Of Mountains and Men: A Why Choose Romance

Chapter 27

We leave at four in the morning, do you know how early that is? I think it's safe to say, I'm cranky. As the kids happily sing along to Disney songs. I think the only thing that has made any of this trip okay is the Truffle Oil chips Michael keeps feeding me. They were well prepared for a road trip with the kids. James brought a ton of dvds for the kids when we lose signal. Michael made sure we have plenty of snacks, and Andrew is keeping them entertained with singing and different car games. While I'm being utterly useless snacking on chips.

The first part of the drive is in the dark which sucks because it's the prettiest, all the trees and mountains. The rest is prairie, fortunately the weather is on our side and the roads are clear. Some of the areas that must have gotten the most snow is already green, but most is still the dead yellow grass from winter. This drive will be amazing in a few weeks when the wildflower's bloom.

I glance up to see that Andrew has switched the kids over to Elemental, one I haven't watched before. With the chips and the movie my mood lifts as we get closer to Bozeman.

"When we get into town," James starts. I perk up listening to him. "We'll check in hotel, then go out for lunch. After that Michael and I will take the kids swimming in the indoor pool."

The back of the van erupts in yays and hollering, holy moly little girls can get loud. Charley is just as loud cheering, 'swim swim swim.' Silly child but I'm glad he's so excited.

"Do I get to know where we're going yet?" I ask Andrew.

He turns in his seat to meet my eyes, "No. The torture of waiting is part of the excitement."

I roll my eyes, pushing away the chips Michael holds out. "I want to be hungry for lunch. Thank you for feeding me." I tell him, leaning over to give him a kiss on the cheek, of course he turns to look at me at the same moment and I end up kissing his lips. It's just a quick press, it's enough to have me bright red. "I'm sorry-."

He leans into me, giving me a firmer kiss, "I've been waiting weeks for you to kiss me again." He whispers.

I shove him gently away blushing furiously, I decide to check my sales to keep myself busy. I peek up to look at the road and my eyes meet with James' in the rearview mirror. They have crinkles around them, he's trying not to laugh. Oh goodness, I'm doing it again. I clear my throat, "Which hotel are we staying in?"

"SpringHill Resort, it has a big heated indoor pool, plus a gym." Andrew answers. "We won't be too far away from it." He winks at me as well pull into the parking lot.

James parks up front, and heads inside to take care of checking in while the rest of us pile out. I keep ahold of the kids while Andrew and Michael deal with getting the luggage into a cart.

"Some sort of girl scouts?" a valet asks.

I frown at him, before I say anything Amelia puts her hands on her hips, "Sir, you will be respectful to guests." She says and flips her hair over her shoulder heading inside.

I blink several times, "Sorry, she's spirited." I apologize to him, then herd the rest of the kids in after her. "Amelia." I scold, she spins around brow arched like her father does. "That was rude, we don't treat others like that."

"My mom says we're the top of the food chain and should act like it and remind the staff of their place."

Andrew walks in, "Amelia, what have I said about acting like your mother."

"That she has a disagreeable nature." She says helpfully. "Or that she makes the wicked witch of the east look like a kitten?"

I bite my lip to hold in my laugh. "Amelia." Andrew says patiently. "Is the way to get what we want being rude and uncivilized? Or should we respect everyone arounds us?"

She rolls her eyes, "Respect. But did you hear what he said?"

James joins us, I snag Andrew's arm, "We maybe should talk about any other things their mothers might throw our way." I whisper.

James laughs from behind me, "We will, we just didn't want to scare you off right away. Not that having three kids isn't scary enough." He rubs his neck.

I flash him a grin. "You're doing just fine being single dads."

"We really try. Shall we head up to the suite to freshen up?"

"Yes please." I don't want to say it but I really need to pee, like now.

Our suite is on the very top floor, and I expected a few combined rooms like at the Paleriver Resort. This is nothing like that. I'm blown away the space is like a house or more fitting an apartment with a full kitchen, living room, and dining room.

"There are four bedrooms just pick one." James nudges me towards the open doors.

I pick out one with a bathroom inside, I have to get up too many times in the middle of the night to want to tromp around in the dark and find it. Charley follows me in wrinkles his nose and takes his little bag elsewhere. I laugh, then close myself in the beautiful bathroom with a huge walk-in shower. I quickly pee and go out to see where Charley decided to go.

"I stay with the girls." He points to the room, I peek my head inside. Goodness, there are two sets of bunk beds.

I smile at him, "Which bed is yours?"

He throws himself on the bottom bunk on the right. "This one! With Pris."

I choke back a laugh, "With Priscilla." Who is giggling from the top bunk, she's already arranging an American doll and a few stuffed animals.

"Is anyone changing for dinner?" I ask the girls.

Lexi smiles at me from the bottom bunk on the other side. "Of course, I brought something for you from Seattle I made my nanny get it when we saw it in the store."

I tilt my head to the side, "That was so sweet of you." I watch as she pulls a dark blue lacey dress from her bag. I'm even more shocked as she pulls out three matching ones in smaller sizes, with a blue little suit for Charley. My mouth drops open, "Uh huh, something you just saw." I saw. "It's stunning, and you three are going to be so lovely."

Lexi beams, "Daddy! Help Charley get dressed."

I cover my mouth as I giggle,"Thank you. I love it." And head back to my room to wash my face and slip intothe dress.