Mistletoe Mischief (Falling in Mistletoe #2)

Chapter Eighteen

R yler kept glancing over at Pike as he drove, her hand stroking the puppy’s soft fur. She wasn’t sure what to say to Pike, especially since he hadn’t spoken a word for a good ten minutes. While the situations were different, Ryler couldn’t help comparing Alia’s confession about Neil to Pike discovering his best friend hooked up with the woman he was interested in. Although Neil and Ryler had dated, she had no lingering romantic feelings for him, and the only concern she had was one or both people she loved getting hurt.

Pike’s best friend had lied and snuck around behind his back because he hadn’t wanted to hurt him. Or get caught. Either way, Ryler could only imagine what was going through his head.

“The historical site is just over this hill,” Pike said.

“Okay. Where to after this?”

“I thought we’d head west, check out the lake and maybe get some lunch at the lodge. It will be cold, so I don’t know how the rest of the group will feel. I could also take you east to Ketchum. It’s about an hour out of the way, but there are lots of shops and restaurants. Plus, it’s the winter destination for lots of celebrities, so you might get to see one or two. The only issue is a lot of places are closed because it’s Sunday.”

Ryler laughed. “Places still close down on Sunday?”

“In Idaho they do.”

“Honestly, you’ve had a rough morning, so we can keep it simple. Explore the lake and get lunch. Maybe take the long way back?” she suggested.

“Sure.” Pike pulled off the road across from the historical site, where the rented SUV was parked .

Ryler set the puppy down in the back seat, ignoring her whining protest. They got out of the car and waved at the group across the road, who were taking pics in front of the sign.

“Where have you two been?” Neil asked.

“Pike stopped to talk to his business partner,” Ryler said quickly. “Pike offered to show us the lake, and then we can grab lunch. Kind of play the day by ear.”

“I’m down to get some scenic shots,” Kit said, holding up his Nikon camera.

Alia stood at the back of the SUV with her arms wrapped around her body. “Is it always so cold here?”

“Usually from October until May,” Pike said.

“That’s horrifying.”

“You can follow me,” Pike said, heading back to his car. The other three gave Ryler a look as if to ask, What’s his problem?

“I’m going to ride with Pike because he has a puppy in his car.”

Alia perked up. “Puppy?”

“Yep! Super cute Pomeranian.”

“Aw, I want to see,” Alia said, following Ryler across the road to the car. Ryler opened the door, and her cousin bent down, leaning into the car so only her butt stuck out.

“Well, hello, pumpkin. Aren’t you sweet?”

Ryler smiled. Although her aunt and uncle hadn’t liked animals in the house, Alia had been allowed one dog, a long-haired Chihuahua named Lucile. She’d been a spoiled, sweet creature who passed away when Alia was seventeen. She hadn’t wanted to get a dog since.

Alia leaned back out of the car with the puppy in her arms, cuddling and kissing her. “What’s her name?” Alia asked Pike, who had stopped next to the driver’s side door.

“Jolene. Jo for now.”

“Hello, Jo,” Alia said, letting the dog kiss her nose.

“Isn’t she darling?” Ryler said.

“Yes! I want her to ride in the car with me.”

Ryler glanced over at Pike, who shrugged. “That’s fine with me.”

“Yay,” Alia said, wrapping the leash around her wrist. “Don’t mind Neil’s driving,” she murmured to the dog. “He just likes to follow all the rules because he can’t ruin his perfect record. ”

Pike shook his head, and Ryler asked, “What?”

“Nothing, I was just thinking that talking to animals thing really does happen to everyone.”

Ryler laughed. “Are you trying to tell me you’ve been talking to your dog?”

“First of all, temporary guardianship doesn’t make her mine, and second of all, yes, I absolutely have, especially at five a.m. on the front lawn when the damn thing won’t take a piss.”

