff members from the haunted hayrides. They had an hour break while the contest was in full swing, then they'd have about another hour or two of scaring people again before wrapping it up for the night.
Two women approached her, dressed in seductive outfits. Both had on black, skin-tight pantsuits with knee-high boots, but the blonde had on cat ears attached to a headband and a long tail, while her brunette friend looked like a ninja. They had to be freezing in the thin material but didn't show any signs of hypothermia. When the blonde scowled at Regina as they neared, she recognized her as Margo Shaw. The snobby bitch whispered something to her friend that had the other woman cackling as they passed. Rolling her eyes, Regina shook her head. Some people never outgrew their high school days it seemed.
With her cape flowing behind her, Regina quickly climbed the front steps to the main building and pushed open the door. Warm air enveloped her as she walked through the lobby.
"Hi, Gi. Need something?" Theodora Fisher called from behind the reception desk. At the moment, there were no guests asking for her assistance with anything. There were a few people, some in costume, others just dressed in fall clothing, at the bar or lounging in the sitting areas on either side of a huge, dual-opening, stone fireplace off the lobby.
Regina waved at the thirty-two-year-old redhead. "Hi, Theo. Just grabbing a blanket out of the linen room for Mrs. Miller if it's okay. It's too cold out there for her."
"Go ahead. That's one of the reasons I volunteered to man the desk tonight."
Regina wondered if one of the other reasons was because Justin was working the event outside. The two of them didn't seem to get along, but Regina thought there was an underlying sexual attraction between them that would rise to the surface some day when they least expected it. They got on each other's nerves a lot, but the air practically crackled whenever they were in the same room—however, it was doubtful either would admit it. It was kind of fun to watch though.
At the far end of the lobby, she climbed the broad staircase instead of taking the elevator. There were sixteen guest rooms on each of the upper three floors, with all the public amenities on the first floor. Recalling that the linen closets for each floor were to the right of the elevators and stairs, she turned in that direction. The first door on her right was a locked maintenance storeroom. The second was the one she wanted, clearly labeled, "Linen Closet," in both English and Braille on a small sign next to the jamb. Turning the handle, Regina was glad to find it unlocked. Opening the door, she found the light switch with her hand and flipped it up. An overhead light came on, illuminating the dark room. There were two housekeeping carts already restocked for tomorrow's duties. To their right was a rolling shelving unit with stacks of sheets, pillowcases, towels, bathmats, and knit blankets.
Keeping the door propped open with her foot, Regina leaned over and snatched one of the blankets. Just as she stood upright again, something came over her head and dropped to her neck before it was yanked backward. Regina's startled yelp was caught in her throat, where it died under the pressure being applied to her neck. She instinctively dropped the blanket and brought both hands up to the piece of fabric choking her—a scarf or something similar. Her back painfully impacted a hard body standing behind her, but the soreness that still lingered from her stitches barely registered in her mind. She struggled to get her hands under the scarf to ease the restrictive force making it difficult for her to breath.
"Fucking bitch," her assailant muttered.
Regina tried to scream, but it came out weak and useless. Involuntary tears rolled down her face. Whoever the man was, he was trying to kill her, and she'd be damned if she'd go down without a fight. She might be smaller than the attacker, but Ryan, Buck, and Justin had taught her how to defend herself after getting their own military training.
Lifting her foot, she rammed it down on what she hoped was his instep. He spat a curse, and her body being swung to the side told her it'd been a direct hit. But she wasn't done yet. She became a flurry of flying limbs, thrusting hips, and a bobbing head. Her elbow connected with a soft abdomen, and she heard a satisfying grunt. It was getting harder to breathe, but she kept up the attack. Reaching back, her thumb found an eye socket, and she pushed in with all the strength she could muster.
An angry, pain-filled screech hurt her ear, but, suddenly, she was free. Ripping the scarf from her neck and tossing it aside, she gulped in lungfuls of air and spun around. Her eyes went wide when she saw who'd attacked her.
&nbs
p; Blocking her exit, Marty Sims was covering his right eye with his hand, as he cursed up a storm. He was dressed as a zombie, but she recognized him right away. “You fucking bitch. I lost the resort's account because of you. I’m going to kill you! Do you know how much money I was going to make off this place?"
