Listen to Your Heart

by Mona Ingram

  “Did you spend much time with your Grandmother?”

  “Yes.” They shuffled along in line. “She lived in one of those houses you see on the postcards, between Klosters and Davos. I liked visiting her. She made the best hot chocolate.”

  “What’s her name?”

  He paused. “Promise you won’t laugh.”

  “Why would I laugh?”

  “Her name is Heidi.”

  Morgan laughed.

  “See?”

  She was grateful when the loader motioned them forward. Adrian gripped her hand so tightly it almost hurt.

  “Sorry,” he said, suddenly realizing what he’d done. They stepped into the gondola with the others and the door closed.

  He paled as the gondola pulled out and started to ascend. Morgan was fascinated as the buildings grew smaller in the valley below. This was a different view from what she’d experienced before and it seemed pointless to miss it. Adrian tensed every time the gondola went over one of the towers, and he stood rigidly, eyes straight ahead, but maintained his composure.

  A bump from one of the towers threw her against him and he looked down at her, his expression unreadable.

  “Sorry,” she murmured, but he put an arm around her and pulled her back against his side. “You’re fine right where you are,” he said, nuzzling the top of her head.

  The rest of the trip seemed to fly by.

  By the time they reached the top of Blackcomb it had stopped snowing. They moved away from the terminal and stood silently, taking in the magnificent scenery. Riders and skiers were everywhere, spilling out of the gondolas and lifts in amazing numbers.

  “I looked up the Peak 2 Peak last night on the Internet,” she said after a moment. “Did you know that the towers were constructed by the Swiss? Also the cable, but for some reason they call it rope.”

  He’d grabbed her hand again and gave it another squeeze. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

  She grinned. “Is it working?”

  He paused to consider her question. “Yes, actually. It is.”

  “Good.” She watched a group of young people being herded off to the side with their instructors. “Shall we get it over with and go over to Whistler? I also learned that it’s sunny there in the morning.” She turned to face him square on. “Are you okay?

  “Let’s do it.”

  Morgan managed to snag a bench seat beside the window. Adrian sat beside her and she took his hand again. “I’m going to be your guide,” she said, leaning into his warmth.

  She’d had a brilliant idea last night, while doing research on the internet. If she kept up a steady stream of chatter while they crossed from Blackcomb to Whistler, it might divert him from whatever trauma had left him terrified of heights. She also hoped that when they got to the Roundhouse at Whistler and she stopped chattering, her silence would prompt him to confide in her.

  It took only seconds until the gondola was high above the forest floor. From here, the snow-covered trees appeared oddly distorted, but Adrian wasn’t looking down. His attention was fixed on the high alpine, and she could tell that he was enjoying the beauty of their surroundings.

  “The mountains are different here,” he said after a few seconds. “At home they’re sharper...more rugged.”

  “They’re newer,” said Morgan, following the direction of his gaze. “The Alps are still being formed.”

  “That’s true,” he said, smiling down at her with what could only be described as tenderness. “So what else have you got for me?”

  “Okay.” She turned to face him. “The distance travelled by the Peak 2 Peak is 4.4km, and the crossing time takes eleven minutes. A gondola leaves every forty-nine seconds.”

  He looked surprised, and she nodded. “Quick, huh?” She pointed upward. “The cable we’re riding on, or should I say the two cables, came from Switzerland on 50-ton spools. They had to be offloaded down in Washington State because they were too large for any facility in Vancouver Harbour.” She searched her memory for other tidbits. “Oh, and the entire project was completed on time and on budget. I thought the businessman in you would appreciate that.”

  He gave her an amused smile. “I’m not a businessman.”

  “Bite your tongue. You’re very much a businessman. You may not work nine to five in an office, but you’re very good at what you do.”

  He looked puzzled. “And what is that?”

  “You’re an innkeeper. A hotelier. I’ve watched you handle people since the first moment we met...including me by the way...and you’re good at it. I’ll bet your father is proud of the way you represent the family to the public.”

  A shadow crossed his eyes and she wondered what she’d said wrong. Maybe he didn’t get along with his father.

  His gaze drifted outside, but she suspected he wasn’t seeing the skiers and riders making their way down the hill.

  He blinked, and focused on Morgan. “Speaking of my father, he’ll be here any day now.”

  “Really? Any special reason, or is it a routine visit?”

  “I think he wants to look into the restaurant lease.”

  “I would have thought he’d have someone to do that for him.”

  Adrian nodded. “Yes, usually the Food Services Manager would scout it out first, but Dad’s a hands-on owner.” He gave her a lop-sided grin. “And I think he wants to check on me.”

  “Are you looking forward to seeing him?”

  He hesitated for a split second. “Yes, I am. By the way, he flies in the company jet and we never know when he’s going to show up. I had an e-mail from my mom last night, and she said he was in Banff the last time she heard from him.” He looked up. “Oh look, we’re here already.” He stood up as the gondola swooped into the terminal and the exit door opened.

  Once clear of the terminal building they were in brilliant sunshine. Adrian visibly relaxed and offered her his hand again as they strolled to the Roundhouse.

