Three Blissful Days, page 4
“I’d call her comments rude and off-putting. Kind of hard to look past that.”
“Ivy’s pretty direct without realizing how she comes across to others. But her heart is in the right place.”
“Evidently.” Kendall glanced at the door as she ran through their interaction again in her head. “Her behavior makes it hard for me to want her as my guide.”
“She’s the best guide you’ll get. Just give her one more chance. Once you two break through that awkward first impression, you’ll see what an amazing person she truly is.”
The hard sell was getting suspicious. “You sound like you’re trying to set her up.” Kendall leaned closer. “Is she the sister you’re trying to pair off so you can marry the perfect guy?”
Susan laughed. “No. Not related and already married. But finding Ivy someone to date is always on my radar.”
“I’m here to work, not date.” She tapped her key card on the counter. “I’ll try to start fresh with her, but she’ll have to meet me halfway.”
“Great.” Susan’s smile widened. “Ivy’s loyalty is incredible once you get into her inner circle.”
“Not sure I’ll ever make it to her friend circle, but thanks for the information.” She was still unsure why Susan was giving her the hard sell.
“Keep an open mind next time. She’s been an amazing friend to me over the years—supportive, caring, and always there when I need her.”
Maybe she’d judged Ivy too quickly. “Okay. I’ll try.”
“Just get to know the real Ivy before writing her off. I’m confident you’ll like her once you see how genuinely sweet she is.”
“I’ll do my best.” This feels like a trap.
Chapter Seven
Ivy pushed thought the door into the lobby, still unable to shake her irritation with the beautiful, but careless, woman she’d confronted earlier. She’d walked all the way to the farthest campground and back to settle her annoyance.
She spotted Susan behind the check-in desk as she entered. “You’re not going to believe what happened this morning. This real piece of work pulls into a parking space like she owns the place.” Ivy’s neck heated as her irritation flared again.
“Oh, boy, here we go. What did Miss Entitled do this time?” This wasn’t an unusual comment—Susan knew how much littering irritated Ivy.
“I’m doing my rounds, and this woman…” She gritted her teeth and cleared the unwanted slow-motion image of her exiting her vehicle…“gets out of her SUV and drops a power-bar wrapper on the ground right in front of me. No regard whatsoever for the park or the rules.”
“Unbelievable. After all the signs and trash bins, people still just litter like that?”
“I know. It’s infuriating! So I go up and say, ‘Excuse me, but you dropped something,’ and she looks at me like I’ve got three heads.”
“Did she pick it up?” Susan raised her eyebrows.
“Yeah. Dropped to her knees and swiped it from beneath her vehicle and then marched to the trash can.” Ivy shook her head. “And then she said, ‘Thanks for letting me know’ and told me to enjoy the rest of my day.” Ivy had a hard time believing she was genuinely sorry. Replaying the action in her head, she held in a chuckle. The woman was clearly mocking her.
“What? No way. She said that to you?” Susan let out an abrupt laugh. “Next time, write her a big, fat, littering ticket.”
“Your sarcasm is almost as bad as hers was.” Ivy grinned.
“Maybe she really didn’t see it fall?” Susan’s tone softened. “She picked it up, didn’t she?”
“Yeah.” She had immediately located it and put it in the trash. Maybe she had been too hard on the woman. But Ivy couldn’t help it. Seeing litter on the ground always left her frustrated—this beautiful natural area was meant to be an escape from the trappings of modern life, a place to reconnect with nature. Carelessly tossing trash went against the entire ethos of respecting and preserving these lands for future generations to enjoy. At the same time, Ivy knew people sometimes acted thoughtlessly rather than maliciously. Maybe the visitor was simply unaware of the impact or had been distracted in the moment. This was an opportunity for education more than harsh judgement. She made a mental note to emphasize the importance of Leave No Trace principles during the next guided hike or campfire talk. She would explain how litter can harm wildlife and why removing all trash properly is so crucial. With any luck, imparting that deeper understanding would ensure that this visitor and others would make more mindful choices going forward. “I might have scared her. I doubt I’ll catch her doing it again. In any case. I’ll probably never see her again.”
“Don’t be so sure about that. She’s presenting for the landscape redesign, and she’s been assigned to you for a tour.” Susan fingered through a couple of papers. “There’s another one on your list as well. Maybe she’ll be more to your liking.”
“Ugh.” Ivy shook her head. “Change it now. I have other things to do than chaperone women around the park.”
“Can’t. Already told her. She’s excited to have you as a guide.”
“Really?” Ivy eyed her suspiciously, seeing the matchmaking wheels spinning in Susan’s head.
“I spoke to Kendall—that’s her name—when she checked in. Found her to be incredibly sweet. Susan shrugged. Maybe you’re just afraid to get to know her.”
“Maybe.” Kendall…now she had a name to go with that beautiful face. She’d still wait to receive an official order from up-top to assist.
“Did you enjoy the movie last night?” Susan asked.
“Nope. I didn’t even get to see my favorite part.”
“Which part?”
