Hidden Gifts (A Castle Mountain Lodge Romance) (7 page)

“You work here?” Bo asked.

Morgan looked away from Ella to meet Bo’s gaze. His arms were crossed tightly across his chest and he was openly staring at her. She could tell he was struggling to maintain his composure.

“Morgan was just filling in for us,” Carmen said. “I’m afraid she’ll be leaving us after today.”

Ella squeezed Morgan’s leg tighter and when she looked down again, the little girl’s eyes were filling with tears. Slowly, Morgan pried Ella’s fingers apart and crouched so she could look into her eyes.
 

“No,” Ella whispered. “You stay.”

“Ella, I—“

“Did she just talk to you?” Bo interrupted. “She doesn’t talk. I mean, she does,” he spoke quickly, his voice taking on a new urgency, “but she’s only ever said a handful of words to me.”

Morgan ignored him and kept her focus on the little girl. “It’s okay, sweetie.” She brushed away a tear that slid down Ella’s cheek. “I’m right here.”

“Don’t go.”
 

The frail voice broke Morgan’s heart and she squeezed her own eyes tightly in defense. She couldn’t stay. She knew that. She’d spent the entire day convincing herself it wasn’t a good idea and mentally preparing for the trip down the mountain and back to the city. She couldn’t change her mind, because of one child.
 

“You can’t be serious,” Bo’s strong voice broke through her thoughts.
 

Behind her, Carmen spoke. “I’m afraid Morgan will be leaving the Lodge after her shift today,” she said. “She’s decided the job isn’t for her. I’ve tried to persuade her to change her mind, but she won’t stay.”

“Try harder,” Bo said. He spoke as if she wasn’t in the room, just mere steps away. “You see how Ella is responding to her—she can’t go. Offer her more money.”

“Bo, I’m afraid I can’t do that. I’ve—“

“You haven’t tried,” he growled. Morgan listened as his footsteps traveled the room, but still she didn’t take her eyes off Ella.
 

“You know you’ll be fine without me?” Morgan spoke quietly, so only Ella could hear.
 

The little girl shook her head violently and wrapped her arms around Morgan’s neck. The room was silent except for Ella’s slight sobs and then Bo’s heavy steps moving back towards them.
 

“You’re not leaving,” he said.

Something in his tone, demanding and forceful, caused Morgan to pry Ella’s arms away and turn around. “Excuse me?”
 

“There’s no way you can leave,” Bo said. “I’m not doing that to her.” He pointed to his daughter, whose face was now buried in Morgan’s shoulder.
 

Morgan looked up at him with his strong arms crossed over his broad chest, his dark hair tousled from a day spent outdoors and it didn’t take much to realize that Bo was probably used to getting his way. He had the air of a man who didn’t take no for an answer and hadn’t she already experienced that firsthand?

Carefully, with Ella still attached to her, Morgan stood. Giving herself time to form her thoughts, and keep herself calm, she did her best to straighten her shirt while balancing the surprisingly light child on her hip. “I don’t think you’re in any position to tell me what to do.” Morgan made sure to look him directly in the eyes when she spoke and she didn’t miss the flash of humor, or maybe it was irritation, that sparked there.

“Ms.?”

“Pierce,” Morgan offered.

“Ms. Pierce,” Bo said with a cocky smile. “It’s true that I’m not in a position to make you stay in your job, but maybe I can appeal to your humanity?”

“Is that what you’re doing?” She glared at him, meeting his stare head on. The muscles low in her belly contracted and she was immediately annoyed with herself for reacting to him. She forced herself to look away and focus on Ella. “Remember that little fridge we found in the office?” Morgan pointed to the little administration room off the main Cub’s Club space.
 

Ella nodded.
 

“Do you think you could show Carmen those popsicles we found there?”
 

Ella’s face split into a smile, but it quickly faded and she clung tighter to Morgan.
 

“I promise not to go anywhere while you’re gone,” she said. “Okay?”

The little girl stared into Morgan’s eyes as if searching for the truth. They were so much like her father’s eyes, filled with the same intensity. Morgan waited until Ella nodded slowly and then she set her on the ground. She watched as Carmen took Ella’s hand and together they walked across the room. It wasn’t until they’d disappeared inside the office that Morgan turned back to Bo.
 

