Krissa’s eyebrows shot up. What was he doing here?
“Short staffed? Are you moonlighting as a waiter?”
Nick smirked. “Just part of the Wescott welcoming committee.”
Chapter 6
KRISSA gave him a long, steely look, but Nick grinned at her anyway. With a dramatic wave of his arm, Nick set down the warm dessert plates and slid into the seat across from her.
Krissa fumed.
“Stalker, perhaps? You seem to be everywhere.” Krissa gave him her best, unyielding teacher stare. “Just because you live a stone’s throw from me doesn’t mean you can sit with me.”
She held Nick’s gaze, but felt herself weaken as she welcomed the delicious berry aroma that had begun to tickle her nose. Her fingers twitched toward her spoon. Without a conscious thought, a heaping spoonful of ice cream, berries, and crumbly topping popped into her mouth. Delicious.
“I wuff cwumple,” Krissa mumbled. “It’s my downfall. You’re a bad man.” She shook her empty spoon at him and then scooped up another bite.
Nick nodded agreeably and took a healthy bite of his too. “Yes, indeed. It’s my defining characteristic, but I know the chef and he agreed that our newest citizen had to be treated to the best dessert in the West.”
“Good call,” Krissa agreed and tried to nibble more daintily on another mouthful. “Berries are my favorite. I see the blackberries and the raspberries, but what’s the third one?”
“Boysenberries and maybe a sprinkling of huckleberries.”
“Scrumptious,” she said and hoped there was no berry juice dribbling down her chin.
“It’s a specialty here at the resort,” Nick said. “It was the one thing my uncle knew how to cook, and it was the only dessert back in the early days when it was just a fishing tackle hut with a hamburger grill.”
“The lodge is gorgeous and that pool out there looks pretty amazing,” Krissa said. “It’s a long ways from the bait shop days. I can’t even imagine it that way.”
“I got lucky,” Nick said. “My uncle started this place about thirty years ago and he trained me to take over for him. He passed away ten years ago, and I managed it myself for a few years before I hired an onsite supervisor and moved to Denver.”
Krissa waited to hear more of the story, but Nick didn’t continue. She tried to imagine being a kid or teenager around all the glamour of Vail. It was a far cry from the old subdivision in parched and dusty Phoenix where she’d been raised.
“You grew up here?” Krissa asked.
As if he picked up on Krissa’s amazement, Nick said, “Crazy lucky, huh? My parents lived in Denver, but we came out to visit lots. My sisters and I moved out here full time with my uncle when I was thirteen just after my parents died. The resort really kept me busy and out of trouble.”
“How terrible to lose your parents so early on,” Krissa said. Her heart reached out to the kid who’d lost his parents at such an impressionable age.
“Yeah, pretty crappy, but life goes on,” Nick said.
He cleared his throat and looked away; Krissa let it drop.
“It was a big change to move from Denver to here,” Nick said after a moment, “but I was never bored. I think my uncle made sure I had no spare time to get into trouble. It was all resort all day long.” Nick laughed. “I only earned minimum wage, but Uncle Ross made sure I learned how to do everything. I bussed tables, life guarded the pool, cleaned rooms, clerked the front desk, and swung a hammer on maintenance. You name it, I did it.”
Krissa was surprised by the humbleness in his voice and the obvious pride and love he felt for the lodge. His deep blue eyes were almost sparkling, and Krissa couldn’t pry her gaze away from him.
Nick looked down at Krissa’s empty plate and with a quick thump on the table, he stood up and said, “Are you ready for the grand tour?”
The haze fled Krissa’s befuddled brain and panic rose up. Her danger meter clanged a warning. Nick Olin was too gorgeous. She was done with that stuff. She’d had her heart broken too many times. First by her deadbeat father and then by cheating Tim and even her completely flaky mother and brother. All she needed now was teaching, Shasta, and her gal pals. That was enough.
With a wide smile, Nick extended his hand to help her up. “Even among all the five-star glamour and glitz of Vail, Wescott Springs Resort is one of the must sees around here. Come on.”
There was no way she was spending more time with Nick. There was no point in trailing around the resort with him and giving him the idea that she was interested in him. Nope. She was going home.
