“Pretty much.” She shrugged. “It gives me a reason to get up in the morning.”
“When did you get the tat?” He stopped beside her and focused on pulling the sandwiches and mini-containers of macaroni salad out of the bag.
She didn’t answer for a moment. “I was twenty-one. Just. My mother had picked out a dress for me for my cousin’s wedding. It was yellow and sweet, like something you’d put on a five-year-old.” She pulled a face. “I look dead in yellow. And the cut was all wrong for my body type too. I think she was trying to get back at me for marrying Fallon and not getting over his death overnight. And not going out with the men she kept throwing at me.”
He didn’t think he liked her mother very much. “Let me guess, the back of the dress scooped low?”
“Low enough to show part of the tat. I was careful not to put it high enough to get in the way of everything I wore, just enough to force her to let me make my own choices. The dress I had picked out myself covered Tiffany here just fine.”
Unable to help himself, he ran one finger around the pixie’s outline. She shivered a little and goose bumps rose on her arms. “Tiffany, huh? A lot of tattoos end up being tacky, but this one is unbelievably sexy.” Or maybe it was just because it was her.
She shot a teasing glance over her shoulder. “Glad you think so. Have a sandwich.”
He yanked his attention back to the food. “Yeah. You’ll need your energy for our little hike.”
“It better really be little. These boots aren’t exactly broken in for major hiking.”
He hadn’t even glanced at her feet, but he did so now. The boots were new but looked sturdy enough. “You’ll do. Can you hike in those leather pants?” Not that he was complaining.
“I have capris on underneath. I brought the backpack to put my bike gear in while we hike.”
“Good idea.” He didn’t know what a capri was, but if it was as sexy as the rest of her outfit, he was definitely interested in finding out.
When they finished eating, he made himself act busy checking his voice mail as she peeled back the leather pants to show light-weight, mid-calf pants in a pale blue that matched her camisole. He frowned at the second angry message from Lars Anderson in two days and made a note to call him back later.
He looked up at her and his frown disappeared; she looked carefree and happy, something he’d never seen from her before. “Good call.” He folded her jacket and set it on top of the leather pants when she had stuffed them in her backpack. Then he zipped it closed and tossed it over his own shoulder.
“I can take that,” she protested.
“I’m sure you can, but I’ll lug it for now.” He put out a hand to quell her protests. “I promise to let you know if it gets too heavy for me.”
Her brows lifted, but she stopped arguing.
He retrieved his camera from his bike’s saddlebag and wrapped the strap over his shoulder.
“You just can’t resist taking pictures everywhere you go, can you?”
“Nope.” And he was definitely planning to immortalize her with several shots—otherwise Gage and Vince may never believe that her outfit ever happened. Or that pixie.
Though maybe he’d keep that to himself.
He offered her a hand and she slid hers into it. “Let me show you one of my favorite places.”
The trail was fairly smooth with not too many steep areas. Way too boring for Gage—or Jonquil if rumors were true—but just right for a hiking novice. They crossed a dirt road and half a mile later he could hear the sounds of their destination. “Hear that?” he asked.
“What is it?”
“Just wait and see.” He released her hand to set his camera. The roaring sound grew louder as they approached and then the trees opened up and a pool of water appeared before them. A waterfall, swollen with spring runoff, poured into it. A stream went out on the right side and down a light incline.
She stopped and stared at it, wonder in her eyes, sunlight glinting off her golden hair. He snapped a few pictures, entranced by her expression.
She scowled at him. “The camera is for the view, not for taking pictures of me.”
“You’re part of the view. A very pretty part.”
“You need to work on your flattery skills.”
“It isn’t flattery if it’s true.” Unable to help himself, he hooked one hand behind her neck and drew her close, slanting his lips over hers. He felt her quiver under his fingers before she reached up and pulled him against her.
He’d been trying to keep his hands to himself, and had managed admirably until now, but he let his camera hang at his side again and slid both arms around her waist, then shifted his head and took it deeper. She was glory, warm and soft and sweet smelling. He slid one hand in the fine hairs at the nape of her neck, reveling in the softness, then trailed them back down to the spot where he knew her tattoo danced. He yearned for more but knew taking would be a big mistake, even if she was willing, so he marshaled his self-control and lightened the kisses, pulling back so they still shared the same breath, though their lips were no longer touching.
“Wow.” She was as breathless as he was, her eyes wide and slightly unfocused. “Who knew?”
“After our last ride, I knew there was more, but this is...” Jeremy wasn’t sure what to say.
She drew back, releasing him. “A little scary, actually. I’m not looking to make sticky connections here.”
“Me neither. How about if we just enjoy the afternoon and take it from there?” If there was a voice inside him that said he might not be happy with just today, that he was disappointed that she wanted to keep things casual, he would ignore it. He was going to live in the moment. He was usually good at that. “We can pull off our shoes and dip our feet in the pool if you like. Unless you’d rather skinny dip.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
“Isn’t this snow run off?” When he nodded that it was, she put her hand on her hip. “Do I look like I take ice baths? No thanks, getting my feet wet will be more than enough.”