“Are you about finished?” She spat the question at him, surprising herself with her vehemence. “What makes you think I’d change my plans because you said the word? You may be used to getting who and what you want around here, but I can’t be so easily swayed. I have my own reasons for leaving the Lodge and they don’t include you or what it is that you want me to do.”

Morgan jammed her hands in her front pockets but didn’t back down. She waited for him to say something. It felt like forever but it could have only have been a few seconds. Finally, she watched as his face transformed into a sly smile.
 

“You aren’t going to change your plans for me,” he said. His self-confidence was starting to grate on her. “You’re going to change them for her.” He gestured to the office where Carmen and Ella still hadn’t reemerged. “You like her.”

“She’s a sweet kid.”

“You care about her,” he said. “I can see it in your face. And thanks to chatty Carmen, I know you’ve heard at least some version of her story.”

Morgan swallowed hard. She was all too aware that she was losing this battle of wills. “I don’t want to work with children,” she said. The moment the words were out of her mouth she wanted to grab them back. He didn’t need to know her story.
 

Bo choked back a laugh and took a step closer to her. Morgan fought hard to control her breathing; every nerve ending was alert and on edge with his proximity, but she didn’t dare step back. “Now, Ms. Pierce,” he said, his voice low and deep but somehow not menacing in the slightest. “Is it me you’re lying to? Or yourself?”
 

Morgan’s breath hitched. There’s no way he could know; no one did. But from the look in his eyes, it was clear that Bo had figured out that something was up. He was so close, she could smell him. A combination of pine and fresh air. If that was a cologne, they should bottle it. It clouded her thoughts and she struggled to maintain control. She was positive he’d be able to hear her heart racing but she refused to let him see how he affected her. Especially when she herself wasn’t sure. She worked hard to still her racing thoughts and to figure out her next move.
 

“Stay,” he breathed. She could feel the breath on her face as he spoke. His voice was softer, and despite herself, she met his gaze again. The hard, challenging eyes she’d seen a moment earlier were gone. Like his voice, they too were softer, almost as if they’d changed color. “Please,” he said. “Stay.” Bo reached between them and touched his hand to her cheek. His touch was brazen and far too intimate but it sent a thrill racing through her body, directly to her center.
 

She opened her mouth to speak. “I—“

“Morgan.” Ella’s voice surprised them both. Bo dropped his hand and they both took a step away from each other as Ella ran across the room and grabbed Morgan’s leg with one sticky, popsicle covered hand. The other held the drippy, red treat. “You’re here.”
 

“Of course.” Morgan smiled and glanced at Bo whose mouth was agape. Of course, if Ella had barely even spoken to him, it would definitely be unusual to hear her speak so clearly, let alone loudly.
 

After a moment, Bo regained his composure and mouthed the word
please
to her.
 

She glanced between them, father and daughter, and felt a tug that both excited and disturbed her at the same time. “Okay,” Morgan said. “I’ll stay.” She spoke the last words to Bo directly and then, so there was no misunderstanding, she added, “For Ella.”

Chapter Seven

By the third day Bo had been taking Ella to the Cub’s Club, he could already see a difference in her. She seemed happier, and more content. It was Morgan he had to thank for that. Ella really seemed to like her. And she wasn’t the only one. The few times he’d seen Morgan since their confrontation, he couldn’t ignore the pull he felt towards her. It wasn’t like anything he’d felt for any other woman before, which both irritated and excited him. But his feelings or attraction, or whatever it was he was feeling for Morgan, didn’t matter. What mattered was that Ella was happy. Or at least happier than she had been. And although Bo would never imagine that a little girl’s happiness would ever mean so much to him, there was no denying that when Ella smiled, so did he. And she was smiling. Still not as much as he thought a four year-old should, but it was a start.
 

“Ella,” Bo called from the kitchen. “Are you ready to go?”

She appeared in the hallway and ran towards him. The transformation that had taken place in only a few days was remarkable. Ella still didn’t say a whole lot, at least not to him, and there was still so much he wanted to know about her. He made a mental note to ask Morgan whether Ella had opened up to her about anything.

