Ashley spent most of her time in the Rover since that was what she used to drive the kids around. It was nice of Sylia to offer it up for a personal date, but she didn’t have time to remove the car seats, and she’d feel awful if—
“Enough worrying.” Sylia shoved the keys in Ashley’s palm. “I already took out the car seats, and it’s all gassed up. Peter went out this morning to make sure you’d have absolutely no excuses to not use it.”
Ashley chuckled. “You guys are too good to me. I think you’ve set the bar way too high for the next family.”
Sylia kissed Ashley on her cheek and patted her back. “That’s because we’re the only family that matters.”
“True.” Ashley nodded in agreement as they headed downstairs where Peter was waiting to greet her.
“You look great,” Peter said, wrapping his arm around his wife’s waist.
“Ice skating didn’t sound particularly warm, so I thought I’d better bundle up.” Ashley slipped a silver scarf over her head that she’d left hanging by the door.
Peter tapped his temple with his index finger. “Always thinking.”
Ashley took a deep breath and for the first time since the invite let herself think about the fact that she was going on a real, live date. There was going to be actual interaction going on for long spells without any interruptions.
The thought exhilarated her and terrified her.
Equal parts.
In fact, she wasn’t even sure how she found her way to the Rover and backed out of the driveway. The Finns lived in a gorgeous neighborhood with sprawling estates that were all covered in snow. The large fir trees looked as if they’d been splattered with white paint and the usual rolling green lawns looked like marshmallow cream with the occasional shrub poking through.
She would definitely miss Cherry Hill.
But she’d already looked up her next town, and it looked charming too. Completely different from living in a mountain town, but cute.
As she switched off the kids’ music and found the 80s pop station she liked, she blared out the words and tapped the steering wheel all the way to Silver Ridge. Austin had sent over a message letting her know where to meet him, and her hands instantly dampened.
There were so many things that could go wrong, and there was more than just this encounter on the line. She knew Austin was a good friend of the Finns’ and she didn’t want to do or say anything to jeopardize any of the relationships involved.
She drove up to the valet area, and a man immediately jumped up from his post to greet her.
“Miss Malone,” the man said. “Nice to meet you. Austin is in the lounge. Here’s your ticket.”
Ashley looked stunned as she glanced around the circular drive leading up to the resort. How did the valet already know who she was? She handed him a five-dollar bill, but he shook his head.
“Mr. North took care of everything.”
“Oh, well, thank you.” She smiled and drew a breath, looking at the large resort sitting in front of her. The stone and timber façade was perfect for a mountain setting. She knew the five-star resort boasted a world-class ski resort, fine dining, and hotel rooms that couldn’t be rivaled anywhere.
She also knew it was way out of her league, and she’d never be staying in one of those lovely rooms, which was fine by her. She liked more simplistic living. In fact, a bedroom was more than enough space.
Ashley cleared her throat and handed the valet her keys as she wandered up the cobblestone walkway. The double doors opened automatically, and she stepped inside, immediately warming from the frigid temps outside. She glanced around the lobby, and not much had changed since she walked through it the other night to get to the speed-dating event. A shiver ran through her as she thought about the men who’d been waiting to meet her and seven other lucky ladies that night.
She spotted Austin North standing in the corner of the lobby, speaking with one of the staff, and she couldn’t help but stare. Everything about him just pulled her to Austin, and it shouldn’t because she was heading out of town, never to return. She arrived a few minutes early, so it was no surprise that he wasn’t in the lounge yet, but she took the time to watch Austin. He was dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a grey flannel shirt. Her eyes traveled along his body, and she did a double-take, noticing just how good he made a pair of jeans look. There was no doubt about it. Austin North was an attractive man.
It was hard to believe that he scared the employees. He looked happy, kind, and genuinely interested in the conversation.
But just like that night she first saw him, she could see how Austin could take control of a situation rather quickly, calmly, and without apology.
And she liked it. She liked him.
Which could greatly complicate the next three weeks of her life.
Austin turned in her direction, and his eyes locked on hers as the staff member walked away. The thrill of seeing him today pushed all her worries aside as he walked toward her. She suddenly didn’t care that she couldn’t stand on ice skates to save her life or that she’d no doubt look like a fool when even he couldn’t get her to stay upright. It no longer mattered that she was leaving soon.
Ashley purely wanted to have a little bit of fun before she left town. All because he smiled at her.
She kept her eye roll to herself as Austin walked toward her, smiling.
“So happy you made it.” He opened his arms and without warning gave her a quick hug, which completely took her by surprise.
It was as if they were old friends, and Austin merely happened to stumble upon her.
“I’ve been looking forward to humiliating myself in front of you since we met.” She chuckled, and Austin’s smile only widened.
“Well, good.” He took her hand in his and whisked her down a hall, past the lounge she was familiar with, to a different restaurant. “Do you like burgers?”
“Who doesn’t?” Ashley’s eyes were wide as she fought her stomach from growling.
