Page 3 of Never and Always
His lips quirked. “Good luck with that.”
We both stepped into the hotel lobby.
Okay, even a dyed-in-the-wool city girl like me had to admit that the lobby of the Langston Windward was amazing. The high ceiling and wooden beams gave a sense of space. The large, triangular bank of windows brought the killer mountain view inside. Add the polished wooden floor and the long, stonereception desk, and the place was an appealing blend of elegance with a rustic, mountain edge.
Sunlight glittered on a sprinkling of snow on the mountain. Now, my nose did wrinkle. I’d grown up in Chicago. For me, snow meant icy, dirty slush, and cold, gray winter months. I liked looking at snow through a window, but that was as close as I wanted to get. I liked nature. From afar.
Preferably in a nice, glossy photography book on my coffee table.
“Catch you later.” Caden strode directly to the security office behind the concierge desk.
The lobby was filled with bustling activity. It was check-in time—one of my favorite times in a hotel. Excited, eager guests anticipating a fun, relaxing stay. Or tired, travel-worn visitors ready for our hot showers and plush beds.
I strode across the space, my heels clicking on the wooden floor. I needed to check this painting job, then get back to my office. I had a video call soon with Paris.
My cellphone vibrated again and I glanced at it.
I saw a text message from my mom.
Hi, doll. I hope you’re finding some time to enjoy that cute mountain town you’re living in.
I rolled my eyes and tapped.
Mom, I’m working.
Then another text pinged. It was my grandmother.
You work too hard.
I rolled my eyes again, but I also smiled. The pair of them had raised me. Two strong, magnificent women. They’d always been my role models, and now I worked hard to make sure they lived easy. I tapped back.
My work pays for those yoga spa retreats you love, Gram.
Ha. I only go on those to spend time with you.
My smile widened. Every year, I booked us our annual trip. The three of us went somewhere fun, did yoga, ate well, and visited the spa. It was our time together and it had become so much more important to me. Gram had suffered heart problems last year and been hospitalized. My stomach clenched to a hard point. We’d almost lost her.
I’ll FaceTime you tonight. I have work to do.
Any chance you’ve met a nice young man out there?
One of my grandmother’s favorite questions.
I work for one.
But he’s taken. I mean one for you.
I don’t need a man, Gram.
I knew my grandmother would be grumbling over that. She kept telling me that she wanted me settled, with a partner. What she really wanted was great-grandbabies.
They were definitely nowhere in my life plan right now. Not until I’d grown my investments enough to know Mom and Gram were covered, and any child I brought into the world wouldn’t ever worry about there being enough money to pay the electricity bill or for new shoes for school.
Then I got a final text from my mom.
Have you heard from Chance?
My stomach curdled. As it always did at the mention of my younger brother.
