* * *
“You’re joking, right?”
Ethan shook his head and Zach cursed.
“This is because of Summer, isn’t it?” He cursed again even as Ethan tried to speak. “You were fine with this trip until you went to see her! What the hell, man? You’re here, you’re packed, and we’re all set! You can’t just bail!”
Ethan expected the rage; he just didn’t know how to make it better. “To be honest, I haven’t been sure about it for a while. I didn’t want to say anything because I didn’t want to bum you out, and I thought I’d get more excited about it by the time we got here, but…I’m just not. My head isn’t in it and I don’t want to be a liability for the team.”
“Bullshit,” Zach spat, shoving a finger hard into Ethan’s chest. “She got in your head. I freaking knew it. I should have stuck to my original plan. I should have been the one to go because I would have been stronger. You’ve always had a weakness for her. Maybe because you’re an only child and she’s like a sister to you, but believe me, whatever she said, she’s wrong.”
Now it was Ethan’s turn to be filled with rage. “Do you think I’m not capable of making a decision on my own? Is that what you’re telling me?” he snapped.
“All I’m saying—”
“Don’t even!” Ethan interrupted. “You think because I spent some time talking to your sister that now, all of a sudden, I’ve decided not to go on the climb? What the hell do you take me for?”
“That’s the thing, Ethan, I don’t even know! You never once mentioned not wanting to go! We trained together, met with the guides together, and got our supplies together. What do you expect me to think? Not once did I see a hint of hesitation until all of this nonsense with Summer!”
“It isn’t nonsense!” Ethan declared firmly, realizing as he spoke that it was true. “This is about me. I’m a grown man, and I don’t owe you or anyone else an explanation for the decisions I make. This whole climb was your idea, and to be honest with you, I don’t think you should be going either. Summer only confirmed what we all already know—you’re not physically ready for something like this. Personally, I think you’re crazy. You’re going to be a liability to the group, but you refuse to see it or admit it. If this is something you want to do, then do it, but don’t give me grief because I don’t live my life exactly the way you live yours.” There was both a dare in his words and a hint of finality.
Zach was silent for several moments before he stalked away about a dozen feet and came back. “Why didn’t you say anything before?”
“Would it have made a difference?” Ethan didn’t wait for an answer. “You’re hell-bent on doing this, on proving that you can do this. I don’t think it’s necessary. I’ve got nothing to prove here.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Zach said, his tone quieter, calmer than it had been minutes ago.
“You could say that you understand what we’ve all been saying and that you’ll wait until next year when your leg is stronger.”
He shook his head. “I…I can’t. I know I can do this, Ethan. I’d prefer to be doing this with you.”
“It’s not gonna happen. I’m not going.” His words were simple and honest.
“You’re sure about this?”
Ethan nodded.
“What are you going to do? Go back to Portland?”
“No. I’m going to take the time to relax. It’s been a long time since I’ve had an opportunity just to chill out,” Ethan said.
Zach wanted to be mad; everything in him told him to do whatever it took to make Ethan change his mind. But one real look at his friend and he knew it was pointless. Whatever his reasons, Zach knew Ethan’s decision to skip the climb was weighing heavily on him. So rather than rage at him some more, he did the only thing he knew how. “Lame. Very, very lame. You going to have some spa time? Maybe get a pedicure and facial while you’re at it?”
Ethan smiled. “Depends.”
“On?”
“On whether or not I’m allowed one of those fruity drinks with an umbrella while I’m getting my toes polished.”
* * *
Being the ever-supportive friend, Ethan showed up on the morning of the climb to wish Zach luck. He waited for the regret to kick in, or at least a sense of doubt, but it never came. That was all the proof Ethan needed to know he had made the right choice. All of his gear was at the hotel, so it wouldn’t have taken long to go get it if he had been so inclined, but the truth was, his heart had never fully been in the trip. He had agreed to the climb in the first place out of habit; Zach normally came up with the idea for the adventure, and Ethan always jumped on board.
Until now.
What did that mean? What did that say about the state of his life? Was he that much of a follower all this time? Being strong-minded and independent were character traits Ethan had prided himself on; was that pride misplaced?
After Zach and the team took off, Ethan allowed himself the luxury of a couple of days at the hotel with no interaction with the outside world. He didn’t call the office to let them know he wasn’t going on the climb. If anyone knew he was available, he would no doubt lose the time to himself that he’d gained. The staff was efficient, but they took certain comfort in his approval.
By day three, the walls were closing in. For all his lazing around, he hadn’t once thought about where he wanted to go. For years Ethan went wherever Zach planned for them. Crap. He was a follower. Now, with the world at his feet, he could go anywhere and have three weeks to enjoy it without interruptions.
The task was easier said than done. For all of the exotic locations he researched, few spoke to him, and the ones that did made him want to take someone with him. Like Summer. Dammit.
