Twilight: Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Book 3

Which would make Bo far pricklier than normal, thus possibly putting a temporary halt to Sam’s sex life. That was the last thing Sam wanted, when he and Bo had a few nights to themselves in this lovely, romantic place.
He resolved to beg Dean’s mercy later, then put the matter to the back of his mind when Sandra and a man Sam hadn’t yet met arrived bearing huge bowls of steaming, heavenly smelling food.
Lex introduced the young man as Jerome Van Dyke, a student taking a year off between high school and college. Sam liked him right away. He was almost as outgoing as Dean, with a wide gap-toothed smile and a thatch of sandy brown hair that flopped over a pair of dark blue eyes and crooked wire-rimmed glasses. The way he talked about his girlfriend back in Chattanooga left Sam with no doubt the boy was straight, but he seemed to have no problem working with Sandra, and Dean’s not-so-subtle flirting didn’t appear to bother him. Sam found that encouraging. Maybe he and Bo wouldn’t have to be quite as careful as he’d previously thought.
Not that Bo would see it that way, especially since others of the staff—namely Anne—evidently didn’t share Jerome’s easygoing attitude.
“So tell us about what you found tonight,” Carl said when Jerome excused himself to help serve the other tables. “Anything helpful?”
Bo spooned mashed potatoes onto his plate and handed the bowl to Sam. “We saw the thing your guests have seen. And it certainly looked like what we’ve seen in the past, associated with the portals.”
Lex paled. “Oh my God. Are our guests in danger?”
Bo glanced at Sam, who shrugged as he heaped potatoes onto his own plate. “It didn’t act threatening the way the ones we’ve encountered before did,” Sam answered, handing the bowl across the table to Dean. “And I know not everyone sets any stock in psychic phenomena, but with the creatures we’ve run across in the past, I’ve always felt a very strong, very malevolent energy. I didn’t feel that with this one.”
“We think there is probably not any danger,” Bo continued, cutting a biscuit in half. “But the possibility certainly exists.”
Carl set his fork down and leaned forward. “What do you think we should do? Is it necessary to evacuate our guests?”
“Not tonight. Sending people down the mountain in the dark would be far more dangerous than keeping them here, whether the thing is out there or not.” With his fork, Bo speared a chicken breast from the platter in the middle of the table. “Are any of tonight’s guests staying another night?”
“No. And we’ve already had two cancellations for tomorrow night. Altogether, there are…” Lex tapped a finger on the table, her lips moving as she counted under her breath. “Fifteen people scheduled for tomorrow, in seven cabins. Should I call and tell them they shouldn’t come?”
Bo forked green beans into his mouth, chewed and swallowed. “I hate to say it, Lex, but that might be best. Just in case.”
“Better safe than sorry,” Dean added, reaching over to pat Lex’s hand. “Is the forecast still calling for snow? ’Cause they might not make it anyhow if it snows enough.”
Lex gave him a wan smile. “Yes, it is, actually. We’re predicted to get up to eight inches by tomorrow night.”
“Wow.” Dean winked at Sam, eyes twinkling. “Bet you’re looking forward to getting eight inches tomorrow night.”
The memory of that afternoon popped into Sam’s head, heating his cheeks. He glared daggers at Dean, who batted his eyelashes and turned his attention to heaping food onto his plate.
“Parts of the trails up here become almost impassable in the snow.” Carl tore a strip of chicken off the bone and popped it into his mouth. “Lex, honey, I know it’s bad for business, but I think we should cancel our remaining reservations until this is resolved.”
With a deep sigh, Lex nodded. “Yes, you’re right. Okay, as soon as dinner’s done I’ll radio the main office and have them cancel all reservations for tomorrow night and Tuesday night. We’ll reevaluate tomorrow evening. I don’t want to cancel too far ahead.”
“Sounds good.” Taking her hand, Carl kissed her knuckles. “Don’t worry, honey. I’m sure everything will work out.”
Lex nodded, but her expression was grave. Canceling reservations could mean real trouble for Sunset Lodge. But if there was an active portal here, lives could be in danger. Sam’s heart went out to her.
A loud