“I’m sure we can manage just fine.”
He shrugged. “Just sayin’.”
“Did you drop by for anything in particular or merely to instruct me on how to care for my family?”
“As a matter of fact, I did.” He rubbed his carefully trimmed beard. “I’ve been thinking. I wasn’t exactly fair last week.” He scrutinized every nuance of the room, ratcheting her anxiety. No telling what kind of mental notes the guy was taking.
“I’d like to up my offer for Adventures in Pink.” He threw out an obscene amount.
Puffing out a disbelieving laugh, she added the last shirt to the pile. “I’m sorry, Ross. The answer is the same. Adventures in Pink is not for sale.”
“Aw, come on now, missy. Everybody’s got a price.”
Like Dale Hannon. After a handful of visits to Ouray, Ross decided he wanted his own tour company. Made old man Hannon an offer he couldn’t refuse.
She wasn’t old man Hannon.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “There are some things money can’t buy.”
“You say that now. But suppose something happened to that boy of yours, or your grandmother took ill. Do you take care of them or take care of business? If you choose them, who’ll manage things here?”
“I guess that’s something I’ll have to figure out if and when the time comes.”
“By then it may be too late. Offers like mine don’t hang around forever.”
No, but he certainly did.
“I’ll keep that in mind, Ross.” She picked up the empty cardboard box. “Now, if you don’t mind, I need to finish up so I can get home to my family.”
The red in his cheeks indicated he wasn’t pleased with her answer. He started toward the door. Paused. “Can we be honest here?” He cast her one of those smiles meant to charm.
Instead, it grated her nerves.
“I’m trying to help you out, Blakely. You’re the best tour guide around. You love these mountains.” He pointed a manicured—yes, manicured—nail in her direction. “But you don’t know the first thing about running a business. It’s a tough job. Money can get pretty tight sometimes. Don’t let your stubbornness stand in the way of what’s really important.”
By now, she was about to bite her tongue in two. Tears burned the backs of her eyes and she was sure her own face was at least two shades redder than Ross’s.
“Good night, Ross.” With that, she turned, stormed down the five steps that led to the garage and plowed right into Trent.
* * *
Trent had to tell Blakely that he was only here for the summer. The more honest he was, the better off things would be.
But one look at her told him this wasn’t the time. Steam practically poured from her ears. He could only hope that exasperation wasn’t directed at him.
He palmed her shoulders. “You don’t look so good.”
Tears trailed down her cheeks. Instinctively, he pulled her into his arms.
“Hey, now. What’s wrong?” With her head nestled perfectly under his chin, he peered through the glass and saw Ross Chapman on his way out the front door.
Trent’s own anger rallied. “Did Ross do something to upset you?”
For a moment, she leaned into him and he reveled in the feel of her. The fruity scent of her shampoo.
Her breath hitched. Then she pulled away. “No. I’m okay.” She sniffed and wiped the back of her hand across her cheek. “If you’re looking for Austin, he’s already gone home.”
“I’m kind of surprised you’re not with him. It’s almost seven.”
She glared at him. “What? You think I can’t run Adventures in Pink and take care of Austin, too? I suppose you think I should be with him one hundred percent of the time.”
What set that off?
He threw his hands up in surrender. “Whoa! I wasn’t suggesting that at all. You’re just usually gone by this time.”
Her shoulders slumped. “I know. Big weekend ahead, though.”
“So it seems. Every place in town has been sprucing up.” He pointed to the cardboard box in her hand.
“Unpacking some new shirts.” She flattened the box.
“Can I see?”
“Sure.” She tossed it into a recycling container on her way inside.
He followed, immediately noticing two things. The bright pink shirts and the fact that Blakely was quick to flip the closed sign and shut the front door. Again, he wondered why Chapman upset her so. This was the third time he’d seen them interact, and each time Blakely seemed shaken to the core.
“What do you think?” She unfurled one of the pink shirts. Rotated it. “Brand-new design.”
Not bad. Still, he lifted a brow, hoping to lighten the mood. “These are for guys?”
“They are. So what do you say? Are you man enough to wear pink?”
“Hey, I might be afraid to drive these mountain roads, but I happen to look very good in pink.”
That earned him a smile. A beautiful one that highlighted the silver flecks in her eyes.
“Good.” She tossed it to him. “This one’s on the house.”
“Cool.” He slid it on over his T-shirt, struck a pose and summoned his best Donald Duck voice. “How do I look?”
Her laugh was amazing.
“Best advertising I’ve ever had.”
“Good. I’ll wear it every chance I get.” As he watched her roam about, closing garage doors, shutting down computers and flipping off lights, the urge to protect her sliced through him like a scalpel.
“Blakely, I’m not trying to butt into your business, but is Ross Chapman giving you problems? Because if he is, I’ll be happy to step in.”
She turned away from the computer at the main desk, the corners of her mouth lifting a notch. “Thank you. That’s very sweet. But it’s just business.” She clicked the shutdown icon and stepped away from the counter. “He...doesn’t seem to like some of the choices I’ve made.” Retrieving a pink and black tote bag from a file drawer, she fished out a set of keys and kicked the drawer shut with her foot. “But they’re not his to make, so he’s going to have to deal with it. Are you ready?”
