Page 17 of Return to McCall

“Well.” Murphy shook his head and reached across the table for another amaretto cookie. “I have loads of shit to say about Dumb and Dumber, but I’m a professional, so I’m just going to just shelve that for a different time.”

Sam dropped her face into her hands and shook her head before she finally looked back at Murphy with a smile.

“Oh, right.” He sighed, rolling his eyes, which made even Mo

xie laugh. “And I’ll just be over here, not swearing.” He winked in her direction. “Carry on, tiny badass.”

Moxie laughed, but her smile faded quickly as she sank back into the memory. “Anyway, I realized what was happening then, so I just told them I wasn’t staying and that he had to take me back to Boise. That’s why the deputy was so pissed off at Moxie Java.”

Sam nodded. “Correct me if I’m wrong here, but I’m guessing you’re worried Kylie will end up at the same place, right?”

??“Right. Except there’s no way they’ll let her leave, even if she wants to. I don’t think that guy cared if I stayed or not, but Kylie’s way younger than me, skinny and blond. She looks like a model, and I don’t know how to describe it.” Moxie paused. “But she’s way less likely to throw a fit than I am.”

“Oh damn,” Murphy said, running a hand through his hair as he leaned back from the table. “That’s not a good combination.”

Sam nodded, pulling another Coke out of the fridge and handing it to Moxie. “Would you know how to find this place again?”

“I’ve thought about that, but honestly, I wasn’t paying attention on the drive there. But I would definitely recognize that stupid pool out back. It’s shaped like some cheesy heart.”

“Jesus.” Murphy shook his head. “Lifestyles of the Rich and Tasteless.”

“I remember that place.” Sam paused. “Remember? Harvey Johnston, that used to own the hardware store in McCall, sold it a few years ago, and the new owner applied for a permit right away to build a heart-shaped pool.”

“Do you remember if the pool is on the lakefront side?” Murphy’s question was directed at Moxie. “Like close to the water, maybe?”

Moxie nodded. “Yeah, totally. The back of the house and the pool back up to the shoreline. You wouldn’t be able to miss it from the water.”

“Well.” Sam leaned over to kiss Sara as she walked back in, then retrieved a decanter of scotch and four glasses, reaching for Moxie’s bottle and pouring Coke into her glass first.

“I believe we have a little adventure to go on tomorrow.” Sam raised her glass toward the center of the table. “Anyone care to join me?”

Chapter Six

Lily rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands as she walked through the door of the main lodge, still groggy from her nap. It was clearly too quiet to have made it in time for dinner. She’d gone to two activities she’d signed up for that day but had missed her last one due to an unplanned three-hour nap she didn’t remember agreeing to. A fire was still crackling in the central fireplace, but the flames were sinking into embers, and the lodge was still and silent. The last waft of what must have been dinner lingered in the air, and she glanced through the small window in the dining room door.

The sensible thing to do was settle in on one of the leather couches to read, but the audible growl from her belly sparked the thought that the program director, Charlotte, might have left snacks out for the latecomers like she had the first night. She checked the time as she pushed through the door, then stopped in her tracks when she heard the sharp thwack from the other side.

“Oh no!” She peeked around to see Alex holding a hand to her head. “I’m so sorry. I should have looked to see if anyone was coming from the other direction.”

“That sounded way worse than it was,” Alex said, flashing Lily a smile as she lowered her hand. “Besides, you were gone by the time I got up this morning. I was wondering if you’d hopped a plane back to California.”

Lily stepped up to Alex and examined the angry red welt rising on her forehead. “Jesus. I really got you.” She looked past Alex to the kitchen. “Listen, we need to get some ice on that, or I really will be on my way back to Cali. Sam’s going to bounce me from the retreat for beating up on you.”

Alex laughed, picking up the scattered remnants of the sandwich she’d been eating and tossing them into the trash by the door. “Don’t be silly, I’m fine.” She paused, glancing down at the stainless-steel diver’s watch on her wrist. “What are you doing here so late, though?”

Lily started to answer, only to be interrupted by another insistent growl from her stomach. “Well, that about sums it up. I somehow slept through most of the afternoon, including dinner, and I may die if I don’t eat something.” She paused, making her voice sound as serious as possible. “Like, for real.”

“Come on. I’ll show you around the kitchen. I need to make another sandwich anyway…this one had a scuffle with the door and lost.”

Lily smiled and followed Alex back to the kitchen, breathing in her scent. Clean notes of leather, dark evergreens, and whatever it was Alex slicked into her hair instantly brought back the raw memory of the night they’d met. She’d gone to sleep since thinking about being pressed against the cold metal door of the Jeep, Alex’s hands wrapped around her waist, and the sharp contrast of gentleness and power in her touch that had reminded her of Sam.

Clearly. Her gaze settled on Alex’s defined back and broad shoulders as she headed toward the walk-in refrigerator. I have a type.

Alex grabbed an armful of sandwich stuff, fruit, and a handful of cookies from the walk-in and laid them out on the kitchen island. “Oh God.” Lily reached for a cookie. “These look delicious. It’s always a good sign when there’s more chocolate than cookie dough. It’s all about the golden ratio.”

“Sara made those,” Alex said, taking one bite before they went on. “I think she’s missing being in the kitchen, but the chef this season is great so it frees her up to do activities and mingle with the guests.”

Lily laid out her bread and chose one of the chunky slices of ham to go on it. “I have a date for breakfast at Gus’s Place with her tomorrow morning. I can’t wait to catch up in person. I got to hug her this morning at breakfast and chat for a few minutes but nothing in-depth.”

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