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I shouldn’t be curious. I shouldn’t want to know more about the cowboy who’d left me breathless last night. But I did.

Something about Tawnie’s knowing smile made me wonder if she knew Tripp—or if she’d guessed what I was fishing for. If I was going to be here for a while, there was no harm in trying to find him again. Right?

The sex in his truck had been good, but obviously, we were both limited. He’d been that much fun in close quarters. What could a whole room provide for us?

“Oh, yeah,” Tawnie chuckled as she pressed the button to call the elevator. “There aren’t many residents here. Hell, we’ve got one stoplight.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that. The contrast between Lucky Lake and the bustling chaos of the city was almost comical.

“I went to The Spur & Barrel last night,” I said as the elevator doors slid open and we stepped inside.

Her eyes lit up. “I love that place! I spent a lot of time there in my early twenties. I mean, I bartended there, so…” She shrugged, pressing a button at the top of the panel marked with a small star.

“What’s that button for?” I asked, curiosity piqued.

“Oh, Mr. Stone gave you the special suite for your stay. It’s reserved for our best clients.” She flashed another bright smile.

Thanks, Mr. Stone—whoever you are.

“You said you bartended there?” I steered the conversation back, my curiosity growing.

“Mmhmm,” she replied with a nod. “That was until Mr. Stone came in one night and offered me a job as his personal assistant.”

I tilted my head, unable to hide the way my brow shot up in surprise. One thing about me—I was terrible at concealing my emotions. My face always gave me away, my thoughts and feelings displayed like a neon sign. It wasn’t always an asset, but it was part of who I was.

Tawnie must’ve noticed because she laughed and turned to face me fully.

“Mr. Stone and I were talking one night, and I told him how I was struggling,” she explained. “Bartending at a dive bar in a town this small barely paid the bills. On top of that, I was taking care of my nana, and her medical expenses were piling up.”

Her voice softened, and she glanced at the elevator floor as if recalling the weight of those days. “He offered me the job on the spot, and I’ve been here ever since.” She exhaled, her smile returning but tinged with something wistful. “I’d been busting my ass for years, trying to find some kind of stability, but no matter what I did, I could never quite catch up. Picking up that extra shift that night turned out to be the biggest blessing of my life.”

Her honesty struck a chord. I could see the gratitude in her eyes, the lingering echoes of the struggle she’d worked so hard to overcome.

I nodded. That was really nice of him. Maybe there was a good reason he worked so hard to keep his identity under wraps. I shouldn’t judge.

“How long ago was that?” I asked.

“Five years,” Tawnie replied.

The elevator dinged softly, and the doors slid open. I followed her into the hallway, where the lights were dim and the floors were made of rich, polished hardwood that matched the paneled walls. The soft glow from the rustic fixtures mirrored the warm ambiance of the lobby.

“Mr. Stone grew up here too,” Tawnie added, stopping in front of a door marked with sleek black metal numbers: 456.

He grew up here? Starting his first resort in his hometown—it spoke volumes about nostalgia and loyalty. It also meant the stakes here were probably personal for him. If the stories of his kindness were anything to go by, maybe this job would be as easy as I hoped. So far, my interactions with the staff had been lovely. McKenna at the front desk had handled the mix-up with grace, and Tawnie was an absolute gem. I could only hope the rest were as kind and welcoming.

When Tawnie opened the door, my breath caught.

The suite was stunning, a perfect embodiment of Western luxury. Warm tones of orange and brown filled the space, complemented by thoughtful details that gave the room undeniable character. A plush cow-print chair sat near the living area, and soft hide rugs were layered over the polished floors. Everything felt meticulously curated yet effortlessly inviting.

“Whoa,” I huffed out a laugh, stepping farther inside. I spun in place slowly, soaking it all in.

“This is one of my favorite rooms,” Tawnie said with a dreamy sigh as she leaned against the door frame.

The suite was far more than a bedroom. It had a cozy living room, a fully equipped kitchen, and even a long, rustic wooden dining table that looked like it could host a dozen people.

Not to mention, the enormous four-poster king-size bed.

“This is…” I trailed off, searching for the right word. “Incredible.”