Rocky Mountain Nights (Roberts of Silver Springs #6)

  Rocky Mountain Nights

  Book Six in Silver Springs

  By Kirsten Osbourne

  Cover Art by Erin Dameron-Hill

  Copyright 2017 Kirsten Osbourne

  Kindle Edition, License Notes

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  Bekah Roberts had everything going for her. She was part-owner of a B&B with her cousin. Her social life was active and fun. As the pretty princess of the Roberts clan, she knew she had it all. But watching her cousin, Bri, with her new husband made her heart yearn for more. Everyone saw her as the girl who had no limits, but she knew better.

  Hunter Sloane, a best-selling murder mystery writer, needed to finish his book. He was stuck looking at the same four walls every day and he needed a change if there was any way to make his deadline. When he arrived at the small B&B in Silver Springs, Colorado, he had chosen for his writing spot, one of the first people he met was beautiful Bekah Roberts. She distracted him from the first moment. Would he be able to keep focused and get his book written? Or would he spend more time writing the story of his life?

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  Chapter One

  Hunter Sloane turned into a parking lot, following the instructions of his car’s GPS. The sign hanging above the front door read, “B&B’s B&B.” Who on earth would name a B&B that? He shrugged and got out of his car, snagging his suitcase and hanging his laptop bag on top of it.

  When he got inside, he heard a chime, and stood there for a moment looking around. The house was charming and had obviously been renovated recently. He was in an entryway, and it was only a moment before a woman came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on an apron. “You must be Hunter Sloane. I’m Bri Black.”

  He nodded to her. “How did you know I’m Hunter Sloane?” He had a few books out, and they’d all hit the NYT Bestseller’s List, but his face wasn’t really noticed wherever he went. Thankfully few authors were recognized by strangers. No one really studied an author’s picture on the dust jackets of books.

  “You’re the only person we’re expecting today. The other rooms are guests that are staying over still.”

  “I see.”

  “You paid over the phone with your credit card, so let me just show you to your room. You requested to be as far away from the noise of the B&B as possible, so we put you on the second floor, last door on the right.” She pulled a key from her pocket. “Room’s all ready for you. Do you want me to take your things up? Or would you prefer to find it on your own?”

  Hunter smiled. “You read people well, don’t you Miss Black?”

  She held up a hand with a wedding ring. “Mrs. Black, but please, call me Bri. We’re not formal around here.”

  “I’ll find my own way up. I haven’t had lunch yet. Is there a place nearby?”

  “Lots of places if you want to go further into town. I could make you a box lunch, or you could go to the hotel, which is straight across the parking lot. They have a restaurant there. We only serve breakfast here, but for a little extra we’ll do box lunches, although usually those are just for the adventurers.”

  “Adventurers?”

  “Our town is known for its outdoor adventures. We have skiers, hikers, snowmobilers, four-wheelers…just about any outdoor mountain sport can be done here. If you’re into extreme sports, my cousin has a business taking people rock-climbing and doing whatever other adventures you find yourself needing.” She walked to a table and picked up a piece of paper from a stack. “Here’s their flier. Rocky Mountain Adventures is the name of the business.”

  “I’m really just here to lock myself away and finish the book I’m working on. I was having trouble focusing in Denver, and I was looking for places I could drive to that would be quieter.” Hunter shrugged. “Hopefully I won’t leave the room much, except for meals.”

  “Well, don’t totally lock yourself away. You might enjoy writing in our gazebo. You can enjoy the mountain air, and there’s even a place to plug your laptop in.” Bri shook her head with a smile. “Let me know if you decide to take me up on one of the boxed lunches. I’ll let you get to your room and settle in. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything at all.”

  Hunter watched her go before heading toward the stairs. He thought he’d probably take her up on the boxed lunch, at least for today. The reviews he’d seen on this place were all talking about the incredible breakfasts provided, and even said the boxed lunches were fabulous. Maybe when he got sick of the four walls of his room he’d head out to the gazebo and work there. The idea of spending time in the mountain air was nice. There was mountain air in Denver too of course, but it was smoggy. He wanted fresh.

  He was a bit startled when he first walked into his room. Someone had painted the room the ugliest shade of green he’d ever seen. It only took him a moment to understand, though. Everything in the room was themed for the musical Wicked. It was a favorite of his, so he couldn’t complain that the walls were the exact color of Elphaba’s skin.

  He had booked the room for three weeks, and he planned to completely finish his book in that length of time. He was already three quarters of the way through, and any writer worth his salt should be able to write thirty-thousand words in three weeks if he really buckled down.

  Hunter unpacked his suitcase and put his clothes away. The B&B even had laundry services for a small fee, so he would have them deal with everything. All he’d have to do was write. How hard could it be?

  Once he had everything set up exactly like he wanted it, he wandered downstairs to the kitchen. “I think I want to take you up on that boxed lunch.” Bri nodded at him, handing him a menu of sorts. It was really just a list of sandwiches, chips, and baked goods she would put into his lunch. “I’ll do chicken salad, Doritos, and a cream cheese brownie. And a bottle of water to drink.”

