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

memories of coming to visit their grandparents here, but that was it. Her family had moved away months after she was born, so she didn’t share the childhood memories Gage had of Diamond Creek. She recalled coming to visit, warm hugs from their grandmother and running around through the woods as she tried to keep up with her older siblings.
    The sun fell through the spruce trees lining the ski slopes, casting lacy shadows on the grassy slopes. With the snow absent in the summer, the slopes were still busy since Gage had set up marked hiking and mountain biking trails. At the moment, two bike riders were zooming down the grassy ski slope, dodging boulders and, as far as Jessa could tell, risking their lives with a wild ride down the mountain. “It’s so beautiful here. Do you ever stop being amazed by the view?” she asked on a sigh, glancing to Marley.
    Marley shook her head, her green eyes crinkling at the corners with her smile. “Never. Diamond Creek is amazing, but it took moving away for a decade for me to realize how much I didn’t appreciate it when I was here before. I’ve been back going on two years now, and if I’m having a rough day, all I have to do is look outside. It doesn’t hurt to have one of the best views in town.”
    “I’d say,” Jessa replied as she scanned the view again, its beauty both energizing and soothing. “Do you mind living here at the lodge?”
    “I wondered if I would, but I love it. This apartment is so private, it feels like our own home. Here and there we’ve talked about maybe building a separate home on the property, but I’m in no hurry. It’s nice to be right here when things come up. If there’s one thing I’ve learned running a lodge like this, something always comes up.”
    Jessa’s heart warmed to see Marley like this. When she’d first met Marley, she’d known Marley was the woman for Gage. She was the first woman he’d ever introduced to the family. Gage was the best kind of brother—kind, protective, strong and helpful—but he was guarded when it came to his own heart. Until he met Marley, Jessa had worried he’d never let down his guard. Since he’d moved back to Diamond Creek, fulfilling his childhood dream, and met Marley, Jessa felt good about where he was with his life. As if on cue, the door to the apartment opened and Gage stepped inside. He walked immediately to the couch to drop a kiss on Holly’s forehead and another in the curve of Marley’s neck. He whispered something in her ear, and two spots of bright color crested on Marley’s cheekbones.
    Gage stretched before plopping down in a rocking chair adjacent to the couch, his eyes landing on Jessa. “Did you get settled in today?”
    “Of course. There wasn’t much to settle because I don’t have much. The suite is lovely. Thanks for letting my stay for a bit.”
    Gage angled his head to the side, his gray eyes assessing. “No thanks necessary. You can stay as long as you like. Move in if you want. I’m just glad you made it out of that fire and you’re here.”
    “I’m not going to move in,” Jessa replied, swallowing at the defensiveness that rose inside. She didn’t like needing help like this. “I just need somewhere to land for a bit until I figure out what to do next.”
    “Our home is your home,” Marley said firmly. “Don’t you dare try to think you’re in the way. We’re thrilled to have you.”
    Jessa felt that knot of tension she’d been carrying ease just a little but more. She took a breath and let it out. She’d do anything for her family, so she needed to realize it might be okay to accept help in return. “Thank you. It’s been a long few weeks. It’s good to be here,” she finally said. At that moment, the clock on the wall chirped like a bird. She glanced up at it and then between Marley and Gage.
    Gage chuckled. “Garrett brought that over after he saw how much Holly likes this little toy she has that makes bird sounds.”
    Jessa grinned.