Page 11 of Run Wild Omega

The Lodge looms ahead, a massive wooden structure sitting like a crown against the tree line. It belongs to my family now, just like the café down in town, but up here, it feels wilder.

I park around back, near the employee entrance, and let myself in. The kitchen is buzzing with activity. Mrs. Lacey is at the large industrial sink, her long silver braid swaying as she scrubs a giant pot. She’s the housekeeper here, a force of nature who keeps the Lodge from descending into chaos during tourist season.

“Morning, Tess,” she calls out over her shoulder without turning around. “You’re late.”

“Morning, Mrs. Lacey. I’m precisely on time.”

She snorts. “In my day, on time meant early. Coffee’s on.”

I head for the pot. It’s a ritual. I pour a mug, adding enough sugar to kill a horse and a splash of cream.

As I lift the mug to my lips, I hear a giggle from the hallway. A very specific kind of giggle. The kind that usually makes me want to gag.

I turn, mug in hand, and lean against the counter just as the swinging door from the main lobby bursts open. Mara stumbles backward into the kitchen, her lips swollen, her face flushed. She’s trying to smooth down her hair, but it’s a lost cause.

Leo follows her in, looking like the cat that ate the canary. His shirt is untucked, and there’s a visible hickey blooming on his neck.

I stare at them. They freeze.

“Really?” I take a long sip of my coffee. “Again? It’s been two years since the wedding, you two. You’re supposed to be in the ‘honeymoon phase is over’ stage by now.”

Leo grins, leaning an arm against the doorframe, completely unbothered. “Good morning to you too, sunshine. We’re just celebrating.”

“Celebrating what? Thursday?”

“The fact that I’m alive?” Leo winks. “And that your brother is out of town on a deposition, so the house is empty.”

I set the mug down a little harder than necessary. The ceramic clinks against the counter. “Isn’t he out of town because Jonathan is trying to sue you guys again?”

Mara groans, covering her face with her hands. “Please don’t remind me. I felt guilty enough before you said that.”

“Sorry,” I say, though I don’t really mean it. “It’s just… I’m mentally scarred. I’m going to need therapy. You’re paying for it.”

Leo pushes off the doorframe and walks over to steal a piece of bacon from the warming tray Mrs. Lacey just set out. “You love us. Admit it.”

“I tolerate you.” I finish my coffee and set the mug down in the sink. “I need to grab the manifest for the tour.”

“I printed one out for you,” Leo says, munching on the bacon. “I also contacted Search and Rescue. Wyatt’s already out at the trailhead, prepping the gear for the avalanche safety course.”

My stomach does a stupid little flip at the name. “Of course he is.”

“Everything okay, Tess?” Mrs. Lacey asks, her observant eyes missing nothing.

“Fine. Just want to get this group up and down before the storm hits.” I check my watch. “Okay, well, I need the manifest. Who are the poor suckers I’m dragging up the mountain today?”

Leo wipes his hands on a napkin and pulls a folded piece of paper from his back pocket. “Corporate retreat. Tech guys from Denver. They requested a ‘high-intensity team-building experience.’”

I groan, taking the paper. “Great. I get to babysit a bunch of bros who think climbing a mountain is going to fix their stock prices.”

“They paid extra for the ‘wilderness survival’ add-on,” Leo says, his eyes dancing. “So make sure you take them the hard way.”

I look at the list of names. Miller, Thompson, Gupta.

“I’ll make sure they regret every penny,” I mutter, but a smile tugs at the corner of my mouth.

This is my life now.

I look around the warm kitchen. I look at Mara, who is glowing and happy, even if she is currently mortified. I look at Leo, who has become one of my best friends and the best boss I could ask for.