TAINTED

Chapter 9

IVY

The following week, I was a distracted mess. I checked in multiple guests and sent one of them to the wrong cabin twice. I knocked over a potted plant, smashing the terra cotta planter into a million tiny pieces. And every time I answered the phone, I kept forgetting to greet callers with the required 'Good morning/afternoon Whitefish Resort,' and instead answered sharply with a cold, hard hello.  Arlene got snippy with me for not following proper protocol. Living in close quarters with Rhys was proving to be a challenge. He was every which way I turned and usually shirtless. Keeping his secret from everyone at the resort was one thing, but still being expected to keep his secret from Blaine was starting to weigh heavily on my conscience.

I had no idea what Rhys's plans were or why he was here. For all I knew, a summer in Montana could turn into forever, and I would be forced to see him all the time – as Blaine's girlfriend. I shivered at the thought of sitting across the table from him at a Sunday family dinner. I had to remind myself that my mind and body were not allowed to be ruled by my old feelings for Rhys. I ended that problem a long time ago. I was an intelligent and capable woman who could control her urges over her boyfriend's hot older brother.

"Can I stop by the ranch later?" Missy asked as we walked out of the lobby into the warm evening air.

"I don't know if that's a good idea," I said.

She turned to face me. "You've been acting a little off lately. Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine." I lied, feeling like the world's worst friend. I wanted to tell Missy everything but knew it wasn't wise. I promised Rhys I'd keep his secret, just like he promised he'd keep mine.

She flicked her long brown ponytail from hanging over her shoulder. "Are you walking up to the Wyatt ranch alone?"

"It's not that far," I assured her, awkwardly stalking away toward the private road.

"I think you should get Charlie to drive you; it's. It's getting dark outside," Missy said.

"Thanks, but I'm fine. I'll call you later, okay?"

At eight o'clock, I found myself alone and igniting a small fire in the fireplace. I made tea and dug out a novel from my duffle bag. As usual, Rhys was nowhere to be found, so I sprawled on a leather chaise.

Thirty minutes later, I had finished one chapter, managed a quick FaceTime session with Blaine, and started feeling restless. Rhys's continued disappearance was starting to worry me. Seriously, where did he go every other night?

The doorbell rang, jumping me out of the chaise. Who was here? I crept across the floor and stepped into the entranceway. I pressed up onto my tippy toes and looked through the peephole on the front door. Shit!

Missy, Grayson and Charlie were huddled together on the front porch.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked, trying not to sound too nervous.

"You promised you'd call me, but you didn't. I was worried, so I thought we should come and check on you." Missy said with the utmost sincerity. I couldn't believe I forgot to call her. I was losing it.

"Sorry, Missy, I forgot," I said.

"Are you going to invite us in?" Grayson asked. "I brought my swim shorts for the hot tub." He waved a pair of red and blue striped shorts from behind his back.

Missy elbowed him in the stomach. "Grayson," she hissed through clenched teeth.

"Let me guess, you all came prepared?" I laughed.