So far, the experience had mostly been itchy and silent. Being alone at Adventura wasn't too bad. This wasn't my first time. It involved pacing the cabin, prowling the trails to find a cougar that kept wandering too close, and trying not to explode from the sheer quiet. Ideas stacked up in my brain like dust without JJ here to talk me through them. Which had, for a time, driven me to call Marie more. By some miracle, she actually answered each time.
Now that she was here, I couldn't help but wonder if I'd given time to some of those random ideas just so I could talk to her.
On one hand, the fact that she seemed close to my age, was definitely confident, and absolutely single, was great. On the other hand, it was also massively embarrassing. My financials had taken a swing in the wrong direction this summer. Not only had the spa idea fizzled out, thanks to an overzealous city council after I'd sunk money into the build-out, but Adventura lost two big clients and took devastating hits as well. Only Maverick's curiosity and deep vision kept me from being homeless, but my problems were far from over.
Embarrassing.
Now, I had to figure out a way to save Adventura and survive the winter alone. Or maybe not so alone.
With a sigh, I cleaned up the bathroom, swept up the remains of my ghastly beard—which now was trimmed and wouldn't try to grab all my food—and ran a comb through my hair. Even that improvement might drastically change her response to me.
I mean . . . she laughed.
My pride still stung, even though I didn't really blame her. When I stepped back into the cabin, my phone chimed. I grabbed it, then grunted at the Hearts on Fire notification. Two new messages.
StephLuvsDogs: Hey Mark! Saw your profile and just wanted you to know I love hiking. I think we'd have a lot in common.
A snort bubbled out of me. Six months on and off this stupid app had quickly taught me that most women thought that hiking and living in the mountains equated to about the same thing. But once they saw Adventura, they skittered off.
Too isolated, one girl said. Are you like a hermit or something?
Nope. If I can't hear sirens, it's not for me, said another. Which still didn't make sense to me. Did they not read my profile where I was very clear about where I lived? What did sirens have to do with anything?
Or maybe it was me they avoided.
Another message waited below that one.
AbbyKessler65: Sorry for the late response, Mark. I got caught up with some work stuff. Hope you're doing great!
My fingers tightened around the phone. Clever girl. Yes, she hadn't responded to my follow-up message after our first date ten days ago, and now she expertly ghosted me here. Apology. Explanation. Well wishing. Now I had nothing to really say back, and if I did, which I wouldn't, she'd ignore it.
Classic move.
For the thousandth time, I considered ending my time with Hearts on Fire, but I'd already done that three times. Eventually, I wandered back. Because what else was there? Sitting alone in the mountains while I stewed over my money loss and desperate need to gain it back?
Besides, I was my mother's son, and couldn't dissuade my natural optimism about people in general.
There was always a bud of hope that the next woman would be someone I could talk to. Someone that didn't mind my crazy ideas. Wasn't intimidated by my energy. Dynamo, someone had once called me, and it hadn't been kind.
Someone to just be with.
A memory of JJ and Lizbeth snuggling on the couch, reading their separate books, rose in my mind. I sent it away. JJ deserved her. They were perfect for each other. And now I was insanely jealous that he was the first Bailey brother to cave. JJ, the one that didn't care about love and never talked about having a family. Of course he'd be the one to break because he was the one that didn't want it so bad.
With a shake of my head, I pitched my phone to the couch. I'd talk to Stephanie about her alleged love of hiking later. For now, I needed to lift. Heavy squats. Maybe some presses. Something to push against.
Stella Marie filtered through my mind, but I forced her back out. She wanted to be left alone, so I'd honor that.
Even if I was intrigued.
A quick tap came on my front door and I pulled it open. Stella stood there. Sweat rolled down her face and she breathed heavily.
"You good?" I asked.
She grinned. "Fine. Just went for a run. You look . . . less like a bear."
My fingers raked my beard. "Thanks."
"I need to go to the store. Is there somewhere I could store food? Like a . . . kitchen or something?"
My head tilted toward the combined kitchen and dining hall through the trees. "Big building down that trail. I don’t winterize the kitchen, so the power should be on. There's a massive fridge, so help yourself."
"Thanks." She turned to go but stopped. "Need anything at the store?"
"I'm good, thanks."
Stella hesitated, nodded, and disappeared around the side of the cabin. My mouth opened to call her back, but not knowing what to say, I shut the door. No, I had to leave Stella Marie alone. She was my accountant. Saw my tax returns. And she'd come here needing help. She'd asked for space, I'd honor that and act as if she wasn't here.
Meanwhile, I had someone else to swoon in town.
"Adventura is going great."
My lack of enthusiasm sparked a hint of amusement in Maverick's eyes. He sat across from me at the Diner, where a plate of rubbery eggs, butter-soaked toast, and watered-down ketchup awaited him. I used my fork to cut into a pile of pancakes as he grabbed a knife.
A waitress named Dagny set a cup of orange juice in front of me and I thanked her. Dagny had tucked us into the back of
