Page 94 of Colton's Last Resort

“No.”

“Laura, baby. I’m heavy.”

Baby.Her smile was as soft as the blanket. “You’re perfect, Noah Steele.”

He stilled in her embrace. It even seemed like he stopped breathing.

“A little while,” she sighed soothingly, running her nails lightly over his upper arms. “Let’s stay just like this a little while longer.”

He made another noise, this one of assent.

Eventually...eventually, she agreed they had to get out of the cold. And when he wrapped her in the blanket and carried her back up the flagstone steps to her house, she was speechless.

Chapter 17

Mariposa’s anniversary always felt bittersweet. Twenty-two years ago, Annabeth Colton had escaped Los Angeles for Red Rock Country, where she’d purchased the hotel.

Today was cause for both celebration and reflection. As Laura went about her duties, she couldn’t help but wonder whether Mariposa reflected her mother’s vision two decades prior. For Annabeth, it had been both home and a place of hope and renewal.

Laura tried to focus on that and not everything she had learned from Noah the night before.

When CJ Knight and Doug DeGraw crossed her path, however, she thought even Noah would agree the mission verged on impossible.

“Ms. Colton,” the actor called out, forcing her to stop on the path to S Building. “I hear there’s going to be a show tonight.”

“Yes,” she replied. “We’ll have music and canapés in the rock labyrinth from six to seven this evening, with fireworks to follow. Will you be joining us?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” CJ asserted.

Laura looked at Doug. “And you, Mr. DeGraw?”

“If it’s better than the excursion yesterday and today’s massage.” Doug rolled both shoulders back in a discomfited manner. “I wonder why Mariposa is the go-to destination for the rich and famous. I can’t find much to recommend it.”

As Laura’s face fell, CJ cleared his throat. “Come on, Doug. You don’t mean that.” To Laura, he offered an apologetic smile. “I enjoyed the horseback excursion, and my massage was more than satisfactory. We’re booked for lunch at Annabeth. I’ve told Doug your chef never disappoints.”

She returned the smile. “I’m glad you think so.” Uncomfortable, she looked at Doug again. “Is there anything I can do to make your stay more enjoyable, Mr. DeGraw?”

He raised a discerning brow. “You wouldn’t know what bungalow Ariana Fitzgibbons is staying in, would you?”

“I’m afraid I can’t divulge that information,” she told him when she regained her voice. “It’s against our policy to invade the privacy of our guests.”

“Pity,” Doug drawled. His mouth turned down at the corners, dissatisfied. “I guess I’ll have to find out myself.”

“I’d advise you not to do so,” she cautioned.

Doug gave a small laugh. “Can’t anyone around here take a joke?”

As he walked away, limping slightly on his right leg, CJ’s smile deteriorated. He lowered his voice. “I’m sorry. He isn’t normally like this. I’ve noticed he’s been out of sorts lately. He practically begged me not to come back here.”

She tried to appear as unaffected as possible. “Red Rock Country doesn’t agree with everyone.”

“I’m not sure how,” CJ noted. “I get that Doug’s a city guy. He’s LA to the bone. But there’s nothing I don’t love about this part of the country.”

“I’m happy to hear it,” she said truthfully. “If there’s anything you or your manager can think of to make your stay better, please let me know. I’ll see to it.”

“I appreciate it, Ms. Colton,” he returned before hurrying to catch up with Doug.

Laura rubbed her hands across the surface of her arms. The chill had gone deep into her bones despite the desert sun doing its best to ward off the nip of late winter. Thunder rolled in the distance. She looked out across the ridge.

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