by Carol Ross
“I don’t like that guy,” Lucas said, loud enough for him to hear.
“Yeah? Well, you are an excellent judge of character, buddy.” Hannah responded even louder.
Lucas informed her he needed to use the restroom, so she led him out into the hall where they were located. Steering him towards the men’s room, she was surprised by the crowd until she realized there was an entrance to the bar at the opposite end of the hall. She waited, not wanting him to be confused when he walked out. There was a line for the ladies’ room blocking her view, so she craned her neck occasionally from side to side to see through the crowd, keeping an eye out.
A few minutes went by and that’s when an abrupt, inexplicable chill ran through her body. She looked around for the cause, but all she saw were Terry and Rita, the board chairman and his wife, walking toward her. They chatted briefly and in the next instant Lucas appeared. She exhaled the breath she’d been holding. He hadn’t been gone long, yet something...
They reentered the ballroom and Lucas tugged her hand like he did when he wanted to tell her something. She knelt beside him.
“There was a woman over there who was talking to me.”
Thinking about the chill she’d experienced only moments ago caused a cold hard knot of fear to settle inside of her. “A woman you don’t know?”
He nodded.
“What did she say?”
“When I came out of the bathroom, she said ‘hello, Lucas.’ So I said hi, and then she said she wanted to show me something.”
“And what did you say?”
“I was confused because she knew my name, but I’ve never seen her before. I figured it might be a trick. So I said okay. Then she told me to follow her but when she turned around I came over to you instead.”
Hannah placed her hands on his shoulders. “You did the right thing. Don’t ever go anywhere with anyone without your uncle Tate or Viktor knowing about it, okay? Even if it’s someone you do know. You make sure you tell them first—or me, if you’re with me.”
“That’s what I thought, too,” he said with a relieved smile.
How long, she wondered, before this poor child would stop worrying about getting in trouble for the wrong things?
Wrapping him in a quick hug, something occurred to her. Continuing to hold him lightly by the shoulders she leaned away slightly and asked, “Do you know what to do if something bad does happen and you need help?”
He thought for a second. “You mean like hiding?”
“No, I mean like telling someone.” She removed her phone from her pocket. “On any phone, anytime, if you are in danger—like if you’re hurt or Uncle Tate or Viktor are hurt, or there’s a fire, anything like that.” She didn’t want to scare him, but this was important.
She handed him the phone. “Do you know the number to dial on a phone if you need help?”
“Ms. Swanson talked about this at school once. Is it 911?”
“Yes, it is. And it’s for anyone to use if they’re ever in trouble. For emergencies—we’ll talk about what things are emergencies, okay? And we’ll practice. In the meantime if you have any questions about what an emergency is, just ask me.”
Lucas gave her a dutiful nod.
“You’re awesome, you know that?”
Tate joined them again and she wanted to tell him what had happened, but it was nearing time for the entertainment to begin. They joined the crowd getting settled in rows of folding chairs. Lively music struck up as a professional juggling troupe skipped into the room with balls and rings and bowling pins flying every which way in an organized kind of chaos. Lucas and all the children—and most of the adults—were riveted.
After the performance they chose a dessert from a long table covered with an array of elaborate, delectable-looking choices. Hannah realized how tired Lucas must be when he didn’t finish his chocolate cake.
She spoke to Tate over his head. “Better get this guy to bed, huh? I saw Viktor already went upstairs so...”
“I’ll get him,” Tate said and scooped Lucas up into his arms, wrapping Gus around both of their shoulders.
“Can you carry Tex?” Lucas offered her the elephant he’d dubbed Tex.
“I’d be honored,” she said, tucking the fluffy critter under her arm.
They had to go down the elevator to the lobby and cross through the building to another bank of elevators, which they took up to the twelfth floor. By the time they arrived at Tate’s penthouse suite, Lucas was already fast asleep.
Tate laid him on the bed and slipped off his shoes.
“Should I put his pj’s on?” he asked.
“I wouldn’t bother,” Hannah replied as she bent over and kissed Lucas on the forehead. “Viktor said he already had a bath. But be sure and tell him I tucked him in, okay? I don’t want him to think I’d ever break a promise.”
She felt Tate’s gaze latch on to hers and then narrow thoughtfully.
“What’s wrong?” she whispered.
“Nothing that I can’t fix, I hope,” he returned along with a grin that made her pulse leap.
He motioned toward the doorway and she followed him out. They found Viktor using his laptop in the sitting area. The television was turned on with the volume low.
