Page 43 of Quarter Miles (Runaway 3)

The woman’s fingers flew as she checked us in. The smile on her face never faltered, even when Cash grumbled at the price.

I leaned close to whisper. “You do realize how much we charge, don’t you?”

“Garden view,” he whispered back.

Staying at the Greer lodge cost thousands of dollars per night. For the chalets, we charged a premium. It was the reason we catered to the wealthy and famous. With our on-site amenities, excursions and gourmet food from Chef Wong, we offered an experience you couldn’t find anywhere else.

Paying four hundred dollars for a garden view room was nothing. Besides, it wasn’t like Cash was hurting for money.

With our key cards in hand, I picked up my suitcase from where Cash had rested it on the floor. I turned away from the desk only to remember why I was here and whirled back around to the clerk. “Could I trouble you for one more thing? I’m looking for Aria Saint-James. We’re old friends.”

“Would you like me to page her? I can have her call your room.”

Gemma’s private investigator had done his job well. “That would be great. Thanks.”

When I turned away again, expecting to see Cash behind me, he was gone. I scanned the area and spotted him just before he stepped out onto the deck so I hurried to catch up.

The moment I stepped outside onto gray-stained boards, the smell of the sea encircled me. The scent of a fresh Montana spring morning was hard to beat, with its green grass and cold mountain mix. But this was invigorating. The breeze rushed past my face, cooling my skin. The gulls crowed above our heads.

I joined Cash at the deck’s railing and soaked in the view. The ocean stretched before us and in that moment, I didn’t mind feeling small.

Waves rushed to the sand, breaking and fizzling as they faded away. The shores were full of people walking in bare feet, the water erasing their footprints as it rushed to the beach.

I shielded my eyes from the sun and scoped out the deck. They’d filled the space with Adirondack chairs, chaise lounges and white benches. Between the seats were pots of blooming flowers and spilling foliage.

Someone here had a green thumb. I suspected who and had a feeling the garden view wouldn’t be so bad.

The ocean’s calming rush soothed away the tension from the trip. Now that Cash and I weren’t cramped together in the Cadillac, it was easier to breathe. I dropped my suitcase at my feet to lean my forearms on the railing.

Cash stood with his hands shoved in his jeans pockets. He stared at the water, his eyebrows two dark slashes above narrowed eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

He sniffed the air. “It stinks like fish.”

I laughed. “For a man who spends most of his days around cow pies and horse apples, I didn’t realize you were so sensitive to smell.”

He shot me a scowl, then glanced over his shoulder to take in the hotel’s backside. His chin tipped up as he scrutinized the four floors and their balconies above. “I bet the standard room is half the size of ours at the lodge.”

“Probably.” We lived in Big Sky Country and the resort’s standard rooms were the most spacious I’d ever seen.

“Four hundred bucks.” He scoffed. “What a rip-off.”

“You didn’t have so many complaints about the last two hotels.”

Not that he would. It was no contest. His problem with The Gallaway was that this place could offer some competition and he was in a shit mood.

Cash was normally a cheerful man who wore a smile often and laughed in earnest. But he was a Greer and not only were they stubborn, they had a grouchy streak that ran deep.

“Should we go somewhere else?” I asked.

“No.” He bent to pick up my suitcase. “Let’s go see our garden view.”

I shook my head, blowing out a long breath. If he wanted to sulk, I’d leave him in our room and go explore the ocean alone.

As we reentered the lobby, I noticed more of the classic details. They’d put mirrors on the walls instead of art, making the space seem larger. Every other glass door was monogramed with the same G as the entrance.

Cash led the way and before disappearing into the alcove with the elevators, I took one last glance at the lobby. A door behind the receptionist desk opened and a man in a charcoal suit emerged.