Grabbing an extra pair of socks for his pack, Bo said, “We should get going—we don’t want to be late.” Ella nodded in agreement, and together they left their suite and headed down the path towards the main lodge.
 

Still early, the air hadn’t had a chance to warm up yet. Bo zipped his jacket and glanced down at Ella to make sure she was warm enough. She only had a thin jacket, which she wore over the only sweater she had. It wasn’t much, and it definitely wasn’t suitable for the mountains. He’d have to get her some clothes if she were going to stay with him.
 

And there it was. The indecision he still felt about his own child pulled at him. He couldn’t keep her. It was ludicrous to even think he could. But there was nowhere else for her to go. Except for the uncle. Maybe if Bo could reach him, and explain the situation, he might consider taking her in. Surely that was a better living situation for a little girl?

The thought twisted his gut, but Bo ignored it. He kicked at the ground. “Hey,” he said to Ella, “let’s hurry so we don’t get cold. Wanna race?”
 

Her eyes lit up with the challenge and she sprinted forward. Bo stifled a laugh. She was competitive, just like her mother used to be. He had a flash of memory: Tessa beating him at a game of pool. The same glint in her eyes then that he’d just seen in Ella. That was how they’d met. In a bar, where she’d hustled him and he’d taken her home. Hardly a romantic story, but it never was where he was concerned, and Tessa hadn’t been any different. Except she had, he thought. Tessa had been different because she had Ella.
 

A sharp cry interrupted Bo’s memory and brought the present, and Ella, sharply into focus.
 

Ella was lying on the dirt path, clutching her knee to her chest. Bo sprinted to her and dropped to the dirt. “Where does it hurt? Are you okay?”

Ella didn’t answer, but pointed to the hole in her pants, and the stain of blood that was starting to seep through her jeans.

His stomach flipped at the sight and his head pounded. He’d seen lots of injuries—heck, he was trained in field first aid. Bo’s hand fluttered over her little body, not landing in any one place. He couldn’t remember his training. What if it were broken? Maybe he shouldn’t move her. Was it a cut?
 
“Come on,” Bo finally said. He scooped her up and stood. Feeling her shiver in his arms, he pulled her closer and headed for the Lodge.
 

~ ~

Bo burst through the doors of the Cub’s Club and rushed through the room to the pile of pillows at the base of the climbing tree. He placed Ella carefully on a large pillow and propped up her head with another one.

“Morgan,” he called. His eyes searched the room, frantic. “I need your help.” Bo turned his attention back to his daughter, who was no longer crying, but staring at him with wide eyes instead. She sniffed and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. “Does it still hurt?” he asked her.
 

Ella nodded.
 

“Morgan!” Where was that woman? Ella was bleeding and she was nowhere to be found. What kind of child-care center were they running? He glanced around the room again and caught sight of Morgan as she appeared from the office. “Where have you been?” he barked at her.
 

When she saw Ella lying on the pillow, Morgan dashed towards them. Bo didn’t miss the glare she shot him as she sank to her knees next to the little girl.
 

“What happened, sweetie?” she spoke softly to Ella and dabbed at the new tears that had reappeared on Ella’s cheek with a tissue that she miraculously produced. She didn’t wait for an answer, but continued to talk in a soothing voice. “It looks like you have a little owie. Did you scrape your knee?” Ella nodded. “Well, it doesn’t look terrible,” Morgan continued, “but why don’t we take a look.”

“I don’t know,” Bo interrupted. “Maybe we should get a doctor. Or someone qualified in first aid.”

“Aren’t you qualified in first aid?” she shot at him and it looked a little as if she were smiling at him. “Bo,” she spoke slowly. “You need to calm down. It’s just a scrape.”

Was she serious? For a moment, he wanted to yell at her, to demand they call a doctor. But he took a deep breath and looked back at Ella and her bloody knee. No, of course it wasn’t really serious.

“Are you okay?” Morgan asked him.
 

Bo nodded but his stomach churned and he felt as if he might throw up. The room spun and he reached out to grab something, anything that would stabilize him. He grabbed Morgan’s shoulder.
 

“Maybe you should be the one lying down,” she said. He caught the touch of humor in her voice.