Laurie's Loves(3)

Laurie put her bags down beside her gently and patiently waited for her turn to check in. She looked around the lodge, feeling a sense of peace overcome her as she took in the comfortable, dark brown, overstuffed couches and the huge fireplace that was surrounded by beautifully cut gray slate. She could picture sitting before it with the fire within burning hot and bright as she sat there lost in thought and finally relaxing. She could envision the snow falling outside and the warmth and coziness of the lodge embracing her. The flash of this place being her haven from the world was vivid in her mind’s eye. How she wished that was a real possibility.

Jace watched her, unable to tear his gaze away from the woman who looked to be a thousand miles away. There was an overwhelming sadness that surrounded her, and he fought the urge to step forward and take her into his arms.

Jackson, where the hell are you? He couldn’t keep the panic from his voice.

I’m about five miles out.

Jackson’s voice was soothing as always, but it did nothing for Jace at the moment. He was used to Jackson being the voice of reason, the one who listened and guided with an understanding that was typical of his beta personality. He needed his friend beside him right now. He couldn’t deal with this alone.

Jackson, hurry. You need to deal with this.

Jace clenched his teeth and fisted his hands by his sides as he heard Jackson’s chuckle in his head. He would have a serious talk with him later.

“Miss Young?” Janine called to Laurie from behind the counter.

Laurie pulled herself away from her silent thoughts and turned to face the young woman. She stepped toward her, smiling despite the melancholy that had gripped her. “Hi,” she said warmly as she stepped toward the counter.

“You’re planning on staying for two weeks. Is that correct?” Janine asked her as she verified the information in the computer before her.

“Yes,” Laurie answered, nodding and accepting the pen from the young woman to fill out and sign the guest card.

Janine took the pen and card back from her and handed her the key to her room, along with a glossed piece of paper. “Here’s a flyer with the list of events this week. You’re welcome to attend any of them. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them.”

“Thank you,” Laurie said quietly, taking the paper and tucking it securely within her purse. She didn’t think she would be attending any events. She had come here to relax and maybe, if she were lucky, heal.

“You’ll be in 5B,” Janine told her. “Down that hallway and to the left, third door on the left.”

Laurie took the key from the girl and smiled warmly, happy that there would be no plastic electronic cards, just old fashioned keys and rustic surroundings. She wanted to lose herself in this vacation—her first in fifteen years. She hoped it would be just what she needed.

She turned and bent down to pick up her overnight bag, hesitating when the hulk of a man that had helped her outside reached for it at the same time. Their hands touched briefly, and she pulled back immediately, afraid and unsure. It wasn’t his size that intimidated her. It was his looks. A man had no right to look that handsome. With midnight black hair that fell in waves to the top of his collar, soft blue eyes that sparkled with a clarity that unnerved her, and a face chiseled to perfection, he was a walking wet dream. And so out of my league. The unbidden thought raced through her brain.

“Oh, that’s all right,” she told him quickly. “I have it.”

Jace looked down at her and smiled despite his resolve to remain devoid of emotion. He pushed his hat up with his index finger and gently took her bag from her, a jolt of electricity shooting up his arm as her hand brushed his. “It’s all part of ranch services, ma’am,” he told her quietly, reaching down to grab her larger suitcase as well. “Lead the way.”

Janine looked at her alpha in shock as he followed the woman down the hallway to her room. He turned back to look at her with such anger in his eyes that she looked down at the computer as quickly as she could to avoid his censure. She wasn’t going to mess with him today, if that look he just gave her was any indication of his mood.

Jackson, we’re heading toward 5B. Get your ass here and do something.

Laurie walked nervously toward her assigned room. She did not want this man anywhere near her. She wished he had just let her go to her room alone.

She sighed audibly as she faced the door to 5B and reached out to unlock it, swinging the door open wide and stepping inside, aware that the giant of a man followed in behind her. She walked to the windows and turned to watch him as he placed her bags on the floor in front of the double bed. When he straightened and looked at her, she felt a squeezing in her chest and had to shut her eyes briefly.