Free Kayla's Gift by Jayne Rylon

staring at her.
    Dave didn’t try to stop her from running or attempt a lame excuse. He let her go. Maybe it was easier for them both to end things quick.
    Painless.
    Except it hurt like hell.
    “I’ll stay upstairs until you can leave in the morning. Let yourselves out.”

    Kayla broke her promise not to look out the window. Minutes after the buzz of small engines shattered the ultimate stillness of the mountain, and her cabin, she stole a glance out of her bedroom. The crew, all of them, hadn’t left. Three snowmobiles littered her frosted yard. Neil, James and Dave stood in a half circle, their hands jammed in their coat pockets. They faced Mike and Joe—along with two women who could only be Kate and Morgan.
    From inside, Kayla couldn’t hear their conversation. Their faces spoke volumes. The men headed for the transportation. A sob cracked her resolve not to shed another tear over the studs who’d rocked her world then shattered her dreams.
    The women stood their ground. When Mike waved, encouraging them to hop on the snowmobiles, the shorter one shook her head. Instead, she grabbed the other woman’s hand and marched toward the cabin.
    Maybe she needs to use the bathroom. Please, please, just have to pee.
    No such luck.
    “Hello?” A friendly greeting filled Kayla’s sanctuary along with the whisper of snow jackets shedding onto her foyer floor. “Sorry to intrude, we know you’re here and probably don’t want to talk to us—”
    “So what are we doing, Kate?” The other woman spoke softly, but her question carried. Unlike the hushed argument Dave, Neil and James had had the night before. Kayla’s hitching sobs had obscured the sound carrying across the short distance in that case.
    “We’re coming up, Kayla.”
    “I’m naked.” She hoped to scare them off.
    “Nothing we haven’t seen before,” Morgan chimed in, supporting her friend’s decision. Kayla hated the jealous pout overtaking her face for a moment.
    The two women reached the top of the stairs and took in the tight quarters. “This place is super cute.
    I’m Kate.”
    “Hi.” Kayla smiled despite herself at the woman’s direct approach and her refusal to avoid looking at Kayla’s nudity.
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    “Morgan.” The other woman held out her hand, but didn’t stop with a shake. She leaned in and hugged Kayla. “I’m sorry we had to meet like this. I’ve heard bunches about you.”
    “Are you okay?” Kate sat cross-legged on the end of her bed. “Dumb question, I know. It wasn’t right to leave without coming to see how you’re doing first. Can we do anything for you?”
    “How about finding me a new construction crew so I don’t have to be mortified every day when your guys come to work?” Kayla crashed into the pile of pillows on her bed then buried her face in her hands.
    “If anything, Neil, Dave and James are the ones who should be ashamed.” Morgan patted her knee.
    “It was Neil who thought up this brilliant scheme.” Kate rolled her eyes. “It’s hard to believe now, but he meant well. He played matchmaker. Not like you four needed any help.”
    “Yeah, Dave didn’t know anything about it,” Morgan chimed in. “He’s kicking himself because he heard the difference in the engine and still didn’t force the issue. I think he was glad for the chance to stay.
    He’s been dying to ask you out for weeks.”
    “It’s true. It broke his heart to hear you crying up here last night, assuming you wouldn’t welcome his comfort.” Morgan put a hand on Kayla’s shoulder. Though they’d just met, Kayla went with it, resting her head on Kate’s thigh. “I know it doesn’t fix what they did, but they’re guys. Pretty awesome most of the time—”
    “And dumb as shit the rest.” Morgan rolled her eyes.
    The door opened and shut once more. No one spoke up. Kayla swore she could smell Dave’s unique scent, a combination of oak and cinnamon.
    “Will you hear him out at least?” Kate vouched