Elkin Brothers Christmas: The Complete Series

by Leslie North

  Something that would be worth it.

  Right?

  Chase: I’ll let you know.

  2

  Tana Birch stood tall on her skis at the top of the bunny slope, her students arrayed around her in a ragged semicircle. The clear, sunny day made everything look like an ad in an adventure magazine. The bunny slope might not be an adventure to her, but it sure would be for the kids in the Beginner 5–7s.

  “Okay,” she called, watching five pairs of eyes snap up to meet hers behind goggles in a rainbow of colors. Green. Red. Pink. Blue. It was a sight to see against the white snow. “Let’s remember to do big curves on the way down,” she said, demonstrating by moving her hips side to side. “If you want to slow down, what do you do?”

  “Make a pizza!” The children shouted out the answer with a wild enthusiasm that made her heart beat faster. A few of them pointed the tips of their skis together to show her.

  Giving them a thumbs up, she knew they were ready to go. “That’s right. Let’s head out.”

  Tana waited for the gaggle of children to get level with her before she tipped forward and pushed off with her poles. They were catching on quick, but not too quick. One of the girls shot out ahead of the pack and Tana reacted without thinking. She straightened her skis and sped down the hill. It was a very long hill—the longest bunny slope she’d ever seen—but the first lesson she tried to teach the kids was to stay in control.

  She came up alongside Sadie, who didn’t look uncomfortable in the least. Her poles were pointed straight back, and with a perfect bend in her knees, the girl continued down the hill.

  “You’re doing awesome, Sadie,” Tana called. “Now show me your side-to-sides.” She took a deep breath to calm herself. “If you ever race, you’ll have to know how to do the slalom. Side to side.”

  It worked.

  The little girl slowed her pace and made a wide loop to the left.

  Tana stopped and looked back up the hill. The other four kids in the group were cautiously making their way down through the snow. Plenty of proper pizza stances. It had been, all in all, a good lesson.

  She waited for them in the middle of the hill where she could also keep an eye on Sadie. Man, she’d lucked out. Taking the ski instructor gig at Elk Lodge had put her right where she needed to be to make a better life for her daughter. And she didn’t mind the work—another bonus. She liked the kids and most of their parents, the pay was decent, and the hours were good.

  But Tana wanted more. And this winter, she just might get it.

  The Elk Lodge was hiring a new ski program director, and Tana had put her name in for consideration. The new position was on her mind as she turned and went down the hill with the last of the group. Speculating on what might happen wouldn’t do her any good, but she just couldn’t help it. The program director’s job would be a perfect fit for her. And she would be so great for it. With the full-time salary and benefits, she’d finally be on the right track.

  She came to a gentle stop with the kids on their skis chattering happily around her. “Great job, everybody. Remember—make big turns, side to side, and make a pizza. Those two things will get you down the hill when you’re out on the slopes with your parents, okay? What should you remember?”

  “Side to side and make a pizza!” The kids shouted the phrases in a burst of glee.

  Grinning, she watched them scatter in different directions. Their parents stood in various places by the entrances, most of them waving enthusiastically as their children approached. The job definitely had more highs than lows.

  Tana pushed forward with her poles and moved smoothly toward the lodge. She’d make sure all the kids met up with their parents or nannies and then take her break. With another lesson coming up in an hour, there was just enough time to get a cup of cocoa in the cafeteria and take her boots off for a few minutes. As much as she loved teaching ski lessons, it was a bit taxing on her body. Another silver lining—she’d be in great shape when she got the program director’s position. When, not if. That was the attitude she needed for this application.

  A flash of color out of the corner of her eye brought her up short as she watched a man approach. He crunched through the snow on winter boots, the sound reminding her of Lindsey chomping on cornflakes with an open mouth.

  “I’m Ace,” he called out when he got closer. “If you have a second, I could give you a couple of pointers for your lessons.”