  “Know what I’d like to do?” he said. “I’d like to get coffee and a snack and sit outside.”

  The area looked completely different than it had the other night when Tyler had set up his impromptu bar. Gray Jays hopped from the perimeter railing to the tables, looking for food.

  “I’d like that,” she said, following him into the busy restaurant.

  * * *

  “This is nice,” Adrian said a few minutes later. The outside area was busy, but riders and skiers were coming and going constantly, and a table opened up as they came out with their drinks. “One more trip to go,” he said, looking over at the Whistler gondola. “But I think it isn’t going to be a problem.” He waited until Morgan was settled, and then sat down.

  “I didn’t realize how much I missed this,” he said with a sad smile. “We skied a lot at home.”

  Had Morgan heard right? “We?” Was he referring to a girlfriend? Once again her thoughts returned to the other night. She’d asked him about his “it’s complicated” comment and although her head had been fuzzy at the time, she’d thought that he was about to tell her...

  Chapter Seventeen

  Adrian stared silently into his coffee.

  “Bernie and I skied together since we were kids.” He cradled his cup in both hands. “I’ve heard that here in Canada people talk about being on skates before they can walk.” He smiled faintly. “At home we’re that way with skis.”

  She waited for him to continue.

  “Bernie was my older brother. He reminded me about that constantly, even though the age difference was only a couple of years.” He looked into the distance. “He loved the hotel business. Now there was your true hotelier. We both worked in the hotels from the time we were old enough to behave, but it was Bernie who really loved them. Dad was already grooming him to take over some day.”

  Morgan had so many questions she didn’t know where to start. Silence seemed to be her best choice.

  “It happened last year; it was the week after Valentine’s Day. I remember Bernie
complaining about his girlfriend. She’d been pressuring him to get engaged, and he was resisting. Anyway, we got the day off to go skiing.” His gaze came back to her and rested on her face for a long, heartbreaking moment. “It was a beautiful day and we were so happy to get away together. We got along really well, and even though he was older than me, he was constantly telling people that I was the serious one in the family.” He nodded as though he could still hear his brother’s voice. “Anyway, we decided to ski early in the morning. It was sunny up top at that time of day, and the forecast was for a foot of fresh.”

  A Gray Jay hopped onto their table but neither paid any attention.

  “We were a little over half way up the mountain, going over a ravine, when something went wrong.” His eyes widened with remembered panic. “We felt the gondola lurch as we passed a tower and suddenly we were hanging on for our lives. The gondola swung and we were knocked off our feet. Bernie slid across the floor and crashed into the door; it opened and he fell out, but he managed to grab onto the door handle.” His voice lowered; little more than a whisper now. “I reached for him, and for a moment I thought I could pull him back into the gondola.” He lowered his head into his hands. “I’ve relived that moment so many times. I could see it in his eyes when he realized that he wasn’t going to make it. He didn’t panic, he didn’t say anything; he just fell.”

  He exhaled slowly and fingered the scar on his cheek. “I haven’t spoken about that for well over a year.” He pulled the wrapping off the Danish pastry he’d bought and crumbled some of it up for the bird with trembling hands. Morgan’s heart broke for him. He watched the bird for a few moments and then looked at her. “I haven’t skied since.”

  Tears clogged her throat but she pushed them down. “And that’s when you got the scar.”

  He nodded, and reached for her hand. They sat silently, each lost in thought.

  Morgan spoke first. “I can see why you would be terrified. It must have been difficult to get in that gondola today.”

  He looked down at their joined hands. “I had a good guide.”

  It was her turn to nod. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

  He raised an eyebrow.

  She unconsciously edged closer to him on the bench. “I can’t pretend to understand what you’ve been through, but the way you are now...” She searched for the right words. “Most people would be angry. They’d be looking for someone to blame, they’d be lashing out at everyone around them, or they’d drown themselves in booze and drugs.” She looked into his amazing eyes. “You didn’t do any of those things, did you?”

  “I might have if I’d thought it would help.”

  She shook her head. “No you wouldn’t.”

  “No, I suppose not.” He shredded some more pastry for the bird. “My grandmother wouldn’t have approved.”

  The bird snatched at the crumbs and flew away. “That’s the second time you’ve mentioned your grandmother. You love, her, huh?”

  His eyes softened. “Yes. Both Bernie and I did.” He blinked a few times. “See? I mentioned Bernie’s name. Another thing I haven’t been able to do for a long time.”

  Morgan took a sip of her tea. It was cold, but she didn’t care. “So are you now serving penance?”

  He looked up sharply. “What do you mean?”

  “Are you working in the hotels when you’d really rather be doing something else?”

  He relaxed. “No. I’ve always worked in them in some capacity, but it wasn’t until after Bernie died that I realized I really do like it.”

  “That’s good.” Morgan nodded to herself. “It would have been hard on your father if you’d turned away from the business.” She opened the other Danish, pulled off a piece and ate it without tasting. “How are your parents taking this? You hear a lot of stories about couples breaking up after a child dies.”

  “Not in our family. My mom and dad are both amazing.” His voice was hoarse with emotion. “They seemed to understand that we were all in this together. I was drowning in guilt as you can imagine, but they seemed to know what to say from the first moment. They were unbelievably supportive.”

