Page 4 of Canadian Wild: Love

She’s silent for a minute. “Maybe some time. But for right now, I just want to make sure that everything’s running as smoothly as it can be. His last assistant really got things messed up. It took me over a month just to get the files in order for the customers.”

“How many customers could he possibly have if the files were that messed up and his assistant was terrible?”

“He’s actually a big deal. The man’s a billionaire. But he’s also only half-interested in his own business. He’s too busy fucking around with a different woman every night.”

“Ugh!” I grimace, not wanting to talk about men and fucking at all. I think I could go for years without even wanting another man. If ever. Darrel killed my sex drive. Sad but true.

“I’m sorry, sis. I didn’t even think about it before I said it. How are you doing?”

“Good.” My face brightens and when I glance at the mirror over the dresser, I almost look like I’m glowing. “Canada is beautiful. This inn is amazing. I’m seriously considering extending my stay.”

“What’s so great about it?”

“The woods around here are so peaceful, the mountains are breathtaking. I just feel so inspired since I’ve been here. Nothing like I did a few days ago. I feel more like me than I’ve felt in years.”

“Why don’t you just move up here with me? This place has the same things. Glorious mountains and stunning views.”

Sighing, I sit down and run my hands through my long, strawberry-blond hair. “I’ve told you. I want my own life. I love you but you have a life of your own there. A job of your own. I just want to find myself and if I move out there, I’ll just end up finding your life. That’s not who I am. You’re you. I’m me. I’ll come visit you but I need to find me and my own space.”

“Fine. But if you change your mind, you can stay with me for awhile here and figure out if it’s what you’re looking for.”

“That’s a sweet offer and I’ll keep it in mind. Now. How are things going with the house hunt?”

“I’ve found myself a little house in town. Put an offer on it yesterday and I hope that I’ll be able to get moved in before Christmas.

“That sounds great!” I glance over at the clock on my dresser and cringe. “Shit! I’ve got to go. The groups will be meeting downstairs to get divided up and head out on the trails.” I glance down at my phone when I see a storm alert. “There seems to be some bad weather moving in later so I doubt if we’ll be out late. I can call you back when I get back to the inn.”

“If you don’t, I’ll be calling the sheriff to start looking for you.”

“Don’t be an idiot!” I scoff. “Keep your head straight. If I’m too tired, I might not call you. So don’t panic.”

“Fine,” she huffs. “But make sure and at least send me a text for heaven’s sake.

“Fine. I can do that.”

“Good. I love you, little sis.”

“Love you too!” I hang up and quickly brush my teeth, shoving my body into my clothes so fast that I almost shred my flannel shirt that I’m wearing over a tank top so that if it gets warm I can lose the flannel.

Rushing out the door, I grab my key at the last minute and slam it shut, clattering down the wooden steps, stopping when I see everybody downstairs staring at me.

Flushing, I walk slower down the stairs and step into the large group below me.

“I think that’s everyone,” the main guide calls. “Now I’ve divided all of you into smaller groups and we’re going to head out in about fifteen minutes. It’s a beauty of a day and we’ve got Timmies in the breakfast room. Grab a hot cup of coffee and get ready to hit the hills. If you need to grab a bite,” he stares at me and I flush, knowing that I’m holding them up, “go ahead and fill yer boots. We don’t want anyone getting sick out there because you skipped breakfast.”

I step away and hit the long, yet somehow cozy breakfast room. The bright sunlight glints off of the pure white china and sparkling glass in the room. I step up to the big buffet table and dish up some eggs and bacon, because why would you start your day without bacon!

I grab a styrofoam mug of Timmies and wonder how the hell they got it here. We’re out in the middle of nowhere.

“We have it delivered by a car a couple of times a week. Especially when we have a full day of hikes and a lot of guests. It’s worth it for the little indulgence.”

The kindly woman that runs the inn with her husband smiles at me and then turns back to the kitchen. I shovel my food in, almost choking once or twice, anxious not to slow anyone down.

“Relax, Lizzie. We can take a few minutes. You don’t need to make yourself sick.” The main tour guide smiles at me and sitsdown. I feel a shiver when he looks at me with something that almost looks like attraction. Heat.

That can’t be though. He’s at least ten years younger than me and fit as hell. There’s absolutely nothing attractive about me anymore. I’m thirty, tired, I’ve got little lines around my eyes and my skin is dull. I look like a rough road and he’s almost glowing with health.

Not to mention the extra pounds I picked up from stress eating while my divorce was being finalized. Especially after I found out the bastard got her pregnant. We’d been trying for ages to have a baby and it just didn’t happen for us. I kept wishing it was him. But the bastard got his twenty-year old girlfriend pregnant.

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