by Erika Kelly
“I can keep using ‘friend’ as the code word for ‘fiancé,’ if you want, or you can just speak plainly to me and know I’ll keep your secrets safe.”
“Swear to God, Brodie, you can’t tell a soul. There’s a lot at stake in my country, and me being away, ending my engagement…the consequences are significant.”
“Your secrets are safe with me. You can count on it.” He opened his door. “Come on. Let’s get some food.”
He walked a few steps ahead of her, which gave her a chance to take in his hard, round bottom, muscular thighs, and the breadth of his strong shoulders. She couldn’t miss the way people stopped what they were doing to watch him walk by.
When she caught up to him, she said, “Can you make it clear to your family and the hotel manager that I’m here as Rosie? It’s really important that my identity doesn’t get out.”
He swung the key ring around his finger then stuffed it into his front pocket. “You got it.”
The weight she’d been carrying fell off her shoulders, and she just appreciated him so much. “Honestly, it’s a relief that you know the truth. I’m not sure I could hide it now that we’re living under the same roof.”
“Not a chance.” He yanked a cart free from a long chain of them and rolled it into the store. “You wear everything on your face.”
“Which is the exact opposite of you. I don’t know whether you’re an expert at hiding your emotions or you never get deep enough in anything to have them.” She’d meant it as a joke, but his expression turned troubled. “I didn’t mean that literally. I was just…”
“Nah, it’s all good.”
“No, it’s not. I hurt your feelings, and I’m sorry.”
“Rosie, relax. I’m not that sensitive. Your comment just fit with something my brothers said a few days ago. Okay, where we headed first? This is a superstore, so if you need anything for your work, we can start on that end.”
“Harrison’s shipping supplies from the lab, so I’ll just have to wait until everything arrives and then see what I’m missing.”
“What’ll you do until then?” He said it with a hitch to his brow.
“I think…” She smiled. “I’ll spend the next couple of days exploring the town.”
“Brodie?” A young mother with a platinum pixie cut and very trendy clothes saw him and abandoned her cart to get to him. Her little boy on her hip, she reached into her big canvas tote bag and pulled out a folder. “I’m so glad I ran into you. Here’s my proposal.” She handed it to Brodie, as her gaze slid to Rosie. “Hello, I’m Skylar.” She tipped her head toward the folder. “Hopefully, the social media manager for Owl Hoot. And this is Rocco, my little love bug.”
The shy toddler dug his head into his mom’s neck, watching them.
“Hello, Rocco, I’m Rosie. It’s nice to meet you.”
“She’s a chemist and perfumer who’s here to work with me on spa products,” Brodie said.
“Really?” Skylar hitched her son higher on her hip. “A perfumer?”
Rosie nodded, not wanting to bore them with the details of her job.
“Will that be one of your new businesses?” Skylar asked Brodie.
“It will,” he said. “This one will be in the hotel lobby.”
“I love that idea,” Skylar said.
“I do, too.” She really did. There was just so much potential here. “At first, I was just going to make perfume, but then we started thinking about the applications for it and realized we could make it the signature scent of the hotel. Then, we figured, if we’re making products to be used in the spa, we might as well sell them, too. So, now, we’ve got a whole business going.” She looked at him, so happy to see her enthusiasm reflected in his eyes. It encouraged her to go on. “For the store, I was thinking we could make the interior reflect the ranch, with images of the meadows and mountains, the animals, and the flowers we use for the essential oils.”
“We could start out with lyantha,” Brodie said. “But add different lines using plants indigenous to Calamity.”
Skylar laughed. “Look at you two. I think Brodie’s met his match.”
“What do you mean?” Rosalina asked.
“This is what he does. He gets an idea, and he’s off to the races.” Skylar shook her head. “Between the two of you, I think you’re going to create an empire.”
Brodie just shrugged. “Let’s wait until I finish Owl Hoot. Then, we’ll see what’s next.”
