Page 51 of Wild Nights

"Don't feel like you have to join us, but if you want, we'll probably do some games in the main room.”

The couple looked at each other and smiled, and I knew we wouldn't be seeing them for the rest of the night. "Call down if you need anything. If the power goes out, we have a generator."

Dean nodded before they headed out.

Eli was adamant about having large enough generators to run the lodge. I was pleased he'd insisted on this expense when we were stuck at the lodge in a storm. It was one less thing I had to worry about. I wanted the guests to be comfortable.

Carolina rinsed the dishes in the sink and placed them in the dishwasher.

"I can do that. You're a guest."

"I don't mind. You have Joey to keep an eye on."

I peeked outside to see Joey had run and grabbed a deck of cards and was busy shuffling it with Marcus. He'd keep him occupied for a few minutes. "I can help."

Carolina smiled as I took over the sink.

"I'll go see if there's more dishes in the dining room." Then she was gone. I wanted her to stay in the kitchen so we could talk. But maybe she didn't want to. I had to resign myself to the fact that our little arrangement was over. Whether she liked my son or not, we were never supposed to have more than a few nights together.

Our fling had come to an end, and when the storm was over, she'd fly home to her family and I'd stay here. It would be fairly easy to avoid her when she hosted conferences at the lodge. I could be cooped up in my office or even take a few days off. It was doable.

Carolina returned with more dishes, and I hurried to catch up. She grabbed a warm washcloth and wiped down the stainless-steel counters. Marcus sanitized the kitchen each night, and I knew he'd be in to go through that process when we were done.

When the dishes were cleaned up and the dining room table scrubbed down, we moved to the great room where there was a large fireplace, TVs, and comfortable leather couches.

"I'll get us some hot chocolate," Marcus said, and Joey jumped up. "I'll help."

"Are you okay with him?" I asked Marcus. I never wanted to assume that he'd watch him.

Marcus winked at me. "I've got him."

Arthur sat in one of the overstuffed armchairs, reading a magazine about skiing. I wasn't sure if he was interested in the information or just wanted something to read.

Carolina folded her legs under her on the couch. "Your staff is so nice. They seem to enjoy having Joey around."

"Most of them have been around since he was a baby. The most turnaround we get is the front-counter staff. We like to hire the college kids, and they come and go, depending on whether they travel home in the summers and over the holidays."

Carolina smiled softly. "That makes for a nice workplace."

"I suppose you work alone?" I asked her, cognizant that Arthur was in the room and listening to every word we said.

"I thought my sister would join me one day. But she just told me she didn't want to do that anymore. She has a serious boyfriend and doesn't want to travel. You know how that is." She shrugged.

"I do now that Eli recently fell in love with one of our childhood friends. Ever since they got together, things are different around here. He's on his first vacation in I don't even know how long."

"How did they get together?" Carolina asked.

I owed her something about my family's history. "Scarlett traveled frequently with a theater group and rarely visited home. But this last time, he offered for her to stay in one of the family condos, and they got close. He bought her the theater downtown, and she's leading children's plays."

"That's a sweet story."

"He didn't have any intention of falling in love or even dating anyone seriously. We were all content with our lives, busy running the lodge. Our parents entrusted us with the business, and we want to make them proud."

Carolina frowned. "You think if you're distracted by a relationship, you wouldn't be doing the business justice. You can't do both?"

I chuckled. "I figured that out when I had Joey. It's hard to balance. I'm lucky that I have Eli and my other brothers to step in when I need coverage."

"I would think that a relationship is different than having a child. You help each other out and support each other." Then Carolina shrugged. "I'm not someone who should be giving relationship advice though."

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