Krissa looked up to make her excuses, but she fell into the deep blue pool of his eyes. Without another thought, Krissa slid her hand into his and a warm pulse of contact raced through her body. Her eyes widened and Nick gazed intently back. The moment stretched and her breath caught in her throat. Her heart thumped.
A chair squeaked on the wooden floor, breaking the enchantment. Krissa looked down at her toes.
His fingers tightened on hers. Without knowing it, her fingertips flexed in the smallest of squeezes back.
“Oh!” she said and pulled her hand back in a flash.
“Come see my resort,” he repeated.
Krissa loved his silky tone, but her brain hollered that she shouldn’t spend even five more minutes in his presence. Nick smiled, and she could see charm and warmth dancing in his eyes. Her brain went blank and she couldn’t remember why she shouldn’t take a little walk with Nick.
“Um…okay.”
As they strolled through the lodge and the grounds, her brain kicked back into high gear and complained that Nick was just another guy who was likely to cut up her peace of mind and trample all over her heart. She was supposed to be sensible. Yet, she followed him around the property like he was a pied piper. A sneaky man with berry crumble. How could he have figured out her weakness with no effort? Luck. Bad luck for her. She straightened her back and hoped it firmed up her resolve.
He was good-looking and successful and charming, but she didn’t need him. No, sir. She was a single lady. She could be polite and friendly, but that was all.
They cruised past a few of the cabins and finally ended up at the rear of the lodge on the deck above the huge swimming pool that had multiple slides, diving boards, and two waterfalls. There were still a sprinkling of late afternoon sunbathers and a handful of kids frolicking in the clear water.
“Wow. It’s lovely,” she said and gestured appreciatively around.
“My Uncle Ross gets all the credit,” Nick replied. “I’m just the lucky guy who inherited it all.”
“Don’t believe him!” a young voice interrupted. “Mom says Uncle Nick took the resort from fine to fabulous.”
Nick quirked his eyebrows up and grinned at the pre-teen boy with a mop of crazy, curly golden hair. “Allow me to introduce my eldest nephew, Eli Anderson,” Nick said as he rested his hands on his hips and put on an exaggerated, disapproving frown. “And I might add that Eli will be in your sixth grade class in the fall and in your summer class tomorrow.”
Eli mimicked his uncle and stood with his arms akimbo and tried to look tough and stern. Then he launched himself at Nick and dove in for a hug.
“Welcome back, Uncle Nick!” Eli said. The two separated but Eli stood close.
Krissa extended her hand and shook with the curly-topped boy.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Eli Anderson. So what’s your uncle done to make the resort so awesome?”
Krissa was curious to know exactly how Nick had improved the resort. He seemed to have a real pride of ownership and she had the impression that he was the type of man who would keep improving and adding on to this mountain paradise. Hmm. She was just curious about the lodge…not its owner.
“You’re looking at it,” Eli said and pointed at the pool. “It was just a big ol’ rectangle when I was little and now it’s almost like the lake, only better. It has waterfalls and slides and two cool hot tubs.” Krissa nodded and Eli
continued, “I think he redid the whole lobby and best of all, he added the golf course and the golf shop. Way cool.”
Krissa cocked her head at Nick and said, “Sounds like you’ve left your own mark on this place. I’m impressed. It’s as beautiful as anything you’d see in a magazine.”
“I’ve had a few ideas, but my Uncle Ross dreamed it, built it, and made it last. I just found the financing and added a little icing to the cake.” Nick took a pretend swipe at Eli’s shoulder and added, “But this guy here…this kid keeps the putting greens in order and he’s the best golf ball collector we’ve ever had.”
“The picker is da bomb!” Eli added, and Nick and Krissa laughed in unison.
A chirping noise erupted from Eli’s pocket and he groaned.
“Mom set my phone alarm to go off when it’s time to go. Can you call Mom and ask if I can stay and hang out here longer?” Eli wheedled. “There’s still lots to do in the golf shop and I’m sure Ted needs my help.”
“I think Ted will have to muddle through without you for the rest of the day. Your mom said four o’clock sharp.”
