Love Fast

I know Hazel is talking at me, I just can’t hear what she’s saying, My mind is too full. I check my watch again. Six twenty. The first shuttle bus with guests for the town party should be on its way by now, ready to arrive for six thirty. But there’s another bus that will leave from behind the library around now. I have no idea if there’ll be anyone on either bus.

I shouldn’t care. If no one turns up, I’ll save money on booze and I can head back to the cabin for an early night. The thing is, I do care.

Kathleen messages me, asking me where I am. I reply I’m in the ballroom and instantly she appears.

“Byron, hey, I have some good news for you.”

Is she about to reveal she’s got the ability to teleport?

“Your chalet is ahead of schedule,” she says. “And before you complain that I’ve prioritized it over some of the member chalets, I haven’t. They’re all ahead of schedule. We had a shipment of the marble we’re using in the bathrooms come in early. So you’ll be able to move in before the grand opening.”

Her eyes search my face, waiting for my thrilled reaction. I haven’t told her about my change of plans yet. She’ll either be delighted or pissed beyond measure.

“Thank you, Kathleen,” she deadpans, “you’re amazing. I’m going to give you a bonus for finishing my chalet early.”

“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you.”

She shrugs. “But it fits like a glove. What are you about to tell me? I know it’s something I’m not going to like.”

I glance at the door, willing people to arrive. “I’ve just bought some land,” I confess.

“You want to build more chalets?” she asks.

“I’m not quite sure what I want to build,” I reply. “There are two cabins on the land at the moment.”

“Is it guest accommodations?” she asks.

I pause. When I made Beth and Mike the offer for the two cabins, I didn’t think much past getting the land. “No,” I say. “The land is just on the outskirts of town.”

She draws back. “Really? Well, what are we building?”

“A home,” I say. “For me.” As soon as I say it, I realize that’s exactly why I bought the land. I didn’t want to be up here on the mountain, onsite at the Colorado Club and always the boss. I want to be home. In Star Falls. I glance at the door, wondering if anyone is ever going to arrive.

She sighs. “So you’re never going to live in this chalet I just killed myself getting ready on time?”

“I’ll need a place while you build my new place,” I say. “And I’ll keep it to host my friends and their families.” There’s no way I’m letting the New York crew pay for membership.

Kathleen sighs. “If that’s what you want.”

The chatter of voices wafts in from the corridor and my insides clench. God, I hope more than two people show up.

Jim is the first to step inside, Sue at his side—followed by about thirty other people. Waitresses offer trays of beer and champagne. There’s also a full bar.

Where did all these people come from? They couldn’t have all fit into one shuttle bus.

“Hey, Byron,” Jim says, approaching me. He hands me a beer, and I take it.

“You came on the shuttle?” I ask.

“Most of us. I left a line of people behind me too,” he says. “And a few people drove.”

My shoulders drop from where they had risen to my ears. “That’s good. People are here.”noveldrama

“Of course they’re here.” Jim pats me on the back. “Everyone wants to see what you’ve been doing up here and drink free booze.”

I don’t care why they’re here. I’m just happy they came. The people of this town have given me a lot. I’m glad I can give them something in return. Even if it’s a night of free booze.

“You’re a son of this town,” Jim says. “We want to support you. Show you we’ll be there for you.” He pauses. “You just gotta let us.”

I look at the small crowd laughing and chatting, the twinkling lights of Star Falls sparkling in the windows behind them. These are the people I belong with. This is why I bought Beth and Mike’s land. I belong in the valley, not up here on a mountain.

Sue envelops me in a hug. “I’m so proud of you,” she says. “So very proud.”

Her words touch something deep inside me. I shouldn’t need someone to feel proud of me. I’m a man. I’ve made a fortune from nothing. But it feels good.

“Thanks,” I choke out.

“Now, what’s happening with you and that nice lady in the wedding dress?” she says.

“Dear god, none of us have seen her in the wedding dress since that first night she spent in Star Falls,” Jim replies. “It’s not like she’s wandering the streets dressed as a bride.” He rolls his eyes. “She doesn’t want her past following her around like that.”

It’s my turn to pat Jim on the back. He’s so protective. It looks like Rosey’s earned her place in Star Falls, too.

Sue rolls her eyes like she’s used to Jim complaining about her. There’s obviously been another shuttle bus drop-off, because more Star Falls locals start to file into the ballroom.

Juney spots me right away.

