Love at Last (Last Frontier Lodge #2)

by J. H. Croix

  She rubbed her eyes and gulped in air. “I know, I know.”

  Her father gave her another squeeze and stepped away. “Gage said he’d call in as soon as they have an update. Nick has his phone, and they have Garrett’s. They also have radio back up. Now get out there and get to work. I know you, if you don’t do something, you’ll pace a groove in the floor.”

  Delia shook her head and went back into the kitchen to get to work. Another hour later, her father pushed through the swinging door again.

  “Gage found the boys.”

  She knew from the look on her father’s face that there was more. “And?”

  “Garrett hasn’t made it back yet.”

  Chapter 14

  Garrett squinted against the blowing snow. He and Gage had headed out after mapping out where they’d crisscross the slopes to try to find the missing skiers. He could see the light from Gage’s snowmobile in the distance through the trees between the two slopes. He paused to turn along the edge of the slope. He heard the high-pitched whine of the engine and felt the snowmobile catch and then tilt sideways. He tumbled down the outer edge of the ski slope, grunting when he came to a hard stop against what could only be a boulder. Snow stung his face, blowing sideways in vicious gusts. Visibility was all but non-existent. He shifted his position and tried to see how far he’d fallen. There was nothing to see other than the blur of snow and darkness. Above him, he could see the light from the snowmobile pointing into the sky, needlessly lighting the way up.

  ***

  “Come here,” Marley said, looping her arm around Delia’s and practically dragging her to a booth in the corner of the restaurant. Ginger came through the entrance from the front and dashed over to the booth, skidding into the seat.

  “Made it!” she declared. When she caught a look at Delia’s face, Ginger turned immediately to Marley. “Where’s the alcohol?”

  “Coming right up,” Marley replied. She loosened her hold on Delia’s arm. “Sit down. You’re driving yourself crazy not getting a damn bit of actual work done. Be right back.”

  Delia sat down with a sigh as Marley headed over to the bar. The snowstorm still raged outside and the restaurant was fuller than usual at this hour, although the tone was quiet. The nearest cell and radio tower had been knocked out roughly an hour ago, so there was no news on the status up on the mountain. Delia knew Marley had a point. She’d been trying to keep herself busy with work. After she ruined a batch of potato leek soup and forgot to add yeast to a batch of dough, which she only discovered after kneading it pointlessly for too long, she’d taken to pacing back and forth in the kitchen.

  Harry, her steady front-staff supervisor, paused by their booth. “Don’t blame Marley for dragging you out. I sent her your way. You need to try something else to calm down. I figured friends might be more helpful than trying to wear the finish off the floor.”

  Delia looked up at him and fought the tears threatening. Harry slipped his arm across her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “Hang in there. I’m around if you need anything.” At that, he moved on, filling waters and coffees as he wove through the tables.

  Marley returned with two bottles of wine and three glasses. After Delia took several gulps, she set her wineglass down and sighed. “This sucks.”

  Ginger nodded emphatically. “Hell yeah, it sucks! You’re stuck here waiting while Nick is sitting in a teeny tiny ski hut at the top of the damn mountain. And then there’s your boyfriend. By the way, I won’t give you any shit tonight for not bothering to give me an update on Garrett.” Her eyes softened and she reached across the table to grip Delia’s hand. “They’ll be okay. We have to think that.”

  Marley caught her eyes. “Gage will find Garrett. Right before we lost reception, he told me they could see the light from Garrett’s snowmobile. I’m not going to pretend it’ll be a breeze in this weather, but Gage will find him and get him safe.” Marley appeared to be fighting back her own tears.

  Delia realized she wasn’t the only one who had loved ones to worry about. Gage was probably out right now in the biting winter wind and blinding snow trying to find Garrett. He’d already tracked down the two teen boys. The last word they had was Gage had been headed to the ski hut with the boys before planning to turn back to find Garrett.

