Page 78 of Just Act Natural

I thought I had it bad before? Hearing her say my name in those sleepy, content tones is a drug. I’m immediately hooked.

“You’re welcome, princess.”

We hang up, and I lay flat out on the bed in the darkness. I won’t be the same man when I go home to Texas. I don’t know if I would want to be. Whether she knows it or not, she’s marking on me in permanent ink, tattooing herself on my soul.

TWENTY-FOUR

GRANT

I stareat the pair of non-cargo hiking pants and a plain blue button-down shirt I’ve laid out on my bed. They’re not grungy, but they could be a whole lot better. Finding a nicer outfit somewhere in town had seemed unnecessary until this very minute. Lila will certainly be dressed to impress. I’ll look like a chump standing next to her at her sister’s party.

To be fair, there was never much chance of anything else.

I don’t know if I should put the clothes on or not, so I do something I never thought I would: I text a woman a picture of my outfit to get her approval.

Her reply comes in right away.

Lila: You’re going to put them on, right?

Grant: Very funny

Naturally, that gets my thoughts spinning toward all the things we could do without fancy party clothes on. Doesn’t take much incentive lately.

Grant: I can still find something else if you want

I have a couple of hours before I’m supposed to meet her at her place. I might be able to come up with a nicer shirt if I need to.

Lila: I guarantee you the groom-to-be won’t wear anything fancier

Lila: Hope will be lucky if he’s not wearing flannel

Grant: Sounds like my kind of guy

Lila: You two are going to be BFFs

Lila: You’ll talk about expert outdoorsman stuff all night

Grant: Never. I’ll be right by your side all night

Lila: Promises, promises

Lila: See you soon

Another text comes in after hers.

Moonlight Lodge: Grant Irwin has received a package. Please come to the front desk to claim it.

A package sent to me on vacation? The first thing that comes to mind is that Dean forwarded a printout of the monthly sales report just to be a stickler. Unlikely, but in the realm of possibility.

I walk the half mile or so of dirt trail to the lodge. It’s peaceful out here, winding through the pines. Off to the west, a mountain peak looms, and the river serenades me the wholeway. I’m not one of those people who gets the urge to move to every place they vacation, but it’s hard not to want to stick around a while in Sunshine.

At the front desk, an older woman talks with a couple who are holding fishing poles and gear. Gray strands streak through her red hair, and I have a strong suspicion this is Charlie and Shepherd’s mother. When she finishes up doling out advice about the best locations on their property to fly fish, she comes closer to me.

She offers a warm smile that I know is her customer service duty, but I still find it comforting. “What can I do for you?”

“I’m Grant Irwin in the Archer cabin. I received a message that you have a package for me.”

“We do. Let me go get it.”

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