Page 18 of Take My Kiss
“There’s a balcony behind that door—” I point toward the opposite side of the bathroom. “But it’s locked for safety reasons. I’ll show you where the key is in case you wanna sit out there.”
“I bet the view’s beautiful in the mornings.”
“It is, but it’s mostly trees. Still nice, though.”
She sets her bags on the bed and looks around the open space.
“I made some room in the closet if you need to hang up anythin’.”
She furrows her brows, then nods once. “Okay, thanks.”
“There’s a sunroom-esque space on the other side that I use as an office. So I’ll sleep in there since the futon is pretty comfy, and that way, y’all can utilize the rest of the house when I’m workin’.”
“Whaddya mean?” she asks, catching up to me as I walk toward the white French doors. “You have an office here? Why would you sleep in it?”
I face her, even more confused than before. “’Cause I’m givin’ you my bed and the kids’ my spare room. I promise not to invade y’all’s privacy or anythin’.”
“We don’t need a full-time bodyguard. You can work and sleep at your own house.”
I cross my arms and tilt my head. “Thisismy house.”
Her face contorts, one eyebrow higher than the other. “No, this is one of the resort’s leisure treehouses. That’s what Wilder told me.”
“It was before I bought and renovated it a few years ago.”
“You livehere?”
“Yes.”
“In atreehouse?” she asks skeptically.
I sigh. “Yes.”
It’s far from an actual treehouse that parents build for their kids in backyards. It’s cozy and modern, with lots of character, like a regular house or cabin. It just so happens to be lifted on a mountain surrounded by trees.
“Everythin’ goin’ okay?” Wilder and Delilah appear at the worst time. Or best, depending on how much they overheard.
“You didn’t tell me Colton lived here.”
Oh, how interesting that my name rolls off her tongue without any memory issues now.
Wilder shrugs. “I told you my cousin said he had room for three at the resort.”
“I thought you meant in our own cabin. But I guess it makes more sense since they’re probably booked out for months.”
Even if we weren’t, I’d want her in my house with me anyway.
“The whole point of bringin’ you here is to keep y’all safe, Amelia. Colt will make sure nothin’ happens to y’all, and Maddox and I will handle everythin’ back home,” he explains, glancing between us with curious eyes.
I smirk at the mention of our second cousin. I’m sure that was a fun conversation.
The Jamisons live smack dab between Sugarland Creek and Willow Branch Mountain, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen or talked to them. It’ll be nice to catch up once this is over.
“Is Colt being here with you gonna be a problem?” Delilah asks her.
“Um…” She licks her lips before shaking her head. “Of course not. I didn’t realize and now feel bad for invadin’ his personal space.”
“Won’t bother me,” I promise. “I do most of my admin work in the mornings at my desk, then usually spend the afternoon at the Branch Haven or driving ’round the resort. I’m back by dinnertime, so you’ll have a few hours to yourself unless it’s a shorter day.”
