Page 36 of Spur of the Moment
Before I hung up, I heard Travis grumble, “Like mother, like daughter.”
Lips twitching, I pulled into a parking lot to turn around. Since we already checked out of the hotel, we’d have to reserve another room for one night. Getting back on the road, I headed toward the hotel in the hopes we could reserve the same room. With the limited available parking this morning, I had a feeling there was a slim chance of any rooms being empty, but it was worth a shot.
“I’m surprised Beck keeps up with a kill pen’s Facebook group,” I said.
I didn’t miss the slight lift of Lettie’s lips out of the corner of my eye. It was pretty damn funny that he was even on Facebook.
“He tried his best to take part in the rescue. My mom wouldn’t let him have it any other way.”
“Yeah, but now that he’s some big rodeo guy?” I shook my head. “A bronc rider with a big ol’ heart. Imagine that,” I joked.
“What’d my mom used to call it? Silent compassion?” She held up air quotes.
We both laughed at the memory, remembering all too well. “That was your mom’s way of coping with the fact that he was the least interested out of all of us.”
“He gets brownie points for trying. I think you being involved made up for it when he was out of town for weeks on end.”
I shrugged. “Rescue never stops. Neither does ranching. He’s got other things on his plate, but I’m not holding it against him.”
She looked out the window at the large expanse of green hills and mountains peaking up in the distance. “He found what he was passionate about, so I’m happy for him, regardless of the fact that it takes him away from family.”
“Yeah, I sure do miss him when he’s gone.”
“Just makes you appreciate the moments he’s here a little more," she said.
I looked over at her to find her eyes on me, sympathy shining in them.
I nodded, swallowing the emotion building in my throat. “Yeah. It does.”
If she thought for a second I didn’t appreciate every moment I’d been able to spend by her side, she was crazy. Lettie Bronson was the only woman on this planet I wanted to spend my time with. I didn’t give a fuck what we were doing. As long as we were in each other’s presence, that was enough for me.
***
Pulling the truck up along the curb on the street since every spot in the parking lot was taken, I killed the engine, getting out to come around the hood to open Lettie’s door for her.
“Thank you,” she said before slipping past me.
I nodded, closing the door. I grabbed Rouge from the back seat before we headed inside the hotel lobby. The eating area was packed with families, kids' shouts filling the small area as people dined on their late breakfast.
We walked up to the front desk, the woman’s face lighting up as she recognized us. “Hey! Forget something?”
“Actually, I was hoping you might have a room available for one more night?” I asked.
Lettie picked a brochure about wildlife in Montana up off the counter, flipping it open and acting interested in the information.
“Let me check. We’re pretty packed tonight.” A few clicks later, she took her eyes off the screen, looking up at me from her swivel chair. “We have a king-sized bed available, but it’s only one.”
Suddenly not deeply invested in the words on the paper, Lettie flipped the brochure shut. “You’re sure there’s nothing else?”
The blonde looked back at her computer for a moment, scrolling on her mouse, then back up, her eyes glancing between the two of us. “No, I’m sorry.”
I turned to Lettie, tightening my hold on Rouge’s leash as two kids ran behind us. “We can check a different hotel if you want.”
She visibly gnawed on her cheek before shaking her head, plastering on a smile as she faced the woman behind the desk. “No, that’s fine. We’ll take it.”
The blonde smiled back, oblivious to the tension rolling off Lettie. “Great. I’ll just charge the same card you used the last two nights?”
I nodded. “That’d be great. Thank you, ma’am.”
