“Well, you better start being honest with her, or you’re going to get into a situation you might regret.” She slipped the paper sleeve from her straw, wadded it up, and tossed it across the table at him. “Otherwise, you’ll hurt her very badly.”

  He tossed the paper bullet back at her. “I know how that feels. I thought you were my perfect girl.”

  Kendall laughed. “That ship sailed long ago, honey.” She’d wondered when that subject would come up again. Even though it had happened over fifteen years ago, the fact that she’d broken up with him never seemed to go away completely.

  Chapter Nine

  Ivy was going about her normal duties patrolling one of the hiking trails when she received a radio call from her supervisor, Bryant. “Ivy, I need you to lead a tour this afternoon for one of the landscape designers who is bidding on the redesign project.”

  Ivy frowned. Tour duties weren’t her favorite part of the job. “I was actually scheduled for a nature hike with the junior rangers. Can someone else handle the tour?”

  “I’m afraid not. Several companies are visiting, and everyone’s assigned to do at least one. You’re one of my most knowledgeable rangers about the area’s native landscape.”

  “Does this person have a name?” Please don’t say Kendall.

  “I’ve assigned you to Kendall Jackson. From the look of her bid, she’s one of the top contenders.” There was a moment of silence. “I have another one for you, but I don’t have the name in front of me right now.”

  When Ivy’s radio crackled with Bryant’s voice asking for a confirmation, she reluctantly responded. “Copy that. Giving private tours this afternoon per your instructions.” From what Susan had told her, she’d known this was coming, but she’d hoped Susan had been mistaken. That rarely happened. Susan had eyes on all the paper that came across Bryant’s desk, and her ears caught everything spoken in the area.

  “Meet Kendall at the visitors’ center at two p.m. Don’t be late.”

  Ivy ended the radio call, annoyed at having her schedule changed at the last minute. She sighed in frustration. The junior ranger program was one of her favorite parts of the job, allowing her to inspire an appreciation for nature in young minds. Canceling on them for a landscape designer’s tour felt like a dereliction of her core duties, even if it was for the benefit of the park. But she knew better than to openly defy her boss’s orders. He’d been applying more pressure lately to seek out revenue-generating opportunities like weddings, film shoots, and weekend farmers’ markets during the summers. Wealthy visitors rarely frequented state parks unless a spectacular natural treasure or a once-in-a-lifetime view was present. They generally had their own properties where they could enjoy nature in private.

  Giving private tours meant putting on a cheery face for outsiders instead of being able to truly immerse herself in the peaceful wilderness she loved. But it was part of the job, even if not her favorite part. Ivy began mentally preparing her most engaging speaking voice and upbeat demeanor. She’d make the best of it, as she always did. But deep down, she worried that this client-first approach was eroding the park’s fundamental mission of conservation and public education.

  When Ivy got back to the lodge, Susan met her at the door.

  “I have an idea. Why don’t you loosen up a little and take June out dancing or something?”

  “No, thanks.” Ivy pushed by her and walked farther inside.

  Susan followed her into the office behind the check-in counter. “You can’t tell me you don’t dance. I’ve seen you two-step. Hell, I’ve two-stepped with you, and it was fun.”

  “I don’t take anyone dancing around here anymore.” Not since she’d had an altercation with a testosterone-filled male. “I don’t want to get my ass kicked.” Ivy shucked her coat and hung it on a chair. “Some men seem to think it’s some sort of competition to see who can please a girl the best on and off the dance floor.”

  “I wonder if that sweet little landscape designer likes to dance.”

  “Stop. I’m not going to mix business with pleasure.”

  “See. You do like to dance.”

  “Of course I like to. Just not going to risk my health to do it in public.”

  “The event area above the lobby has a really nice wood floor.”

  “I know.”

  “Maybe we should have a little get-together for the staff—or, better yet, for the designers. A welcome reception. I should mention that to Bryant.”

  “Don’t you dare.” A flash of sunlit blond hair flashed through her mind, and she shook it from her thoughts. “They’ll be too busy working anyway.”