Okay, so she wasn’t comfortable confiding in him.
Not that he was doing any better.
He followed her out the front door and waited as she twisted the key in the lock.
“Sorry for going off on you in the shop.” She started down the steps. “I never even gave you a chance to explain why you were here.”
“Oh, that.” He let go a nervous laugh as they continued toward the alley across the street. “I, uh...” No, this wasn’t the time. “I’m planning a run to Montrose in the morning to pick up a new door for your grandmother. Would it be okay for Austin to join me?”
Chapter Ten
Blakely stepped from her Jeep at Hot Springs Park determined to put the struggles of the day behind her. The sweet aroma of fresh-mown grass told her she couldn’t have handpicked better weather for Austin’s party. Unseasonably warm temperatures had much of the day bordering on uncomfortable. But now that the sun had dipped behind Twin Peaks, the shade-cooled air was beyond perfect.
“Austin, will you grab that tote while I get your presents?” She pointed to the large bag that contained party favors and towels situated beside her son.
“Okay.” He lugged the carryall behind him as he emerged from the backseat. “What about my cake?”
“Don’t you worry, Austin.” Gran slid out the passenger side. “Taryn will have your cake here in plenty of time.”
He shadowed Blakely to the rear of the vehicle. “You sure you don’t need help carrying all those presents?” His charming demeanor failed to draw Blakely in. This time.
“Oh, no you don’t, short man.” She faced him, one hand o
n her hip, the other on the spare tire. “I’ll tell you what, though. You can carry them when we leave.”
“Aw, Mom.” Unruffled, he scuffed across the gravel parking lot while she retrieved a laundry basket full of wrapped gifts from the back of the Jeep. As usual, she’d gone overboard. But when it came to her son, she couldn’t seem to help herself.
“Would you care to tell me what’s bothering you?” Gran studied her with a knowing eye.
The old gal’s intuitiveness was hard to escape. Blakely knew she’d be hard-pressed to hide her distress. Though that wasn’t about to stop her from trying.
“There’s nothing bothering me.”
“Blakely, I’ve known you all your life. I know when you’re upset.”
Sick was more like it. But this was Austin’s special day. She wouldn’t let her less-than-perfect life ruin his celebration.
Brightly wrapped gifts in hand, she shoved the back gate closed with her hip as Taryn pulled alongside them.
“What’s going on, ladies?”
“Blakely’s upset.”
Her head swung toward her grandmother. “I am not.”
“Ooo-kay.” Taryn eased from her Jeep, her gaze fixed on Blakely. “So would somebody like to explain?”
“You two are unbelievable.” Blakely tempered her voice. “I will not ruin Austin’s day.”
“Which is exactly why you should get whatever is bothering you off your chest.” Taryn inched beside Gran.
“Oh, good grief.” She may as well dump. The whole town would know by tomorrow anyway. “I lost one of my guides.”
“Which one?” Suddenly understanding, her grandmother frowned.
“Bruce.”
The furrow between Gran’s brows deepened. “He’s been with us for years.”
“His wife lost her job,” said Taryn.
“Yeah. So when Ross Chapman offered to double his income, well...”
Taryn’s mouth formed a perfect O before she pressed her lips together. “Well, that stinks.” She started around the passenger side, giving Blakely a we’ll-talk-later look. “But, like you said, this is Austin’s day. And I’ve got a fudge marble cake that’s guaranteed to improve anybody’s mood.” She lifted the foil-covered board from the front seat.
Blakely gasped. “Taryn, that’s amazing.” She and Gran both moved closer. “This must have taken forever.” A quarter-sheet cake served as a backboard that read “Happy Birthday Austin,” while an orange-iced basketball mounded neatly in a frosting net. “How on earth did you do that?”
Taryn wrinkled her nose. “Do you think he’ll like it?”
Looking at her friend, Blakely knew this creation was born of love. Not only for Austin, but for the child she never knew.
“Nope. I think he’s gonna love it. Come on, let’s show him.”
The trio followed the path Austin had taken across the lush green grass to the playground adjacent to the hot springs pool. Red, green and blue balloons swayed from a covered picnic table boasting a reserved sign.
“That looks like our spot,” said Blakely.
Austin waited beside the green plastic-coated table. “Can I get in the pool now?”
“No, you may not.” Blakely lay the basket on a nearby bench. “Not until all your guests are here. Besides, I think Miss Taryn has something you’ll want to see.”
His eyes widened at the sight of the confectionary masterpiece. “Is that for me?”
“Well, it has your name on it.” Pleasure brightened Taryn’s beautiful face.
“Wow! This is going to be the coolest party ever.”
Staring out over the soccer field, Blakely spied a familiar face. “There’s Zach.”
Austin sprinted to greet his friend, and the poor kid only grew antsier with each guest who arrived. He was ready to hit that pool.
Blakely could certainly relate. Gran and Granddad used to claim she was part fish. And though they’d never admitted it, she had a sneaking suspicion that’s why they installed the pool at The Alps. That way, when she spent her summers here, she could swim until her heart’s content, and they never had to leave the motel.
