Page 36 of Wild Highway (Runaway 2)

The last roommate I’d had was Katherine. We’d stayed together in the tent, then here when we’d been in the staff quarters.

Whenever the two of us had been bored, we’d practiced our poker skills. Karson had taught us in the junkyard. We never had money to bet, but we’d play and practice with toothpicks.

“Do you still remember how to play poker?” I asked, setting down my suitcase in the middle of the cabin’s living room.

“Absolutely.” Katherine walked over to the kitchen, running a finger through the dust on the countertop. “About a year after you left, Cash was home for spring break or something and he came over to the staff quarters. Some of the guys were having a poker tournament. I asked if I could play too. They all teased me that they didn’t have time to teach a girl how to play.”

“Did you win?”

“Hell, yes, I won.” She laughed. “Every once in a while, Cash and I go into town to play at the bar. They have games on Friday and Saturday nights. You should come with us next time.”

“Maybe.” Though I hadn’t played in years. “So what’s t

he story with you and Cash?”

“No story.” She shook her head. “We’re roommates. Coworkers. Friends.”

Lies. She was in love with him. And Cash was oblivious.

But I wasn’t one to lecture on matters of men. I was staying in an old cabin that needed a deep clean because I’d let a man bait me into a foolish challenge two days ago.

Thankfully, Londyn didn’t care how long it took me to get to California. I’d called her after the family dinner and told her everything. Once she’d finished laughing her ass off, she’d told me I had no choice but to show Easton up.

So here I was, in a Montana cabin for the next three months.

“It’s a good thing we raided a cleaning cart.” Katherine opened the refrigerator and cringed at the smell, shutting it quickly. “No one would think less of you if you said screw this and left.”

“Easton would.”

“Does his opinion really matter?”

Yes. “No, but I like it here. So why not shut him up?”

“If you’re sure.”

I nodded. “I’m sure.”

The truth was, I’d contemplated leaving. After the dinner, I’d thought about getting in the Cadillac and abandoning this ridiculous notion. I’d considered it a lot in the past forty-eight hours. It was Sunday and if I left tomorrow morning, I’d be in sunny California before the end of the week.

But I wasn’t ready to go.

Besides the benefit of proving Easton wrong, I was enjoying my time here. Katherine and I were bonding. The Greer family was incredibly welcoming and my simple job at the front desk was refreshing.

Every time I heard Easton’s voice in the back of my mind, telling me I didn’t belong, I shut it up by finding something about this situation that appealed.

This cabin was one. It was two miles from the lodge, nestled in a clearing of evergreens. There wasn’t a sprawling mountain view or an on-call masseuse. But it was my own space, peaceful and secluded. I had room to think. To start deciding what I would do with my life once these three months were over and my trip to California was complete.

Because at the moment, I didn’t have a damn clue. I needed this time to reflect. To plan.

Besides, I could survive anything for three months.

And I’d lived in far, far worse places.

“What’s your plan for today?” Katherine asked.

“Clean.”

“Want some help?”