Without giving him a verbal response or time for him to explain, Regina kicked her foot out, connecting with his groin, sending him flying out into the hallway on his ass. He screamed like a little girl and grabbed his crotch, writhing around in pain on the floor. Sidestepping him, Regina ran to the top of the stairs, her red cape flying behind her. A first attempt to call out to Theodora came out as a raspy squeak, so she rushed down the steps and over to the reception desk. Regina could only imagine what she looked like because the assistant manager's eyes were the size of saucers as she came from around the desk. "Oh my God, Regina! What happened?"
Whispering as loud as she could, because outright talking wasn't happening right then, she told Theodora to call Buck, Ryan, security, and the police, in that order. The other woman picked up the desk phone and a handheld radio at the same time, alerting everyone.
Several guests at the bar and fireplace must have noticed there was a problem and hurried over. Someone brought a chair and eased Regina into it, while two burly men ran up the stairs to look for her attacker. A kind woman untied the ribbon at Regina’s neck, which was holding her cape in place, and let the garment slide down over the back of the chair.
Regina was grateful for everyone's help, but, at the moment, she only wanted Buck.
The rage racing through Buck’s veins had only gone down a few notches since that fucking prick had been taken away in a patrol car. If it hadn’t been for all the witnesses, security, and a few other men holding them back, Buck and Ryan would’ve been the ones being hauled away—for committing homicide. He’d been terrified when Theo had sent a text to his cell phone because he hadn’t been able to hear her on his walkie talkie over the band and cheering for the kids in their costumes.
Need you at the front desk, ASAP. It’s an emergency!
Somehow, he’d known whatever had happened had involved Regina, especially when he saw Ryan check his phone a few seconds later. After scanning the crowd and not seeing her, dread had almost overwhelmed him as they’d sprinted toward the lodge, with Justin on their heels asking what in the hell was wrong.
Buck had barely beaten the other two men to the lobby, and the relief that’d hit him when he’d seen Regina alive and sitting in a chair had nearly brought him to his knees. But then he’d noticed her tears and the angry red marks on her neck. He’d been ready to kill someone at that moment, and he hadn’t even known who his target was. All Buck knew was the fucker was going to die for even thinking about laying a hand on his woman.
Now, with his arms wrapped around Regina, holding her tightly against his chest, he was reluctant to let her go. Still shaking, she didn’t seem to be in a rush to step away from him either. A few uniformed cops and Detective Heath Cobb were still at the scene, interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence. Cobb had assured Buck he’d be charging Sims with attempted murder among other things.
Someone stopped next to Regina and Buck and set a gentle hand on each of their shoulders. “You okay, Gi?” Hogan asked. The tall man was dressed as a pirate, complete with a stuffed parrot on his left shoulder. He’d apparently seen the other men running toward the lodge and had followed to see if they needed help. He’d been one of those who’d kept Buck from killing Sims.
Regina lifted her head and nodded. Her voice was still raspy when she said, “Yes, thank you.”
Hogan smiled down at her. “Just checking on you. Bonnie and Clyde would be very upset if something happened to their favorite CPA.”
A soft giggle escaped her. “I’m their only CPA.”
“True that. But I’m still glad you’re okay. Buck, if you need anything, let me know.”
Buck’s hands remained around Regina’s waist. “Thanks, man. I think we’re good. I want to get Gi to the ER to get checked out.”
She frowned at him. “I told you, I’m fine. And the medics said that too.”
“They also said you should go to the ER and have your throat x-rayed in case there’s any crushing injuries we can’t see. No arguing, otherwise, I’ll sic Grace on you, and you know damn well she’ll guilt you into going.” The older woman would too. She’d been horrified when she’d learned what had happened inside the resort, but Regina had kept reassuring her that it was nobody’s fault except for Sims and, maybe, herself, since she’d gone off without anyone as an escort. As much as Buck wanted to ream her for that, he’d kept his mouth shut. She knew she’d put herself in danger with her stalker still out there—he didn’t need to drill it into her head. She was safe now, and that was all that mattered. Hell, he was fucking proud as a damn peacock after hearing how she’d kicked Sims’s ass and saved herself.
They were still trying to figure out what Sims had meant when he’d told Regina he’d planned on making a fortune with the resort as his account. Most likely, he’d been plotting to embezzle money from it. Regina and her bosses would have to do an audit, whenever she was well enough to go back to work, to see if Sims had started siphoning money from the resort’s accounts before he’d been replaced.