  “No problem. I’ll have it ready in an hour. Would you like to come down for it, or should I bring it up to you?”

  “I’ll come back. I want to go see the gazebo you mentioned. I love the idea of working outside if it’s a convenient place.” He walked toward the door. “Will you put the lunch on my bill?”

  “Yes, we’ll start an account with incidentals. We also have toothpaste and razors if you realize you forgot to bring something.”

  Bri was already living up to the reviews he’d read. “Which way is the gazebo?”

  “Just go out the door you came in and walk around the house to the right. If you look straight ahead from there, you’ll see it. There’s a little pond beside it.”

  To his surprise, she didn’t end the directions the way most people did. He hated when people said, “You can’t miss it,” because it almost always ensured he would.

  “Thanks again. I’ll be back.” His phone was in his pocket, but he was determined not to use it while he was here. The whole purpose behind coming was to be ‘unplugged’ so he could get some work done.

  He walked around the house and saw the gazebo in front of him. It was perched just on the edge of a hill, and it was beautiful. Was that a swing? He hurried toward it, stopping as he reached out and touched the swing that was hanging from a couple of chains which were attached to the roof of the structure. He sa
t down and made it swing with his foot, a smile touching his lips.

  A little in front of him were some chairs and a table. He knew they were meant for picnics, but he could visualize himself sitting there, writing his heart out. It was the first place he’d been able to see himself writing in weeks, which was why this book wasn’t done. He’d never experienced writers’ block before, but it was alive and well in him now. He would have to do something, or he would lose his mind…and his contract with his publisher.

  He’d only been sitting there for a few minutes, seemingly staring off into space, but his mind was working. It was piecing together the next scene…and the one after that. Finally, the voices in his head were talking to him again. He pulled out his phone, not to talk to anyone, but instead he tapped the app for his dictation software and got down to business.

  He preferred to have his hands on the keyboard when he wrote, but desperate times and all that. If his mind cared about the book, he’d get it into words. He wasn’t waiting another minute.

  *****

  Bekah Roberts walked toward the pond—where she’d been told there was a dead fish floating—by one of the guests. As the official landscaper and grounds woman for B&B’s B&B, it was her job to deal with it. She wore a pair of old jeans and a T-shirt that had seen better days, thankful that she and Bri had decided that being able to wear jeans to work was important to them, so she never had to wear anything stupid looking.

  She got to the pond and muttered to herself. “Aww. Not Maynard. He’s my favorite. I’m so sorry, Maynard. I don’t know exactly what I did wrong, but I know I’m going to take care of it.” She took her net and scooped poor Maynard out of the pond, dumping him into a trash bag she’d brought along for that purpose. “I’ll find you another friend,” she told the remaining fish.

  “Do you mind?” an annoyed male voice asked from a short distance away. She hadn’t noticed a man there, but she shouldn’t have been surprised. Guests used the gazebo all the time.

  “Sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was there,” Bekah called. She put the bag with Maynard down, and dropped her net, walking over to introduce herself. “I’m Bekah Roberts. My cousin and I run the B&B.”

  B&B’s B&B. It makes sense now. “I’m Hunter Sloane.”

  “Oh, of course! I saw your name on Bri’s list of who was checking in today.” Even when there was only one guest checking in—like today—Bri printed out a list of everyone who would be arriving for Bekah. “I’m glad you found the gazebo. It’s peaceful here, isn’t it?”

  “It was until you came along and started talking to Maynard.” Hunter frowned at her. “I’m trying to work.”

  Bekah frowned right back at him. “I didn’t mean to disturb you. I’ll get back to my own job.” She walked off, picked up her things and went straight back to the house. The man was insufferable and rude. She’d have told him so too, if it hadn’t been his first day there. She didn’t want to scare him off and have Bri get mad at her. Her cousin kept reminding her that she had to be polite to the guests.

  It wasn’t that Bekah wasn’t usually polite—It was simply that she always spoke her mind. Sometimes she said things in ways that others considered harsh, but she never really meant them that way. She just didn’t mince words. It was a blessing and a curse all at once!

  She carefully disposed of the fish before going into the house and straight to the kitchen. “That Hunter guy is rude,” she said by way of greeting.

  Bri turned to her. “He was really polite to me!”

  “He got mad at me for talking to Maynard.”

  “Oh that big fish in the pond? Why were you talking to him?” Bri pulled a small batch of brownies from the oven.

  “One of the guests told me there was a fish belly up, and it was Maynard.” Bekah sighed. “He was my favorite.”

  “The trout in the pond are not your pets, Bekah.” Bri shook her head at her cousin.

  “I guess not. Why was he cranky?” Bekah couldn’t deny that the man on the swing had intrigued her. Few men dismissed her quite the way he had. She wasn’t drop dead gorgeous, but she was pretty, and combined with her fun-loving personality, she was used to men lining up to take her out. Not getting angry with her as soon as they met her.

  “Hunter? He came here to work, and I think he was hoping the gazebo would inspire him somehow. He said he’s a writer.”

  Bekah frowned. “Hunter Sloane…I think I may have heard of him.” She sighed. “I guess I owe him an apology the next time I see him. Well, I’ll give him one, but really he owes me one.”