“Byron!” Her eyes light up when she sees me. “I’m so excited to be here. I can’t believe—” She puts her hand over her mouth and shakes her head. Her eyes fill with tears. I get another back slap from Jim. “I just can’t believe you bought so many.”

“You’re a talented artist. We have something of yours in every chalet,” I say. I’d almost had to force my designer to visit Juney’s studio, but as soon as she got there, she was spending my money faster than the water falling over the rocks that gave Star Falls its name.

“You don’t know what it means to me,” she says. “You’ve bought more from me than I’ve sold in my entire career combined.”

“That only tells me the rest of the world is missing out on your talent,” I reply. “I should put you in touch with my friend Fisher. He knows a lot of agents back in New York. He might be able to introduce you to someone who could give you a bit more recognition.”

Juney’s eyes go wide. “That would be great. I met Fisher, didn’t I? At Grizzly’s a couple of weeks back.”

“I hear he’s been quite the inspiration,” Sue says.

I glance between her and Juney, not clear what she’s saying.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Juney says, a blush creeping up her neck.

“From what I heard, you’ve been painting a lot of naked torsos since the storm.”

She rolls her eyes. “I paint everything.”

“Well, Fisher’s coming over for the opening. Maybe I can reintroduce you two then,” I say. I might also be playing matchmaker.

“Perfect,” Sue says, before Jim lovingly guides his wife toward the bar.

“He’s single. But a committed New Yorker,” I say.

“Just ignore Sue,” she says. “She doesn’t know what she’s talking about. I’m not painting your friend.”

I might not have spent a lot of time with Juney in the last fifteen years, but I know a liar when I see one.

“What about you, Byron? Has Sue married you off yet?” she asks.

It’s then that I see Rosey across the room. She’s carrying in a tray of beers. She looks beautiful, her hair swept back off her face, her eyes sparkling as she offers people drinks and familiar greetings.

“Not yet,” I say.

“Well, I think you need a nice woman with a big heart. Like the woman you came to Grizzly’s with.”

I shoot her a look that says, You’re not being subtle.

Juney shrugs. “I don’t know a lot about a lot of things, but I can spot chemistry a mile away.”

There’s no doubt in my mind that Rosey and I have chemistry. But that’s not enough. She works for me. She’s fresh out of a big bag of shit in Oregon. She’s not looking for a relationship. Especially with a man who’s her boss.

My mind starts to reel through possibilities. Maybe next year when things have settled for her. Maybe she could get a job in town rather than at the Colorado Club. But I can’t suggest that. This job comes with a roof over her head. And she’s good at what she does—she’s already been promoted.

I miss her. I want our nights back on the porch. But as much power as I have, I can’t get everything my own way.

“Well, thanks for the tip,” I say to Juney. “I’ll bear it in mind.”

“Make sure you do, or the women of Star Falls will have to take matters into their own hands.”

“What does that mean?” I ask.

“Fuck around and find out, Byron.”

“That sounds like a threat.”

“It’s meant as a promise.”

I chuckle. I might have changed her life by buying up her artwork. I might be a billionaire New Yorker. But around here, I’m still going to be the guy Juney went to high school with, the running back on the football team, the boy who ran away to New York—and a son of Star Falls. For the first time in a long time, I’m okay with that. That’s my legacy. Not my father’s.

Rosey turns and catches my eye, then heads toward me with the tray of drinks. Juney swoops one up. “Thanks,” she says and heads off, leaving me and Rosey alone in a sea of people.

“Great turnout,” she says. “You must be delighted. Want a beer to celebrate?”

It takes my brain a minute to register what she’s saying. I just can’t stop staring at her. The way her kindness seems to radiate from her, the way her skin gleams and her eyes dance in delight at seeing me.

“Yeah.” I swipe a second beer from her tray. “You look lovely,” I say, because I can’t not say it. Something about Rosey pulls the truth, the most authentic me, out of myself.

“Thank you,” she mumbles and her cheeks pink. “Are we still on for breakfast tomorrow?” She glances around as if she’s checking that no one’s heard about our illicit plans. No one seems to have taken any notice of us. Although there’s no doubt most of Star Falls will have registered the conversation. I’ll get more shit from Juney and Sue next time I see them. All part of the charm of Star Falls.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” I say. I’m not sure why she wants to meet. Maybe it’s just a friendly catch-up. I don’t care. However I get to spend time with Rosey, I’ll take it.

She bites back a smile and the sparkle in her eyes is back. I’d like to think part of it’s about the thought of our breakfast tomorrow.