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Chapter One
Lainey
“The fantasy is some big, rough, inked up guy in an old truck.” I squeeze my eyes closed as Aspen sews up the finger I sliced open this morning with an ancient can opener. “You know, the kind of guy that gets all obsessed and can’t get enough of you. I need that.”
The nurse laughs and twists back to her tray filled with bandages and alcohol. “You’ll find big, rough, and inked up here for sure. And trucks… they’ve got ‘em by the dozens, but these guys are obsessed withthemselves.Well, maybe their trucks too.”
“Isn’t that the point? They’re obsessed with something else until they meetyou. Then you become their obsession.”
She laughs. “You’ve been reading too much. Trust me, you don’t want a man who’s obsessed with you. That’s not healthy. I’m picturingFatal Attraction.” She pours rubbing alcohol over a ball of cotton, swipes it onto my finger, then wraps it with gauze. “Keep this clean and away from water for the next ten days. I’m going to give you some antibiotics, too. Don’t skip a dose.”
“Got it.” I hop off the table and pinch my lips together, my mind still on the fantasy man I’m dreaming about. “He has to be out there somewhere, right? Not just in books or movies, but in real life.”
Aspen shrugs and turns away, tossing her gloves into the trash. If I were guessing, I’d say she’s nearly forty. Her face has that golden ratio thing people talk about where there’s perfect symmetry. Her hair is long and blonde, and there’s a freckle on her left cheek just below her lip. I glance down at her hand. No wedding ring. Maybe this is a sore topic. I really should learn more social awareness skills. “I’ve lived in the mountains my whole life. Alaska, and now Rugged Mountain.” She wiggles her ring finger toward me. “Mountain men are a pain in the ass. Trust me on this one. I think there’s something in women that’s meant to find all these big, hairy, redneck men attractive. I mean, who wouldn’t want a man that can build you a house with his bare hands?” She smiles. “And have you seen these men take care of animals? God. My ovaries hurt just thinking about it. But,” she hitches her hip, “they disappoint you. Most of these guys are unemotional, self-pro-claimed ‘good ol’ boys,’who don’t give a lick about anyone but themselves.”
“I feel like there’s a story here I’m missing out on.”
She laughs and leans against the back counter. “You’re young. Don’t let me jade your fun. I’m sure the fantasy man you’re looking for is out there somewhere.”
“Or he’s not and you could clarify it all right here and now.”
Aspen drags in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “Let’s just say I haven’t had the best of luck. That doesn’t mean you won’t.”
“What happened?” I’m sure I’m pressing too deep, but I’ve always been a little nosey.
“A divorce, and then a new guy. Both of them were big, rugged, confident men. Both of them disappointed me in different ways.” She shrugs. “That’s life. Doesn’t mean all guys are bad, just the ones I know.”
“So… I need more.”
She laughs. “It’s a boring story.”
“I bet it’s not boring. I have time.”
“Why are you here, anyway? People are talking like you’re running from something.”
I stare down at the floor and then back at Aspen. “Do you know who Martin Zeller is?”
Her brows wrinkle. “The guy that owns that really tall building in the Springs?”
“Yeah. That’s my father. He’s a real estate guy. Also… he’s a narcissist who’s desperate to control everything I do. Apparently, I’m a direct reflection on him, so I need to act like it.”
“So, you’re running from him?”
“He wants to marry me off to this guy whose father owns this large market chain. You’d think this was some medieval marriage to combine our tribes. And honestly, Ishouldlike him. He’s my age, he’s handsome, and he comes from money. But… he’s just like my father. He’s not looking for love. He’s looking for a pony to show, you know?”
Aspen sighs. “So, it’s your plan to run forever?”
“Oh, I plan to. I mean, he said if I didn’t marry this guy, he’ll make my life and everyone I love’s life a living hell. So, there’s no choice but to run. The good thing is I’m not alone. We’re all running from something, right? At least, it seems that way.”
She considers my words, her hand on mine before she speaks. “You’re not wrong about that. Sometimes, though, I think maybe we run from ourselves. Do you think talking it out with your father would end all this?”
I laugh. “No. He’s not the‘talk it out’kind of guy. Hopefully, I can find a nice little spot in the mountains and disappear. That’s the best shot I have. But what about you? You keep dodging my questions.”
“Not dodging them.” She brushes back a strand of blonde hair from her vision. “I just don’t know how to answer.”
I stare toward Aspen, wondering what secrets she’s holding onto. Whatever they are, I’ll bet they’re juicy.
As I think over another way to ask her a question about her past, the front doorbell rings and a man steps inside. Well, actually he might not be a man. He’s a giant. A massive goliath, who ducks when he steps inside a normal door frame.