  Uh, no. Tana did not have a second to listen to advice on how to do her job from some random scruffy man with sandy curls peeking out from underneath a fitted beanie. Especially one named Ace. Stunned, it took her a bit to figure out a reply without being rude.

  “Kids like that girl who headed out in front of you. It’s better to take her down for a few solo runs before class if you can fit it in. Kids with that kind of courage can get away from you. Don’t want that. And I’d practice a few more turns with the rest of the group up top, while you still have time left on the slope. A few of them didn’t look too confident when they got down to the bottom. Build their trust in themselves first.”

  Apparently she’d taken too long in her denial. Tana’s couldn’t believe how ridiculous his speech had become. She lifted her goggles over her head, then pushed back her hood with her free hand, staring at him. Glaring at him.

  “I wasn’t asking, mister. If you don’t mind, I need to ensure all of my students are back with their families.” Her answer served double duty. Putting him in his place and getting rid of him. She was not a fan of this man, whoever he was.

  His mouth dropped open, and she couldn’t help but notice the full perfection of his lips. That, with oddly compelling green eyes, ignited her curiosity. It felt like sitting a foot from the fire in the lodge. The heat only increased with the awkwardness. The man looked vaguely shocked like no one ever dared talk back. Who did he think he was anyway?

  One of the parents stepped up between them, giving a shy little wave, the mom’s cheeks pink. Her little boy, Gus, stood close beside her.

  “I’m so sorry to interrupt your conversation.” Her smile got bigger, her expression not matching the words. She looked almost giddy. “But my son was wondering if we could get a selfie.”

  Ace’s face broke into a thousand-watt smile, and something clicked into place. Something awful.

  “Sure thing.” He signaled for Gus and his mom to stand closer and Gus held out his phone to Tana. “Would you mind taking the photo for us?”

  She took the phone and moved back. Seriously? Taking photos with him?

  “Right around here, Mr. Elkin,” Gus’s mother gushed. She couldn’t stop smiling. Gus beamed up at Ace like the sun rose and fell on the man.

  Hot shame flooded her face. Oh, my god. The man was champion world skier Chase Elkin. One of the Elkin family, as in owners of the lodge. And she’d been snippy with him. The earth seemed to drop away under her feet. Tana wanted to sink into the snow and disappear.

  Chase, however, seemed completely at ease. He didn’t appear at all upset that an employee had just been incredibly rude to him in front of the guests.

  Putting an arm around Gus, he smiled patiently while the boy’s mother took several pictures. Chase even offered to pose for a photo of the three of them and doing funny poses.

  Wind, blow me away now.

  “Thank you so much,” the mom said, giving Gus a gentle push toward the lodge. “We’ve got to go.”

  Tana forced a smile to her face. “See you next week, Gus!” Her voice sounded too bright and too false, even to her own ears. And she still had to swim through the increasing awkwardness of the moment.

  When she turned back to Chase, he was standing there with his arms crossed, checking her out from head to toe. Tana wasn’t a big fan of blushing, and the cold would only make her cheeks pinker, but she couldn’t stop it from happening. Get out ahead of this.

  She let out a deep breath, the moisture forming a wispy cloud in the cool air.

  “I’m sorry, Mr.
Elkin, for... using that tone with you. I shouldn’t have said what I did. That wasn’t right.” Tana was aiming for apologetic, even if deep inside, she didn’t think he deserved it.

  “Why? Because my family owns the lodge?” His grin had settled into something more sultry. “I don’t know if I’d turn down my own advice, but I’m sure you had your reasons.”

  “I thought you were a random mansplaining guest,” she blurted. “I had another guy earlier do a similar thing, only he was a lot pushier about it. It gave me a bit of a short fuse.” Her nerves sparked with cold and dread. “I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way.”

  “Sorry about the disgruntled guest.” Chase put one gloved hand into the pocket of his winter jacket. “Want me to have him removed from the premises?”

  “No, of course not. I was only trying to explain—” Why I was so short with a man who’s basically my boss. “Why I didn’t accept your constructive criticism the way I should have.”

