Lyons den, p.23
Lyon's Den, page 23
“So, you have thought about it then?”
“Of course. I…I like her. I had a crazy good time with her.” She sighed. “I miss her.”
Kimberly smiled at her and patted her leg. “Then call. Go see her. That’s where you want to be. Up there with her. So go.”
She closed her eyes, picturing Kenni’s face. It had been almost a month since she’d been there, but she could still see her clearly. Yes, she wanted to go. Yes, she wanted to be up there in the mountains with Kenni. Even now, with her eyes closed, she could smell the forest. So yes, she would call Sky. If she had to use Charlotte Turnbull’s assignment as an excuse, she would, but she had to see Kenni.
A ding on her phone told her she had a text, and she reached for it blindly. It was a group text, and she automatically smiled as she saw Sarah Beth’s, Christine’s, and Erin’s names. She tapped on it, then nearly screamed as she saw a picture of Erin.
“Oh my god! She fucking did it!”
“Who? What?”
“Erin. From my team. She cut her hair off!” She held the phone up so Kim could see.
“Wow. That’s like a military cut.”
“Yeah. I love it. She went gray at an early age, so she’d always colored it. It was jet black. She said it was the only color that would cover the gray. She said she was going to cut it off and let it grow back naturally.” She was still smiling, realizing that some of her sadness had left her. She quickly texted Erin back. I fucking love it! Christine? Are you next?
Chapter Fifty-Four
Sky’s voice was cheerful and familiar, and Joni felt her apprehension fade almost immediately. In fact, she actually smiled.
“Sky…it’s Joni. Joni James from—”
“Joni! Of course! How are you?”
She paused. How was she? She answered truthfully. “Kinda fucking miserable.”
Sky laughed. “Well, I know someone else who is pretty miserable too. And I’m so glad you called.”
“You are?”
“Yes. In fact, Jenn and I were talking last night, and we debated whether to contact you or not.”
“About Kenni?”
“Yes. Would it be…well, weird if we asked you to come back and see her?”
“Oh my god! That’s why I was calling.” She paused. “But…did you read the article?”
“Yes. And Kenni explained what happened. In fact, I read the new article that is out there now. Very nice. The first one was a hatchet job.”
“Yes, I know. I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize. As I said, Kenni explained it. But, Joni, she’s not herself. There’s no spark anymore. She’s…I hate to say it, but she’s in a really depressive state. She’s in a funk, and she can’t seem to pull herself out. Jenn mostly calls her a bear. We thought maybe you could come see her.”
“I was calling for that very reason. I want to see her. But I think she’s a little pissed at me, judging by our last two phone calls.”
“She was hurt, yes. Her words to me were that she felt like you’d used her and betrayed her trust.”
“I figured that, but that’s not how it was,” she insisted.
“I know. I saw you two together, saw the way you looked at each other. I think she’s just running scared.”
“Scared?”
“Well, not to scare you, but I think she realized that she was falling in love with you. And then the article…”
Joni squeezed her eyes shut. In love? Was it true?
“Does that shock you?”
She took a deep breath. “I’m not sure.” Then she smiled. “Yes. I think I fell a little bit in love too,” she finally admitted.
“I know you did. So? Can you come?”
“Can you sneak me in there?”
She heard the rustling of papers before Sky spoke. “No. That’s impossible. The gate is locked. It has an alarm. Kenni would know if it opened.”
“Shit. What can I do then? Hike up?”
Sky laughed. “Missed all that hiking, did you?”
She smiled. “Yes, actually I have. I’ve missed a lot of things there.”
“Okay. Well, this is what we thought. September first, the new group of women will come.”
Joni’s eyes widened. “And the gate will be open.”
“Yes.”
She smiled. “And I can drive right up to the lodge.”
“Yes. Come about three thirty. Most everyone will already be there. It’ll be easier for you to hide among them.”
“Hide?”
“Yes. I don’t want her to have the chance to run or plan her escape. No warning. I’ll let Jenn know you’re coming. And we’ll let the rest of the staff know that day too.”
“You think she’ll be mad?”
“I don’t care. I just want my cheerful Kenni back. I think you can do that.”
“I hope so. Thank you, Sky. I guess I’ll see you in a few days then.”
“Look forward to it. Bye, Joni.”
Okay, so that was almost too easy. But would Kenni be mad? No, she didn’t think so. Kenni was using the article as an excuse to push her away…and keep her away. Kenni most likely thought her heart was safer that way. Because yes, they had both fallen a little in love. She could see it plainly now. The last few nights together, the way they touched. The lingering glances. The drawn-out goodbye kisses that neither wanted to end. And god, she’d cried like a baby when she’d driven away.
With a lightness she hadn’t felt in a very long time, she quickly shot Charlotte an email, letting her know she’d be gone. Then she packed her laptop and anything else she thought she might need. She picked her keys up from her desk and went to the door, looking around once more before closing and locking her office.
She stopped at Janet’s desk. “I’m off on assignment. I sent Mrs. Turnbull an email with the particulars. I’ll be back in a few days. Maybe a week.”
