Page 4 of Wild and Unruly
I nod my head, smiling tensely. “I’m excited to meet them and see it all firsthand.”
She hands my cards back over, and I grab them, taking the key to my room, which is an actual key on a leather keychain. “Well, I’m Amelia. If you need anything, my staff is always available to help you out. We have breakfast served from five to nine every morning and snacks in the lounge. There’s a piano night on Thursdays as well at the bar. If you’re interested in anyextras like horseback riding or sports, just come to the desk, and we’ll get you sorted out.”
I nod my head slowly, impressed by the number of amenities they have. “Sounds lovely, Amelia. I appreciate the hospitality.”
She smiles and shrugs. “Hospitality is my job.”
“You do it well,” I compliment. “Now, do you have a helper who could grab my bag?”
She grins and nods behind me before calling out, “Hey, Stets, could you do me a favor?”
“For you, Amelia, anything.” I turn to the deep voice and see two tall men standing by the door they just entered. One has a bag of tools slung over his shoulder and gives me a polite grin. The other walks right up to the desk and leans on it, giving me a nod and a wide smile before turning his attention to Amelia.
“What room am I needed in, Amelia?” The other asks, ignoring his friend’s obvious flirting.
“Room 115. You’re a lifesaver, Graham,” she answers, holding her hands in prayer under her chin. “No one knows what happened, but the people staying there left before I could find out.”
Graham wrinkles his nose and sighs. “Should have picked a different career.”
Amelia and the guy leaning against the desk laugh as he walks off.
“So, Stetson, this is Bonnie.” She introduces us as if it’s significant, and I give him a polite smile. Just from looking at his tall form, T-shirt hanging over his Wranglers, and dusty boots on his feet, I know exactly everything I need to about this man in front of me.
He is trouble.
And trouble is the last thing I need.
“Bonnie.” He tips his head, reaching for my hand. I shake his firmly and quickly release it. “Nice to meet you.”
“You as well,” I reply, keeping my tone light.
“She could use a hand with her bag. Do you mind helping out?” Amelia asks, but judging from the way she’s barely even looking at the two of us, she already knows the answer to that question.
“Not at all.” He gestures to the front door. “Lead the way, milady.”
Amelia snorts, and I turn away, rolling my eyes. I don’t know him well enough to use my typical humor, even though I’m dying to do just that.
“So, what are you here for? Some hiking? Horseback riding? Time with nature?” He asks the silliest of questions, and I study his face for a moment to see if he’s kidding, but he catches me looking and smiles genuinely at me. “What?”
“Um, nothing.” I bite my tongue. “I’m here for work.”
“What kind of work do you do?”
“I’m a writer.”
“What kind of writing do you do?”
Boy, this man and his questions.
“I write for a magazine.”
“Oh, cool.” He pauses his questions for a moment as our feet hit the gravel parking lot, our shoes crunching over the rocks. “Which magazine?”
I repress a sigh and tell myself he’s just a nice guy. Just. A. Nice. Guy. “Horse Universe.”
This falters his steps, well away from where I parked my truck. Why did I have to park so far away? I know why, becauseher sparkly paint doesn’t deserve to be scratched by poor parkers.
“You’re Bonnie Helix.”