None too soon for Austin, his friends were all accounted for. Everyone except Trent, that is, though she knew he’d be along as soon as he could break away from the medical clinic. She’d never seen anyone worry so much over a birthday present, but Trent had picked her brain relentlessly. She could hardly wait to see what he decided.
“Blakes.” Taryn nudged her as they watched the kids play on the waterslides. “Why don’t you get in some laps? I can hang with the kids.”
The larger hot springs pool was divided into smaller sections for work, play or relaxation. And right now, a good workout would go a long way toward relieving some stress.
“You sure you don’t mind?”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I did. Now go.”
* * *
Two laps into her workout, Blakely realized how badly she needed the exercise. Slowly, but surely, the tension flowed from the muscles between her shoulder blades. She picked up the pace, eager to erase the residue of Ross’s shenanigans.
Warm water rushed over her body, taking with it the stress of the past few weeks. Telling Austin the truth about Trent had been the right thing to do. Though that was only a few days ago, it seemed the news had filled a void she didn’t even know Austin had.
She paused at one end to catch her breath.
“Easy there, champ. You’ll be too tuckered to party.”
She jerked her head up.
Trent hovered over her, looking blue and a bit foggy. She lifted her goggles and stared up at him. He looked incredible, while she looked...like a drowned rat.
“Ready to join the kids?” He extended his hand, his smile creating a chink in the wall she’d built around her heart.
His biceps flexed as he lifted her out of the water, reminding her how it felt to be held in those strong arms. Safe. Protected.
Vulnerable.
Straightening, she peeled off the goggles. “Let’s go.”
“Mom! Dad!” Austin hollered as they approached the play pool. “Watch this.” He dove beneath the water and performed a perfectly straight handstand before reemerging.
“Nice one,” said Trent.
“Did Austin just say ‘Dad’?”
So much for stress relief.
Turning, Blakely came face-to-face with Nicole Chapman.
For the briefest of moments, laughter, conversation and the sound of splashing water swirled around Blakely in a maddening cacophony. The secret she’d held for so long had finally come to light. Despite the intensity of her workout, she willed her breathing to even.
“Hello, Nicole.” Blakely’s gaze landed on the equally blonde Mary Chapman, Nicole’s mother. “Mary.” She gestured to Trent, realizing she’d better get used to the surprised looks and questioning stares. “I’d like you to meet Trent Lockridge, Austin’s father.”
“I knew it!” Nicole’s gaze surfed Trent with an air of appreciation. “Now we know where Austin got his good looks.”
Something coiled in the pit of Blakely’s stomach.
She looked for Taryn. Spotted her playing with the kids on the other side of the pool.
“I will take that as a compliment,” Trent said, seemingly indifferent to her admiration.
“You should.” Mary waggled her drawn-on eyebrows.
Water pelted the quartet. The Chapman women shrieked.
“Are you guys gonna get in?” Austin aimed another spray of water at his father.
Smiling, Trent regarded the women again. “Ladies, you’ll have to excuse us. We’re celebrating our son’s birthday.”
Blakely tried not to think about how good his hand felt at the small of her bac
k as he guided her toward the pool.
“Blakely, honey.” Mary touched Blakely’s elbow, halting her retreat. “Ross told me about your driver.” Her syrupy Southern drawl accentuated an exaggerated pout. “I’m so sorry. When it comes to business, that man of mine will do almost anything.”
Blakely knew good and well Mary wasn’t any more sorry about Ross stealing Bruce than she was about Austin splashing them. Well, two can play at that game.
Covering Mary’s hand with her own, Blakely dug deep for her sweetest voice. “The term is guide, Mary. And no worries. It’s just business.”
Trent continued to urge her down the steps, into the steaming water. Of all the people they could have run into. If Trent hadn’t been with her, no telling how she would have reacted. Instead, his presence helped her step boldly out of her comfort zone.
“What is it with that family?” Trent’s whisper had chill bumps erupting down her wet arms.
“Money.” Sinking beneath the surface, she observed Mary and Nicole as they strolled away. Their ever-present smiles never seemed to reach their eyes. “Enough to buy almost anything they want.”
“Except happiness.”
She stared at Trent. “Very perceptive, doctor.”
Austin swam between them, then circled around Blakely before breaking the surface. When he did, he pounced on her back, trying with all his might to dunk her.
“Need a little help there, buddy?”
“Oh, no you d—”
Before she could get the words out, Trent seized her around the waist and tossed her into the air. She sucked in a quick breath as the water drew ever closer.
A split second later the warm liquid bubbled and gurgled around her. She broke through the surface, pushing hair out of her face. Opening her eyes, she saw Austin, his mouth agape, a smile niggling at the corners. Trent, however, grinned from ear to ear, arms folded across his hulking chest in a satisfied manner. Just like he’d done all those summers ago.
A lifeguard’s whistle rent the air, and Trent’s head whipped in the direction of the sound.
“No horseplay.” The teenage boy quickly resumed his post.
Blakely swiped at the water dripping from her nose, uncertain how she felt about the playful interaction. Once upon a time, she would have reveled in it. Even retaliated. Now?
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