Read Online Stay With Me, Contemporary Romance (Last Frontier Lodge Novels Book 5) by J.H. Croix - Free Book Online Page A

game,” Garrett said with a grin. “I see you’re enjoying some of the best hard cider in the world.”
    Jessa took another swallow, savoring the bite of the cider. She didn’t know how Delia did it, but she managed to turn apple cider into a magic nectar with a touch of alcohol, just enough to burn. “Yup. We had a busy night.”
    Delia glanced up at Garrett who’d stepped away to lounge against the counter opposite them. “How’s the game go?”
    “We won. Again.”
    Delia pumped her fist in the air. “Woohoo!” She glanced to Jessa and Harry. “Nick’s team is awesome this year. He’s having a blast.”
    Jessa leaned back on a hand and sighed. “Didn’t you say you were helping coach this year?” she asked Garrett.
    Garrett nodded. “Oh yeah. It’s been fun, although I can’t believe the schedule they have. We practice five days a week and have three games every week. It wears me out, but Nick loves it.”
    Delia finished off her cider and slipped off the table. “Okay. Let’s skedaddle. I’m worn out.”
    A few minutes later, Jessa walked up the main stairs that curved along the front entrance wall and made her way down the hallway to her suite. When she reached her room, she left the lights off, walked straight to the windows and looked out into the dark sky. It was past midnight. She’d left a window open and cool summer air sifted through the screen. The wind rustled in the trees outside. An owl hooted softly in the distance. After several beats, another owl answered. Jessa leaned on the windowsill and looked into the sky. A half-moon hung above the mountains, its light casting a silvery mist over the trees. Stars stretched across the sky, bright against the velvet canopy.
    She finally turned away and flicked a lamp on, her thoughts giving in to the temptation to think about Eli…and that kiss. She remembered suddenly that she’d hastily texted him earlier. She’d gotten so busy with work, she forgot to worry about the fact he hadn’t texted back yet. She glanced around for her phone and snagged it off the counter where she’d left it hours and hours ago. His name blinked brightly at her when she tapped the screen on. She swiped the message open. He was short and to the point. Would love to take you out on the water. Meet us at six tomorrow at the harbor.

7
    E li leaned his elbows on the kitchen island and looked over at Ryan. Ryan was gobbling up a piece of pizza. Eli had stopped by and picked up takeout from Glacier Pizza on the way home from the harbor. Ryan’s brown hair was damp from the shower he’d just taken. When he finally paused in his speed eating and sat up on the stool, Eli chuckled. “Don’t forget to breathe.”
    Ryan flushed and took a gulp of water. “Thanks for the pizza. I was starving!”
    Eli glanced over at the pizza box, which had one lonely piece of pizza left. He’d already eaten by the time Ryan made his way downstairs after showering and changing into another one of Eli’s t-shirts and a pair of his sweatpants, which nearly swallowed him. Eli made a mental note to plan to take Ryan shopping soon. He would have done it tomorrow, but he couldn’t resist offering to take Jessa out for a charter when she’d texted him earlier. His mind immediately flashed to the feel of her soft curves against him. He’d never thought about a woman as much as he’d been thinking about Jessa the last few days. Kissing her had been completely out of character for him, but he didn’t regret it for a minute. He shook his thoughts off of her and focused on Ryan. He was determined to sort out what brought Ryan to Diamond Creek in the middle of the night.
    “So, how about you tell me why you’re here?” Eli asked, electing to tackle his questions directly.
    Ryan took another gulp of water and fiddled with his napkin. He looked across at Eli, his eyes uncertain. He chewed on the inside of his cheek and finally spoke. “Dad moved back in about six months ago. Mom didn’t want