  Delia took another gulp of wine and glanced around the restaurant. A couple at one of the tables by the windows was huddled together. “That must be…”

  “The boys’ parents,” Marley finished for her. “Even though we heard from Gage that he located them, we lost reception before he confirmed they made it back to the ski hut.”

  Delia’s stomach churned. She felt for them—a deep, visceral understanding of their worry. At least she knew her own son was warm and safe in the hut. A very small voice, which she batted back every time it tried to make itself heard, worried Nick might have tried to go out and help on his own. She must have reminded herself five thousand times that Nick had been warned time and again about the dangers of going outside during a snowstorm like this. She just prayed and prayed that he wouldn’t try to get overly helpful with Gage and Garrett out in the storm.

  Her brain was running on two tracks. One moment, she spun through worries about Nick. The next, fear raced through her for Garrett. She could hardly stand to think about where he was with the wind battering in gusts against the windows. The lodge had lost power over an hour ago and was running on generators. Snow flew in icy pellets, the sound like sharp rain on the windows. Snow and wind like this stung the skin. With the cold, it would burn. Aside from the small ski huts up on the mountain, there was no shelter for Garrett, so he would be freezing. Even the best winter gear could only help so much in weather like this.

  Chapter 15

  Garrett tightened his hood and tucked his hands into his pockets. As he settled into the spot he’d fallen, the force of his fall started to seep into his bones. His shoulder ached and his knee throbbed. His hopes of a quick rescue started to wane by the time he was shivering forcefully. Thoughts of Delia filled his mind. Not much was clear for him lately, but what he felt for her took his breath away. The word love feathered its way into his thoughts. His chest ached and not solely because he fell. He didn’t know how much time passed when he heard someone calling his name. He must have drifted in and out of a sleepy state. He slowly came to and started to stand before he remembered where he was.

  “Down here!” he called.

  He heard motion through the snow and then Gage’s voice from above. “Got you! Give me a sec. I’m gonna get a light shining down there, so we can see enough to get you up.”

  Garrett waited in the cold, shivers wracking his body. He heard another voice with Gage, but he didn’t recognize it. Eventually, a light beamed down upon him and Gage climbed down beside him. It was too windy for conversation to be anything other than shouts over the wind, so Gage worked in silence. He hooked a belt around Garrett’s waist and helped him clamber up the steep incline. Long moments later, Garrett was sitting behind Gage on the snowmobile. Gage must have found the missing teens. One of them was with him and had turned Garrett’s snowmobile upright. With Gage leading the way, the young man followed them through the snowy dark, wind whipping at them, until they reached the ski hut. The tiny square of light shining through the window brought a wash of relief coursing through Garrett.

  ***

  Time passed slowly. Marley and Ginger were steady, reliable, dear friends. They alternated with soothing support and distraction. The wine helped. It softened the edges of her worry and dulled the frantic feeling that spun inside. Her father stopped by the table occasionally, but he was busy monitoring the generators and doing just about anything that needed to be done.

  Delia lost all track of time when the radio Marley had sitting on the table crackled. Don came striding to the table a second later. “Got it. One of the kids here spent the last three hours fiddling with the signals. No idea how he pulled it off, but he got the radios to work on
another frequency. The downed tower isn’t a problem, but the connection’s shitty.”

  Delia fumbled for the radio and dropped it immediately. Don held up the one in his hand. “I’ll try.”

  Delia’s heart felt like it was going to pound out of her chest. Ginger scooted closer to her on the bench and gave her a quick hug. “Breathe.” After Delia gulped in some air, Ginger refilled her wineglass. “And have a sip of wine. It helps.”

  After several minutes of static and more than a few swallows of wine, Nick’s voice crackled over the radio. “Granddad?”

  Don grinned widely. “That’s right, buddy. Glad you stayed put like you were supposed to. How’s it going up there?”

