Page 60 of Jagger

Including the man inside.

“Why the hell did you call me?”

“To tell you not to come into the damn office. You were the town hero last night. Hell, everyone in the resort is already talking about the lives you saved.”

“Don’t you dare call me a damn hero, Shep. You better than anyone know I hate that shit.”

“Jesus, bud. You need to chill out.”

Why did I have a feeling there was something going on he wasn’t telling me about? “Just talk. I know you too damn well. Spill it or I’m hanging up.”

He laughed. “You do know me far too well. Here’s the deal. You didn’t check the computer when you took the cabin for your gal.”

“She’s not my damn gal. Okay?”

“Whatever you say. Anyway, I have a group coming in late tonight. It’s been booked for over two months. With the roads clear, they can get in. I know it’s shit news, but they requested the Wyoming cabin in particular.”

Well, fuck.

“Fine, what about another cabin?”

“They’re all booked as is every room in the resort itself. I’m sorry, buddy. You’re going to need to figure something else out.”

“Fuck. I doubt the damn inn or bed and breakfast has any rooms either.”

“I took the liberty of checking for you,” Shephard told me.

“Don’t say it. None are available because of the freaking holiday. Goddamn it. What am I supposed to tell her? I don’t have any suggestions.”

Shephard cleared his throat. “Well, I do, but you’re not going to like it.”

“What?”

“Your place. You have plenty of room and you know it.”

I had to really think about what he’d just suggested before I issued a retort that neither one of us would appreciate. Certainly not this early in the morning. “That’s not possible.”

“Not possible or you just can’t get your head out of your ass long enough to grasp you like this girl and want her to stay?”

Hissing, I pulled the phone away, whistling for the dog. The gorgeous but way too thin pup popped out from a section of pine trees, bounding in my direction. Her tail was wagging and my heart ached for the girl. “It’s not a good idea.”

“Other than that you’re a slob, tell me why.”

He knew I didn’t have a good answer. My cabin was huge, even larger than this one, which made me feel uncomfortable as hell. Living there had reminded me how alone I was. A part of me hated my hesitation, but I wasn’t good company and knew that. “I gotta get off the phone so I can tell her.”

“Buddy. When are you going to learn it’s okay to want a different life? You deserve one. Just reach out and take it.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, but I’m not you. I’m incapable of letting the past go. I’ll stop by later.”

“No, you won’t. Take a damn day off. Please.” He laughed and my gut told me he was still holding something back.

“What else? What the hell aren’t you telling me?” I growled this time, irritated he was dragging this out.

The exasperated sound he made was a clear indication he was hiding something. “I didn’t want to tell you this, but you need to know.”

“Know what?”

“After last night and how Bella handled the tragedy, I was curious about your guest.”

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