Conveniently, there’s a plush lobby chair right in front of me. I take a seat, lean back and text Rhonda.
She doesn’t answer.
I try calling. It’s a little after seven, the sun is beginning to set, and I can see through the giant windows that the lights on the slopes have already come on. Rhonda can’t still be in bed, so I would think she could pick up.
After several rings, the call goes to voicemail. Where could she be?
I text her again.
Maddie:Where are you? I’m starting to worry. Please tell me you’re okay.
Knowing her, she may be handcuffed to a bed. There may even be a whip involved, but if there’s a red ball gag, I don’t want to know.
But in all seriousness, she better tell me she’s okay or I’m initiating a rescue mission. We don’t know anything about Ash. What if he’s dangerous?
I check my phone again and I can’t believe how late it is. I went to lunch with Riggs at one. I had half a sandwich while he kept ordering things. The amount of calories the man can eat is astonishing. I nibbled on a few things, but not much so that’s probably why I’m hungry all of a sudden. I wonder if I’ll be eating alone tonight. Part of me wishes I could have dinner with Riggs. I can’t believe we talked for six hours! It seemed like maybe an hour at the most. I think I was enjoying myself so much, time was just flying by. The man certainly was enjoyable. Easy to look at too. What a combination.
Determined to find Rhonda, I wander aimlessly looking for her. It seems like my only option until I spot a girl, around sixteen, with "Assistant Ski Instructor" emblazoned in bold white letters on her red jacket. Cool job. Wish I could have done something like that at her age.
I figure she might remember seeing Ash and Rhonda on the slopes if that’s where they are.
“Excuse me, I’m trying to find my friend. She might be with a guy, about six-two, not bad looking, he’s—”
“You mean Ash? He’s in the hot tub with Rhonda.”
I raise a brow in surprise. “How did you know that’s who I’m looking for?”
A slight blush paints her cheeks. “Everyone’s talking about him.”
I should have guessed as much. “Ah, he is kind of memorable, isn’t he?”
She gives a bashful nod with a cute smile. I can tell she’s a little embarrassed, which is understandable. Now that I know Rhonda is accounted for, I decide to inquire about lessons in case I want to give skiing a try, but her phone dings before I can ask. She looks at the screen and begins typing like I’m not even here. Guess this conversation is over. Oh well.
I find Ash and Rhonda in one of the lodge’s seven hot tubs. They must have come here after I checked this location. She’s wearing her bikini and looks happy. Hmm, maybe too happy.
Ash, chest-deep in the steamy water, has his arm around her as she’s nestled up to him, and there are two glasses of wine sitting on the wood deck beside them. As a couple, they’re a sight to see, but what really surprises me is to find the three boys sitting in the tub with them. What the hell?
Randy and Glen look like malnourished, pasty-white corpses compared to Ash’s tanned physique. Damon has a little muscle, but he can’t begin to compete with Ash’s broad shoulders.
And why hasn’t my girl been answering her phone? I don’t see it anywhere. I narrow my eyes at Mr. Beefcake. “It’s Ash, right?”
He looks up at me with that incredible smile. “It sure is. Have you been hanging out with my brother?” Before I can answer, he continues with, "Let me guess, instead of enjoying the pleasures of this luxurious establishment, he’s out there with another list of chores from my sister. Guess it’s for the best because that fine ass is way too good for his ugly ass. Trust me, you’re better off with one of my friends here. Letme introduce you. This perfect specimen of a man is Randy—”
“I know who they are,” I say cutting him off. My fine ass? Seriously? The nerve of this guy! “We came here together,” I point out. Shouldn’t he know that?
Rhonda smiles lazily up at me, not bothered in the least by what her new boy-toy just said. I’ll get to her in a minute. For now, I turn my full attention to him. “I get the whole wingman thing, good for you, but your brother sent me to find you.”
He sits up a little straighter. “He did?”
I bite down and try to display the most serious look I can muster. “Yeah, your sister Elsie showed up. She’s out at the camp that Riggs built all by himself. She’s there with some people from National Discovery. I think they’re executives or something. Anyway, they got there a couple of hours ago and your sister seems pretty upset. She was yelling something about murdering you for not being there.” I notice he doesn’t have a phone anywhere near him, so I add, “Oh, and she said you haven’t been answering your phone. I have to say, she seemed beyond pissed about that.”
“Shit!” Ash flies to his feet with what I can only describe as pure fear in his terrified face. What is it about their sister? Whatever it is, he quickly turns to Rhonda with, “Sorry darlin’ but duty calls. I’ll be back later, I promise.”
I almost ruin it by laughing, but I manage to hold it in… barely. Suddenly he’s all mopey, like a little boy who just had his favorite toy taken away. It’s both hilarious and adorable.
But there’s something else. As soon as he stands up, what he’s wearing comes into view. What the hell is that? I shouldn’t gawk so openly, but I can’t help it. I’m too stunnedto look away.
“I’ll return your swimsuit later,” he says to Randy.
