Chapter 16: The First Night

Cal's POV

The bank gave me until the Monday after Founders' Weekend.

The loan officer said it kindly, which was worse. A concerned party had called to ask whether the Pine Hollow account was in good standing.

I thanked him and hung up and sat with the phone in my hand.

Diane had not waited for her own deadline. She had made the call before she ever set foot in my office.

By evening the lodge was loud with early guests.

Waylon and Shanna sat laughing at the bonfire ring for the benefit of anyone watching.

Samantha worked the desk until nine.

She did it with her chin up, and when Waylon's name came across her counter she smiled and gave him his key.

I watched from the office door and did not trust my own hands.

At ten she came up the back stairs to my rooms above the office.

Her fleece was zipped to her throat and her name tag was still on.

I opened the door before she knocked.

"Is the loan bad?" she said.

"I've got until after the weekend."

"Cal."

"It's fine. It's a number. We'll deal with the number."

"I want to ask you something."

"Ask."

She stepped inside and shut the door behind her and stood with her back against it.

"On the porch you said you'd wait."

"I did. I will."

"I told you I wouldn't do anything stupid until I wasn't married."

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