"I wasn't expecting, uh, mixed company," Mason told Kris. "Sorry, but this is nothing more than a big, open room with beds and some tables and one bathroom. My housekeeper cleaned it up good for the team, but it's not exactly a co-ed facility." He rubbed his jaw, wondering if he was about to put his foot in his mouth. "I can offer you a room up at the main house, if you want."

The look she gave him could have frozen fire. "I bunk where everyone else does. I've been leading ...