Eli grimaced. “Chores and then dinner with Great Aunt Eloisa. Maybe you can come too? You haven’t been home in months. You owe me a round of boxing on the Wii.”
Nick shook his head and laughed. “Oh no, she’s your aunt, not mine. No way am I letting her spoil my afternoon.”
“All she talks about is her cats and her garden, and she glares whenever I ask her anything or try to liven up the conversation,” Eli said glumly.
Nick and Krissa looked at each other and tried hard not to laugh. Krissa felt her body respond to Nick with a seeping warmth spreading through her veins. Whoa, she pulled herself up short. It was definitely time to leave.
“It’s time for me to head out too,” she said in a rush of words. “I’ve still got some planning to do for the first day of summer school. Any requests, Eli?”
“Nah, just make the first day fun.”
“One order of fun coming up!” she said and pretended to scribble his instructions on a notepad. “I’ll see what we can do.”
“Come on, Eli, let’s walk Miss Courtland out to her car,” Nick said.
“All right,” Eli said and then dashed ahead to the lobby.
Nick pointed the way and added, “He’s off to sweet-talk a treat from the reception desk. He’s already flirting with any front desk clerks and the waitresses. I think my sister is going to have her hands full with Eli.”
“What sixth grader isn’t a handful?” Krissa asked and added, “But they’re also a lot of fun and really ready to start learning about the world.” She rubbed her hands together and then popped them like an explosion. “I think I love the beginning of school the best. All that anticipation, excitement, and expectation.” She glowed with enthusiasm and couldn’t help but smile.
Krissa caught Nick’s gaze, and a matching warmth filled his eyes. She blushed. “Don’t laugh,” she admonished. “I know lots of people hate school, but I’ve always loved it. Even as a kid I couldn’t wait for summer to end so I could get back to my beloved teachers and books and learning new things.”
Nick held up his hands in protest. “I didn’t say anything. I think it’s great when a person loves her job. Teachers are no different. It sounds like you really love it.”
“I do. I think of it as helping people learn to explore the world and ask questions.” Krissa blushed again and wondered what was wrong with her. Time to divert his attention. “Well, based on how gorgeous the resort is, I’m guessing that you love your job too,” she said with a little challenge in her voice.
“I live it, breathe it, eat it, and drink it all up every day,” he said. “Twenty-five hours a day. I love the challenge. Resorts and deals. That’s what I do.”
Krissa watched Nick’s gaze flit around the lobby from the log walls, the plush overstuffed arm chairs to the towering river rock fireplace. She could see his eyes gleaming. Pride and self-satisfaction…and anticipation.
“It’s simply spectacular,” Krissa said.
Nick toasted the air in a tribute, and said, “Thank you, Uncle Ross.”
Nick’s voice was filled with gratitude and love. Krissa glanced at Nick’s face and felt mesmerized. She could see a fierce passion glowing in his eyes. His eyes roamed around the grand room again.
“You look like a man who is plotting strategy,” Krissa said.
“Hmmm. Always,” Nick said. “It’s a grand old lodge, isn’t it?” He paused for a moment, shook his head, and then brought his gaze back to Krissa.
“When can I lure you back here again?” His deep blue eyes invited her to stay with him. “Come have dinner with me tomorrow night.”
Krissa’s eyes widened in surprise and her heart thumped so loudly she was sure it could be heard halfway across the lobby.
Dread swept over her again. No way. No dates, her brain shouted. A jumble of memories flooded over her. Sickening images of her fiancé fondling another woman. The anger and disbelief as she’d jammed his stuff into green garbage sacks and dumped them on the porch. And finally, her wrath turning to an agonizing pain tearing through her as the miscarriage began. She was never going to feel that way again. She steadied herself.
“Oh, that’s so nice of you to ask,” Krissa rattled off, “but I’m much too busy with school prep for any dinners out. I’m sure you must be much too busy with all of the repairs.”
Nick was about to reply, but Krissa turned to see Eli sauntering across the lobby with a chocolatey sucker just popping into his mouth.
“Aren’t we leaving?” Eli asked with a joyful smack of his lips.
Krissa whooshed out a gust of air. Good grief, she’d been holding her breath in her panic.
