Page 86 of The Finding Series: Vol. 2

“Oh my God, what did Quinn say when he found out?” Beck asked.

Hunter shot him a grin. “He had no idea it was even happening until Gran showed up at the ranch with one of the guys who’d responded to the ad. Gran spent almost a week chatting with the guy online before she told him she wasn’t Quinn.”

“Shecatfishedhim?” I managed to get out.

Hunter nodded. “The guy was a good sport about it. I guess after seeing Quinn’s picture, he was all in, if you know what I mean.”

I did know what he meant and some of my humor fled and was replaced with a shot of jealousy. I’d just assumed Quinn was single, but in actuality, I had no idea if he was or wasn’t. A glance at Beck showed he didn’t seem as carefree as he had a moment ago. He shot me a glance and just like that my laughter was snuffed out and all I could think was one thing as Hunter continued his story.

Ours.

Jesus, what the hell was wrong with me? Quinn didn’t belong to me and Beck. Hell, I had no claim to either man.

But I couldn’t shake the dark thread of possessiveness that was weaving through my body.

“What happened when they met?” Beck asked, though his voice sounded more worried than curious.

Hunter didn’t seem to notice the change in either of us because he barreled on. “Quinn finally agreed to have coffee with the guy if Gran promised to take the ad down and never pimp him out again. Gran was so sure she’d found his future husband that she agreed and reminded them she was still certified to perform marriages.”

I laughed, but it was forced.

“She was quite put out when Quinn told her it was a no go. But she kept her word and stopped playing matchmaker for him. But you two might want to keep an eye out…if she starts sneaking pictures of you…”

Hunter ended the statement with a chuckle. We’d reached the area of the resort where most of the lodging was located and I only half-listened as Hunter began the tour. The site Roman had picked for his resort was beautiful and he’d clearly spared no expense if the extravagant lodgings were anything to go by. There was also a golf course, a large lake with an array of watercraft for guests to use and a waterfront restaurant. And while we didn’t see it, Hunter explained there would be several ski slopes available to guests in the winter along with things like snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

The stables were surrounded by dozens of paddocks and next to the barn was a building for the barn staff. We didn’t actually stop to go inside, but I’d already seen it when Roman had offered me the option of living onsite for the next few weeks instead of commuting from my apartment near Missoula. The building was in the shape of a U with a large courtyard. Each unit was equivalent to a small studio apartment with its own bathroom and a separate, private entrance. There was a second door in each residence that led to a hallway that allowed the residents to access an open area where there was a full kitchen and entertainment space. Even though they were staff quarters, they were extremely spacious and well designed.

Once we got back to the lodge, Hunter parked the golf cart and took us on a foot tour of the massive building which offered countless amenities to guests including two indoor pools, a gym, another restaurant, a salon and spa and a coffee shop. The list of services was endless and left me wondering how anyone could afford such luxury. My own family had been considered wealthy, but coming from “old money” in Charleston, South Carolina might as well have been the wrong side of the tracks compared to the money that would grace the resort’s coffers.

After the tour, Beck and I managed to say all the right things about how nice the place was, though I suspected we were both equally intimidated by what we’d seen. We were following Hunter back to the driveway where the golf cart was located when Hunter’s cell phone rang.

His face went pale as he checked the Caller ID and he quickly looked at us and said, “I have to take this. Do you mind?”

“No, go ahead,” I said and Beck nodded. “We’ll wait by the golf cart.”

Hunter answered the phone and took a few steps away from us so his voice wouldn’t carry. Beck and I made our way to the golf cart, the little dogs trailing us. Champ had stayed with Hunter and I could see the big dog sitting quietly at his master’s feet as Hunter talked on the phone. Concern went through me that it was bad news, but I forced myself not to watch the man since it felt like an invasion of his privacy, even though I couldn’t hear anything.

I was very aware of the fact that Beck and I were alone for the first time since the blow-up in the barn…hell, since ever actually.

And predictably, Beck’s tension returned as he stood next to me, his eyes on Hunter.

“He’s sweet, huh?” I asked as I motioned to Hunter.

Beck glanced at me and then nodded. “He is.”

“If you think this place is beautiful,” I said as I scanned our surroundings. “You should see where they live.” When Beck kept his gaze on me, I continued. “It’s this amazing valley just outside Dare. I guess that’s how they met…Roman originally came to Dare to buy the land so he could develop the resort there, but then he met Hunter whose grandparents owned the property…”

“And the rest is history,” Beck finished, his mouth pulling into a smile. “Do you know what he does for a living?” Beck asked as he motioned his head towards Hunter.

“He’s some kind of environmental engineer. Something to do with designing alternative energy sources. I think Roman actually used Hunter’s company to make this place greener,” I said.

“And Roman’s brother, he’s married to your partner, Luke, right? He’s a famous author or something?”

I nodded. “Gray Hawthorne.” I shot Beck a smile. “And if things weren’t complicated enough already, Luke and Rhys were foster brothers when they were kids. It’s a very busy family tree.”

Beck snorted.

“What?” I asked when he shook his head at me.

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