Page 156 of Mountain Boss

It’s been fun, having a beer while we were all spread around the cabin. But even though it’s not that late, I’m tired and just as ready for bed.

The beds in here are bunk beds, like the guest cabins back at the Lodge, but these are handmade with the ends attached to the back wall. There are four sets total, with a couple feet of space between them.

Hanging down from the ceiling between each bunk is a curtain, making an effort at privacy. It doesn’t go around the front, so it’s just a thin barrier on either side of each bed, but I’m grateful no one will be able to see me sleeping. Unless they get up to pee, then they’d walk past the head of the bunks and could look at anyone.

And I know the head of the bunk is the end closest to the middle of the room because Sterling told me to set up my blankets that way because the wall end is colder.

The more you know.

Sterling gets up from the folding chair he’s been sitting on and starts to turn off the lamps.

There are no real ladders for getting to the top bunks, just the supports on the end for climbing.

The last lamp turns off, but the free-standing fireplace in the far corner of the room gives off enough glow to still see by.

Fisher bumps his shoulder into mine as he moves to the second set of bunk beds. “Night, Court. Glad you could come hang out with us.”

I smile. “Thanks, I’m glad I could come out too.”

“Everyone is glad. Now get in bed.” Sterling steps between us.

“Extra sweet dreams to you, Sterling.” Fisher teases our boss for his gruffness.

“Uh-huh. I’ll be sure to wake you up at five so you can help me make breakfast,” Sterling says to my coworker as he nudges me toward the bunk we’ll be sharing, placing his palm over the spot where Fisher bumped into me.

Fisher groans and reaches for the boards to climb up to his top bunk. “I’ll give you my pillow if you promise not to do that.”

His comment makes me look at the bottom bunk next to where I’m standing.

“Where’s your pillow?” I ask Sterling.

He heaves out a breath. “Don’t worry about it. Get in bed.”

I press my lips together, but I can still see Fisher watching us, so I keep my questions to myself and start to climb.

It takes some maneuvering, and I feel a little weirded out by the height, but I eventually get myself seated on the top bunk.

The thin camping mattress thing is actually pretty comfortable.

My pajama prep earlier consisted of changing into sweatpants and removing my bra. So after I shove my legs under the blankets, I drag off my layers of sweatshirts, leaving me in Sterling’s flannel.

I toss the sweatshirts to the foot of the bunk, against the wall, trying to create more of a barrier between my feet and the cool wall.

If I have to get up to go to the bathroom, I’ll put one back on since I don’t want anyone but Sterling to see the outline of my nipples. But Ireally hope I can hold it until morning. Because lantern or not, I don’t want to make that walk in the dark alone.

In fact…

I twist to see where Sterling is and jolt when I find him standing right beside me.

He lifts a brow. “Need something?”

“As a matter of fact, I was going to ask a favor.” I keep my voice low. “If I have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, can I wake you up to walk with me?” It’s an innocent question, but I still don’t want to be overheard.

Sterling nods. “Yeah, Courtney, I’ll walk with you.”

Hidden behind the curtain that hangs between our bunk and the one Fisher is sleeping on, Sterling reaches up and runs his hand down one of my braids, sending a bolt of heat through my stomach.

“Go to sleep.” He gives the end a little tug before dropping his hand.

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