Page 7 of One Kind Goal

Chapter Two

The owner of Pine River Cottages Mountain Resort, Isabel, let out a shriek when she saw Morgan.

“It’s so good to see you!” She gave Morgan a tight hug, making Morgan feel as if she’d known the woman a lot longer than she had.

Morgan hugged Isabel back then checked the time on her phone. “Even at this ungodly hour?”

“At any hour.” Isabel hopped behind the front desk. “I was so excited to get your call about coming here.” She flicked her gaze to Sawyer. “It’s lovely to have you back as well.”

“Thanks,” Sawyer said. “And thanks for being so accommodating to our impromptu Vermont trip.”

“Impromptu Vermont trips are the best!” Isabel beamed a bright smile at them both.

“How are you so awake and bright-eyed this early in the morning?” Morgan took out her credit card—the one Austin paid for.

For now. Morgan was going to work to change that. But first she was going to get a healthy dose of Sawyer Lundin into her system. She could barely keep her hands off him. In blue jeans, black work boots, a charcoal-grey thermal T-shirt, and a black, fleece-lined cargo jacket, he was definitely something she wanted to sample.

Maybe not sample. More like devour completely.

“I’m always excited to have people check in to the resort.” Isabel tapped away at her laptop. “Our expansion is technically done, but I have some other ideas I want to explore. The more guests we have, the more those other ideas become realities.”

Morgan admired the woman’s passion for running this newly-renovated property that had grown from a collection of cottages to a bona fide resort with many amenities. She hoped to find something to do with her life that sparked a similar fire.

“Plus,” Isabel continued, “it’s you guys! Your previous stay here makes you part of the Pine River Cottages Mountain Resort family.” Another megawatt smile lit up the main desk area.

“That’s certainly something that’s missing from other places,” Sawyer said. “I stay at a lot of hotels, but none have been like this place.”

“Hence your desire for an impromptu trip back.” Isabel looked up at them both. “Or maybe it’s about the company? I’m assuming we’re booking one cottage today, yes?”

Sawyer reached over Morgan’s shoulder, slid her credit card back toward her, and placed his own on the desk. “Definitely one and it’s on me.”

“You don’t have to do that.” Morgan turned to see him better. “I can pay, or at least pay my half.”

Sawyer shook his head. “You can pay next time.”

Next time? Those two words sent a blast of heat through Morgan. The way Sawyer’s hazel eyes stared back at her also did some microwaving of her insides. Was this hookup more than a hookup? Did she dare to hope so?

“Okay.” She put her credit card away.

Isabel finished checking them in while Sawyer and Morgan petted her dog, Blaze, who had wandered out from a back office. The big Australian Kelpie kept trying to herd Morgan and Sawyer closer together, and Morgan didn’t mind that at all.

With a promise to chat with Isabel later, Morgan led Sawyer to their designated cabin.

“Good thing this path is cleared well,” Morgan said. “These shoes are not February-in-Vermont approved.” Neither was her tiny jacket. Or her mostly exposed legs.

“I would have carried you to the cottage if it wasn’t cleared,” Sawyer said. “And I definitely promise to keep you warm.”

She almost told him that he kept her warm by merely being around, but why give him an excuse not to try once they got to their cottage?

Sawyer unlocked the door. “Ladies first.” He bowed slightly as he arced his arm toward the door.

Morgan stepped inside then let out a squeak when Sawyer hooked his arm around her waist. He kicked the door closed with his foot then pressed her against the wall by the door. His face was mere inches from hers and every single one of her senses became filled with super-hot hockey player.

“I almost didn’t go on that New York trip with Teddy,” he whispered as he traced his finger along Morgan’s jaw.

“What was the reason for your trip?” Morgan ran her tongue along her bottom lip.

Sawyer’s gaze followed the movement of her tongue, his pupils so large hardly any hazel was visible anymore. “Teddy had some techy nerd conference to go to and asked me to come because I apparently needed to ‘blow off some steam.’”