  “I didn’t mean for it to come off as criticism.” Chase’s wide smile lit something inside of her. It made her think of adventure and laughing until her stomach hurt and the rush of pushing off the top of a black diamond hill. His eyes held sadness—no surprise, considering what had happened to him. “Call it expert, friendly advice. I wanted to get to know the ski instructors better and decided to watch how everyone operates. Is this your first teaching gig?”

  With her promotion officially on the line, Tana had to try and save it. Flashing him her warmest and most welcoming smile, she stuck out her hand. “Well, I’d love to start over with an introduction. I’m Tana Birch.” It was a little awkward because of the thick ski gloves they both wore, and she let out a laugh that approached a high giggle. Oh, no. “One of the ski instructors. And yes, it’s my first time, but I’ve also taught dance, and I was a private tutor for a while.”

  “Explains your grace on the slopes, then.”

  “Aw, thanks. I think you did have a point on the timing of the runs, though. It’s a bit tough with the smaller kids. Sometimes they don’t follow the plan.”

  “Don’t I know it.”

  Tana lifted her wrist and pushed aside the base of her glove. “Listen, I’d love to talk more, but I need to head into the lodge before my next class.” The words started out as a courtesy exit, but once she’d said them, she realized they were true. “It was really nice to meet you.”

  “It was great to meet you.” His green eyes traced over hers, and his smile softened. “Before you go, can you tell me anything about the guy who was bothering you? I’m all for pleasing the guests, but that doesn’t mean they have carte blanche to be rude. Do you know his name?”

  “Oh, no, no.” Tana couldn’t believe he was offering to go to bat for her with one of the customers. She did not need Chase Elkin hunting down one of the parents from her ski lessons just because she’d had an irritating encounter this morning. “You don’t have to do that. He was pesky, but it won’t be a problem.”

  “Are you sure about that? I want things to be all right for you in your job. That’s a priority for me.”

  “I’m good. We’re good.” We’re good felt pleasant in her mouth, to her shock. What was happening at this moment? Not a crush on the man who very much appeared to be one of her new bosses. Definitely not that. “I’ll see you around the lodge.” Tana pushed off toward the racks before her cheeks could get any redder.

  3

  So maybe Chase’s approach hadn’t been the best possible one. He’d walked out of the lodge determined to do something. After watching Tana’s last run down the slopes, he’d launched into some advice that would take the instructor, whoever she was, to the next level. External applicants or not, Grandmother preferred to hire from within. Even if he was too keyed up from their conversation to sit down with a stack of resumes, he could still offer advice out on the slopes.

  His heart still hadn’t settled into a normal rhythm, and it had been two hours since Tana had taken off her goggles and pushed back her hood. He took another sip of hot cocoa and tried to pretend he wasn’t looking for her out on the hills. The lodge’s ski cafeteria doubled as a lounge, and its massive windows looked out over the front ski hills of Cardinal Mountain. Other bright red coats came down the slopes with students in tow. The only person he wanted to see was Tana.

  Wow. The word still rang in Chase’s head. Tana was, without question, the most stunning woman he had ever seen. Her big brown eyes had warmed him from the inside out, sparking something low in his belly. And that smile? So big and genuine and hot. It didn’t matter that she wore a set of black ski pants and a bright red coat issued to her by the resort—her eyes alone had taken him captive and refused to let go.

  Which shouldn’t be happening with an employee at the lodge. Not now, and not ever.

  Tana’s red coat appeared at the top of the bunny slope, and he knew instantly from the way she moved that it was her. It made perfect sense that she’d taught dance. She seemed to dance even on skis, with grace and confidence and an encouraging smile he could see even in the Lodge.

  The students around her followed her lead, and they started down the hill. He couldn’t hear what she said, obviously, but he could see their faces—smiles all around, and each one vying to be next to her during the descent. They loved her. What had he been thinking, jumping on her with those tweaks about timing during the lessons? She had skills. She had rapport. And clearly, she made people feel supported.