  Between fits and starts, Nick managed to update them he was warm and toasty, along with Gage, the two teens and Garrett. Tears were hot in Delia’s eyes as she listened to Nick cheerfully summarize everything. He sounded slightly frightened at a few points, but his joy and relief at Gage and Garrett’s safe return was palpable through the crackly radio.

  Gage got on and checked in about a few logistics. “It looks like we’re in for the night. Garrett finally fell asleep a few minutes ago, but he’s pretty banged up. Even if the snow stops, I don’t want to try to move him in the dark.”

  Delia’s chest tightened and she fought the tide of worry rising inside. Garrett was safe. She just had to wait through the night until she could see him. Ginger gave her another squeeze. The radio fuzzed. Through the broken connection, she heard Gage quickly tell Marley he loved her.

  Hours later as she woke from her fitful sleep, she couldn’t help but wish maybe, just maybe, she and Garrett could have something like what Gage and Marley had. If only she knew what Garrett felt. As her mind ran along its familiar tracks, she considered perhaps she might need to dredge up the courage to tell Garrett how she felt even if she didn’t know how he felt in return. The mere thought sent her heart pounding. Restless, she rolled over on the couch in Marley and Gage’s living room and glanced out the windows. Light was just barely starting to filter through. The wind had stopped and snow was falling gently. Last night’s storm had blown in and out, and it was as if it had never happened.

  ***

  Garrett woke, his body aching from head to toe. He turned his head very slowly and glanced around the room. He was on the floor in the small building, along with Gage, Nick and the two teen boys they’d been looking for last night. He vaguely remembered getting back here, but he had no recollection of anything other than how good it felt to be warm again.

  Nick rolled over and lifted his head. “Garrett!” He scrambled up and grinned.

  Garrett started to sit up and pain shot through his shoulder. Every inch of him ached. Nick’s expression shifted to worried. “Are you okay?” He climbed across the two boys and stepped on Gage’s foot on his way to Garrett’s side.

  “Mornin’ Nick. Don’t worry about me,” Gage said wryly.

  Nick knelt by Garrett and helped him sit up. Gage sat up and eyed Garrett. “Not looking your best this morning, but you’ll do.”

  Garrett chuckled, discovering that even laughing hurt. “Whatever. Just glad to be here. I’m remembering why I thought law was a good career choice.”

  “Why’s that?” Gage asked.

  “Because I don’t have to worry about falling down the side of a damn mountain in a snowstorm.”

  Gage grinned and turned away. A while later, Garrett was waiting on the snowmobile. He’d been introduced—again—to Danny and Eric. They were gregarious, helpful, and slightly cowed from their brush with danger last night. One of them was to ski down while the other drove Garrett’s snowmobile down the mountain with Nick on the back.

  On the ride down, Garrett felt every single bump even though Gage maneuvered slowly. Eric beat them down the hill on his skis and was waiting when they got there, surrounded by his parents and a cluster of others. The only person Garrett saw was Delia. He moved much slower than he wanted, but managed to make his way to the stairs. Delia hugged Nick close before standing and walked to meet Garrett.

  His heart felt so full, he could hardly breathe. It didn’t even cross his mind that they had an audience. The throbbing ache in every corner of his body forgotten, he stepped to her, cupped her cheeks and brought his lips to hers, capturing them in a lingering kiss before wrapping her in his arms and holding tight.

  Chapter 16

  Delia walked upstairs slowly. It had been another busy day in the kitchen. Gage had bundled Garrett off for a quick trip to the doctor after they got back this morning. At loose ends, she’d gone home and managed to get Nick settled down. Her father had shooed her out not much later.

  “You’re damn near driving me crazy. You’re too restless. Go to work and check on Garrett.”

  When she was walking out, he called her name.

  “What?”

  “Don’t expect you home tonight,” he said with a grin.

  She shook her head, chuckling to herself as she recalled her father’s comment. She made it to the top of the stairs and turned down the hall where Garrett’s suite was. He’d texted to tell her he was rested and wanted to see her as soon as she could get up there.