No, he chided himself for the hundredth time. She’s not for you. You need to move on and forget about her. Forget about their night together and all the possibilities of a future together. It wasn’t going to happen. Why? Because as much as it killed him to admit it, Ethan knew his friendship with Zach and all of the Montgomerys meant too much to him to risk on a relationship that might not work out. Could he possibly deal with all the aggravation her family was bound to put them through if they were to start dating?
The thought gave him a headache. Why her? Of all of the women he’d dated, hell, of all the women on the planet, why was Summer Montgomery the one woman he couldn’t get out of his mind? Out of his system? The universe was definitely punishing him for something. There was no other explanation for this cruel twist of fate.
“Vacation,” he muttered to himself. “Find yourself a place to park your ass for a couple of weeks so you can go back to Portland with a clear head.” Fine words when he was all alone in his room, but how would they hold up in his real life? Could he possibly push all thoughts of Summer from his mind? “Only one way to find out.”
Ethan put his tablet on the table in his room and pulled up a map of the area. In all his travels, he’d never spent any time in Alaska, and the thought of hanging out there while Zach was on the climb seemed to make sense. There was plenty to do, plenty of activities that called to him, and none of them were far away. Plus, he could be there when Zach returned and hear all about the trip as they traveled home together.
It didn’t take long to realize that he was sick and tired of his own company. With a muttered curse, Ethan grabbed his room key and decided to head down to the bar for a drink. Maybe he’d talk to the bartender and see if he had any suggestions for someplace to go where he could get in a little sightseeing while feeling like he was away from civilization for a bit.
The bar was fairly crowded and Ethan found himself a seat and ordered a beer. There was a couple sitting next to him and he smiled in their direction while trying not to listen in on their conversation.
“I just couldn’t believe how many we saw!” the woman was gushing. “I mean, I thought we’d see maybe one
or two whales, but never in my wildest imagination did I imagine seeing six whales in one outing!”
Her husband laughed. “Can we really be sure that it was six different whales? Maybe it was one who was just being a show-off.”
“Oh, Jim,” she laughed. “Don’t ruin it.”
He laughed too. “I’m sorry. I know how much you enjoyed it. Personally, I had a great time fishing. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced anything quite like it. We’ll have to come back again.”
“Excuse me,” Ethan said, turning in their direction. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. I’m actually looking for someplace to do some fishing. Would you mind if I asked where you went?”
“Glacier Bay,” Jim said. “There’s a great lodge there and a ton of outdoor activities. We went whale watching and fishing, kayaking and even took some sightseeing tours on an airplane. I’m telling you, it was the perfect getaway if you love the outdoors.”
“That I do,” Ethan said as his mind began to wander at all the possibilities. “Thank you. I’m going to look into that. Have a good evening.” Paying his tab, Ethan took his drink and went back up to his room to do a little research.
It didn’t take long to pull up a Google search and discover that this was exactly the kind of place he was looking for. Actually, if Zach weren’t such an adrenaline junkie, Ethan might even consider suggesting Glacier Bay as a potential place for their next getaway. Unfortunately, he had a feeling it would be a little too tame for Zach’s standards.
But not Summer’s.
Damn it. Why had he gone there? Why? Because in the last month, he had learned that Summer still enjoyed outdoor activities. Back when they were younger, her brothers never included her in the things they did—the sports, the camping, the fishing—but Summer had found her own outdoor fun in the form of biking and tennis, hiking and sailing. The men of the Montgomery family considered her choice of activities to be tame, but considering them now, Ethan had to admit they certainly held a lot of appeal.
“Okay, focus,” he admonished himself as he scanned the website. Glacier Bay. With a ton of activities and a lodge on-site, it would make for a great getaway that guaranteed he’d keep busy while getting to do the kind of outdoor activities he loved, without risking his life. And that was it in a nutshell—Ethan no longer felt the need to be so extreme. What was wrong with fishing? Kayaking? Or just plain hiking and enjoying nature? Why couldn’t those activities be perfectly satisfying without the need to take everything to the next level of hair-raising?
With a renewed sense of self, Ethan made his reservations and began to pack. He booked a flight for early the next morning. Now all he had to do was get through the night without second-guessing himself again.
How hard could that be?
Chapter 6
“I take it the hot springs weren’t all they were cracked up to be?”
Summer glared at Gabriella on Monday morning as she made her way through the executive suites. “Why would you ask?”
“Because you don’t look the least bit relaxed. Or rested. If anything, you look even tenser than you did when you left here on Thursday.”
With a sigh, Summer dropped her briefcase on the floor and pulled up a chair opposite Gabriella. “They really went.”
There was no need for clarification; Gabriella knew exactly what she meant and whom she was talking about. “They’re probably getting ready to start even as we speak.”
Summer shook her head. “I can’t think about it. It’s bad enough that my brother seems to have a death wish, but did he have to drag Ethan along with him?”
A knowing smirk crossed Gabriella’s lips.
“All I’m saying is, it’s hard enough worrying about one family member. Now I have to worry about two.”
“Family member. Right.”
Her glare deepened. “Okay, so I don’t technically think of Ethan as family, but I still worry.”
