Adventurous Love Read online

  “I’d love that.” My stomach clenched at the idea of spending more time with Henry. I liked his voice and his calm demeanor. Here, there was no rushing around or schedules to keep. It was relaxed. It was a feeling I could easily get addicted to.

  He cleared his throat, taking a step back. “You’re probably exhausted. I’ll take you to your room.”

  Grabbing my bags, he led the way up wide stairs to the second floor. “There’s a game room with a pool table in the basement. I can take you down there later.”

  The long hallway held rooms on either side. I would have preferred staying in a cabin but they were booked until the wedding guests arrived. “Where do you live?”

  “My apartment is on the top floor. I wish I had enough cabins so you could stay in one, but I’m still expanding.” He pushed open the last door on the left. The windows showcased the view from the back of the house, large trees giving way to mountains.

  I stepped closer to the window, the mountains never failing to draw me in. “This is perfect. I’ll have this snapshot in my head to remember when I return to the city.”

  “I wasn’t sure you’d like it here being a city girl and all.” His tone was light and teasing.

  Amused, I turned to face him.

  His lips curled into a sheepish smile. “I couldn’t resist.”

  “I’m from California, remember? I grew up on the beach.” What I remembered from my childhood was a loneliness that seeped into my bones so deep, it became part of me.

  He considered me. “You knew Elle when you were kids.”

  “Yeah. We lost touch when she signed on to do the reality show. The producers only wanted her to hang out with her castmates.” I relaxed my expression so he wouldn’t suspect how much that had hurt.

  “That’s too bad.”

  I smiled to cover the hurt. “I’m just happy we were able to reconnect.”

  I wasn’t sure why I was confiding in him. He was this solid, quiet presence that made me want to unload my worries.

  “Let me know if you want to do anything specific. I can take you bike riding or snowmobiling.”

  I wanted to hear all about his plans for the lodge, but something else he said caught my attention. “Bike riding in the snow?”

  “Yeah, the bikes have large tires.” He demonstrated the size with his hands.

  I wasn’t sure what to expect when I agreed to come. I wasn’t big on taking risks or adventures, but now that I was here, I wanted to immerse myself in Telluride. “That sounds fun. I want the full experience.”

  Henry’s eyes darkened, making me think of other experiences. His lips on mine, his hands in my hair and elsewhere. I wasn’t here for a guy.

  “You’ll get it. I’ll make sure of it.” He nodded before turning to leave.

  The risk-averse side of me worried how adventurous he was. I’d learned the hard way to take the safe path, never straying from my lane. It wasn’t worth it.

  Alone, I turned to the window, reveling in the view. I could stay forever and it wouldn’t be long enough. I’d always loved the beach, but this? The land, the trees, and the mountains were unlike anything I’d seen before.

  In New York, my job was everything, and I thought I was happy with that. The adrenaline rush I got from my fast-paced job was all I needed.

  Here, I wanted more. I wanted an adventure.

  Chapter 2

  Henry

  * * *

  I closed her door; my palm was slick on the knob. My heart pounded under my rib cage. Elle never mentioned I’d be working with Kelsey on the wedding. She certainly hadn’t said anything about her childhood friend being attractive.

  Her thick brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail, glasses perched on her nose covering expressive brown eyes. She wore a cozy sweater and snow boots over tight jeans. Looking like the quintessential girl next door, I wondered if getting under her clothes would unleash a passionate side?

  Nothing about her screamed New York. I usually went for the flashier women who were in town for a short time looking for nothing more than a fling. I avoided anyone or anything serious—the type that wanted things—marriage, a house, kids. I had no desire for anything else in my life except for the ranch and the lodge. I wasn’t sure why this woman was getting to me.

  If Kelsey was up for an adventure, we could have a great time together. But as Elle’s friend, she was completely off-limits.

