Page 55 of Mountain Boss

At least, I think that’s what she said. I could hardly hear her.

Cook grunts and opens the back door of the Jeep, reaching for one of the overflowing boxes.

I look at the Laundry Cabin just as Courtney climbs her stairs, and wonder if she’ll venture into the bedroom before coming back out.

Certain she won’t say anything to me, especially in front of the guys, but not wanting to chance it anyway, I turn to Simpson. “Text the guys and tell them to come over now and help.”

Then I stack two cases of beer and lift them both.

Chapter 41

Courtney

I pressmy back against the door after closing it behind me.

Maybe you heard him wrong.

Maybe it wasn’t meant to be… mean.

Maybe Mr. My Heart is a Black Hole wasn’t hugged enough as a child.

I close my eyes.

The words of men will not define me.

The opinion of others will not destroy me.

I open my eyes.

I have a job to do.

And I will not let this man defeat me.

I wipe my fingers below my eyes.

It’s exhaustion.

That’s why I’m letting him hurt my feelings.

Just exhaustion.

Pushing off the door, I feel the breeze from the open window and halt.

After setting my drink and cookie down, I reach over the little table, pull the curtain aside, and shut thewindow.

“We got this, right, girl?” I say to Spike as I straighten her bow.

Somewhere in one of the boxes under my bunk is her wardrobe. And since it’s October, I suppose it’s time for her little witch’s hat.

“We’ll switch clothes this weekend, alright? Give us something to do,” I tell her, even though we both know it will take all of five minutes.

She silently agrees with the plan, and I wonder if cacti years are the opposite of dog years since—in theory—they live so long.

I hurry into the bathroom and let my head hang while I’m on the toilet.

Then I face the music while washing my hands and look at the mirror.

Through pure willpower, I was able to keep most of my tears at bay, but my eyes still look glassy and red.

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