“My kind of woman,” he said, opening the door that led into a cozy lobby with several benches lined against the wall, wrought-iron sconces hanging on the walls, and a perky hostess who lit up the moment she spotted Austin.
“I don’t think all the staff is afraid of you,” Ashley leaned in and whispered.
Austin let out a low laugh as the hostess greeted us and led us to a corner table overlooking the slopes.
Ashley sat down and got a glimpse of Austin looking at her, which immediately made her blush.
“You look beautiful.” His eyes connected with hers, and she smiled, opening the menu.
“You’re not too shabby yourself.”
“You’re not used to compliments.”
“I’m not used to dating.”
A server promptly came over for drink orders, and Austin sat back in his chair and ordered a beer. Ashley agreed to the same.
“Do you think it’s a bad idea to be drinking and skating?” she teased, leaning into the table.
“Probably not the greatest idea, but we’ll just have one.” Austin winked, and Ashley laughed as she scanned the menu.
“I recommend the Kobe burger with bacon.”
Ashley promptly shut her menu and smiled. “Then that makes it easy.”
A comfortable silence sat between them as she looked at the eager skiers making it down the mountain and gliding over to the lifts to do it all over again.
“It’s nice to see you again.” Austin smiled when Ashley brought her attention back to him.
“You too.” She wanted to tell him how she couldn’t get him out of her head, fantasizing about what today would be like, analyzing why she was actually leaving Cherry Hill, but that would be too much. She was already annoyed at herself for thinking all those things anyway. “It’s such a pretty resort you have here.”
“Thanks. It started out small, and I think that the location is so amazing it just grew.”
The server delivered their drinks, and they placed their order.
“I doubt it was as simple as that,” she said, smiling. “My guess is you and your brothers have devoted your lives to this place.”
“Is it that obvious?” He laughed and glanced out the window as he took a drink.
Ashley couldn’t help but notice the slight stubble along his jaw and the haunted look that ran through his gaze. She wasn’t sure if it was something she said, but she forged ahead.
“Well, you are single,” she teased, and he nodded in agreement.
“And until recently, so were my brothers.”
“The nerve of those men.”
He laughed and took another drink. “You’re telling me.” A few seconds passed between Ashley and Austin before he continued. “And they’re happy about it. Can you believe it?”
She nodded and took a sip of the local beer. It was crisp and light, which made her feel less guilty for standing on skates in an hour or so, not that the taste had much to do with alcohol content.
“Who do they think they are, finding love and all that nonsense?” She laughed.
“Precisely.” He wiggled his brows, and she giggled some more.
The ease Ashley felt with Austin was almost unsettling. She’d gotten so used to awkward first dates and long stretches of uncomfortable silence that she wondered if she could even count this as a date.
“Well, I think the resort is absolutely beautiful. Probably not where I’d spend my time, but—”
“Why’s that?” he asked, cutting her off.
“On a nanny’s salary?” She laughed. “I love my job. I’m certainly not doing it for the money though. Don’t get me wrong, the Finns are more than generous, but spending money I make on spa treatments and lift tickets probably wouldn’t be that wise.”
He pressed his lips together and nodded. “I get it. I guess it could seem frivolous.”
“Not frivolous.” She didn’t want him to think that what he was doing wasn’t important. It was. Just not to her income bracket. “Just activities that might not fit all budgets.”
“Interesting.”
Ashley looked around the restaurant and leaned forward. “What’s interesting?”
“You just gave me an idea.”
“And what’s that?”
“I can’t believe we never thought of it. I mean, we do community outreach and bring buses of folks up here to ski, but it’s not the same. It still excludes people. Families.”
“I’m not following.” She shook her head. “I didn’t mean to make you rethink your entire method of operating.”
Austin laughed and smiled at Ashley as his gaze settled on hers. “No, you just made me realize something really important.”
“And what’s that?” she asked, finally slipping off her jacket. She noticed Austin’s smile widen as he looked at what she was wearing, but he didn’t say a word about the turtleneck.
“We need to do a family day. Offer discounted rates on the slopes and at the resort.”
“Say the lift ticket was half off. Would that make you consider a trip to Silver Ridge?” His eyes sparkled with ideas, and Ashley loved being included in his thought process.
She nodded. “Absolutely.”
“Same with the spa. Why not have specials for half-off and ice skating?” His smile only grew. “I don’t know why I never thought of this.”
“Because your bottom line is doing fine without offering discounts?” she teased, and his eyes locked on hers. A thrill shot through her as the blue in his eyes darkened.
“Probably as simple as that,” he agreed. “But life isn’t about money.”
“It is for some.” She drew a breath. “And I don’t mean that about making it, just having it. I know what it was like growing up without it.”
Austin’s expression softened, and Ashley wished she could take back her words. Whatever the next three weeks were going to bring didn’t need to involve realities from her past. This was supposed to be fun and carefree. Two things her childhood didn’t include.
“I won’t pretend to know what it was like growing up with those worries.” Austin shook his head. “But I can imagine it gives a much different perspective.”