  “They sound amazing. I’d like to meet them.” Too late she realized what she’d said. “I’m sorry. That didn’t come out right.”

  He smiled at her discomfort, but it was a tender smile. “I know what you meant, but I’d like you to meet them, too. You’ll probably meet Dad in the next few days.”

  She ripped off another piece of pastry. “So was coming here your idea? Your grandmother must miss you.”

  “Funny you should say that. Coming to Canada was her idea, and as usual she was wise to suggest it.” He paused for a moment. “She knows me well.”

  “So you’re glad you came?”

  He turned those amazing eyes on her. “Very.”

  Morgan’s heart started to beat a little faster. “That’s good, then.” She held his gaze and something passed between them. But she wasn’t under the influence of alcohol now. In the cold, clear light of day she knew better than to fall for Adrian Zimmerman. Not when his father owned the hotel she worked in.

  She reached for the pastry again, and then pushed it away. “That stuff is terrible, and I’m hungry. Let’s go for brunch over at the Chateau.” She grinned. “My treat, since you paid for the gondolas.”

  He tore the Danish apart quickly and tossed it to the birds. Several had gathered since they sat down, attracted by the offerings. “Great idea. I’m hungry too.”

  Morgan stood in the gondola going down, facing the valley. Adrian didn’t hesitate; he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

  She looked over her shoulder. “You’re going to watch?” she asked.

  “I’ll try.” He rested his chin on the top of her head. “But I’m not making any promises.”

  The gondola was full of boisterous skiers and it wasn’t until they stepped off at the bottom that they had a chance to speak again.

  “That was fun,” she said shyly. Something had changed between them on the ride down the mountain. She could have moved away when he moved in to hold her, but the truth was, she’d been right where she’d wanted to be. Adrian Zimmerman made her feel safe. Safe and cherished. It was a sensation she could get used to, so why was she being cautious about becoming involved with him? What would Dale say? She almost laughed out loud and Adrian gave her a strange look. Dale would say that it didn’t matter what other people thought, that she was responsible for her own life.

  “Are you okay?” Adrian led her past the hotel and down the ramp to the parking garage.

  “Yes.” She gave her head a quick shake. “I was just thinking about Dale.”

  “I haven’t seen her for a couple of days now.” He pressed his remote entry and the lights flashed on the Range Rover.

  “Me neither.”

  He stopped by the passenger door and looked down at her. Something in his expression made the breath catch in her throat. “Why are we talking about your friend?” he asked softly.

  “I don’t know.” She looked up at him.

  “Morgan.” He lowered his head part way, then stopped, searching her eyes.

  She raised a tentative hand and touched the scar on his cheek. “Adrian,” she murmured, as he lowered his head the rest of the way.

  His lips brushed hers, tempting, teasing, and finally tasting. A low groan escaped from his throat and his arms tightened, pulling her against his chest. Even through their winter clothing, she could feel his heart pounding as his tongue slid between her lips and explored her mouth. She moaned softly and leaned into him, reveling in the wild sensations that were rocketing through her body.

  He pulled back slowly and looked at her, eyes heavy with desire. “I’ve wanted to do that since the first moment I saw you.” He brushed his thumb across her bottom lip and her legs almost gave out.

  “You have? I think I wanted the same thing.” A small laugh burbled up from somewhere deep inside. “But I just realized it.” She
pulled him down for another kiss.

  “Hey you guys. Get a room!” Adrian shielded her and peered over the top of the SUV in time to spot Peter Glasser climbing into his car. He gave a quick tap on his horn as he pulled out, and they both dissolved in laughter.

  “I think that’s our cue.” He dropped a quick kiss on her lips and opened the passenger door.

  “Aren’t you embarrassed at being caught like that?” she asked.

  Adrian hooted. “By Peter? Not a bit. He and Bernie were in school at the same time and he spent a lot of time with us. He’s like family.” He closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side.

  “That’s a relief. At least he won’t say anything.”

  He reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. “What’s the matter? Don’t want to be seen with me?”

  She fumbled for her sunglasses as they drove out of the parking lot. “No. It’s not that.”

  “Then what?” he frowned.

  “Look, Adrian. I like you; I guess that’s obvious.”

  “I sense there’s a ‘but’ coming.”

  “But you’re the boss’s son. Your family owns the hotel and a lot of others.”

  “Yes, I see. That makes perfect sense. I’m employed, I’m single, and we share the same interests. Definitely not a good basis for a relationship.”

  “Stop kidding around. You know what I mean.”

  “Morgan.” He reached across, grabbed her hand and brought it to his mouth. The touch of his lips on her knuckles was warm, soft and intimate. “You’re over-thinking this. Let’s just relax and enjoy each other’s company.”

  He was right. After all, there were no promises between them. At least none that had been spoken.

  Adrian pulled out onto Blackcomb Way. “You know, I haven’t been to the Chateau yet. This will be a chance to check out how the big boys do it.”

  “I hear it’s impressive, but I like the concept of a boutique hotel. It’s so much easier to control the quality of service.”