  “You’re not still mad at her, are you?”

  “She apologized. I’m over it.”

  “Doesn’t seem like it.”

  “What I am over is the fact that you keep trying to set me up with every single woman that comes across your path.”

  “Someone’s got to find you a wife.”

  “What makes you think I even want a wife?”

  “All the future plans you’re making.” Susan picked up a few of the magazines on Ivy’s desk. “Tropical vacations, buying a house, having kids.” Susan dropped the magazines one by one in front of her.

  “Don’t need a wife for any of those.” She swiped up the pile of magazines, opened the drawer, and slid them into a hanging folder.

  Clearly she needed to keep her magazines at home and her thoughts to herself around Susan, or she’d never stop until Ivy found a woman to date. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a tour to guide.” She headed outside to wait for the landscape designer from out of town.

  Ivy scowled as she looked at her watch for the third time in the last ten minutes. Kendall was late, of course. She paced back and forth on the dirt path, kicking up dust with the toes of her pristinely polished boots.

  This blazing summer was supposed to be over, but the unseasonably hot sun was beating down on her flat-brimmed hat. Sweat trickled down the back of her neck as she grumbled under her breath. She’d dressed for the chill of the morning and hadn’t considered the heat of the afternoon. She much preferred being out in the park’s rugged backcountry, away from the manicured lawns and gardens of the more developed areas where she’d been assigned to give a tour today.

  Chapter Ten

  Kendall was late as she headed to meet her tour guide, Ivy, because her lunch with Noah had taken longer than she’d expected. Time and time again she’d told him that there was no possibility of them getting back together, but for some reason he still held a torch for her. She probably should let their friendship go, but, considering their history and her current situation, that would be hard. She needed an ally nearby in case this whole bid blew up in her face. Having a deputy sheriff in her pocket might come in handy if the beautiful park ranger gave her trouble.

  After she parked and made her way to the front of the lodge, she saw Ivy standing in front of the check-in driveway area that was still packed with cars, checking her watch. The woman was insanely attractive in her khaki pants and long-sleeve ranger uniform shirt. Kendall was deep in lust when she glimpsed a car that looked exactly like Cassie’s white, BMW X3 pass by. She couldn’t see the driver, but it didn’t stop, so she hoped it was someone leaving the lodge. As she walked farther down the path, she saw the car approaching again. Shit. It is Cassie. She ducked behind a large GMC truck and watched her pass and park in the grassy area at the end of the spaces. Hidden by the parked cars, she crept closer to where Cassie had parked.

  She caught movement off to the side and saw Ivy heading toward Cassie with intent, then watching and waiting for Cassie to exit her car.

  “Excuse me. You can’t park your car on the grass here, ma’am. You’ll need to move it to the parking lot.”

  Cassie whipped her head around when she heard Ivy’s voice. “Why not? There’s nowhere else. The lot is full.”

  “Parking on the grass causes damage, ma’am. It kills the grass and leaves mud and tire tracks that can be difficult to repair. We need to keep the park lodge area looking nice. You’ll have to find a space in the lower lot.” Ivy pointed down the hill.

  “It’s only a little bit of grass. And for your information, my name is Cassie, not ma’am. I’m just running in for a minute to pick up something.”

  “I understand, but rules are rules. Everyone needs to park in the designated areas. I’m going to have to ask you to move your car.” Ivy was being much more polite than Kendall would be.

  “This is ridiculous! What gives you the right to tell me where I can and can’t park? I’m not hurting anything.”

  “I disagree, and as a park ranger, it’s my job to enforce the park rules and make sure visitors are not causing harm. I politely asked you to move, and if you refuse, I will issue you a citation for illegal parking.”

  “Oh, come on. You can’t be serious! This is so stupid. I’m just trying to do some quick business inside and suddenly you’re giving me a ticket? What kind of public servant are you?”