He chuckled and set down the backpack and camera, then pulled off his shoes and rolled up the legs of his blue jeans. When her shoes and socks were off, she revealed a dainty pair of feet with toes painted the color of ripe nectarines.
She dipped her toes in and yelped a little. “That’s really cold.”
He walked over and slid an arm around her waist, pushing her to step into the shallow water on one edge. “It’s just water.”
“It’s cold water,” she protested.
“You already knew that.”
“But I didn’t think it would be this cold. I think my toes are going numb.”
He turned her in his arms. “See if this doesn’t warm you up.” He kissed her again, molding one palm around her cheek. She gave in for a moment as he kept walking them deeper, up past his ankles.
They continued for a long moment before she nudged him away. “My feet are freezing, really. I’m getting out.”
He let her go with some reluctance, and followed her out. She was right; the water was barely above freezing. He stepped onto a sun-warmed rock and watched her sit beside the creek that rolled down the mountainside. She toyed with some gravel beside her and picked up a sparkling golden rock, a little smaller than a walnut. “This is pretty.”
“Fools gold. I know we have some around here.” He took it and turned it over in his fingers.
“I’ll take it home. I have a collection.” She set it on the large rock she was sitting on and tipped her face up to the sun, soaking it in.
He grabbed his camera again and snapped a picture before she realized what he was doing, then turned the viewfinder to the waterfall before she could catch him taking photos of her.
“You don’t fool me. I have the feeling I’m not going to keep you from shooting me if you have a camera in your hands.”
“Your feeling is right. I’ve gotten a few of you in your high-society suits at work too. They’re almost as sexy as you in black leather.”
She waved, discounting his words entirely. He let her, though he meant every word of it. He took a few shots of birds and trees, the way the sunlight dappled through leaves on a large boulder, and the sparkle of her memento with the waterfall behind it. It would make an interesting picture for the newspaper.
When they had been there an hour, he noticed she looked a little restless. “You ready to go?”
She frowned and checked her watch. “Yeah, I think so. I do have a few last-minute preparations for Rosemary’s wedding to take care of.” She picked up the rock again.
“Workaholic.”
“Says the man who carries his work with him everywhere he goes.” She gave the camera a pointed look.
He offered her a hand to stand up and she took it. “Hi, Kettle. I’m the Pot.”
She grinned.
He thought he definitely needed to get her out to relax again. Soon.
Delphi checked out the ballroom one last time to ensure everything was ready for a client’s wedding that day. Her list was complete and she felt reassured. Just one more stop into the kitchen to see how the food was coming along and she could sit down to take a break.
Her radio crackled and Kristi’s familiar voice came on. “Ms. Gifford, there are some guests here at the front desk who would like to speak with you, if you have time.”
She glanced at her watch and decided she had just enough time—if she skipped the break she had been looking forward to. She pulled out her radio and depressed the talk button. “I’ll be right there.”
She passed Jeremy in the hall; he was headed toward the ballroom. “I’ll be back, go ahead and set up,” she said when they looked her way.
“Yes, ma’am.” Jeremy did a little salute, but looked amused. He was in a good mood, as usual. It made it a lot harder not to give in to his charm.
Delphi’s heels clicked against the floor tiles of the spacious foyer and she put on a smile as she neared the front desk, then felt it falter as she recognized the couple speaking with Lana and Cami. The air rushed from her lungs and she wondered if the atmosphere had all burned off when she struggled to suck in more. What were Penny and Kirk doing here?
Lana turned to her and smiled. “Delphi, you didn’t mention your in-laws were coming for a visit.” The questions in her brown eyes were legion, but she kept her polite smile in place and didn’t ask. Their father had been spot on when he chose her for hotel manager, since she was classy, good with people and knew when to talk and when not to. She brushed her shoulder-length auburn hair back from her face and rubbed a hand along her eight-months-pregnant belly.
“I didn’t know.” There must have been some air still left in her lungs since she managed to stutter the words. “You’ve met then?” She looked between her in-law and her half-sisters.
“I took the liberty of beginning introductions,” Cami said. “They knew all about us.” The emphasis was light but perceptible.
Delphi swallowed and nodded in acknowledgement. She hugged Fallon’s parents, greeting them properly. “What a surprise. How are you doing?” She’d kept in touch with Penny via email and occasional phone calls over the years, so the family knew the basics about Delphi’s situation here, but neither of them had written for a few weeks. Had it been that long? Delphi felt guilty.
“We’re well. Nancy just found out she’s going to be a mom, again,” Penny said of her daughter, “and Kirk is retiring in a few months.” She was the mouthpiece of the couple, and had been for as long as Delphi had known her. Her wavy brown hair ended at her shoulders and her hazel eyes looked tired, the wrinkles deeper than Delphi remembered from their meeting the previous summer. She was the poster woman for an average lower-middle class soccer mom with a few extra pounds on her middle and hips, and more comfortable in jeans and a tee than in the suit Delphi habitually wore. “You’re looking terrific. All of this mountain air must agree with you.”
“Thank you. You’re looking very well too.” Delphi really wanted to ask how they could afford to fly to Colorado and pay for the hotel, but she kept it to herself. It wasn’t any of her business how they spent their money. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I’d have cleared some space in my schedule. Things here are a little crazy today.”