Ashley couldn’t help herself. She was drawn to tell him everything about her home life, her parents, her grandparents, and leaving home so early. But it was all so long ago, and she didn’t want to burden him with something on a day that was supposed to be filled with ice skating and drinks. There was a time and a place, and this wasn’t it.
“It does. I’m a saver now.” She laughed, trying to brush off what her earlier comments might have meant. “In fact, in a few more years, I just might have enough for a little farm.”
“Is that what you want?” His brow arched slightly
“It is.” She chuckled. “And I have absolutely no idea why. It’s not like I’ve ever milked a cow or chased after a goat.”
“Well, you could have a farm without a cow or goat,” he offered.
The server brought their meals, and Ashley took a deep breath as her world circled around her. She couldn’t believe the conversation that was falling out of her. Having a farm was a fantastical idea, something she never shared with anyone. What was it about Austin that made her want to tell him everything?
“This looks amazing.” She eyed the burger and homemade fries sitting on the plate in front of her.
“It tastes even better, believe it or not.” He took a sip of beer and watched Ashley analyze how to best tackle her monstrous burger. “I say just go for it.”
Her gaze flashed to his. “I think I will.”
She took a bite of fry and closed her eyes. “Now, these are fries.”
“Thanks.”
She blinked her eyes open and flushed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to seem like I’ve never had a fry before.”
“I think it’s cute.”
“Cute?”
He nodded just as she took a bite of the burger. Between the bacon, cheddar, and special sauce, she didn’t know which was better, but she was in heaven. “Food like this should be illegal. I’d drive through a blizzard for this burger.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” He took a bite of his own burger and looked extremely satisfied. “Tell me more about this farm.”
She smiled and decided the cat was already out of the bag and to just go for it. “I see a big red barn on the property. I have no idea what I’d put in it, but it’s there. I imagine a pond, and in the winter, I can see a blanket of snow covering the entire property while I’m nestled inside, drinking a cup of coffee and dreaming about whatever it is that I did on the farm.” She paused for a moment. “But the only issue is that I can’t figure out how to support myself on this imaginary farm. Sure, I might be able to buy it, but how can I run it?”
Ashley noticed a twinkle in his eye. “Something tells me you’ll figure it out.”
“I hope so.”
“Did you know Cherry Hill and Silver Ridge have some of the most fertile ground in Washington?”
She laughed and shook her head. “No, I didn’t know that.”
“It’s true. Something to consider.” He grinned as if he were hiding a secret. “You know, if we hit it off.”
“If we hit it off.” She nodded in agreement, taking another bite of fry. “You know, I’ve meant to ask you something since I arrived.”
“What’s that?”
“How did the valet know who I was?”
He chuckled. “I told Sylia that a storm was coming in and she said she’d already thought of that and put you in her Rover. I told Jack, our valet, who you were and what you were driving.”
“Interesting.”
“Why’s that?”
“Seems like you’d be too busy to worry about that when you have all this to run?” She waved her hands around her head.
“I hire good people who run it. I’m merely overseeing things.” He chuckled. “So, I have plenty of time. Back to the farm.”
Ashley let out a wistful sigh and smiled. “You k
now, I’ve never told anyone that dream. Not even the Finns.”
“Your parents?” he asked.
“That would be more like a nightmare if they found out.” She put her hand up to her mouth, shocked that she’d let that tumble out. It felt like everything a person was supposed to avoid during first-date conversation, she managed to spill out.
He laughed. “Then I promise not to tell them.”
“Thank you.” She smiled, relieved he didn’t press her on the subject. “But I do know how to grow a mean veggie garden. The Finns had a greenhouse they weren’t using, and we’ve even grown fresh veggies in the winter.”
His brows rose in surprise. “Wow. I think you’ve found your answer.”
“What was the question?”
“Your farm. Why don’t you grow vegetables? I know here at the resort, we pay a ton to have organic greens and heirloom tomatoes brought in. It’s actually a really good business.” He shrugged. “Most people just don’t have the know-how and experience to start something like that.”
She had always fantasized about tending to her gardens on this imaginary farm, but she never thought there was any money in growing veggies as a business on a small scale.
“You’d be surprised at how much small farms can rake in on specialty items, especially if they have a source right away to sell them to.”
“That sounds like the tricky part.”
“What? Am I chopped liver?” he teased.
“Definitely not chopped liver.” She laughed and took a bite of her burger.
“If you ever come back to Washington to buy that farm of yours, make sure you remember me. I’ve got connections.”
She giggled, but her heart fell slightly. It was odd to think about coming back to Washington because with each passing day, she wasn’t sure she wanted to leave.
“I have a feeling, Austin North, that you are very hard to forget.”
Chapter Ten
Lunch with Ashley Malone was even better than he’d imagined. Of course, there was the immediate physical attraction he had with her, but the engaging conversations and witty banter made him realize how superficial his previous outings had been.
A Surprising Fact About Love: Small Town Romance (Silver Ridge Series Book 4) Page 8