“Okay, sure. See you then.”
She didn’t know why, but she felt free as soon as she stepped outside into the sunshine. She let her gaze travel to the mountains on the horizon. She suddenly couldn’t wait to get back up there.
The mountains are calling, and I must go.
Chapter Fifty-Five
As Joni parked her rented Jeep among all the luxurious SUVs at the lodge, she had an unexpected sense of déjà vu. Perhaps because she had pulled up next to the same tree as before. A tree she now knew was an Engleman spruce. Or maybe it was because of the tiny gray birds foraging there—mountain chickadees. Or the fresh mountain air and familiar smells. Or maybe it was simply being back here, at a place that had transformed her into a completely different woman.
She stood next to the Jeep, contemplating taking her luggage with her or leaving it hidden. She decided it would be presumptuous to come with luggage in hand. For all she knew, Kenni might very well kick her out of camp and send her right back down the mountain.
So she left it all, going toward the lodge instead. A handful of ladies were milling about, and she spotted five of them in a group, making introductions. After glancing around and seeing no familiar faces, she headed in that direction. She couldn’t help but smile at the looks on their faces. Some were nervous, some skeptical, some excited.
Before she got there, however, she spotted Sky standing near the front door. She stopped in her tracks, fearing Kenni would be there with her. Sky noticed her and waved her over. She was greeted with a tight hug.
“You made it! Good!”
“Yes.” Then she looked behind Sky. “Is she around?”
“In her office.”
“Her office? Doesn’t she usually greet everyone?”
“Yes. Like I said, she’s been in a funk. Come on. I’ll sneak you into the dining room from the back deck.”
“Do the others know I’m here?”
“Yes. I told them all last night. They’re so excited. Especially Jenn.”
Sky linked arms with her, and they hurried around the side of the lodge. Everything was so familiar—the woods where they’d done most of the scavenger hunts, the deck, the big bell. She found it hard to believe that it had been a month since she’d been there.
“It feels so good to be back here,” she said to Sky. “It’s almost like I never left.”
Sky smiled at her. “Left part of your heart here, huh?”
“Yes. Yes, I did. And I was afraid to admit it.”
“Well, I’m certainly glad you’re here. If anyone can get Kenni back into the light, it’s you.” Sky paused at the back door, looking inside before going in. “All clear. Come on. How about you sit at your normal spot?”
She smiled at that suggestion. “Trying to push her over the edge?”
Sky laughed. “Just trying to get my Kenni back.”
There were twelve or thirteen women in the room, some sitting quietly and others chatting. Joni didn’t know if she should integrate herself with them or simply take a seat and ignore them. Before she could decide, the main door opened, and more women came in. Sky motioned her to sit, and she did. She quickly counted the ladies there and all twenty were inside already. She murmured hello to those who sat at her table. They all had name tags on, and she saw them glance at her chest. She touched the spot where she would have normally placed her name.
“I’m Joni,” she said. “I forgot my name tag.”
“Oh. Well, I bet Sky would bring you one.”
Joni smiled at the woman—Gretta—and shook her head. “I’ll get it later.”
As the tables filled up, Joni felt her nervousness grow. Kenni would most likely be shocked to find her there, yes. But she really didn’t think that Kenni would refuse to see her, refuse to talk. Still, she was nervous, and she folded her hands together in her lap, squeezing her fingers tightly each time the door opened.
Jenn spotted her and winked. Karla came in and glanced her way, telling evidence that Sky had told them where she was. She returned Karla’s smile, then scooted her chair back a little, giving her a clear view of the door. She couldn’t shake her nervousness, though, and she thought this was a very bad idea to spring this on Kenni like they were. Especially with an audience.
No. She should have gone to Kenni’s office, she should have let her know that she was there. She was about to get up when the door opened again.
Her breath lodged in her chest.
Chapter Fifty-Six
The pep talk Kenni had given herself—with help from Jenn—had faded as four o’clock approached. A new group was assembled, and they were—according to Sky—eager to get started. She only wished she was. She hardly remembered muddling through the last week. She had done the ladies a disservice, she knew. Hell, she had even contemplated refunding them a portion of their payment. She needed to snap out of this…this funk, as Sky and Jenn called it.
So, she practiced smiling several times before opening the door and going into the dining hall. Mostly quiet conversations were going on, and she looked at Sky and nodded, trying to tell her she was okay. She walked to the front of the tables, smiling at all the women gathered there.
“Welcome to Lyon’s Den,” she started. “I’m Kendall Lyon. Most everyone calls me Kenni. We’re very happy to have you here. Before we go over everything, let me introduce you to my staff.”
As she often did, her gaze traveled to Table Five, as if thinking one of these times Joni would be sitting there like she used to. She stared, blinking several times. She was certain that her heart had stopped beating. She looked away, then back, but the image remained. Christ, was she hallucinating?
She shook her head as if to clear it, then turned to Sky. “Most of you…have been in contact with…with Sky,” she stammered. “She’s…she’s my right hand.”
She looked back to Table Five, and yes, the image was still there. God, she’d lost her damn mind. She had finally snapped.