“Yep! I’m ready,” she chimed. She marched in step with Eli to the parking lot and got him chattering about his favorite football and basketball teams.
She managed to slip into her car with a cheery thank you for the dessert and the tour and then a final goodbye to her future student. She waved a quick salute to Eli and zipped away without a glance at Nick. Her heart beat uncomfortably in her chest.
Drat that man. He even seemed like a nice guy. His nephew sure liked him.
Chapter 7
AS her SUV barreled out of the parking lot, Nick wondered where he’d gone astray. They’d been laughing and flirting all afternoon and then Krissa had virtually run off.
He rubbed his neck thoughtfully. Was he getting rusty in asking a pretty lady for a date? He glanced down at Eli and wondered if somehow his nephew had killed his mojo. He smiled at the thought—it wasn’t too likely since Krissa was a teacher and certainly comfortable around kids.
He thought about her curvy, lush body all dripping wet and sexy when he’d pulled her out of the lake. He felt his temperature rise and a tightness down low. Krissa tried to put on the buttoned-up schoolteacher thing, but he wasn’t buying it. He’d felt her body respond to his. There was no denying the electricity arcing between them. There was fire in her hair and her blood.
He grinned and remembered that he wasn’t a quitter—he’d try again.
After a short round trip to deliver Eli back home, Nick’s phone vibrated and announced a fresh text message. Excellent! His assistant had arrived from Denver. Nick set off at a smart clip from the parking lot to the side service entrance.
Hank was comfortably leaning against a column fiddling with the tablet cradled in his hands. Nick smiled at his intern assistant and decided that Hank was the best one yet. The young man was almost six feet tall and mega skinny with geek chic black glasses and a shock of short black hair that was spiky with gobs of gooey gel. His new assistant was only one month out of college, but he was already earning his keep by ferreting out industry gossip, minding Nick’s calendar, and charming his way into the good graces of clients’ assistants.
“Hey, boss man,” Hank said. “There’s been a plan change with the Marindon Hotel Group. There’s a new inspection date.”
> Nick raised his eyebrows in question.
“Phil Marindon is cutting his vacation short and coming to Wescott Springs himself. The new date isn’t until a week from Wednesday. He’s on safari somewhere in Africa right now, according to his secretary. Boy, she wasn’t happy. You know, with all of the scheduling changes for the rest of the executives who are coming too.”
Nick almost pumped his fist in victory, but held it back. Nick felt sure the odds of closing the deal had just increased by thirty percent, easy. If the wily old Phil was coming in person, it must be almost a sure thing. Not that it didn’t help that he’d known Phil Marindon for more than a decade. Well, that might not help if he carried a grudge.
Nick glanced at Hank and could see the question in his eyes. He liked that the kid had questions but waited for information. Hank was curious but didn’t push himself forward. There might be some real potential in this one.
“Indeed, it’s a very good sign that Marindon himself is joining us,” Nick said. “Now we need to make sure the resort is in perfect condition. Has everyone reported back to you yet? Has Chad called with info on insurance? Where are we with repairs?”
“Pretty crappy timing for a massive windstorm,” Hank said, “but the outer cabins seemed to have taken the worst damage. I’m working on a route for your tour that avoids any hints of destruction or disrepair.”
“That’s a great idea,” Nick said, “but if these guys are worth their salt, they’ll go wandering off on their own. We have to be ready.”
“I heard that we’ve got a ton of fresh plantings going in first thing tomorrow, so it’ll be picture perfect.”
“Can you round up the managers again for an early dinner meeting? Tell ’em I won’t keep them past six this time. I want updates on repairs and to hammer out the details of the Marindon visit.”
Hank marched back into the resort, but Nick remained outside. The fresh air was a nice change. Nick took up Hank’s position and leaned back against the portico column. He scrolled through his emails on his phone and deleted them almost as soon as he read each one. He hesitated for a moment over one from Angie Jarrett. Why the hell would she be sending him a message? Phil Marindon’s stepdaughter was a royal nuisance. He supposed he’d have to be nice to his ex-fiancée with her powerful stepdad strolling into town in a week. He still cringed thinking about the two months of that crazy, adolescent engagement.
Last Resort Love Page 5