Page 2 of Roaring Fork Rockstar

“No,” I said, trying to recall hearing any random comments about either. “He’s not exactly the reminiscing type.”

Holt approached then, resting his hand on Cord’s shoulder, and whispered something in his ear. I watched them move through the crowd, collecting what I assumed were his other siblings. They gathered near the door, heads bent together in conversation.

“Excuse me,” Cord said, setting his empty glass on the bar. “We need to step outside for a minute.”

Juni looked torn, glancing between her husband and her parents.

“Go,” said Juni’s father. “We’ll be fine.”

I watched them leave, Holt holding the door as the others filed out into the softly falling snow. Something told me they wouldn’t be back—at least not tonight.

“Your father might have the answers we’ve been looking for,” Sam said, handing me a napkin where she’d written her phone number. “Would you mind asking him to give me a call tomorrow?”

“Sure,” I replied, tucking the number into my pocket. “But I’m not promising anything. Dad can be…selective about what he shares.”

Hours later,after Sam and her husband had also left and the bar emptied, I counted out the register while thinking about Luna. Four years old and already braver than most adults I knew. The recurring doctor visits for her unexplained fevers were adding up—meaning I needed to earn ahelluvalot of money.

I rolled my shoulders, willing the stress away, then locked the cash in the safe and grabbed my coat.

“You heading out, boss?” Miguel called out.

“Yeah. You good to finish up?”

He stopped sweeping. “Hey, what was that all about earlier? With the photo?”

I shrugged. “Family stuff, I guess. Turns out my dad has more connections to this town than he let on.”

“Mysterious.” Miguel grinned. “Like a telenovela.”

“God, I hope not.” I laughed, though part of me wondered.

Outside,the temperature had dropped to well below freezing. The snow crunched under my boots as I made my way to where I’d parked. Downtown Crested Butte sparkled with Christmas lights, and for a moment, I let myself enjoy the beauty of it—the white-peaked butte, visible even in the darkness, the quiet of a small town long since closed up for the night.

I climbed into my truck and turned the key, waiting for the engine to warm. Tomorrow, I’d call my father and demand answers. But tonight, I needed to get home to Luna. Whatever secrets lingered in the walls of the Goat would have to wait until morning.

As I pulled away from the curb, I caught a glimpse of a tall figure standing under a streetlight across the street—Holt Wheaton, watching as I drove past. Our eyes met for a brief moment before I turned the corner, heading for home. What was he doing, standing out in the cold? Did he need help? What had happened to all his siblings?

I couldn’t stop myself. I spun the truck around and pulled up beside him. “Everything okay?” I asked.

He stepped over and rested his arms on the window I’d lowered. “Favorite time here in town,” he said. “When everything’s quiet enough that you can hear the snow falling.”

“Well, it’s actually my favorite time to be in bed. Err, I mean, asleep.”

He chuckled and stepped away. “You got me there. Being in bed is my favorite thing too—and I don’t mean to sleep,” he added with a wink.

I shook my head, raised the window, and drove the three blocks home, knowing damn well that as soon as I crawled under my covers, I’d fall asleep wondering what sharing my sheets with the rock god Holt Wheaton would be like.

2

HOLT

My stomach knotted as I stared at the text from Six-pack that had arrived at nine this morning.

Meeting at my office, 1:00 PM today. All Wheaton siblings required. No exceptions.

The snow swirled outside my cabin window as I sipped coffee that had gone cold. Less than twelve hours ago, we’d been at the Goat, celebrating Cord’s return from New York and his marriage to Juni. Now, this.

I’d known this day would come. But knowing didn’t make it any easier.

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