It was on the tip of Gabriella’s tongue to say that she worried too, but she kept that to herself. “Well, if the hot springs didn’t do anything for you, then there’s only one thing left to do.”
“What’s that?”
“We need to have a serious girls’ trip of our own.”
Now it was Summer’s turn to grin. “Hmm… I like the sound of that. What were you thinking? Massages? Manis? Pedis? Eating ice cream for dinner? Because let me tell you, I can completely get on board with that.”
Gabriella shook her head sadly. “Why do you dream so small?”
“What? What’s wrong with a lazy weekend eating ice cream? If you’re nice, I’ll even get us cookie dough.”
Another sad shake. “I had something a little more…adventurous in mind.”
“Oh, no,” Summer said, shaking her own head. “I am leaving all of that adventurous crap to my brother. If you want to go mountain climbing or jump out of a plane, count me out.”
“Stop being so dramatic,” Gabriella said with a smile. “I’m talking about going someplace that’s a little outdoorsy, something right up your alley.”
“I’m intrigued.”
Gabriella nodded. “Glacier Bay. We can leave Friday. I’ve got two weeks off thanks to your brother, and so do you.”
“Yeah, I just found out about that this morning,” Summer said with a lack of enthusiasm. “Rick gushed about what a great job I did on that project last week and then apologized that he didn’t have anything more for me to do right now since this is a slow time of year.” She sighed. “I was just starting to get into the swing of things, and I’m already getting booted out.”
“You are totally looking at this the wrong way.”
“I’d bet good money that Zach put him up to it so that I can’t do anything while he’s gone.”
“Forget about your brother for a minute. You have just been handed vacation time without having to wait out your six months. Be happy! Be joyful! Put a smile on your face!”
Summer faked a smile. “There. Happy?”
“Honestly, there is something seriously lacking in the Montgomery genes,” Gabriella said with exasperation. “It’s okay to have a little fun, Summer. You’re allowed to enjoy yourself. Personally, I had planned on staying close to home and just getting some spring cleaning done, but this is much more appealing. What do you think?”
Summer took a minute to think about it. “Can we do that? I mean, it’s kind of short notice.”
“Yep, I already checked.”
Summer looked at her oddly. “You already checked? But…why?”
A blush crept up Gabriella’s cheeks. “I…I had done a lot of research to help Zach with his trip. The area, you know, Alaska, it was kind of intriguing. I had looked at Glacier Bay during my search because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.”
“I don’t think Glacier Bay is near Denali, is it?”
Gabriella shook her head. “It’s not, but it’s a relatively short plane ride.” She looked away uncomfortably. “Not…not that we’d have any reason to go to Denali. I mean, the guys are already gone, and they’re not going to be back until after we’re already back here safe and sound.”
“You’re acting weird. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” She cleared her throat. “So what do you say? We can go, see what’s so appealing about the great outdoors of Alaska, and maybe have a little something to talk to the guys about when they get back.”
Summer arched a brow at Gabriella. “Since when do you want to have something in common with Zach?”
Gabriella’s blush deepened. “That’s not what I meant,” she replied quickly. “Anyway, maybe we’ll meet some nice guys who aren’t into death-defying activities. Although I hear whale watching can really get your blood pumping.”
They both laughed.
“I’m serious, Summer. We can go and do some of the tours and h
ikes, and maybe you’ll meet someone interesting.”
“Oh, I don’t know, Gabs,” she began hesitantly. “I don’t think I’m ready for that.”
“Don’t be such a wuss. If you’re not into hooking up with anyone, then we’ll just go with the flow and maybe, just maybe, let hot men buy us drinks. A little harmless flirting. What do you say?”
It was very tempting. There would be plenty of distractions to keep her mind off Zach’s climb and Ethan’s…everything. Even if they were a short plane ride away. Summer still couldn’t quite come to grips with the fact that she and Ethan had finally slept together and he had just walked away. Worse, he walked away and hopped a plane to take a dangerous trip with her brother. Talk about a double slap in the face.
“I can’t,” she finally said solemnly. “I can’t just pick up and leave. I’ve got Maylene to think about. She’s just a puppy and…well…training isn’t going as well as I had hoped.”
“Then it’s lucky for you that I happen to know of a fabulous dog-sitter who excels in puppy training.”
“Seriously, is there anything you don’t know?”
“Clearly I don’t know how to make you just unclench and say yes to a damn vacation!” Gabriella said with a laugh. “Come on, Summer. Maylene will be fine. By the time you get back she’ll be the perfect pet.”
“My impulsive nature is what keeps getting me into trouble. I’m trying to be reasonable and levelheaded here, and you’re totally not helping me.”
“Being reasonable is overrated and, might I add, boring.”
“You know, you tend to put off a very reasonable and levelheaded vibe around the office. This is a completely different side to you.” She studied her friend for a moment. “I think I like this new you.”
“So?” Gabriella asked anxiously. “What do you say? I can handle all of the arrangements; all you have to do is pack and go.” She waited a moment before leaning forward in her seat. “Well?”
Meant for You Page 7
