Page 133 of Love Me Reckless

It’s late afternoon when I finally get a chance to eat lunch, which is a rock-hard power bar and a cup of lodge coffee huddled in thegondola lift shack with the liftie. So when my radio crackles to life, I suppress my groan. The diabetic kid Ski Patrol evacuated to the hospital is supposedly doing okay and the electricity came back on an hour ago… so what now?

“Need you to report to HR,” McTavish says.

“Uh, why?”

Before he can reply, another mechanic jumps in. “Drug test.”

“Now?” I ask, draining my coffee. When I hired on, passing a drug test was part of the deal, and the HR rep told me to expect random tests throughout the season.

“They just did one a week ago,” my lift shack companion says from his command post facing the giant windows. “This kid next door to me in the dorm popped positive for weed. They sent him home.”

“On my way,” I tell McTavish. At least I can change out of my ski boots for the walk over.

HR is on the other side of the laundry from the outfitting booth where I picked up my uniform and winter clothes from those cute little old ladies that first day. I’ve only met the hiring assistant, Leslie Jones, that one time when I completed my paperwork.

When I arrive at her office, five clear envelopes with vials inside them are lined up on her tidy desk. We’re brought in one at a time. Besides me, there’s one other mechanic, a ski patroller, and two lifties.

Leslie swabs my cheek and helps me fit it into the little tube, then double checks my name on it and on the plastic sleeve. Once it’s sealed, she peels off the pink receipt from the triplicate form on her desk.

“We’ll let you know the results by tomorrow.”

“I already know the results,” I say, mostly to myself.

Leslie gives me a polite smile.

After leaving HR, I join the gondola crew shutting down for the day.

I’ve been so busy I’ve only had quick moments to monitor myphone. Thankfully, Shel seems to be behaving himself, but I’m eager to rejoin Kirilee and the others to make sure.

First, however, I need to get to the bank before they close.

Because I don’t want to spend another day apart from Kirilee with Sheldon sniffing around. It won’t be long before he cooks up a plan to use her. The easiest way to protect her is to give him what he wants, then show him the door.

Chapter Thirty-One

KIRILEE

When I wake again,dawn is breaking but the light is gray and the wind has strengthened. I think about Sawyer on the mountain, braving the elements. A slow yearning burns through me.

To my delight, he’s sent me a message:

Morning, sunshine

He’s added a picture of the sunrise, which he must have taken from atop one of the ski lift towers because the tree line edges the bottom of the frame. Though the clouds are thick above, there’s a ribbon of bright magenta across the horizon and a slice of mountain washed with pink.

I give it a heart, but before I can reply, the dots dance, and a message appears.

Can’t wait to see you later

Flutters tickle upmy throat.

I miss you

I wait for more but I’m sure he’s crazy busy, and reception on the mountain can be spotty.

Downstairs, Sheldon is standing at the kitchen counter across from the fridge eating a bowl of cereal and talking into a flip phone.

“Don’t think so,” he says, spooning a bite into his mouth. “Though I might?—”

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