Page 56 of Mountain Boss

I hold my fingers under the cold running water before pressing them to my eyelids.

Then I straighten my shoulders and head back outside.

I stareat the empty Jeep.

Everything is gone.

“How…?”

Movement catches my eye, and I turn as Sterling emerges from the woods and cuts across the driveway to his front steps.

He couldn’t have done this all by himself in the few minutes I was gone.

Blowing out a breath, I close the doors on my Jeep and turn toward the Food Hall.

Clearly Cook and whoever else walked up must have helped, meaning I owe them a thank-you.

Chapter 42

Courtney

Sighing,I climb the steps to my cabin and let myself in.

I helped Cook sort the groceries while he explained how it works when guests are here. He makes three meals a day while they’re on the property, and all staff members are allowed to partake in each meal.

I tried to keep my eyes from widening because every time my boss does something dickish—like calling me freakingCookie—I find out something surprisingly generous.

After just a few minutes, Cook caught on to the fact that no one has explained anything to me, so he took the time to tell me the basic timeline. Like how the guests will arrive, spend a night or two here, then go off to another location—staying in either cabins or tents. They do their outings for a few days with their designated guides, leaving the Lodge very quiet. Then they all come back for a final meal, then leave after lunch. Occasionally leaving the next day.

Simple enough.

And all of this is important for my role as the resident custodian.

The day before guests arrive, I need to spruce up the cabins—dusting and making the beds. And after they leave, I have to deep clean and use my Laundry Cabin for actual laundry.

I also found out that there is a washer and dryer set in the Bunk House, and I’m eternally grateful for that fact.

The guys have all been great, but standing here in my cabin, I know I need this space to just be mine. No matter how uncomfortable, or unlocked, this cabin is my home for the rest of the year, and I don’t need to know who wears boxers and who wears briefs.

Heading to my little bathroom, I wash my hands, then go back out to mydining tableand pick up my leftover cookie and the sandwich Cook saved me from lunch.

I nearly cried all over again when he handed me the turkey club wrapped up in wax paper.

But I kept it together.

Like a professional.

Snagging my water bottle, I take my dinner to my bedroom.

There’s still enough of a sunset outside that I leave the lights off.

I’ll have my food with some mood lighting and a little YouTube scrolling. Because honestly, logging onto the Lodge internet has been the only thing keeping my sanity around here.

I dump my armful of food onto the bunk, then move over to my step stool.

Gripping the top rail, I put my foot on the bottom rung, step up, then shift my palms to the bed as I lift my other foot to the second step.

And then I freeze.

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