We get to the top of the lift, ski off, and I forget Blue, my family, and everything except the swish of the snow under my skis, the cold wind in my face, and the feeling of working muscles that have gone unused for far too long.
I get back to the lift right behind Hudson, laughing for the sheer joy of an amazing run.
This time, there is a line, and it’s all my family. I look over at Hudson. “What did you mean when you said Blue’s proven her loyalty?”
He grins. “Theo was talking smack about your guide business, saying it was small time and not going to last. He thinks you’ll be back here begging for a job before Easter.”
“Fucking Theo,” I say. He’s the oldest of our crew and a die-hard Riverton loyalist. He was adult enough to see me as a fuck up when I was going through my rebellious teen years.
Hudson and I take our seats on the lift. “Yeah,” he says. “But Blue spent like twenty minutes setting him straight.”
The shock hits me right in the sternum. “What did she say?”
“That your business is thriving, that all she hears from the tourists is what an awesome guide you are and how your operation is the most well-run, about how it brings money and tourists into Yuletide. She stopped just short of saying you have a huge dick and are an animal in the sack.”
I don’t even grimace at his joke. I’m too shocked. “She said all that about me?”
“She did. I never thought you’d be the first of us to get married, but I’m pretty sure she’s going to make me eat my words. You’ve got a good one, man.”
“Yeah. Yeah, I really do.”
I ski the bowl with my family, but I don’t go back to the lift. I keep skiing until I get to the bottom of the mountain and the lodge where Blue’s waiting for me.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Blue
I’m deep in the latest celebrity gossip on my phone when someone leans over my shoulder. “I can’t believe Debney and Althea broke up,” they say in a shocked, high-pitched voice.
I startle, but I do not scream. Quickly, I shift to the other side of the couch, all my ice packs sliding to the floor.
A masculine laugh pops goosebumps on my arms before I look up and see Garrick.
He’s changed out of his ski pants and boots and is wearing jeans and sneakers under his winter coat. He looks good. Like he belongs here. Today, his jaw is clean shaven, and his thick, chestnut hair glows in the overhead lights. His cheekbones are cut and his hazel eyes are bright.
He looks wealthy even in his off-brand jeans. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before.
I know I look fabulous, because I’ve spent time in the bathroom fixing my helmet hair and re-doing my make-up. He’sprobably just stepped out of his gear without even running a brush through his hair.
“Why aren’t you still skiing? Please tell me you didn’t come back because of me. You should have fun with your family.”
He grabs my hand and pulls me up to stand. “I was tired of skiing. I’m going to give you a tour of this place.”
It’s warm by the fire, so I’ve taken off my ski pants, leaving me in leggings. And not the cute kind. The long underwear kind. “I’m not exactly dressed for a tour.”
He scans me, his expression gathering heat as his gaze moves over me. “You look good to me.” He grins at my huff of annoyance. “But you can get something from one of the shops if you’d be more comfortable. We can just charge it to my parents’ account.”
My mother would be all over that offer and then some, but I’ve made it a point in life to be the opposite of my mother in every way. “I can buy my own sweatpants.”
“You’re our guest. My parents would insist on paying if they were here.”
I grab my coat, ski pants, hat, and gloves, doing my best not to drop anything. I returned my boots and helmet to the rental office as soon as we got off the slopes. “It’s fine. I’ll just wear what I have on. Where does the tour start?”
Garrick laughs. He takes my stuff out of my arms. “You head to the shops and I’ll stow this stuff in a locker until you need it.”
Before I can argue, he walks away. I pick up my used ice packs and drop them in the trash on my way to a cute little outdoor clothing boutique that’s just off the main seating area. I can look around without buying anything.
I lose myself in the colors, the textures, and the racks and racks of sporty, cute clothes. I might be a mayor, but putting together the perfect outfit is my first love.