  Glancing at his watch, he realized this would be the last run down the hill. If he was going to get a chance to talk to her again today, this would be the time. So as much as he wanted to watch her ski down just for the sheer beauty of it, he got up from his seat and returned his mug.

  Chase found her a few minutes later at the bottom of the hill. She stopped to talk to a couple of parents, then proceeded to hand in her equipment to the attendant at the ski rental building. The employees at the lodge didn’t have to haul skis and equipment back and forth like some of the other resorts Chase had been to. His grandmother believed in making people’s lives better, and it showed in some of the value-added benefits she provided.

  Maybe things would be different at the resort with someone like Tana. As it stood, he couldn’t ski—and watching the people come down the mountains hurt deep inside. Burning jealousy didn’t help, either.

  Tana turned, and their eyes met across the churned-up snow. Her dark eyes lit up at the sight of him, her eyebrows lifting. Chase had already planned out what he’d say when they met again, but now all the words flew out of his mind.

  She skied over to meet him. Chase had the strange urge to ask her out on a date.

  Tana lifted a hand and smoothed down the braid peeking out from under her hat, bringing it around to the front of her coat.

  “Hey, Chase.” Her voice was so much warmer than it had been when they first met. “How was the timing on those last runs?”

  He wanted to deny he’d been watching but lying wasn’t his thing. “You looked great out there. I mean—the timing looked great. The students seem to enjoy the lessons.”

  She gave a shrug, her eyes sparkling. “I bring my best to the slopes. The way you always did.” Tana flinched as she finished the sentence.

  The dull ache in his leg flared in recognition, knowing what she meant. The comment stung. “It was my life—I gave it everything I had.”

  “Sorry. I shouldn’t have brought that up.” Her eyes flicked down to the snow.

  “It was national news. No big deal.” Except the end of Chase’s skiing career had been the biggest deal of his life. It still was, but looking into Tana’s eyes gave him the strange sensation that the accident and his injury had faded into the distant past. Temporary relief but highly welcome. “But you should know I didn’t come down here with more tips. I came to see if I could buy you a hot tea.” It would only be the once, and he wanted to know more about her. “Maybe we could talk more.”

  Tana frowned, and for the first time, he noticed th
e thin scar that cut across one of her cheeks. “A hot tea sounds great.” He heard the rejection in her voice, although it was cloaked with kindness. “But I really can’t. I have an errand to run, and I can’t miss it.”

  “Another time, then.” Disappointment dogged him. He pushed it away.

  “Another time,” she agreed, her gaze lingering on his face for a heartbeat longer than was strictly necessary. The cold, clear day didn’t feel so cold after all.

  Chase headed back to his house, intent on solitude, a beer, and dinner. In that order. He didn’t live in the lodge the way his grandmother did. She and his grandfather had renovated half the top floor of the lodge into their own private apartments early on in their ownership of the resort. Both liked being around other people, and it gave them peace of mind about the building itself. Of course, the Elk Lodge resort had grown considerably since then. They offered numerous private chateaus in the forest overlooking the slopes and a neat set of winter camping cabins.

  And then there were the family houses.

  Three of them, to be exact. One for each brother if they chose to live there. The houses perched off the same access road as the lodge and looked down over the property. Jonas had moved into the first one years before. The other two had sat empty most of the time, used only when he and Gabe came home for the holidays.

  Chase decided to cut across the parking lot, hoping to miss seeing anyone he knew. The convenient shortcut back to his house was one he’d used a lot lately, even if it did take him past staff intent on decorating everything at the resort to within an inch of its life.

  The trees lining the parking lot boasted strings of Christmas lights, all in the same classy white, every other one decorated in red tinsel. They’d gone so far as to wrap silver tinsel around a bower at the edge of the parking lot—the same one Chase had to cross under to get to the path. He could stand to skip it, but sometimes in life a man had to confront decorations where he didn’t want to see them. They just weren’t his thing this year.