by Lori Ryan
A loud meow had her looking down.
“What?”
Jax glanced up at her, head tilted, tail gently swaying from side to side.
“So you’re telling me I should go.”
The cat wound around her legs several times then sat down on top of her foot.
Kayleigh let out a heavy sigh and tossed the envelope on the counter rather than the trash. “Happy?”
Jax meowed and walked away.
She’d always believed animals were more in tune with the emotional needs of their owners than actual people were sometimes. This time she would trust Jax’s silent warning.
Kayleigh made her way into the bathroom and slid back the shower curtain. Turning the water to scalding, she waited a few minutes as steam filled the bathroom. She stepped under the spray, letting the water wash away the tension of the day
As her eyes fluttered closed, images of a pirate ship sailing on a stormy sea flashed through her mind. A captain bellowed out orders to his men as they rushed to lower their sails. Of course, unlike reality, all of her pirates brushed their teeth and looked like they’d showered that morning.
Two men flanked her on either side, grabbing her arms.
“Take her down to my quarters, men. I’ll show her how we deal with stowaways,” a deep voice grumbled.
“Aye, aye, Captain Sumner. Aye, aye.”
Chapter Seven
“Oh, it feels good to sit,” Aaron’s mother said, sitting back in the Adirondack chair on the back porch.
His childhood home had a beautiful view of Canyon Creek Mountain. And in the distance, if it was quiet, you could also hear the running creek. Aaron had forgotten how much he missed home.
“I can’t believe how busy you guys are at the lodge.”
His mother turned her head and smiled. “Yeah, it’s been a bit crazy.”
“But you love it?” Aaron asked, but he didn’t need an answer. It was written all over her face.
“Yeah,” she said, “yeah, I do. I’m lucky.” She turned and looked at Aaron. “Like you.”
“How so?”
“I’m living my dream, just like you are.”
He had to fight not to tense at her words. He wasn’t living his dream, not any more.
“What?” his mother sat up.
He shook his head. “Nothing.”
“Are you ever going to tell me why you’re home?”
“Can’t a guy just come home for a visit?”
His mother gave a weak smile that said she knew he was hiding something. She reached out her hand and patted his. “Of course, you can, darling. I’m very glad you’re here. And I know the boys are, too.”
“Yeah, I could see that today.” Even before noon, Aaron had helped with at least four minor catastrophes. At least, they seemed like minor catastrophes to him. Max had said it was all in a day’s work at the lodge.
The espresso machine in the café had gone haywire, spewing used coffee grounds on his Aunt Sally. That one had been a little funny.
One of the guest room doors had grown a mind of its own and locked its owner out of the room, not opening for any of the master key cards, either. The guest hadn’t been thrilled when they’d said they needed to call the key card company to get her access to her belongings. She was there for her wedding and had started screaming that her wedding dress was in the room. It was like she thought they wouldn’t get the lock fixed before the blessed event.
Sure, they’d cut it close, not getting the dress out until two hours before the wedding, but still.
The worst part of the day, though, had been when the reservation system went down for a few hours and they had to check people in by hand, using the most recent printed list of reservations they had. They’d had to collect credit card information to put into the system later and had a few people arrive whose reservations hadn’t been on their printed list.
“I thought my emergency medicine rotation was crazy.” Aaron laughed.
“It’s nothing compared to cranky travelers and nervous brides, huh?”
“Nervous?” Ben asked, walking up behind them. “Try bat shit crazy, Ma.”
“She really was, wasn’t she?” His mother laughed and picked up her glass of wine. “Here’s to the Travis-Monohan wedding being over.”
Aaron raised his long neck beer and clinked her glass.
“Here, here,” Ben added.
“Did you know she hired a social media firm to cover her wedding and post all the events on the internet?” His mother said.
Aaron wrinkled his brow. “You can’t be serious.”
“That’s nothing,” Ben said. “Lily said the chick actually asked her to rub lotion on her feet because her girdle was too tight to bend over.” Ben shuddered.