She wasn’t sure what Skylar had said to shut him down, but it made her realize how much he had roiling under that gruff, impassive exterior. “She’s right, though. It could really grow as big as we want it to.”
For the first time in days, she felt true excitement. Everything might just work out. She’d given her parents a good trade for sending out wedding invitations—a solution they both could live with—and she got to establish her business before becoming a wife and mother.
“All right,” Skylar said. “I have to get this little guy some milk and…”
The boy’s head popped up, ramming his mom’s jaw. “Cookies.”
Skylar rubbed the wound and smiled. “Yep. Cookies. There’s a party in his preschool tomorrow, and we’re supposed to make treats.” She leaned in conspiratorially. “They didn’t say who had to make them, though.” She tapped the folder. “Anyhow, it’s got a list of the things I’m going to do to put your town on the map. Seriously, Brodie, I can’t believe you didn’t think to get it on Calamity’s tourism website. But I’m also going to get it in travel guides. I’m thinking we should wait until this next phase of growth is finished, though.”
“Makes sense,” he said.
“Okay, so take a look at my proposal and we can discuss it. Everything is negotiable except my fee.”
“I don’t need to look at it, you’re hired,” Brodie said. “When can you start?”
“You don’t even know what I’m charging you.”
“You’re worth it.”
The features Rosalina had focused on—his muscular physique, handsome face, and confidence—turned out not to be his best. It’s his kindness.
Skylar gave him a look. “You’re only saying that because I’m a single mother and need the money. Not that I’m complaining, because I’ll take all the work I can get.”
“Nope. I came to you because of your reputation. You’re sought-after in this town.”
Skylar’s features softened. “How do you know that?”
“Word gets around. You made Mrs. Onato cry in the diner last year.” He looked to Rosie. “Mrs. Onato was our middle school principal. She was like a mom to every kid in town. And, when she retired, she said she felt like she wasn’t anyone’s mom anymore. She couldn’t break out of the school administrator mindset, so she made an appointment with Sky, lost thirty pounds, and changed her hairstyle and her attitude.” He smiled at Skylar. “Now she does a parenting podcast and is getting married. So, yeah, I came to you because I trust you to get the job done, and I’ll pay you for your work.”
Skylar swallowed. Cleared her throat. “Well, thank you. That’s really nice to hear.” She gave Brodie a gentle punch in the shoulder. “Way to make me cry in the grocery store.” She spun dramatically and headed back to her cart. “I’m leaving now.” Once she set Rocco in the top basket, she looked to Rosie. “We should do something while you’re in town. Maybe get drinks.”
“I’d love that.” Rosie blurted it out so awkwardly that she wanted to fall through a hole in the floor. Way to sound too eager. But, whatever. She meant it. “How about tonight?”
“Tonight?” Skylar looked surprised.
“Or any night, really. I don’t know anyone here, and I’d love to have some fun.”
“Hello?” Brodie said. “Standing right here.”
“Yeah,” Skylar said. “But she said fun. And by fun she didn’t mean learning new ways to cook sweet potatoes.” Skylar gave Rosie a shrug. “I could get away for a little bit.”
“Good, because I’
m in a mood.”
“A mood, huh? I should probably tell you right now I’m the perfect designated driver. This cutie likes to wake me up at the crack of dawn, so I don’t drink much, don’t stay out late, and I’m not into hookups. I’m your driver and your conscience all in one perky little package.”
“I don’t drink much, either, but I want to have some fun while I’m in town. I want to…I want to try everything.”
“And by everything you mean ordering a wine flight from the Tavern?” Skylar asked. “All the fun, outdoorsy things to do in Calamity? Or…the more R-rated version?”
You’re Rosie here. As long as you don’t do anything to get on the evening news, you’re free to do whatever you want. She grinned. “The R-rated version.”
Chapter Nine
“We don’t really have night clubs in St. Christophe.” Rosalina had to shout over the loud country and western music. Maybe it was the pitcher of margaritas they’d ordered, but she hadn’t had this much fun in ages.