“When the front door breaks in and there’s that pause before Johnny drags Barbara out.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Susan said as she dropped her head back. “The way they fade into the zombie crowd as she screams is just devastating.”
“Yeah, but then they’re zombies together and can live happily ever after in zombie world.”
“Feasting on live people together forever sounds delightful.” Susan rolled her eyes. “You’re a hopeless romantic.”
Ivy shook her head. “Just optimistic.”
“Ridiculously optimistic for someone who doesn’t date.”
“I’ve dated.”
“It’s been over a year, Ivy. Almost fifteen months.” Susan straightened a few papers on the counter and dropped them into a tray on the desk behind her.
Ivy raised her eyebrows “Has it? I hadn’t been counting.”
“Yes. It’s been too long. You should really give June a chance.”
“She’s too young. We don’t have anything in common.” Ivy had opted for breakfast at home this morning. Last night had been awkward at best.
“Trying new experiences might be good for you. You know, teaching each other?” Susan winked. “Even if it’s just for a night or two.”
“Nope. Too much teaching with that one.” Ivy didn’t enjoy casual sex with women she saw regularly. Eventually someone always lost interest and made the situation uncomfortable.
“Whatever.” Susan let out a deep sigh. “I hear you got a show from the couple seated in front of you at the diner.”
“Teenage hormones aren’t a show. Be thankful you didn’t have to witness that.”
Susan chuckled. “I would’ve whispered that I really enjoy watching them.”
“That would’ve sent that little girl running for sure. Thanks for showing up and having my back.” Ivy raised an eyebrow.
“Sorry. I ate too much popcorn and wasn’t up for pie.”
“Uh-huh.” She didn’t believe that for a minute.
“So, what happened when you took June home?” Susan’s voice rose in a light melody. “Did you kiss her?”
“Don’t you already know? You’ve clearly talked to June.” Word traveled fast around a remote mountain lodge.
“She’s not talking. Spill,” Susan said.
“No.” Ivy scrunched her face. “Absolutely not.” That had been the furthest thing from her mind when she’d taken June home. “She wanted me to come in and watch some erotic movie with her.”
“Ooh.” Susan bounced her eyebrows. “Clearly you two have very different tastes in films.”
“Yeah, very different.” Ivy wouldn’t find herself in a movie theater or alone anywhere with June again. “I’ll be out checking the grounds if you need me.” She held up her walkie-talkie as she strolled to the door.
Taking June home had been a fiasco. June had mistaken her consideration for something more, and Ivy had set her straight once again. Ivy didn’t dare get out of the truck to open her door and walk with her, which was her usual standard for any date. She wanted no mistakes this time. Her first thought had been to unlock the passenger door, take the curve quickly, and let her roll out. That would’ve been the perfect gnarly ending to the perfect gnarly movie night. She really had to stop thinking in cartoons.
Chapter Eight
Kendall’s phone buzzed as a text came through. Noah’s name flashed on the screen. She’d told him last week that she was coming but hadn’t been in touch since.
When do you want to sync up?
Soon. I might have to grovel first.
Seriously? I’m calling now.
Steve Miller Band’s Space Cowboy rang loudly from her phone. She immediately silenced the ring and hit the button to answer. “Hey.”
“Who are you groveling to?”
“The park ranger, Ivy. I think that’s her name.” She knew damn well what her name was. She’d noticed her as soon as she’d gotten out of her car.
“Why?”
“Some crap fell out of my car when I got here, and she accused me of littering.” She opened the envelope she’d received at check-in and filtered through the documents to find her schedule.
“Yeah. She’s a real rule follower, that one.” He laughed.
“I’ve already apologized once, but I don’t think she believed me.” Shit. Her park tour was scheduled for two p.m., and her chaperone was indeed none other than the beautiful rule-follower.
“Were you going to pick it up?”
“Of course. Why would you even think I wouldn’t?” She floated the schedule across the bed and flopped back on the pillow.
“I grew up with you, remember? I cleaned up after you all the time.”
“Yeah, but that’s back before I got serious about nature, and, besides, I knew you’d pick it up for me. You took good care of me and kept me out of trouble.” As a deputy sheriff, he was still keeping people out of trouble.
“You’re right about that. Too bad you decided to dump me.”
“That was out of my hands, and besides, I let you down easy. Didn’t I?” Breaking up with Noah was one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do.
“You tried, but it still stung…a lot. You were, after all, my first love.”
“Well, if it helps, I haven’t been involved with any man since.”
“Can’t compete with a woman.” He blew a breath into the phone. “You want me to come up to the lodge, or do you want to come here?”
“How about I head your way right now? I could use some distance from the ranger.”
“The place is kind of a mess. Let’s meet at the diner downtown.”
“I’ll buy you lunch. See you in about thirty minutes.”
“Sounds good,” he said. The call dropped before she had time to press the end button on her phone.