“I think it’s called Spanx, dear,” his mother said.
“Whatever.”
“Holy, hell!” Aunt Sally shouted from behind them. “That is the last wedding I’m helping with.” She rounded the patio and sank down into another chair, propping up her feet.
Ben chuckled. “You say that about every wedding, Aunt Sally.”
“Well, I mean it this time. That girl was certifiable. She asked me if the cake was vegan. I don’t even know what that means.”
Aaron snorted.
Aunt Sally held up her own beer. “Thank you, baby Jesus, that’s over. Cheers big ears!”
Before anyone could join her she’d kicked back the bottle and downed half the contents.
“What’s up next?” Ben asked.
“Let me catch my breath first,” his mother said, smiling.
Aaron really was surprised at how busy the lodge was keeping his family. He would need to ask Ben if there looked like there was room in the budget to add more help in the future, or if this was how things would be long term.
“How do you do it, man?” Aaron asked Ben.
“Do what?”
“You help out at the lodge, run your own business, and help Maggie take care of her father.”
“Love.” His mother beamed.
“Ugggh.” Aunt Sally groaned.
“What are you moaning about?” Ben asked. “You and Warner are awfully cozy.”
“We’re just friends with benefits.”
“Oh, gross, Aunt Sally.” Ben groaned.
“That’s just nasty,” Aaron added.
“Not really,” Aunt Sally smirked. “You should try it sometime. Best of both worlds, my boys.”
“Ain’t it good to be home?” Ben asked in a mocking tone.
“So, speaking of being home,” Aunt Sally slid to the edge of her chair, training her gaze on Aaron. “You going to tell us why you’re here, Dr. Sumner?”
“I’ve already explained it. I’m taking a break. I’ve got some changes in rotations coming up, so it’s a good time to use my vacation and be here with the family.”
Aaron glanced around the circle and noticed everyone staring at each other.
“What?” he asked.
“How long will you be here?” Ben asked.
How long? As long as it takes for me to figure out my meds, he thought. He noticed a slight bobble of his beer in his right hand. He’d made the first adjustment to his prescriptions three days ago, but wasn’t seeing any results yet. “Just for a few weeks, maybe a little more.”
“They not keeping you busy enough up at that fancy hospital in Chicago?” Aunt Sally asked.
“They’ve got me plenty busy. I just…”
“You needed a break,” his mother said. “You look tired sweetie.”
He nodded. In all the years since he’d started medical school, Aaron had never taken a break, never even thought about taking a break. Even during holidays and school breaks he worked if they’d let him, trying to get more hours in the operating room whenever possible.
Maybe his mother was right, he did need to rest.
“Oooh.” Sally said. “You should come to your mom’s yoga class.” She let out an evil grin, as if she knew something he d
idn’t.
Aaron felt his gut tighten.
Ben groaned, shaking head.
“What?” his mother asked, as though she didn’t know his aunt was up to something.
Ben glanced at Aaron. “Be careful, it’s a set up.”
Aaron stared at his brother, then his mother, then over to his aunt.
“Ma, did you happen to invite Kayleigh Montgomery to your yoga class this morning when we were in town?” Ben’s eyes never left Aaron’s as he asked the question.
Their mother waved her hand in dismissal. “I invite everyone in town to class. And the guests. I didn’t say anything in particular to Kayleigh.”
Ben shook his head. “Don’t do it. It’s a trap, man.”
“A trap for what?”
“Jeez, for someone so bright…” Sally muttered.
Aaron was completely lost. But he had to admit, the thought of seeing Kayleigh getting all bendy in tight yoga pants stirred something in his own pants. It was a sad thought but it had been too long since he’d had sex.
“So you’ll come?” his mother practically bounced in her chair.
The last thing Aaron wanted to do was disappoint his mom. “Sure, why not?”
“Oh, good.” She clapped her hands.