Disco balls in all sizes hung from the ceiling. They spun out colorful streaks of light that ricocheted off shiny belt buckles and polished cowboy boots and splashed across the clothes of people line dancing. The place was alive with crazy energy.
For the first time in her life, she felt unencumbered. That lid on his life Marcel had talked about? Tonight, she’d blown hers off. She could do or say anything she wanted. She could be anyone she wanted.
“This is hardly a night club.” Skylar rubbed the condensation on her glass with both thumbs. “It’s just a loud, rowdy bar.”
“Not your scene?”
Skylar perked up. “Ah, I’m sorry. Don’t listen to me. It’s just…I got pregnant before I had a chance to hang out in bars.” She ran a hand through her short hair. “Which means I don’t get out nearly enough, so this is great for me.”
“I don’t go out much, either. I’d almost always prefer to be home in my pajamas reading a book and drinking tea.” The jolt of awareness knocked the smile right off her face.
Is that why Marcel had turned to Fabiana?
Because she was boring? She was either in her lab or reading a book or hiking or…
Wait a minute. What made him so damn exciting? What interests did he have?
No, they might not be able to party, get drunk, and hook up, but she’d never missed any of those things because she had a full life. Marcel had no interests. If he’d grown bored, he should’ve found a hobby.
He did. Fabiana.
Traitors.
“What just happened?” Skylar flapped her hand at Rosalina’s face. “Right there. You got all butt-hurt, and then came out swinging? Literally, a whole movie just played out on your face.”
“I’m sorry…butt…what?” Rosalina stuttered out a laugh.
“What were you just thinking about?”
“Well, the butt-hurt part was when I blamed myself for someone losing interest in me. The swinging part was when I realized I’m not to blame for someone else’s choices.”
“Now, that’s what I’m talking about.” Skylar lifted a fist, and Rosalina bumped it with hers. “Okay, so this list of everything, what’s on it?
Now that she’d met Brodie, she understood on a visceral level what Marcel had been missing. What he’d craved. She could get it out of her system here in Calamity. “I want to have some wild adventures.”
“Like?”
“Like getting drunk and…” She took in the scene around her. “Hooking up with a hot cowboy.”
“Oh, boy. We’ve got a live one on our hands.”
Rosalina laughed, but it was hollow. Because it wasn’t a random hookup she wanted. It was Brodie.
Not going to happen.
You’re not compromising your first—and possibly only—business opportunity with meaningless sex.
“Have you ever done that?”
“Had a one-night stand?” Skylar shook her head. “I got knocked up by my high school boyfriend. He’s the only one I’ve been with. Have you?”
“Nope. I’ve only ever been with one guy, too.”
“I know it’s none of my business, but I’d heard you were engaged?”
Rosalina couldn’t believe how much she wanted to talk to someone—other than her mother—about what happened. “We’re taking a break.”
Skylar’s brown eyes went wide. “How close are you to the wedding?”
As much as she wanted to let it all out, get some perspective from an outsider, she had to be careful not to give too many details. “We haven’t set a date.”
“Because he ‘lost interest in you?’”
“Bing, bing, bing.”
“He’s a douchenozzle. I’m sorry, but he is. So, you said you’re taking a break, not that it’s over. Does that mean there’s hope for you guys?”
“It’s hard to say it out loud. We’ve been together forever, and our families are so…invested in us. But, no, it’s over.” As much as she wanted to give her parents and her country what they expected, she had to accept the truth. She couldn’t marry Marcel. Not only because of trust issues, but because she couldn’t accept a life sentence of a dutiful marriage.
“Does he agree? Or do you think he’ll try and fight for you?”
“He’ll fight, but it doesn’t matter. The issues are too big for us to overcome. In any event, I don’t want to think about it—him—while I’m here. I’ll deal with the fall-out when I get home. For now, I want to be free of it all.”