  At her knock, the door opened seconds later. Garrett stood there, his dark hair slightly rumpled and his navy eyes on her. He wore sweatpants and a worn t-shirt, his muscles accentuated under the soft fabric. Her pulse took a leap and wet heat coiled inside. Garrett didn’t say a word, merely reached for her and pulled her inside, right into his strong embrace.

  His eyes seared into her as his mouth descended, catching hers in a scorching kiss. In a flash, heat twisted through her. His tongue swept inside, stroking against hers, as his hands explored her curves. She flexed and arched into his touch. It was imperceptible, but she felt him flinch. She tore her lips away from his.

  “You need to take it easy!” She took a step back, bumping against the door.

  He shook his head. “I’m fine.”

  He put a hand on the door and stroked the other down the side of her neck. Toying with a lock of her hair, his eyes nearly burned her up. Every little touch sent shivers through her. She fought to keep her body under control and put a hand on his chest, softly nudging him away.

  “I’m sure you are, but let’s take it slow. You took a hell of a tumble last night and almost froze to death.”

  She shimmied away from the door and strode to the kitchen area. “Did you have something to eat yet?”

  He shrugged. His stomach growled, answering for him. His smile turned sheepish. “Maybe not.”

  “I’ll be right back.” She whirled away, flinging the door open and racing back downstairs to the kitchen. She returned to his room carrying a tray filled with food from the evening’s buffet selection.

  They had an impromptu dinner on his bed. A while later, it occurred to Delia that she hadn’t laughed so much in years. Garrett carefully carried the tray to the kitchen counter and turned to face her. His eyes darkened and sent her pulse wild with nothing more than a look. He walked deliberately toward the bed. She was seated on the edge, her bare feet dangling off the side. He leaned down, his palms coming to either side of her hips.

  “You’re not stopping me now.”

  His gruff words ruffled across her skin, sending hot slivers of heat through her. When he kissed her this time, she tumbled into the cauldron that simmered under the surface of every moment with him. The mattress gave under the weight of his knee when he slid it between her thighs, barely nudging it against the center of her desire. She moaned into his mouth, arching into his touch.

  Moment after moment passed in the blur of sensation ebbing and flowing through her. Clothes were torn off and tossed on the floor. They rolled on the bed, touching, licking and tasting. Delia pulled back long enough to see Garrett’s shoulder was bruised badly. He bore several bruises on his chest and back, contusions from his collision with a few boulders. As she rolled over and sat astride him, she paused and carefully
caressed his shoulder. Her throat tightened with emotion. The depth of her desire mingled with an intimacy that reached deep inside.

  She cupped his cheek, his stubble rough against her palm. “I was scared last night.” Her voice fractured on a sob.

  His hand stroked up her abdomen, between her breasts, and threaded into her hair. “I’m okay. You were all I could think of last night.” He swallowed and took a gulp of air before tugging her down for a kiss.

  His kisses were masterful—searing, wet, and sense stealing. The heat flashed into fire. She curled her legs against his sides and teased him. His cock was hot and hard under the slide of her folds. She slid down his body and took him in her mouth. She thrilled to his groan and set to drive him as wild as he drove her—licking, sucking and stroking. Only when her name fell hoarsely from his lips did she drag her mouth away and straddle him again.

  She was so desperate to feel him inside of her she didn’t hear him when he tried to stop her. She rose up, positioned her hips and arched down onto him, bringing him fully inside, her head falling back at the feel of him stretching her, slightly easing her desperate chase for pleasure. When she opened her eyes, his were on her with a grimace.

  “What?” she asked.

  “You didn’t give me a chance to get a condom on.”

  ***

  Garrett gestured to the nightstand, which appeared to be miles away at the moment. All he could think was that he’d never felt anything as good as the creamy clench of her channel around his cock. His chest tightened—an unfamiliar beat of intimacy wove between them. It took all of his discipline to remain still when all he wanted to do was lift his hips and arch deeper into her.