“We didn’t want to interfere with your work,” Penny insisted. “We’re just going to do some snowmobiling and bird watching and we’ll fit you in when you’re available.”
“It’s been too long since we got away on our own,” Kirk said. He was tall and rangy with a full head of salt and pepper hair and just enough wrinkles to look distinguished in his jeans and red and white plaid shirt. They were the parents she had always wished she’d had, and had clung to tightly in the years since Fallon’s death.
“That sounds great.” Delphi turned to Kristi, who stood at the check in computer. “Which room do you have them in?”
When she learned it was one of their cheaper rooms, she gave authorization for a free upgrade. The whole time she felt Lana and Cami’s eyes on her.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that, dear. Really, we’re fine where we are,” Penny said, though the look in her eyes said she was excited and grateful.
“Nonsense. What good am I if I can’t be sure you get a good room? We aren’t nearly full this weekend, so it’s no problem.” And she wanted them to have the full five-star hotel experience.
She noticed Kristi’s eyebrows lift at the inaccurate comment—she knew from their executive meeting that morning that they were at ninety-five percent of capacity—but Kristi didn’t say anything to dispute the comment. She took back the room key cards and issued new ones.
Delphi thought it would be easier if her sisters hadn’t been watching her. She knew this little revelation came as a major surprise to them, but she didn’t have time to worry about what they thought—especially not on such a busy day. She focused her energy on making sure her former in-laws knew that they were welcome.
“We’re glad to have you here,” Lana said to the Lawrences. “If you need anything, you just let one of us know and we’ll take care of it. We’re always happy to have one of our family members come for a visit.”
“That’s so sweet of you, really,” Penny gushed. “I’ve never been anywhere so nice. You have such a beautiful hotel.” She glanced around at the marble-tiled floors, soaring ceilings and plentiful plants and cut flower arrangements, courtesy of Jonquil’s floral department.
Delphi motioned to the bellhop and gave him directions to the Lawrences’ suite. “Help them with their bags, and if they need anything else, make sure they get it.” When he nodded that he understood, she turned back to her in-laws. “I have an early wedding today, so I should be available for a late dinner, or dessert if you eat earlier. How about if I give you a ring when I finish up?”
“That’s wonderful, dear. It sure is good to see you again. You know we think of you often.” Penny gave her another hug.
Kirk squeezed Delphi’s arm and echoed his wife’s words before they followed the bellhop up to their suite.
Delphi watched them go for a moment before she steeled herself to face the others. She swiveled to Cami and Lana. Grateful the three of them were far enough away from the front desk not to be overheard, she said in a low voice, “I don’t have time to explain now so we’ll have to talk about this later.”
“Yes, yes we will,” Cami said.
Delphi ground her teeth together. “I want everything they need this weekend comped or discounted. If there’s a problem, I’ll pay for it myself, but I don’t want them to know about it.”
Cami’s brows lifted, but she nodded. “I’ll be sure it’s marked in the system and see that word is spread to the other departments in case they go into one of the shops or the restaurant.”
“Are you okay?” Lana touched Delphi’s arm as she turned away.
“I’m fine, thanks. I just need to focus on work for the next few hours. I’m going back to the ballroom now.” She walked off, trying to focus on her
day’s schedule instead of allowing the emotions churning inside her to take over. Now was not the time to be thinking about Fallon.
Jeremy stepped into the kitchen to get a snack after taking a boatload of candids during the wedding lunch. It was a good crowd, with an easygoing, photogenic couple. Delphi had been a little off her game, though he wouldn’t have realized if he hadn’t been watching her so closely. She’d come back to the ballroom before the bride’s arrival looking pale and stressed.
“Is everything okay?’ he asked when they didn’t have anyone hanging at their elbows for a moment.
“Yeah, it’s fine. Why?” She checked her watch.
“You look upset about something.”
“I’m fine.” She brushed the hair from her face, avoiding eye contact with him and hurried over to the mother of the bride.
Jeremy watched her go, not believing it. He’d spent enough time watching her since their chat weeks earlier in the Denver hotel to know when she was lying. He’d thought they were friends now, though. At least friends. So why wouldn’t she just tell him?
Rosemary smiled at Jeremy as he stepped inside the door, her usual army of workers calling out requests and gliding past each other as they went about their jobs. The grills hissed, steam billowed and a bell dinged as a plate was set under the heat lamps for a customer in the adjoining five-star restaurant.
“How are things going out there?” Rosemary’s long blond hair was pulled back in a braid that stretched from the bottom of her chef’s hat almost to the small of her back.
“Terrific. And I heard plenty of comments about how good the food is. As always.”
“Of course.” Her expression said that she knew she and her staff were the best.
He chuckled, used to her after months of doing shoots at the hotel and friendly gatherings Vince had included him in. “Can you spare a snack for a starving man?”
“For you, always.” She pointed to one of the servers and told them to get him a plate, then gestured to her office—which was technically out of the food preparation area, and therefore not subject to the no-eating-in-the-kitchen rule.
Wild Hearts (The DiCarlo Brides) Page 7