An Avalanche of Love

“Natalie, what’s gotten into you?” Julie shakes her head at me.

“What’s gotten into you? He’s the suit,” I remind her, and her shoulders drop.

“Right.” She all but pouts, putting her phone back in her bag. Walker has the audacity to wink at me before he starts walking again.

“Where is he going?” I growl.

“I don’t know, but I’m guessing we’re about to find out,” Jen says.

I’m wondering if I should stay as far away from Walker as I can get. He’s the enemy. The enemy that’s got me acting all kinds of crazy. I also think he might be the one. Tears sting at the back of my eyes, but I push them away. Focus on anger. My one and only wouldn’t be someone who is set on destroying Bear Mountain. How is that even possible? Both Wilder and Connor got so lucky. What did I do wrong?

I can’t love someone that would destroy the magic of Bear Mountain. Can I?

Chapter Six

WALKER

“So you’re telling me there are no rooms?” I ask the older woman behind the desk with the name tag Eliza.

“That’s what I’m telling you.” She glances over my shoulder, and I look down at my hands to hide my smile.

“Are you telling me that because Natalie is hiding behind that plant?”

We both look this time, and she tries, unsuccessfully, to squeeze behind the bare foliage of the potted plant.

“Umm…” Eliza hesitates and has the decency to look around like she’s going to find the answer.

“Mrs. Eliza, can we talk frankly?” I turn all of my charm toward the older woman and try to get her to reason with me. “You’re the only lodging within a five-hour drive, and if I can’t somehow find a place to stay in Bear Mountain, I’m going to have to drive back through the hills in the middle of the night.” Her eyes soften as I lean in a little closer. “I’m not from here, so I’m not good at driving on snow and ice. I don’t want to cause any trouble.”

“Well, I didn’t realize.” She looks nervous, but she’s fiddling with the pen in her hand.

“I promise I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m only here to talk to Natalie Thompson and then go back to my life in the city.” I can see she’s right on the edge of hesitation, so I go in for the kill. “And of course, enjoy all the beauty this town has to offer. And from what I’ve seen, there is beauty around every corner.”

Just then I hear a loud thud behind me, and we turn to see Natalie has fallen onto the ground and her friend is scrambling to help her stand up and hide again.

“Especially here,” I finish and wink at Eliza.

“Here,” she whispers as she slides an old-fashioned skeleton key across the counter. “It’s the honeymoon suite. Nobody ever uses it.” Her voice is so low, but I nod and place my hand on top of hers.

“Thank you, Mrs. Eliza. You’re saving my neck.”

“Be careful.” Her smile is rueful as she looks back in Natalie’s direction. “I think that you better watch your ass too.”

A bark of laughter leaves me, and I put my hand over my mouth to silence it. “I believe you might be right.”

“There are extra linens and towels in the closet if you need them. I leave the front desk in an hour, so you’ll be on your own tonight.”

“Thank you again,” I hold the key against my chest and grab my bag. As I turn to walk down the hall, I pass the plant and stop in front of it.

“Come on, show me where my room is,” I say to the leaves, and to my surprise, they spread apart, and Natalie sticks her head out.

“Not a chance.”

“Are you sure? You can come check out the honeymoon suite,” I tease, and when she scowls, her nose scrunches up in the most adorable way.

“What makes you think I haven’t seen it?”

I feel my smile drop, and now it’s my turn to scowl. “Have you?” I lean close, daring her to lie to me, and her eyes widen.

“No,” she finally admits.

“Good.” I don’t know what it says about me that I’m relieved she hasn’t been in that room before. Maybe it’s my inner caveman that I want her all to myself, but I can’t stand the thought of anyone else touching her.

What the fuck is wrong with me? This woman should mean absolutely nothing to me, yet she’s been the center of my thoughts since the moment I saw her name.

“Come on then.” I reach out and take her by the upper arm, giving her no choice but to follow me.

“Unhand me, you cretin,” she hisses, and my smile comes back.

“What are you, some kind of three musketeer?” I laugh as her friend jumps out in front of us.