Page 38 of Wild Love

Chance nodded. "I think these cabins are going to be good for the resort. People have been talking about it."

"I hope so." It was a huge risk. Everyone loved the idea, but it was a large investment in the beginning. And we couldn't recoup any money until permits were approved and the cabins were complete. If we had a bad winter, that could set us back even more.

Marigold handed Chance a bottled water. He took it from her. "Thanks, Marigold." Then to me he said, "I'm excited for you."

"Are you happy?" I knew he wanted to be a police officer because he tended to stick up for the underdog and enjoyed protecting people. But I wasn't sure he was content.

He hung his head slightly. "Lately, I've been feeling like something's missing."

I sighed. "I know what you mean. Work, family, and friends used to be enough."

Chance lifted his plastic bottle to my glass one. "To figuring out our lives."

I bumped his bottle against mine. "To figuring out our lives."

"It's never too late," Xander said from across the fire.

I shook my head because, where I had a plan, he'd been coasting through life, enjoying the resort's success. But he hadn't done much beyond organize outdoor activities. I could easily replace him. But it was nice to say our business was family owned and run.

That was a nice selling point on the website and in the new commercials I was contemplating filming once the cabins were complete. But it was scary to do any kind of mass advertising. What if it was a waste of money? What if there was too much competition? What if everyone preferred Breckinridge to Telluride?

When Pam thanked us for coming, we took that as our cue to clean up and head home. While Pam and Bart thanked guests for coming and saw them out, we walked around the yard disposing of the trash.

I vowed to come to more get-togethers. I'd missed far too many lately. And it wasn't just because Scarlett attended. Or at least that's what I told myself.

I followed Scarlett to the lodge and parked next to her. I waited for her to get out. It sounded like she was listening to an audiobook, and I was curious to know what she liked. I preferred podcasts about business success. Would she prefer nonfiction or fiction?

"You didn't have to wait for me," Scarlett said when I appeared at her door and took the empty casserole dish from her.

"I thought I'd walk you up. It's dark."

"I'm sure you don't normally park in this lot. Don't you do valet?" Scarlett asked as she closed and locked her door.

"I thought I'd be a gentleman," I said as we walked side by side.

"You're not usually?" Scarlett asked cheekily.

"Mmm. Depends on where we're talking. In the bedroom or out?"

Scarlett's eyes widened. "Now see, I can't tell if you're flirting or not. We didn't spend much time together growing up, but I thought Xan was the easygoing charmer."

"What was I? The uptight older brother?" I wasn't sure I liked that characterization.

"I didn't say that. You were serious, responsible."

"You make me sound so boring."

"Xan was more fun. He joked around and was always willing to try something crazy."

"I didn't realize you two hung out." I knew they were in the same grade at school.

"Not really. You were Chance's friends, and it seemed like you avoided me. Did Chance warn you off?"

I remembered the time that Chance talked to us at dinner. "Something like that."

"That's annoying. I can take care of myself."

"You know Chance. He worries about you."

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