  When I headed downstairs, Sally, the part-time woman I’d hired to work the front desk had arrived. After checking in with her, I headed to the cabins to fix one of the sinks the maid mentioned was leaking. The few cabins were booked, but the lodge wasn’t filling up as quickly as I’d like. It was Gray’s idea to build the lodge to increase the type of tourist I’d attract. He invested in it, but it still came with a mortgage. I wanted the ranch to generate income so that we could keep the property. Values were increasing so high, our neighbors were quickly selling to celebrities and other rich people who’d only visit for vacation a few days a year. I didn’t want to see that happen to Rigby Ranch.

  I’d agreed to host Elle’s wedding with no plans to offer the option to guests. When I came up with the idea of the lodge, it was supposed to be the place you go for winter sports activities, not a romantic getaway. Watching Kelsey’s eyes light up earlier when she took in the lodge and the views, I could see how it could be both. It would be stupid not to capitalize on all sources of revenue especially when the ranch had been in the red for years.

  When I finished the final details at the cabins, it was time to get ready for dinner. Elle wanted us to meet them at our usual spot in town, the Last Dollar Saloon. After a quick shower and changing into jeans and a sweater, I knocked on Kelsey’s door feeling a little like a teenager taking a girl out for the first time. My heart raced as I waited for her to answer.

  She pulled open the door wearing black from head to toe―a curve-hugging black dress, tights, and chunky heels. The smell of soap and shampoo drifted out from the open bathroom door. She left the door open as she went back to the mirror over the dresser to pick up an earring.

  I leaned a hip against the door frame. “Now you look like a New Yorker.”

  She wasn’t wearing her glasses. I loved the contrast between her earlier studious girl next door and this sexy evening look.

  She rolled her eyes, one dangly earring hovering by her ear. “I’m not from New York, remember?”

  “If you’re there long enough, you change.” I wanted to shake her up, get under that cool facade she’d had earlier today.

  I glanced around the room, noting her suitcase open on the bed, shoes lined up against the wall, and a few dresses hung in the closet.

  “Have you ever left Telluride?”

  I sat on the edge of the rumpled bed, wondering if she’d taken a nap. “I went to the University of Colorado, then came back here. I worked the ranch for a few years until I could afford to renovate the cabins.”

  “It’s a wonderful business idea. I just can’t imagine returning home and going into business on my parents’ property.”

  “Why not?” When Elle talked about their hometown, Huntington Beach, it sounded like a nice place, minus her family of course. Her parents supported her decision to sign on for a reality show, not protecting her from the producer’s manipulative control. I didn’t know anything about Kelsey’s background.

  Kelsey put on the back of her second earring, standing straight as she looked in the mirror, smoothing the skirt over her thighs. I couldn’t help noticing the way her dress draped just so over the curve of her hip and her delectable ass.

  “My parents live their own lives. I’m not really part of that.” She turned to face me, her face a cool mask.

  Her reaction seemed practiced. I wondered if she said the same thing anytime someone asked. I wondered if anyone in New York bothered to delve deeper.

  My family was close, family dinners every Sunday night. Piper couldn’t be counted on to show up, but she was flighty. I couldn
’t imagine being detached from my family like Kelsey seemed to be. There was a story there, one I shouldn’t be interested in.

  I stood, feeling unsteady. “Ready to go?”

  Kelsey nodded, relief in her eyes.

  I took the black wool jacket off the hook behind the door, holding it open for her, hoping this was the one she wanted. She turned, lifting her long thick hair out of the way, baring her neck. I stepped closer, smelling whatever perfume that clung to her skin, wanting to lower my head and place a kiss on her skin. Resisting the urge, I placed the jacket on her shoulders. I forced myself to step back, gesturing for her to precede me out the door.

  “Am I the only guest?” she asked as we descended the wide stairs.

  “A few of the other rooms are reserved, but the cabins are more popular. I cleared the lodge for the wedding weekend since it takes place in the great room.”

  She swallowed. “That was nice of you.”