“Oh boy, you’re a goner,” Ryler said, climbing into his car. “Deny it all you want, but the minute you start talking to animals, they’ve got their hooks into you. There is no escaping that little fur ball now.”

Pike settled into the driver’s seat. “So you say, but I’m not really a dog person.”

“Ew, you did not just say that,” she groaned.

“What?” he asked, starting the car.

“Saying you’re not a dog person is like saying you drink the blood of babies.”

Pike burst out laughing. “What the fuck? It is not!”

“Actually, it kind of is!” she said, watching the side mirror as Pike pulled out. When Neil flipped around safely and fell in behind them, she added, “According to scientific research, people who don’t like animals show a lack of empathy and disconnect, which makes it difficult for them to form lasting relationships.”

“While that does describe my dating history, I didn’t say I didn’t like dogs, I said I wasn’t a dog person. That just means I don’t want one pissing and crapping in my house.”

“That is why you teach them not to.”

“Yeah, but when? I’m out with clients or at the store eight hours or more a day. That’s not fair for a dog. And while Idaho is a dog-friendly place, I can’t take her everywhere, especially in the summer when it gets hot.”

“Oh my God,” Ryler said, slapping his arm playfully. “You are a dog person!”

“I just said—”

“All the reasons why you couldn’t keep her have to do with her happy and healthy mental and physical being! You, Pike Sutton, have been giving this a lot of thought because you’re really falling in love with Jo and want her in your life.” Ryler turned in her seat to watch him, the seat belt stretching to accommodate her new position. “Plus, adorable dogs are a great way to meet women.”

Pike scoffed. “No, thank you. From all the things you said, it’s obvious I am too dysfunctional to be in a relationship.”

“Who said anything about a relationship?” she asked.

“I’m thirty-one. I’m a little old to be playing the field.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize there was an age limit for how long someone could be single and enjoy dating.”

Pike shook his head. “Even George Clooney eventually gave up the game.”

“Not until he was in his fifties.” Ryler settled back in her seat with a grunt. “I don’t care what anyone thinks, if I am not completely, one hundred and fifty percent in love with someone, there is no way I’m settling. Even if I never find the one.”

“Do you believe in soul mates?” Pike asked.

“I don’t know. To me, soul mates are so limiting. You find the one and they die, so then what? You’re stuck alone and loveless for the rest of your life?” Ryler shook her head. “I think there are varying degrees of love, and it depends on where you are in life. In college, I was too scared to open myself up to anyone fully, and my relationships were fleeting.”

“And now?”

“I like my life, and I love exploring with Excursions . But if I met someone who made me want to put down roots, I’d be open to it.” Ryler saw Pike’s jaw tighten as he pressed down on the gas, and the engine roared as he crested the hill. Ryler sucked in a breath as she took in the view. “Wow! I didn’t expect it to be so high on the other side.”

“Welcome to Idaho, where the landscape can change in just a few miles.”

Ryler stared down at the twisting road that descended the mountainside and rounded a gorgeous lake with pine trees surrounding it. Craggy peaks reached for the sky on the other side of the lake, snowcapped and imposing. The landscape was heavenly and raw, and she wished she could capture the view to do it justice.

“I can see why you love it here,” she murmured.

“Don’t get me wrong, it has its pitfalls. Small town. Cold weather eight to nine months out of the year. Some parts aren’t so pretty.” He sighed loudly. “But it’s home. ”

Ryler put her hand on his arm. “I’m trying not to bring up what happened, but if you do want to talk about it, or maybe find a canyon or mountain and scream into the void, we can do that.”

Pike shook his head. “If it’s all the same, I’d rather try to forget about it and just enjoy today before I have to deal with reality. Right now, I get to hang out with one of my favorite podcasters, her crew”—Pike took a left down a treelined lane and shot her a grin—“and you.”

Ryler made a face. “So glad I made the list.”

He reached out and touched her hand briefly. “I’m only kidding. I appreciate you distracting me from all the drama in my life.”

“Happy to help.”