“Sky…um…Sky is…she…”
Sky stepped next to Kenni and waved at everyone. “Hello! I’m Sky Reynolds. So happy to have you all here.” She clapped. “I do a lot of things, but I’m famous for my scavenger hunts. I can’t wait to get started.”
Kenni swallowed, wondering what was wrong with her. She felt like she was about to have a panic attack. She pulled Sky closer.
“Please handle it. I need some air.”
She didn’t wait for a reply. She went back out through the door and into the lobby. She looked around frantically, half expecting to see Joni hiding in every corner. Was she seeing ghosts now? Had she totally lost her grip on reality?
She bolted out the front door, still not sure where to go, where to run to. She blindly walked around the side of the lodge, heading to the quiet sitting area. She hadn’t been there since Joni had left. That’s because she could still see them on the bench, could still feel the thrill of their first kiss.
She stood near the bench now, her gaze darting around. God, she needed to get her head on straight. She had lost control. She took several deep breaths. Maybe over the winter, she would see a therapist. Maybe she needed some counseling. Or maybe this was a sign. Maybe she should call Joni. Maybe she needed to go see her. She shook her head. No. She’d call her, she decided. She would call and maybe they could talk and—
She heard a twig snap behind her, and she jerked around, letting out a loud gasp as the ghost stood there. She took a step backward, wondering if she should scream for help or run back to the lodge.
“Are you okay?”
Kenni tilted her head. “What are…who are you?”
“Oh my god! It’s been a month and you’ve already forgotten me?”
“Joni?” she asked hesitantly.
Joni frowned. “Do you have amnesia or something?”
Kenni reached her hand out slowly and noticed that it was shaking. She poked Joni’s shoulder. “Am I dreaming?”
“What’s wrong with you? Are you okay?”
She took a step away, slowly shaking her head again, trying to clear it. “I…I thought I was hallucinating.” Then she held a hand up. “Wait a minute. What are you doing here?”
Joni chewed her lower lip before answering. “Well, I’m kinda on assignment.”
“Again? Really?”
“Really. Charlotte Turnbull kicked her husband—my boss—out of his office and sent me here to do a follow-up on the article.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“I’m not.”
“Okay. How long are you planning to stay?”
“I’m not sure.”
Kenni nodded. “And where are you going to sleep? I didn’t see your name on the roster, so I don’t guess you booked a room.”
Joni held her gaze. “I’m going to sleep with you. In your bed.”
Kenni swallowed. “You are?”
“I am.”
“We should…we should probably talk, don’t you think?”
“Probably, yes. But it’s been a fucking stressful month. Leaving here, leaving you, then all the crap with the article.” She took a step closer. “I went to Charlotte, and she got the first article killed, pulled it from the site. And she got my real article up. But then she fired her husband and took over the magazine…and then she gives me this assignment to see you, to write a follow-up. Not a follow-up on Lyon’s Den. A follow-up on me.”
Kenni didn’t move as Joni took another step toward her.
“I missed you.”
Kenni nodded. “Yes.”
Joni smiled a little. “Yes, you know I missed you, or yes, you missed me too?”
“I missed you too.”
“You’re not going to kick me out of camp, are you?”
“I guess not, no.”
Joni came closer still. “Good. And I didn’t even sneak any wine in this time.”
Kenni finally smiled, because here she stood, feeling her heart beating with joy again simply because Joni had walked back into her life. Joni took the final step to reach her, and she stood still, barely breathing as Joni pressed close to her.
“I missed your kisses,” Joni said quietly. “Can I please have one?”
“One will lead to two.”
Joni smiled. “That’s what I’m hoping. I vote we skip dinner.”
“I’m not making a very good impression on my new clients.”
“Tomorrow will be better. I’ll help you on the obstacle course. I can’t wait to run it again.”
Kenni touched her face. “You’re really here.”
“Kiss me.”
Kenni did, moving the few inches necessary to touch her lips. That spark she’d been missing ignited a fire in her, and she moaned into the kiss, pulling Joni flush against her. The last miserable month faded away, taking her loneliness along with it.
“God, I love the way you kiss me,” Joni murmured.
“Let’s go to my cabin. I want more than a few kisses.”
“Then let’s hurry.”
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Joni collapsed on top of Kenni, unable to hold herself up any longer. She burrowed against her neck with a contented sigh.
“God, I’ve missed this.”
Kenni ran her hands over her back. “You mean you haven’t slept with anyone?”
Joni lifted her head, looking into Kenni’s eyes. Her question was asked casually, but the look in her eyes was a bit more wary. “Would it have bothered you if I had?”
“Yes,” Kenni said without hesitation.
Joni leaned down and kissed her, then rolled to the side. “I haven’t even been on a date. I didn’t want to.” She touched Kenni’s hip, tracing a finger over the hummingbird tattoo. “I got a promotion.”
“Oh, yeah?”
She sighed. “I should be excited about it, but I’m not sure. Charlotte moved me to the ‘front office’ as she called it. The magazine had evolved into more about Denver and less about mountain life. She wants to change it.”