  “I’m just glad Gray’s happy with Elle and he’s going to stay in town.”

  “Elle said you’re the reason Gray moved here after college?” Her voice was light.

  “Yeah, he was a transplant from the East Coast. He never traveled back home for breaks, so I invited him here. When he graduated, I selfishly told him about the position at the veterinary clinic.”

  “Elle told me about his past.”

  “One he likes to keep private.” My tone was clear. I wouldn’t discuss Gray’s past even with Elle’s friend. Holding the door for her to walk out, I said, “Your shoes aren’t the best for the snow.”

  Elle sighed. “No. I suppose not.”

  “I’ll help you.” I held out my elbow when I joined her on the sidewalk.

  “Thank you.” Her hand slid over the crook of my elbow. I wished I could feel the heat from her touch, but our thick jackets prevented it.

  I’d parked my truck in front of the lodge so she didn’t have to walk far. Opening the door for her and waiting until she was situated, I walked around the hood, allowing the cold air to clear my brain. I was intrigued by her but getting involved with Elle’s friend was a bad idea.

  I climbed into the truck, making sure she was ready before I pulled away.

  Kelsey’s perfume filled the cab. “Thanks for driving me.”

  “No problem.” Glancing over at her, there was a light dusting of freckles on her nose. Her eyelashes were long. She was beautiful.

  Clearing my throat, I drove toward town, repeating the mantra, she’s not for me.

  “Are you close with your family?” Kelsey asked me.

  “I am. Gray, and now Elle, are always invited to our family dinners. My family has a way of pulling you in, not letting go.”

  Something crossed over her face when I glanced at her.

  “That sounds nice.” Her expression was troubled.

  “You said you’re not close with your parents?” She’d alluded to it in her room. I shouldn’t pry but I couldn’t stop myself.

  “They’re very much in love.” She smiled but her eyes were sad. “It was a good thing. I was able to come and go as I pleased. I was independent at a young age.”

  Had they been more in love with each other than their only child? Something in the set of her shoulders, the defensiveness in her eyes made me want to say I’m sorry, but she hadn’t admitted to anything being wrong. It was just something I sensed.

  Trying to lighten the mood, I smiled over at her. “I would have gotten into trouble if I didn’t have my parents reining me in.”

  Her lips tipped up into a smile. “Oh, trust me. I did. When Elle was filming the show, the kids were out of control, partying every night. It was like they were trying to get the producers’ attention. Everyone wanted to be part of it.”

  I got the impression she had acted the same way. “I’m impressed. You don’t look like a hellraiser.”

  There was a lot more to Kelsey than I originally thought. Elle described her as intelligent, hardworking, and quiet. But there was this whole other side to her, one that partied and let go. Where had that girl gone?

  She smiled mischievously. “I had fun. Then you become an adult. You’re forced to grow up.”

  I parked at the curb near the bar, sensing there was more to her story. She smiled fondly when she talked about being out of control, but there was a sadness there too. Had something happened that made her change? She certainly didn’t seem like a wild girl now.

  Kelsey chewed her lip as she considered the bar. “I’m overdressed, aren’t I?”

  I laughed. “Just a bit.”

  She tilted her head slightly, considering me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  I lowered my voice. “Who am I to tell you how you should dress or who you should be?”

  Something about being alone with her in the cab of my truck was intoxicating. Her scent filled the small space, her shy smile pinged off my heart, ricocheting off my ribs. I wanted to extend this time together. “Why’d you move to New York?”

  Kelsey looked out the windshield. “I went for college. I got a job after I graduated. I loved it, so I stayed.”

  I wondered if there was anywhere else she could have gone. Were her parents her only family?

  “You moved to New York not knowing anyone?” My heart pounded a steady rhythm in my chest. I wondered how far I could go with questions before she pushed back.

  “I wanted to go somewhere that was the opposite of where I was from.”

  I wondered why she felt like she needed to get away. Did it have something to do with her parents?

  A knock sounded on my window, startling me.