She’d been happy with Noah when they were teenagers. At least she’d thought she was, but that was before she realized how much more she was turned on by women. The object of her affection had been unplanned. She’d never felt it coming. The bounce in her stomach followed by the subsequent wetness in her pants had hit her like a bolt of lightning, heat spreading through her as she watched the new girl in school cross the room in front of her. She’d been rattled by the natural response and had gripped the chair she’d been sitting in for support. Noah had noticed her discomfort, the heat in her cheeks. He’d thought she was nauseous and asked her if she was all right. She’d nodded and explained it away as hunger pangs. The girl wasn’t beautiful, even particularly sexy, or what she’d call uniquely attractive, but the way she’d carried herself had certainly lit something deep inside Kendall. She hadn’t even known how to begin to understand it herself, let alone explain it to Noah.
Sex with Noah hadn’t been bad. He knew how to please a woman. But she didn’t want to please him. She’d tried to convince herself that she was bisexual, that she could love Noah and still admire the beauty of women around her. But once she’d realized her interest in them, she had no desire to do anything out of the ordinary with him. Even the normal boy/girl heavy kissing became a challenge.
Thinking back, she realized her feelings shouldn’t have been a surprise, considering the giddiness she felt when another girl took interest in her as a friend. Those relationships were always platonic, she hadn’t crushed on any of her friends, but dressing in front of them had always felt awkward. She’d really thought that was normal modesty.
Kendall spotted Noah’s truck as she pulled into the lot and glanced at her watch. Exactly thirty minutes. He’d be happy with her. Noah was always on time or early for everything. She, on the other hand, was always late. She parked in the first open space and headed to the door. A couple was exiting at the same time, and the man stopped and held the door for her. She always admired manners in a man and thanked him as she entered the fifties-themed diner. All the stools at the counter were full—the food must be good.
Noah, always the gentleman, stood as soon as he saw her, met her halfway and pulled her into a tight hug before kissing her cheek as he released her. “Good to see you.” He held her at arm’s length. “Have you lost weight?”
“You know better than to ask a girl that.” She shrugged out of his grip and moved to the table he’d come from.
“You’re not a girl. You’re my buddy.” He pulled out her chair for her. “My very beautiful buddy.” He grinned.
“Aw. You know how to make a girl feel good.” She slipped out of her jacket and hung it on the back of the metal-framed, red vinyl, padded chair, immediately noting there weren’t any condiments on the table.
“So, tell me what happened with Cassie.” Noah didn’t waste any time getting to the point.
“Nothing to tell. She dumped me for another woman. Apparently, I cost too much.”
“Seriously? What a bitch.”
“Yeah. I found that out about her way too late.”
“You still working with her?”
She shook her head. “That partnership has dissolved as well.”
“Is she helping you with the lodge bid?”
“No. I kept it under her radar, put it in a while back without her knowledge. She wasn’t interested in any state bids, said there wasn’t enough profit in them. I don’t want or need her help with it.” When she’d mentioned it to Cassie, she’d given her an immediate no, but since they’d already broken up personally, Kendall had put in the bid anyway. It was a good opportunity for exposure, and she didn’t want Cassie claiming she didn’t contribute to the business. She was sure that Cassie didn’t know or care anything about it.
“Let’s hope she doesn’t show up.” He flipped the menu open and stared at it.
“What’s good here?” She stared at the menu as well.
“Philly cheesesteak sandwich, burger, or meatloaf are my go-tos. Taylor’s partial to the chicken pot pie. Pretty much everything’s good. Not sure about the spaghetti, though. Never ordered it. “I think I’ll take the meat loaf.”
“Pot pie for me.” She slapped the menu closed. “Are you going to get some hot sauce for that?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Why don’t you settle in first before you start adding to your collection?”
“You never know when you’re going to need an extra bottle of Cholula.” She clasped her hands together to keep her compulsion at bay. “How are you and Taylor doing?”
The vinyl chair seat crackled as he shifted. “All right, I guess.”
Kendall raised her eyebrows. “You guess?”
“I think she wants to get married, and I’m not sure about that.” He opened the menu and stared into it.
“How long have you two been together?” She knew it was at least a couple of years but couldn’t remember exactly.
“Almost four years.”
“That’s pretty long to not be sure.” She plucked the menu out of his hand and slid it behind the salt and pepper shaker rack.
“I know.”
“What’s holding you back?”
He shrugged. “I always thought I’d marry someone I couldn’t live without.”
“And you think you’d be okay without her?”
“I don’t know, but I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately.”
“I get it. I believed Cassie was that person for me, but I found out the hard way that I can absolutely live without her.” That was far from what Kendall had planned. “I need someone who can’t live without me too.”
“Plus, she’s talking about having babies all of a sudden.”
“You being careful about that?” She pulled her eyebrows together.
“Always. Don’t want to end up in a spot I don’t want to be in.”
“Your thirties will do that to you.” Kendall had started having baby pangs a few years ago but wasn’t anywhere close to where she needed to be to start a family.
“She ain’t close to thirty yet.”
“How old is Taylor?”
“Twenty-five, twenty-six.”
“You don’t remember?” Definitely not the woman he was going to marry. What else didn’t he know about her?
He pulled his phone from his pocket and scrolled through it. “Twenty-six. She has a birthday coming up in a couple of months.”
“Have you told her you’re not ready for kids?”
“Not outright.”
