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“We can go this afternoon if you want to. Zayne can drive us there from the airport.”
“I would really like that. And, baby? We need to have dinner with your mom. She needs us. So much has happened, and she’s still trying to pick up the pieces like we are.”
He smoothed my hair and kissed my forehead. “Already ahead of you. We’re all going to her place tonight. She has something to tell us.”
I froze, fear twisting my stomach into knots.
“Hey, babe. It’s okay. She promised it was good news.”
I released the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Okay, I can deal with some good news.”
***
Holden and I showered and changed before we’d checked out of the hotel. Holden had mentioned it was cooler on the water, so we’d opted for jeans instead of shorts. He grabbed a jacket in case we were there after dark.
The flight to Spokane was quick and easy. Zayne drove Holden and me to the property while Vaughn took Reid and Jace home.
I stared out the window, remaining quiet and deep in thought on the way there. I hadn’t seen these parts of Spokane and Idaho. It wasn’t much different except that it wasn’t in the city.
It was good to have Zayne around again. I’d missed him when he had been on hall duty. It was sweet that Brynn had hugged him and Vaughn goodbye before she left. If she survived the cancer, I wondered if she would invite Zayne to play. She’d wanted to since the first evening she’d met him. I couldn’t blame her. He was hot as hell.
The sun had begun its descent as Zayne drove the Mercedes onto an open field. The golden rays bounced off the smooth, glass-like water, and I immediately fell in love. Before the car had fully stopped, I opened the door and hopped out.
“Hey, don’t do that, River,” Zayne barked, clearly irritated with me.
I laughed and took off running, leaving both the guys behind. The clean, fresh water tickled my nose, and I sucked in a deep breath. The oak, aspen, and maple trees had grown their summer leaves, painting a brilliant splash of green against the crystal-clear blue sky. It was heaven, and I wanted to stay forever.
Twigs snapped and rocks crunched beneath footfalls, alerting me someone was drawing near. I glanced over my shoulder.
“I wasn’t expecting that reaction.” Holden chuckled as he approached and wrapped his arms around me, pulling my back against his chest. “It’s stunning, isn’t it?”
“It’s so peaceful. Was it like this when you saw it?” I peeked up at him, the sun accentuating his long, dark eyelashes.
“Yeah. There are neighbors, but a lot of trees in between. We can plant more if you would like to. If you want the property, then let’s talk about starting our future here.” He kissed the top of my head.
“What does that look like to you? Honestly? What do you really want?” I closed my eyes for a moment and concentrated on his deep voice as he shared his heart with me.
“A log house, a boat, to rebuild the club, but in town where Chance would manage it, and we’d stay there only a few nights a week. Summer parties and barbecues, then a sitter when we wanted to travel.”
“It sounds wonderful. Maybe I could go back to school once we settle in. I want to help with the club like before … I mean, if the offer is still open. And what about New York?” I shivered as the cool air blew off the lake, causing soft ripples across the top of the water.
“It’s not the right time. I want to stay close to Brynn until we know what’s happening. Plus, I don’t want to throw you into the nightlife environment right away. It will take a while to find the perfect location, rebuild 4 Play, and build a place to live. We have plenty to do to keep us busy: planning, working with the architect, making decisions. And no, you can’t have your old job back.”
I whirled around, frowning. “Why? I loved working with you, Holden.”
He kissed the tip of my nose. “You’re so cute when you’re irritated.”
I smacked him lightly on the chest. “Be nice.”
He tilted my chin up and tenderly brushed his lips against mine. “I want you and Chance to be my business partners, babe.”
My mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. Scrambling for something to say, I shook my head in shock. “Partner? Holden, that’s huge. I understand Chance because you two have grown up together. You trust each other implicitly. If anything ever happened between us, though, it would be a hell of a legal battle. Or you would be stuck with me in one way or the other until you were old, bald, and using a cane.”
Holden chuckled, then grew serious again. “I know it’s a big deal. While you were gone, I talked it over with everyone, then contacted my attorney. If we split up, which we won’t, you could sell me your third of the club.”
“Mm, that’s not fair. Aren’t you buying a part for me now anyway?”
Holden grinned. “No. You are. It’s going to be yours fair and square. You’ve been preapproved for a loan if this is what you want to do. I knew you’d have objections and want your share to be yours and not given to you. We’ll each have a salary so you can easily afford to pay the loan off early if you want.”
