Gone Away Read Free

months, then would start over. Mason had noticed right away Riece was in a scruffier beard phase, one of which he definitely approved.
    By the time Mason turned onto the road where the Big Rock Inn was located, Riece was stretching and yawning. Mason couldn’t help but notice how Riece’s long, lean arm muscles glided with his movements. He straightened and rubbed his eyes, and Mason remembered how much he liked Riece’s eyes. They were gray with flecks of green and a gold halo around the pupil.
    “How much longer?” Riece asked. His voice was thick and still sleepy.
    Mason chuckled. “The grown-up version of ‘are we there yet?’”
    Riece grinned. “I guess it is. You didn’t answer my question, though.”
    “It’s a few miles down this road.” Mason arched an eyebrow and glanced at Riece. “We should be there soon. It’s a bit out of our way, but like I said before, worth it to see Devils Tower.”
    The Big Rock Inn was actually three buildings. The main lodge housed the office, bar and grill, and a separate dining area Mason knew was often used to host private parties. The other side of the building had a gym and indoor pool. A stone chimney covered most of one end of the building where the bar and grill sat.
    The other buildings were two-story structures with guest rooms. The rooms on the second floor of each building had balconies with lounge chairs and iron, bistro-style table sets. Mason could see pumpkins and pots of autumn-colored flowers on the balconies. Several varieties of gourds nestled among straw and corn husks in the balconies’ corners, rounding out the picture.
    Riece got out of the Jeep and stood, mouth open, staring at the inn. “This is really nice. I didn’t expect something like this. It’s more like a romantic getaway sort of place.”
    Mason shrugged and reminded Riece, “I have a buddy who works here. It would be nice for something like that, though. There aren’t a lot of places in this area that aren’t campgrounds, and I want running water.”
    “Huh,” Riece said.
    “We might as well leave our luggage here until we get checked in.” Mason dipped his head toward the main lodge and waited for Riece to join him before heading across the parking lot.
    Mason silently cheered when they found their rooms were in the farthest building and on the second floor. Tyler had promised good rooms, and he’d done Mason a real solid this time. Mason made a mental note to tell Tyler he owed him. The windows and balconies faced the plains, and farther in the distance, the slab of rock known as Devils Tower jutted out of the earth. It was framed by the setting sun and trees beginning to turn from green to reds and oranges.
    “We have about an hour before they open for dinner.” Depositing Riece’s luggage on his bed, Mason rubbed the back of his neck and said, “I’m just next door. I… uh… should….” He backed out, grabbed his own suitcase, which he’d left sitting in the hall, and went to his room.
    Once inside his own room with the door shut, Mason tossed the suitcase on the dresser and sat on the end of the bed. He ran his hands through his hair a few times and leaned his elbows on his knees, shoulders hunched, staring out the window.
    He sighed heavily. “What was I thinking? I know what. I wasn’t thinking. Not at all—not one little bit. No sense hoping for something that won’t happen.”
    Another big sigh and Mason stood up. “Shake it off, Arquette,” he grumbled. Mason crossed the room to the dresser. He stared down at the suitcase sitting on top of it for a few seconds before he flipped it open, then rummaged through it for his shaving kit. “Shower, decent dinner, and a good night’s sleep, and you’ll feel better tomorrow.” He looked at the mirror as he talked. “It’s over. Over is over and that means done. Finished. Completed. Good thing that had its time and now that time has passed.”
    Balancing against the dresser, Mason pulled off his boots.