Page 146 of Mountain Boss

My phone rings,but it’s a number I don’t recognize.

I set the phone on the table and go back to securing the little black cape around Spike. The matching item to her classic witch’s hat.

My phone vibrates with a text.

It’s from the same number.

Unknown: Answer the phone, Cookie.

My lips part.

Sterling?

“Duh.” I roll my eyes at myself. Literally no one else calls me Cookie.

The unknown number calls.

I purse my lips.

I want to talk to him. Would like to hear his voice.

But Sterling left this morning after avoiding me, so I’m a touch annoyed with him right now.

I let it ring once more before I answer the call. “Hello, Sterling.”

There’s a low hum on the other end of the line that sounds a lot like appreciation. “Court.”

My hum is less appreciative. If he’s calling me Court, that means someone is close enough to listen.

“Is there something I can do for you, Sir?” If that comes out suggestive, that’s his problem. I’m just asking.

He grunts. “Fisher forgot the cooking oil.”

“I swear I packed it.” I hear Fisher protest in the background. “I remember putting it in your truck.”

Sterling grunts again. “We need it for tomorrow’s dinner. I think it’s on the counter in the Food Hall. Can you bring it here by four?”

“Sure. Um, where ishere?”

“I’ll send you directions. Make sure to download the offline maps since you’ll lose service at some spots.” His tone is no-nonsense, so I make a mental note to do as he says.

“Okay. Need me to bring anything else?” I don’t know if he’s planning to reimburse me for gas, but considering the fact I don’t need to rush to buy groceries anytime soon, I can spare the expense.

“No. Just the oil. And your overnight bag.”

“Okay—Wait. What overnight bag?”

“It’s a two-hour drive. Once we’re done eating the fish fry, it’ll be dark.” I can feel the command in his voice. “You’re not driving home in the dark, Court.”

I drag my teeth over my lower lip. “Is it, uh,tentsleeping?”

I’d really like to see Sterling, but I don’t know about that whole sleeping on the ground thing.

“No. It’s one shared cabin.”

“It’s a shack,” Fisher calls out.

Sterling lets out a heavy sigh. “It’s not a fucking shack. It has bunks and windows and a fireplace.”

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