Page 7 of Since Day One

“I wasn’t wanting that, though.” His lips pulled down in a frown, and I laughed harder.

“You were looking for an ego boost then?”

Gunnar nodded and whipped a fake grin toward me as he pulled the truck to a stop next to the lodge. “Obviously.”

“Well, you are a fantastic chauffeur. Does that work?” I winked, and he rolled his eyes.

“No.”

Another laugh rumbled in my chest as he grinned and placed the hat back on his head. He jumped down from the truck, I followed him out on my side, and he met me at the back door. Pulling out my suitcase and duffel, he pointed at the main two-story cabin beside us.

“That’s the main lodge. Meals are usually held there. Your bunkhouse is going to be with all the girls in your family two down to the left.” He grinned maliciously at me as my mouth fell open in protest.

“All the girls?” I asked, exasperated.

He nodded yes. “Only the girls. Apparently, your family wanted to separate like that for more bonding time.”

I groaned and pouted. “You really don’t have another place I can sleep? I’ll stay with your regular hands. Please!” I begged. He chuckled and shoved his hands in his pocket, stepping closer toward me and looking down at me with that same grin.

“Nope. And your mom is waiting in the lodge before your first activity.“ He wiggled his brows as I glared at him in protest.

“You are a horrible, horrible person.”

“I was just saving the best news for last.”

“It’s not the best news,” I said through gritted teeth.

“For me it was. Now, I’ll see you at dinner.”

I grabbed his sleeve as he turned. “Come on. Let’s go ride some horses instead.”

“Oh no, no,” he replied with a chuckle and pried my fingers off of his shirt. “I know you thought bribing me with such a wonderful idea would work, but I want to witness the drama that’s about to unfold. Your family can’t be that bad.”

“You have no idea,” I grumbled. “One ride?”

“Why would I trust you on one of my horses? Just because you flew in from Texas and threw some grain in the back of my truck doesn’t mean you can ride. Besides, this activity is literally a competition to see if the girls or guys are going on the ride first tomorrow. So, go.” He nodded his head toward the lodge, and I sighed.

He wasn’t wrong. I also wouldn’t put some random stranger on my horses, especially someone he probably thought didn’t know the first thing about horses.

“You’re no fun,” I grumbled and then tugged the suitcase behind me as he laughed.

“See you later, Princess,” he called after me as my tires bumped over the gravel, and I shrugged the backpack tighter onto my shoulders.

“And don’t call me that again! I’m not riding in your truck anymore!” I shouted.

“Notice I didn’t say ‘passenger’?” he teased, shook his head, and continued on his way down the road toward the small dirt path that cut between the lodge and the first bunkhouse. It headed toward the barns out back and skirted around the edge of the fenced-off pasture.

Taking a deep breath for encouragement, I lugged myself heavily toward the front door. Three steps led up to the wooden porch, lights blaring through the crisp black to illuminate the way. A burnt-colored porch swing creaked to the left of the door, and two orange rocking chairs sat to the right. Clean and classy.

Suddenly the door flew open and out came the woman I hadn’t seen or spoken to since my grandfather’s funeral.

“Willow!” My mother waved, rushing toward me like there was nothing wrong between us. She looked exactly like I remembered. Hair the same dark color as mine, except hers was straight as could be and thinning, only hanging to her shoulders. My mom was short and a little more voluptuous than I was with the most feminine aura about her. It was my dad who was thin and tall, with an almost hawklike look to him and eyes that his smile never reached. She, on the other hand, never seemed to be without one.

I stopped moving as she rushed off of the porch and flung her arms around my shoulders. “I’m so happy you’re here. Everyone is already down at the barn, ready to load some hay. We better hurry.” She tried to move me, but I stood still. “Don’t start, Willow. We are trying to begin fresh.”

“Oh, are you?” I snarled. It was immature to react that way, but there were so many things I wanted at least an explanation about. Somehow, I wanted a little acknowledgement of the pain that I had felt.

“Willow. Please.”

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