  By the change in Ivy’s stance, Kendall could see that she didn’t like being referred to as a public servant, even though she was one. It was clear Cassie’s entitled tone bothered her the most. “I’m just doing my job to protect this park, ma’am.” She walked to the back of the BMW, took out a small pad folio, and wrote a few lines before she ripped the page from the pad and handed it to Cassie. “The citation stands, and you’ll still need to move your vehicle, or I’ll have it towed for being illegally parked. If you’d like to contest the ticket, you can do so in court on the date listed in the summons you’ll receive in the mail.” Ivy waited as Cassie got into her car, fired up the engine, and tore out across the grass, leaving a bare spot in it.

  Kendall chuckled to herself as Ivy stepped forward, assessed the damage, and knelt to replace some of the dislodged grass. Cassie would be lucky if Ivy didn’t add the cost of the grass repair to the fine.

  Kendall used her most remorseful look as she approached Ivy. “Excuse me. Are you the park ranger in charge here?”

  Ivy tilted her head to look up. “Yes. I am. The name’s Ivy. How

  can I help you?” she asked as she stood and rubbed the dirt from her hands.

  “Well, I wanted to apologize for something that happened yesterday during my arrival here. I wasn’t paying attention when I got out of my car, and I’m ashamed to admit I let some trash fall to the ground. You were right to draw my attention to it.”

  Ivy frowned. “Ah. I see. We do ask all visitors to pack out any garbage they produce to keep our parks pristine. Leaving litter can negatively impact the wildlife and ecosystem.”

  “You’re absolutely correct. It was thoughtless of me.” Kendall smiled lightly. “I feel just terrible about it. I’ve always appreciated the natural beauty of parks and public lands. When I realized what I’d done, I immediately regretted it.”

  Ivy took in a deep breath. “I appreciate you taking responsibility. May I ask what made you change your mind and apologize?”

  “Well, I watched that woman destroy the grass, and after thinking it over, I realized I’d violated a principle I deeply believe in—leaving nature unspoiled for others to enjoy. Littering was disrespectful to this park I love so much. I couldn’t let it sit right with my conscience.” The apology was a bit over the top, but she hoped Ivy didn’t think she was being insincere. In light of Cassie’s arrival, Kendall needed to get back into Ivy’s good graces.

  Ivy hesitated, then glared suspiciously at her. “I understand. Making mistakes is part of human nature. What matters is that we try to make amends.”

  “Thank you for hearing me out. I won’t let it happen again.”

  Ivy nodded. “Now do you want to tell me the real reason you’re apologizing again?” She raised her eyebrows. “I appreciate the sincerity, but I believed you the first time.”

  Kendall closed her eyes and let out a slow breath. She never had been good at sucking up. “That woman, the one you just gave a ticket to…is my ex-partner.” She brushed the hair out of her face. “She’s here because of the lodge-beautification project as well. I put in the bid without her knowledge before we ended our relationship.”

  “Oh.” Ivy shook her head. “Yet she parked on the grass and destroyed a patch when she peeled out of here.”

  “Yeah. That’s what she does. Leaves a bit of destruction in her wake.” Kendall’s gut wrenched. “Did that to my heart as well.”

  “Oh.” Ivy blinked several times as though she was an overloaded CPU processing the information.

  Kendall paused, waiting to see if Ivy would say something or shut down.

  “Thank you for the warning. I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for her.”

  That’s it? That’s all she has to say after I told her my life was decimated and I’m gay? Not even a drop of empathy. This woman’s made of stone. Insanely attractive but built of granite.

  Chapter Eleven

  When Kendall had finally arrived at their meeting point in front of the lodge, Ivy’s irritation at her had been replaced by her annoyance at the ridiculously rude Cassie.

  “We’re running late.” Ivy turned and started trudging across the grass down to the trail into the woods, not even checking to see if Kendall was following.

  “I’m so sorry. I got hung up on a phone call from home. My mom needed help with a computer issue.”

  Ivy slowed and took a deep breath. She shouldn’t be mad at Kendall for taking time for her family.