Ben rolled his eyes. “Another one bites the dust.”
“What?” Aaron asked.
“Well,” his mother pushed out of her chair, “class is early. I should get to bed.”
Wait, what? He wondered how early “early” was.
“Sally, you coming?” His mother asked.
Aunt Sally glanced at her beer. “No, I’m not done yet.”
His mother raised a brow, similar to the look she gave any of her boys when they were in trouble as youngsters.
“Oh, uh, yeah. I’m just about done.” Aunt Sally tossed back the rest of her beer and stood.
“Night, boys,” his mother said, reaching down to kiss each of them on the cheek. “Class is at eight, sweetheart,” she said, looking at him. “Don’t be late. Wear loose clothing.”
“Okay.” Aaron couldn’t help but feel he may be stepping into quicksand. “’Night.”
He and his brother sat in comfortable silence for a bit, something Aaron could appreciate now that he was back home.
“Saw Doc Olson in town this morning,” Ben said, breaking the quiet. “Said he hasn’t seen you yet. What’s up with that?”
“What do you mean?” Aaron asked.
“He’s usually your first stop, even before you get home.”
Aaron didn’t want to explain why he hadn’t seen his mentor and friend yet. Part of it was self-preservation. Doc Olson was a smart man. Aaron wouldn’t be able to hide the truth from him.
A bigger part was guilt. His original intent when he’d left for med school was to return and help Doc Olson one day. Instead he’d gotten caught up in big city medicine and the draw of being a big-shot surgeon instead of a small-town doctor.
“I might stop by tomorrow.”
“After yoga?” Ben laughed.
“What is up with Ma’s yoga class?”
Ben stood and grasped his brother’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “You’ll see. I’m heading home.”
“Okay, I’ll see you.”
“Oh, and Aaron,” Ben said glancing over his shoulder.
“Yeah?”
“Definitely wear loose clothing. Very loose around here.” Ben waved his hand around his dick.
“What the hell does that mean?”
Ben chuckled. “’Night man.”
The door closed and Aaron sat back in his chair.
The stars were so bright in the sky. He drew in a deep breath of fresh mountain air. It really was good to be home. He just didn’t know how long it would feel that way before he started to get restless again.
Chapter Eight
Aaron walked down the path toward the wedding barn. Although they’d refurbished the barn to hold weddings and parties, they also hosted other community things.
Things like yoga.
As he rounded the corner, one of the cabins caught his eye. His memory went to the kiss he’d shared with Kayleigh. Well, shared wasn’t exactly the right word. He’d stolen it, to be honest.
He just couldn’t help himself. She’d become heated over their argument about the benefits of a new suture material that had come on the market recently, the merits of whether it had been rushed to market.
At first, it wasn’t that he’d wanted to kiss her, he’d just wanted to shut her up.
Then…he’d wanted to kiss her.
And before he could stop himself, he’d done just that.
The woman was incredible, her mouth soft, lips full. She had a magical tongue that danced when he touched it with his. Jeez, his dick was getting hard just thinking about it.
“What’s going on in that pea-sized-brain of yours?” Kayleigh’s voice called from behind him.
Aaron turned, afraid he looked as embarrassed as he felt. His brother had warned him to wear loose clothes. Now he was glad he had.
“Oh, uh, nothing.” He looked at her. She wore navy blue scrubs. “Aren’t you here for yoga?”
She laughed. “Me? No. Maggie’s tried to sucker me into it a time or two, but no.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Sally called. She said Lucky had an infected eye and she couldn’t wrangle him into a crate.”
Lucky was the infamous one-eyed cat that spent his time either roaming the grounds, protecting the residents, or with Maggie and Ben at their house during the winter months.
“Yeah, that cat is scary. I have no idea how Maggie and Ben keep that thing in their house.”
“Lucky’s a great cat. You just need to know how to talk to him.”
“Hey, kids.” His mother walked up next to him. “You ready for yoga?”
