Page 106 of When We Break

He nods again. “My sister was right. It’s beautiful out here, Beckett.”

“This whole area is amazing,” I agree. “But I like to think there’s something extra special about this property. The views from the cabins are the best out there. Before my parents retired and I took over the farmhouse, I thought about building my own house out here. When I didn’t need to do that, I wanted to do something special instead. You should see the alpenglow on those mountains when the sun is setting. It’s ridiculous.”

I turn the bend on the path, and the trees magically part, showing off a stunning mountain range and pasture full of wildflowers. To my delight, a family of moose gathers about fifty yards away.

“Bloody hell,” Connor breathes, and I can’t resist looking over at him. His eyes are wide, and he’s slack-jawed as he takes it in. “Did you pay those moose to be here?”

“I wish it were that easy. You should hear the complaints from guests who thought they’d have grizzly bears outside their front door every morning, didn’t, and then left me a one-star because of it.”

“Wait. Theywanteda grizzly to be waiting for them?”

“They’re stupid, man.” I shrug and pull up in front of one of the empty cabins, cut the engine. “This one is clean and empty. Let’s have a look.”

But when I turn back, Connor’s standing with his back to me, his hands on his hips, staring at the mountains. At the moose. At the pasture.

So I wait.

Because I get it. Montana will wrap itself around your throat and squeeze when you least expect it.

Finally, he takes a deep breath and then turns to me with a nod.

After punching in the code for the door, I open it up and step aside, gesturing for him to go in ahead of me.

I don’t join him for a minute. I give him time to look without me hovering, but the truth is, I’m fucking nervous.

I like Connor, but he’s a third-generation hotelier. Hospitality is in his blood. I just have eight rental cabins with a view.

“I have questions,” he says, so I step inside.

“Shoot.”

“Are all of these the same size?” he asks.

“No. This one sleeps four. I have a few that sleep two and one that sleeps up to six.”

He nods and leans on the marble countertop of the island.

“How much do you have invested in these?”

I narrow my eyes on him.

“I’m just curious.”

“About two million.”

He nods slowly. “You did a good job with these, Beckett. Skyla was right. They feel luxurious and would bring in clientele from all walks of life.”

“Wouldyoustay here?” I ask him, crossing my arms over my chest. “You say all walks of life, but you’re telling me a billionaire would rent this place?”

“I wouldn’t hesitate because of the accommodations,” he replies. “ButIwouldn’t stay here because you don’t have a lodge that offers room service and concierge services. Staying in this cabin, for example, would be perfectly acceptable to me if I want to go camping.”

I snort out a laugh, and he shrugs.

“I’m not kidding.Thiswould be like camping for me, or as close to it as I’d want to get. But again, that’s just me. I know plenty of very wealthy people who’d snatch this up in a heartbeat because they don’t give a shite about room service. They prefer to be left alone. They may ask you to stock the kitchen for them, but that would be that.”

I nod, thinking it over. “Makes sense.”

My phone rings in my pocket, and I scowl when I check the screen.

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