Page 4 of Quarter Miles (Runaway 3)

“Yes, we’ll make sure he stays on menu,” Carol said as we reached the top of the wide, sweeping staircase that dropped to the lobby.

“And will you remind Annabeth that we have a guest in a wheelchair coming Thursday? It’s a little boy with cerebral palsy. They’re staying in the Eagle Ridge Chalet and I’d like to have her escort them personally to make sure the arrangement will work.”

“Anything else?” Carol side-eyed me.

“Um . . .” Yes. About a million things. “You know what? I’ll just email Annabeth from the road.”

“Katherine, will you relax?”

“I’m relaxed.” I forced a too-wide smile as we reached the lobby. The smell of fresh coffee, bacon, eggs and pancakes filled the air. A couple crossed the foyer, headed for the dining room. “Good morning.”

They both smiled and returned my greeting before disappearing to get breakfast.

“Shoot.” I slipped my arm free of Carol’s and rushed to the front desk, where the receptionist’s stool was empty. “I forgot to tell Chef Wong about a party coming next week. They requested a special prime rib dinner, which shouldn’t be a problem, but I don’t want him to forget.”

“Which reservation?” Carol asked, appearing at my side.

“Boyd. They’ll be in the Grizzly Chalet.”

“Okay.” She waved me off and grabbed a pen to scribble on a sticky note. “I’ll take care of it.”

“I can just buzz into the kitchen—”

“Katherine Gates.” She pinned me with a stare normally reserved for her grandsons, son or husband. “I will see you in two weeks.”

“Fine,” I muttered. “I’m going. I’ll call and check—”

“You will do no such thing.” She planted her hands on her hips. “Don’t call.”

“But—”

“Kat, take this vacation. It’s for your own good.”

I fought a cringe, despising those words.

Carol’s voice gentled and the pleading in her eyes made me hold my breath. “Let’s not pretend I don’t know the reason why you decided to take this whirlwind trip. Cash showed up at family dinner with a woman and . . . I get it. I think it’s a brilliant idea for you to get away.”

I had too much stubborn pride to confess that I was in love with my best friend. But I’d been a fool to think Carol hadn’t noticed my feelings for her grandson. I’d loved Cash for years. Did all of the Greers know? Did they share pitiful glances behind my back?

Our poor Kat, stuck in the friend zone for life.

I swallowed a groan.

“Go.” She put her hand on my arm. “When I told you to take some time, I meant it. You need to get away from here and decide if this is really the life you want.”

“What are you saying?” Why wouldn’t I want this life?

“We love you. You are a part of our family, whether you live and work here or not. But you need to get away from here. Breathe. Think. Let him go.”

Ouch. Hadn’t I thought the exact same thing myself? So why did it hurt so much to hear from someone else?

“I don’t want you spending your life waiting,” she said.

The lump in my throat made it impossible to speak, so I nodded and stretched a tight smile across my face.

“Go.” She kissed my cheek. “Think it over. I would hate to lose you, but I would hate for you to stay here and be unhappy even more.”

I walked away from the desk, my head spinning. Why did it feel like I’d just been kicked out? Why did it feel like I’d just been given an ultimatum?