  As they walked the trail, Kendall chattered away about her recent projects designing amenities for a couple of luxury hotels in various locales and a children’s hospital back home. Ivy tuned out most of it.

  They approached a pristine mountain stream, the water sparkling as it flowed over rocks. “Oh, isn’t this just beautiful,” Kendall said excitedly as she kneeled and dipped her hand in the water. “We could build a lovely little footbridge over this brook, with some decorative gardens on either side.”

  Ivy cut her off with a harsh look. “This entire area is undeveloped wilderness. No construction of any kind is allowed here. That’s the whole point of a state park.”

  Kendall blinked in clear surprise at Ivy’s sharp tone but then simply smiled. “Well, I’m just throwing out some ideas. No need to get upset.”

  Ivy sighed. This tour was going to test every last ounce of her patience. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap.”

  “I get it.” Kendall gave her a flat smile. “You don’t want to babysit me.” She walked ahead of her. “That’s okay. I can find my way around. If I get lost, I’ll just follow the sun back to the lodge.”

  “The sun sets in the west.”

  “Right.” Kendall pointed west.

  “The lodge is east.” Ivy pointed in the opposite direction.

  “Thanks for the tip.” Kendall kept walking. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine on my own.”

  “No. Absolutely not.” Her boss would kill her if something happened to Kendall. “You’re my responsibility. I’ll guide you.”

  “I’m no one’s responsibility but my own,” Kendall shot back.

  Ivy grabbed her arm gently. “Listen. I acted badly, and I really am sorry.”

  Kendall glanced at Ivy’s hand on her arm, and Ivy released her.

  “Honestly. Walking the trails is one of my favorite things. It’s where I gather my thoughts. But you’re right. I hadn’t expected to be taken away from my regular duties to escort you.” She took her hat off and blotted her forehead. “I had a tour scheduled with some kids today and had to pass it off to someone else.”

  “You like kids’ tours?” Kendall raised her eyebrows.

  “They’re my favorite. So eager to soak up everything they learn about nature.”

  Kendall smiled softly. “With you being so strict about the rules, I didn’t see that coming.”

  “Adults break the rules more often than kids.”

  “Yeah. I guess they probably do.”

  “No probably about it. They always think they’re right about their actions and don’t like admitting when they’re wrong.”

  “I admitted it. Even though what I did was unintentional.”

  “You did. In all your mocking glory.”

  “I know.” Kendall grinned. “But I apologized for that as well.”

  Ivy tilted her head. “Did you really apologize? It sounded more to me like you were throwing some shade on your ex.”

  “Everything I told you was true. I did bid the project alone, and she did break my heart.”

  “I’m sorry that happened to you.” Ivy truly regretted doubting her. “Why’d you put the bid in without her?”

  “Cassie avoids state contract bids because there isn’t a whole lot of money to be made on them.”

  In addition to Cassie being full of herself, Ivy had just found another reason not to like her. “She’s right. You don’t see it that way?”

  “No. Not at all. I see it as a way to give back to the community.” Kendall shook her head. “This lodge is a gorgeous castle in the sky, originally built in the late 1800s as a Victorian resort named The Stella Peak Inn. Do you know Stella means star in Latin?”

  “Yes. I’m aware of what it means.” Ivy didn’t know Latin but was well versed in the history of the lodge.

  “After facing financial troubles, it fell into disrepair and finally closed in 1910. Not much of the original was left when a second lodge was built and opened in 1963, but sadly that one was destroyed by a kitchen fire in 1973.”

  “This place has overcome a lot of hardship, for sure,” Ivy said.

  “It’s very resilient. The current lodge was built in 1975. And after that it underwent a major renovation and expansion from 2012 to 2015. And now here we are to do it again. I wonder why they changed the name to Diamond Mountain?”

  “Because, in addition to the mountain being rich in diamonds, during the restoration it was considered a diamond in the rough.” Ivy was excited to provide a bit of information Kendall didn’t know. Sounds like you’ve done your research.” She was impressed by Kendall’s knowledge. “Are you sure you need a guide?”