  “You coming in?” Gray’s voice was muffled through the window.

  “I guess we should join them.” Kelsey exchanged a smile with me.

  “We’re coming,” I said to Gray. Then to Kelsey, “You ready for this?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.” She reached for the door handle.

  “Wait there. I’ll come get you.” I opened the door, not waiting for her response.

  Rounding the hood, I called out a hello to Gray and Elle who held hands on the sidewalk waiting for us. Opening the passenger side door for Kelsey, I held out my hand for her. “I don’t want you to slip.”

  Greeting them, we went inside. Gray requested a table on the rooftop deck.

  “The view is something you have to experience,” Gray said to Kelsey.

  Taking our seats, Kelsey said, “This is incredible.”

  The town was located in a box canyon, the mountains surrounding it.

  “Growing up here, I took it for granted.” The view from the rooftop was spectacular. Even on the roof, I felt small, almost insignificant. Twinkly lights hung from the banister surrounding the roof, heaters between each table making it cozy.

  “Thank you for coming to help with the wedding.” Gray sat back in his chair, his arm around the back of Elle’s.

  Her face was glowing. It was probably the pregnancy or a testament to how happy they were together. It hit me then that my relationship with Gray wouldn’t be the same after he got married and had a baby. His priorities had already shifted and changed.

  “Of course. You know I’m happy to help,” Kelsey said.

  “I know how busy you are at work.” Elle bit her lip as if she was worried she’d asked too much of her friend.

  I rested my elbows on the table, tipping my head toward Kelsey. “You work on the New York Stock Exchange?”

  “Yeah, I’m a clerk for a two-dollar firm.”

  At my confused look, she laughed. “I forget no one knows what that means outside of the exchange. I’m literally on the phone all day. I find out what stock the client wants, the parameters for pricing, then I communicate with the broker. The broker facilitates the sale on the “floor”. There’s a lot of money involved, so there’s a ton of pressure not to mess up. You have to stay on top of world events, anything that will affect the market. It probably sounds boring, but it’s a lot of fun.”

  I wanted to say it s
ounded impressive, not boring, but I’d already told her she was.

  Elle shuddered. “It sounds hard to me. I can’t even imagine dealing with numbers all day.”

  “You have to know numbers to run a successful business.” Gray squeezed her shoulder.

  Elle smiled at Gray, the love for him evident in her eyes, and by the way they leaned closer to each other as if pulled by some gravitational force.

  The longing for what I thought I had so many years ago wrapped around my chest, tightening.

  Gray dropped a soft kiss on Elle’s lips before they turned to us. “We’d like you two to help us with the wedding details at the lodge.”

  “I wanted her to hire a wedding planner, but…” Gray trailed off.

  “I didn’t want a stranger planning my wedding.”

  Kelsey leaned across the table, resting her hand over Elle’s. “You prefer a friend to be involved. I get it.”

  Elle’s face relaxed as she looked from Kelsey to me. “I trust you.”

  “Of course, we’ll help.” I couldn’t tell her no. She made my best friend the happiest he’d ever been. I understood her reluctance to have someone else involved in one of the most important days of her life.

  “We’ll make it perfect,” Kelsey added.

  “What do you need?” I asked.

  “If you could coordinate things on your end, work with the florist, the company providing the chairs, tables, and linens, figure out where everything should go.” Elle sighed heavily.

  “I can handle the deliveries and placement, but I’m not sure about the florist.”

  “I’ll handle it.” Kelsey reached over as if she was going to squeeze my leg but then paused, moving it back to her lap.

  I was oddly disappointed. I wanted to feel the warmth of her hand on my thigh.

  “I don’t want Elle worried about anything. I don’t want her running back and forth from the shop to the lodge. I want her resting.” Gray gave me a pointed look.

  I held my hands up. “I’ll send her home if she shows up. She won’t lift a thing on my watch.”

  “You have our word,” Kelsey promised.