As Hogan stepped away from them, Buck glanced around at all the activity. Justin and Maxine had returned to the pavilion to make sure the costume contest continued and that it kept everyone’s attention off the lodge, where several police cars were still parked in the front. Grace and Theo were at the front desk, taking care of the guests and reassuring them it’d been an isolated incident and the attacker had an agenda.
God, he could’ve lost her.
Leaning down, Buck kissed Regina’s forehead. “I’m sorry, Gi.”
Her eyes narrowed at him. “For what?”
Where to begin? “You could’ve been killed tonight. I could’ve lost you before I ever had a chance to tell you how much I love you.”
She cocked her head to the side and winced before saying, “You . . . you love me?”
She doubted him? Well, you moron, of course she does—you waited this long to tell her. “Hell, woman, I think I fell in love with you the first time I kissed you. That’s one of the reasons I ran from you. I was a fool to wait this long to tell you how I feel.”
“Well, I was just as much a fool as you because I think I fell in love with you back then too. I should’ve chased after you and made you talk to me about why you ran. But, in a way, I think you did the right thing, even though it hurt. Things might not have worked out between us if we’d ended up dating then. Maybe they would have.” She shrugged. “Who knows? But that’s behind us now. And for the record, if I didn’t make myself clear, I love you too.”
His heart soared. “Thanks for clarifying.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “And with our past behind us, we have a future together that I’m very much looking forward to, but first things first—let’s go get you checked out and then go home.”
She gave him a seductive smile he was thrilled to see because it meant she was thinking about something other than the attack at the moment. Running her palms over his taut chest, she asked, “Any chance I can convince you to just take me home?”
Three weeks later . . .
“What if he doesn’t like me?” Buck asked as he followed his truck’s GPS directions. They were a mile away from their destination, and he was getting more nervous the closer they got.
“He’ll love you, Buck. I mean, what’s not to love?” It was the third time Regina had answered that same question with a similar response during the forty-five-minute drive to K9s Kare for Vets. “After getting me to admit I love you, getting a big, fluffy dog to fall for you is a piece of cake.”
Their hands were clasped together, and he lifted them to his mouth, kissing her knuckles. “I love you too.”
They’d been stunned last week, during the monthly finance meeting with Grace,
Justin, Ryan, and Maxine, when his four co-owners told him the resort would be paying for his support dog. Apparently, since K9KV was a nonprofit organization, the cost was considered a donation and was a legal tax write off—not that it’d made a difference to Grace and the others. However, Justin had jokingly blurted out how that fact had swayed his decision to vote in favor of the dog. Buck’s extended LRSR family couldn’t be more supportive of him getting the assistance dog, and everyone was excited to meet Monty, a big, black, white, and tan Bernese mountain dog.
First, though, Buck had to meet the gentle giant to see if they were as good a fit as the trainers expected them to be. After sending in his application, there’d been numerous emails and phone calls before they’d announced he was an ideal candidate and they believed Monty would be the perfect support animal for him. While he was looking forward to getting the dog—he’d always wanted one as a kid—he wasn’t too sure if it would help him with his PTSD. But, for Regina, he was willing to do anything that would give him a chance at a normal life with her. One that meant he could sleep in the same bed with her and not worry about hurting her in the middle of the night.
Even though the Largo Ridge ski season had officially opened a few days ago, with just below freezing temperatures, and the snow machines were packing the ski slopes with white fluff, today was Buck’s day off. Since the long weekends were the busiest for the lodge, especially Fridays and Mondays with people checking in and out of the resort, Tuesdays and Wednesdays were his free days. Monty wouldn’t be going home with him today though—the trainers wanted Buck to come back for two hours a day for the next week, so they could work with him and the dog. Buck needed to learn all of Monty’s commands and skills, while Monty had to learn Buck was now his forever human who he needed to take care of. If all went well, the dog would be going home to Buck’s house sometime next week.
As for Regina, she was super excited about the dog and told Buck she was taking him shopping on the way home for all the things Monty would need when he arrived at his forever home. He didn’t mind though, since he was planning on asking Regina to move in with him as well. He’d talked to Ryan the other night and had gotten his blessing along with two stipulations—one, that Buck never hurt her, and two, that there’d better be an engagement ring coming sometime soon. Buck had no problem with either of those since he’d already started thinking about the ring and when the right time would be to pop the question. While some people might say they were rushing things, Buck knew it had been a long time coming. Now that Regina was his, he wanted to make it legal and binding.
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