“Um, I guess?” Aaron winced.
“You too, Kayleigh? I’m so glad you could make it. But why are you wearing scrubs?”
“Sally called this morning, said Lucky was sick.”
“Oh, well. I think he’s fine now. I saw him earlier with Maggie. Why don’t you come join us for yoga?”
Kayleigh and Aaron blinked at one another and suddenly Ben’s words rang in his mind. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
“Hey kiddies, you ready to rock this class?” Aunt Sally bounded up next to Aaron and bumped his hip with hers.
“Sally?” Kayleigh raised a questioning brow. “You said Lucky was sick.”
Sally waved her hands in the air. “It’s a Christmas miracle. He’s healed.”
“It’s not Christmas, Aunt Sally.”
“Tomayto, tomahto,” she said. “Let’s get you kids into yoga. It helps your sex life, you know.”
“What?” Aaron yelled.
“Oh, God.” His mother shook her head.
Sally glanced behind her at them. “Too far?”
“Yeah,” Kayleigh and Valerie said in unison.
“Well,” his mother took his and Kayleigh’s hands on either side of her, as if they were five, “you’re both here now so why not join us?”
“I’m not dressed for it,” Kayleigh said.
“Nonsense,” his mother said.
“I can let you borrow some of my pants.” Sally said, sliding a finger into her waist band.
That’s when Aaron noticed her outfit. Leopard-printed yoga pants that left little to the imagination. “Please, God, no,” he groaned.
“You don’t think I’d look good in leopard tights?” Kayleigh arched a brow.
Aaron studied her from head to toe. Even decked out in scrubs she looked sexy as sin. Just the thought of her in form-fitting pants had his dick getting stiff. He swallowed. “Never said that. It’s my Aunt Sally who’s about to make me throw up in my mouth.”
“What are you talking about?” Aunt Sally said, smacking her rear end. “My ass is tighter than a steel drum.”
“Not what I want to know,” Aaron shook his head.
“Won’t hear Warner complaining.” Sally smiled and skipped ahead of them.
His mother dropped their hands and rushed after her. “Sally.”
“Help,” Aaron moaned.
Kayleigh giggled. “Come on.” She took his hand in hers. “Let’s give it a try. I mean, it’s the least we can do, seeing as how your mother and Sally worked in cahoots to get us here.”
Aaron glanced down at his hand in Kayleigh’s, marveling at how good it felt.
She gave a small squeeze.
His gaze met hers. Her bright blue eyes sparkled in the early morning sun.
“That is, unless you’re afraid of a little Downward Dog.” She smiled.
He didn’t know what the hell Downward Dog was, but visions of Kayleigh on all fours flashed through his mind. Hell.
She released her hand and swatted his chest. “Get your mind out of the gutter.” He noticed she wasn’t upset, in fact a grin seemed to be tugging at her lips.
“Okay,” he finally said. “let’s give it a try.” A sinking feeling hit Aaron in the pit of the stomach as he rounded the entrance to the barn.
The large space was filled with at least twenty people, all women.
“There are extra mats against the wall,” his mother yelled from the front.
Aaron saw twenty asses go straight up in the air as the women started to stretch.
Aaron grabbed a mat for Kayleigh and then one for himself. They unfolded them and sat down at the back of the room, legs crossed.
“You ready for this?” she asked.
“No.” He shook his head. “Not even close.”
Kayleigh patted his knee and laughed. “It can’t be that bad.”
“You’ve never done this before.”
She shook her head, her long blonde hair tumbling over her shoulders. “Nope. I’m a type-A personality. I don’t sit still well. Meditation has never been my thing.”
“Me neither.”
“I am pretty flexible, though.” She crossed her legs and bent over her knees, her nose almost to the floor.
Christ.
“I’m hoping your Aunt Sally is right.”
“How’s that?” He stretched his legs in front of him, staring over at her.
“I’m hoping yoga helps with sex.” She winked at him.