  Bri grinned. “Whatever you can do to keep the peace.” She cut a brownie and gave it to Bekah on a plate. “I almost forgot. Mrs. Olson called today. She wants you to come over and have a meeting with her at your earliest convenience.”

  Bekah groaned. She liked Mrs. Olson, because she was a dear sweet woman. Her daughter however—that was another story entirely. “This afternoon, I guess.” The Olsons owned the hotel next door, and they gave the B&B guests a huge discount on using the hot springs there. The B&B hadn’t been open for long enough for them to risk offending the people who made the discount possible. “Any idea why?” She took a huge bite of the brownie and sighed contentedly. “No one can make brownies quite like you can.”

  “She didn’t say. Just that it was important.”

  “Why me and not you?” Bri was usually the one to go to the business meetings, because she was the one with a mind for details. Bekah was more of a tomboy than her cousin, preferring to do any outdoor tasks instead of playing happy homemaker cooking and cleaning for the B&B guests. They shared the cleaning, but that’s all Bekah really did inside.

  Bri shrugged. “She didn’t say.”

  Bekah wrinkled her nose. If one of them had to deal with the Olsons’ daughter, Jennifer, it should be her. Jennifer was known for making Bri’s life utterly miserable. Well, until recently of course. “I’ll go after I finish my brownie. Better to get it over with.”

  Ten minutes later, she was on her way to the hotel. She was dreading going, so she’d go quickly and get it over with. She was all about ripping the Band-Aid off and drinking all her medicine in one gulp.

  When she got to the hotel, she walked to the front desk. “Mrs. Olson asked to see me.”

  The girl behind the desk smiled at her brightly. “She’s in her office. You know the way, right?”

  Bekah nodded, raising a hand in a wave. The girl had been a couple years ahead of her at Silver Springs High, but in a town the size of Silver Springs, everyone knew everyone else. It was hard to avoid seeing someone, even if you wanted to.

  She knocked on the closed door to Mrs. Olson’s office, and waited until she was told to enter. “I heard you wanted to see me.”

  Mrs. Olson nodded. “I have a huge favor to ask. Will you hear me out before you automatically say no?”

  Bekah frowned, nodding. Whatever it was, it wasn’t going to be pleasant. “Yeah, I’ll listen.”

  “You know that we told Jennifer she had to get a job after the way she tried to interfere in both your cousins’ relationships. Well, she tried. We called around town and tried to get her hired, but no one would have her. She has a bit of a reputation for being difficult…”

  Bekah laughed at the understatement. “That she does.”

  Mrs. Olson grinned. “Well, anyway, we gave her a job in our own housekeeping department here at the hotel, but it’s really not working out. All of the maids, and the head of housekeeping, are threatening to quit if we don’t fire her. She refuses to clean toilets, instead telling the others that since her parents own the hotel, she can stay in the breakroom reading magazines. Claims it’s her lot in life to be in charge while everyone else labors away.”

  Bekah nodded. “Sounds like Jennifer.”

  “After much discussion with her father, we’ve come to the conclusion we want you to teach her to be a good maid. She can’t pull rank on you, because you don’t work for us.”

  Bekah groaned. “But
then I’ll want to quit…and I own the place!”

  Mrs. Olson smiled, shaking her head. “If you’ll train her for a week, we’ll make it worth your while.”

  Bekah raised an eyebrow. “You will?”

  Mrs. Olson named a figure that had Bekah frowning as she thought about it. That much money would go a long way toward paying off the bank loan they’d taken for the last of the renovations on the B&B. “That’s for one week. It shouldn’t take longer than that to train even Jennifer, but if it does, you just let me know. That much per week until she’s ready to work here.”

  “And if I can’t get her ready to work here?” Bekah had to ask. There was a good chance Jennifer would never be willing to clean toilets or change sheets. It just wasn’t in her.

  “Then I’ll be in the fun position of firing my own daughter.”

  Bekah sighed. She wouldn’t wish that position on her worst enemy, and despite the demon spawn the woman had given birth to, she liked Mrs. Olson. “I’ll do it.”

  “You will? Oh, thank you, Bekah! You won’t regret it!”

  “If she’s rude to Bri or a guest, I won’t be responsible for what I say to her. Just a fair warning.”

  “She might need a bit of Roberts honesty.” Mrs. Olson stood. “I’ll send a check to you tonight, and my delicate flower over in the morning. And just so you know…she’s not allergic to anything. If she claims to be allergic to cleaning products, you have my permission to tell her she’s a liar.”

  “She tried that, huh?”

  “I really don’t think there’s anything she hasn’t tried.”

  Bekah sighed. “This is going to be fun, isn’t it?”

  “That’s not the word I’d use…”

  With a wave, Bekah left the hotel, knowing she was making the right decision for her business, but she hoped it was the right decision for her cousin. For some reason, Jennifer had always seen Bri as her favorite target.

  She walked along the wooden sidewalk Bri’s new husband Anthony had built, her mind on how she was going to train Jennifer. She wasn’t paying any attention to where she was going at all, and she ran straight into a wall. “Ouch!”