Page 39 of Mountain Daddy

I give up, knowing they won’t stop. “She’s gorgeous. I really fucking liked her. But she’s gone. No number. No last name. Just passing through.”

“That’s a bummer,” someone says from behind me.

We all turn to find Doug, one of the regulars, posted up at the bar.

“Have these two been yapping at you about my business?” I gesture to Jessie and Diego.

Doug shakes his head. “Didn’t have to. I was here.”

“Last night?” I ask.

Doug always sits at the bar. I would’ve noticed.

I think.

“I grabbed a table. You and your lady friend looked ready to combust, and I didn’t want to dampen the mood.”

“Oh. Well, appreciate that.” Living out here, most of our guests are regulars. I just hadn’t thought about it.

In fact, after Kendra walked into the bar, I don’t think I thought of anything but her.

Which wasn’t very professional of me.

Then I remember that I own this fucking place. And whatever grief I might get from customers is worth it.

Just about anything is worth the night I had with Kendra.

And I’d give just about anything to have another.

Chapter 17

Kendra

“Don’t forgetabout breakfast in the morning.” Dad reminds me as he walks past my open office door.

“Yeah, yeah.” I wave an arm. “My alarm is set.”

“See you in the morning.”

“Night,” I call out as he disappears.

Dad went all out getting the house ready for me.

I don’t remember what he used to use this room for, but it’s the perfect at-home office now.

The walls are a rich forest green; the wood floors are worn but smooth, like the rest of the house, and tucked under the window, looking out at the forest behind the house, is a beautiful desk—handmade by my father. There’s also a matching bookshelf, a pink office chair—which hasn’t been my favorite color since I was seven, but it’s the thought that counts—and a cute Tiffany-style lamp on the corner of the desk.

Oh, and we can’t forget about the printer-scanner, which is on a little side table tucked into the corner.

All in all, it’s a cute and functional office.

I put my headphones back on and hit play, ready to finish the last five minutes of this YouTube tutorial.

My business administration degree is helping a little, but had I known I’d end up here, doing this, I would’ve gone to school to become a web developer.

As it is, I’ll probably have to hire someone to design a whole new website. But I’ve managed to make some decent upgrades already.

And the branding could probably use an overhaul.