“I get that.”
Squeals and shouts came from the middle of the cavernous room. She turned to watch a group cheering on a woman riding the mechanical bull. The rider, who looked to be the same age as Rosalina, had unbuttoned the bottom half of her shirt and tied it over her stomach, leaving a patch of bare skin between it and tight, low-riding jeans. Her hips undulated, one arm in the air.
Rosalina couldn’t stop watching her. “Have you ever done that?”
“You see that list of names?” Skylar pointed towards the DJ booth, where a tall woman in a cowboy hat and a rhinestone-studded shirt held a microphone and MC’d the bull riding. Behind her stretched an electric scoreboard. One half held this evening’s highest scorers, while the other held the list of All-Time Best.
Skylar gave a wry grin. “When I was in high school, my friends and I couldn’t wait to be twenty-one, so we could get our names on that board.”
Do hips do that naturally, or does she practice her moves? “That woman’s so sexy.”
“That’s Gigi Cavanaugh. She’s my girl crush.”
“You know her?”
“She’s a few years ahead of me, and I only knew her because her dad mentored my cousin when he came to live with us in middle school. She’s one of those extra cool girls who didn’t care about popularity. She’s just always had…flair.”
“I’ll bet she dated the hottest boy in school.” Rosalina had only had two margaritas, but since she rarely drank alcohol, it was going straight into her bloodstream.
“The hottest boy was my cousin. They never dated because of her dad, but there was definitely something going on between them. He won’t talk about it, so I’ll never know the whole story. All I know is that he pretty much destroyed her. She’s never been the same since. Actually, come to think of it, neither has he.”
“Well, that’s just sad.” Just as Rosalina turned back to the bull, the ride ended.
After a snazzy dismount, the woman grinned and took in the wild applause. In a move right out of a shampoo commercial, she flipped her hair forward and then swung it back up, letting it fly and settle around her shoulders. The woman was dazzling. “You think you’re born sexy, or is it something you learn?” She turned back to Skylar.
“Okay, I’m going to take a stab here, but when you said he ‘lost interest,’ I’m assuming you meant the douchenozzle cheated on you? Because I can’t think of any other reason why a woman like you would question whether she’s sexy.”
“But I’m not.” She saw the challenge
in Skylar’s eyes. “I’m not saying that like I feel sorry for myself or that I want you to tell me how sexy I am. I mean it clinically. Like, objectively speaking, I don’t wear a lot of make-up. When I go shopping, I think about whether something’s flattering or pretty. Not the sexy factor. I never think about how I move my body. I don’t do seduction, you know?”
“Is that why that man’s been eyeing you since you walked in the door?”
“Which man?” Rosalina scanned the bar. When she landed on a man grinning at her, she practically jumped out of her chair. The pearl buttons on his black western shirt glowed in the disco lights, and with his jeans and cowboy hat, he looked exactly like the cowboy she’d imagined hooking up with. “He’s cute.”
“I think we found your hot cowboy.”
“Maybe.” Except, now that she was looking at a real man, she didn’t know if she could see herself going home with him. “I’m not sure I’m cut out for it.” But, then, that’s exactly why you’re here. To live in a different skin.
It’s not about whether Marcel’s attracted to me.
Or Fabiana saying I’m not a passionate person
This is about me. Exploring, experimenting. Living.
She was done giving them all this power over her.
Then why are you watching bull riding and not doing it? “I’m going to ride that bull.”
“Seriously?”
“Why do you look so surprised?”
“You’re a little prissy for that kind of thing.”
“You think I’m prissy?” Is that why Marcel isn’t attracted to me?
Oh, my God, shut up. You literally just said you weren’t giving him any more power over you.
Besides, what’s he ever done to make himself attractive to me?
“I’m so not prissy that I’m going to get my name on the leaderboard.”
“Well, this will be interesting.”
She drained her glass. “And you’re coming with me.”
“Nah, I don’t do that kind of thing anymore.”
