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“It’s just… I want to encourage local applicants,” I say, trying to justify my interest. “Maybe I should go down.” The moment the words leave my mouth, I wish I could take them back. What am I going to say to her?Howdy, neighbor, looking for a job?Rosey knows me as the guy next door. Not the boss. Not the rich guy from New York City. And that’s exactly how I want it to stay.

Maybe that’s why I feel drawn to her—because in this town where everyone knows who I am and who I was last time I lived here, Rosey only knows me as the nice guy from the bar who gave her a place to stay when she needed it most.

I check my watch. “I have a call, excuse me.” I need to get out of here or Janet’s going to accuse me of having a crush on the woman who just arrived for an interview. And she wouldn’t be wrong.

SEVEN

Rosey

I’m wrestling with the key to my cabin, trying to pull it out of the lock, when my cell rings. I pull it out of the deep pocket in my extra-warm coat, which I might never take off it’s so cozy. A chill shudders down my spine. I’m not exactly fielding calls left and right at the moment.

Since Frank and I traded messages when I arrived, I haven’t heard a word from anyone in Oregon. Not from him, my mom, or any of my sisters.

It’s like I’m on some kind of pre-booked vacation and they’ll see me when I’m back. No big deal.

But the caller isn’t a number I recognize, so I answer.

“Rosey, it’s Sally. It was so good to meet you this afternoon. I’m excited to say we want to offer you a job.”

I hold my breath, worried that if I let it out, I might squeal with excitement.

When I arrived at the Colorado Club, I wasn’t sure what job I’d be applying for. Without a résumé or a personal recommendation, I didn’t have much going for me. But I explained that I was traveling through town and hadn’t thought about staying until I heard about the Club. Sally was more than understanding and said I could be considered for a waitressing position. The pay is a little more than I earned at Frank’s garage, and I can live onsite in staff housing at half the price of the rent Mom charged me. It feels like the perfect opportunity just landed in my lap.

Why wouldn’t I say yes?

A car pulls up behind me. I spin on the porch and see Byron in his truck. He’s been so kind—letting me stay in the cabin, lending me his clothes. I don’t know if it’s his kindness or something about the evening light, but he’s even more attractive than he was when I first laid eyes on him. Which is saying something, because last night I was pretty sure he was the best-looking man in America. With his face framed by the car window, he looks like a movie star or a tortured poet. He pushes his hands through his hair, giving emphasis to his natural pout. I let out a small sigh.

“Rosey? Is everything okay?”

Sally’s voice on the line brings me back to myself. “Oh, yes, thanks so much. When do I start?”

I can’t help staring as Byron emerges from his car. He’s tall and broad and perfectly proportioned. Whenever I looked at Frank, his shoulders seemed too narrow for the rest of his body, but there’s nothing about Byron that doesn’t fit. His legs are covered in dark denim, and his long fingers close around the keys to his truck in a tight grip I can almost feel around my wrists. My nipples tighten against the fabric of my bra.

Our eyes lock and my stomach tumbles like his gaze has caused some kind of internal earthquake. All of a sudden, any doubts I had about saying yes to the job I just got offered melt away. I want to stay in Star Falls awhile.

“Tomorrow at nine thirty? Staff housing won’t be available for another week. Will that be a problem?”

I can’t tear my eyes from Byron. He’s come home just at the right time. I need to ask him if I can extend my stay.

“I’ll figure something out, no problem. See you tomorrow at nine thirty. And thanks, Sally,” I say hurriedly and hang up.

I take the four steps down from the porch as Byron heads back to his cabin. “Hey,” I say, holding up a brown paper bag from Marty’s Market. “I have celebratory hot chocolate. You want to join me?”

He turns, a look of uncertainty on his face. All of a sudden, I’m self-conscious that I’ve asked a perfect stranger over for hot chocolate. It’s not just because he’s so handsome and… magnetic or something, but I kind of don’t know how to be outside of my old life in Oregon. Am I being too friendly? Too enthusiastic? He’s the only person I know in Star Falls. And he’s a good guy. He’s been good to me and the least I can do is offer him a drink. Right?

Maybe that’s not how things work. Mom never allowed anyone in our trailer, so I’m not exactly practiced when it comes to extending invitations. Then again, I’m not in Oregon anymore.

He shrugs. “Sure. What are you celebrating?”

We take the steps up to my cabin.

“I got a job today. At the Colorado Club,” I say, excitement flooding back. I don’t know if it’s the job or Byron saying yes to the hot chocolate. There’s a lot to be excited about.

“Huh,” he says. “Well, congratulations.” He doesn’t sound impressed, but that doesn’t dull my happiness.

We head inside and it’s a little awkward, since I’ve essentially just invited Byron over to his own house.

“You never did tell me why you rented two cabins,” I say. I take a saucepan from the cupboard and fill it with milk before putting it on the stove.