“I won’t be late. I’m just going to see that Hannah gets safely to her room and then I’ll check with Stacey to make sure the party’s going well.”
Viktor happily waved them away as they exited the suite.
“You don’t need to walk me to my room.”
“I know. I want to, though.”
Enfolding her hand in his, they walked in silence down the hall to her room. She was relieved when he didn’t try to talk to her about anything personal. She took the opportunity to tell him about Lucas’s strange encounter.
“It was probably someone he’s met but didn’t remember. He’s met an awful lot of people since you guys moved to Rankins. But I still felt compelled to tell you.”
Tate nodded, looking a little troubled. “No, I’m glad you did.”
Squeezing her hand before releasing it, they exchanged good-nights and in spite of their casual goodbyes, she could feel the unfinished business simmering between them.
* * *
HANNAH WAS AWAKENED again the next morning by a knock on the door. She glanced at the clock, surprised to see it was nearing eight. Adele had come in late the night before, but was already freshly showered and looking cheerful as she sauntered across the room. She joked briefly with someone and then returned to Hannah with a square package wrapped in brown paper.
“Another gift from your suitor, I presume.” She slid it across the bed.
Hannah picked it up and examined it, but there was no card. She ripped off the thick brown paper, opened the box, and removed...a bright yellow bulldozer? She examined it closely; the toy was heavy, constructed of metal and all the tiny parts looked authentic. She could tell it was expensive, like one of those collector’s pieces. This must be some kind of a mistake, or maybe it was intended for Lucas?
Then she noticed a note had been tucked inside the box.
Hannah, I’m giving you this because in spite of the fact that we haven’t had time to talk this through, I want you to know I finally recognize what you meant. I don’t intend to be this guy anymore. Tate
And in spite of her weary, mentally fatigued state, it made her smile.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
THE QUALIFYING EVENTS had taken place over the previous two days, and the Super Big G finals were beginning this morning. Hannah and Adele bundled up and went to watch some of the competition. Hannah found she couldn’t muster the courage to attend any of the women’s skiing events and was relieved when Adele said she’d like to see the men’s snowboarding half-pipe.
So that’s where th
ey headed. In keeping with the stats Tate had presented to the board, Hannah noted the event seemed to be drawing the biggest crowd. That didn’t mean she was ready to support his proposal however, but she couldn’t deny the appeal of the event. Competition was tight with one of the three final runs complete. She couldn’t help but think that wouldn’t be the case if Tate was still competing.
Seeing Spencer took her back to the days when she would watch him compete; the surge of nerves that would flutter in her stomach was different than the adrenaline-charged anticipation she’d feel before her own events. Because her success—or lack thereof—had been in her own hands, lending a sense of control over the outcome, it was more difficult to be on the sidelines while someone you cared about competed than to compete yourself.
She spotted Spencer in his silver and black jacket as he stood on his board, awaiting his next run. She noticed him speak to someone. It looked like...Park? That figured. Park the celebrity chaser.
And then Spencer was up—positioning his board into the entrance of the half-pipe. Picking up speed as he glided down and then along the opposite side to the lip of the pipe, he executed a flawless indy grab. He shot back down and up again—each trick seeming more difficult than the last.
Hannah could see he’d continued to improve over the past three years since she’d seen him compete. She found herself holding a breath because she knew his biggest trick was still looming.
A double-cork 1080—perfectly landed.
Easily the best she’d ever seen him on his board. The crowd knew how good it was, too, as a volley of applause erupted. That run should put him in medal contention. She was happy for him.
Both hands fisted, he pumped his arms in the air to let the fans know he appreciated the support, then directed his board toward the crowd bunched off to one side—Hannah’s side. When he was directly in front of her, he stopped and flipped his goggles up onto his helmet.
“Nice run,” she said.
“Thank you. I’m so stoked.” He grinned, catching her eyes and holding them with his own. “Clearly, you are my good luck charm.”
She tried to make light of his intensity. “Oh, Spence, I’m definitely not comfortable with that kind of pressure.”
“Well, too bad. You’ve got it anyway. That run will put me on the podium. I’ll have to wait and find out which step I’ll be on, but do you want to go out with me tonight and celebrate?”
* * *
TATE WATCHED KITT flirt with Hannah and for the first time since he’d retired, he wished he was still competing. He could do tricks that made Kitt’s look like child’s play. His signature combination had yet to be duplicated in competition and with style gaining increasingly more respect he would have dominated this event. He knew it was juvenile, but he wanted Hannah to be in the crowd watching him.
“Hey, Tate.” Park walked up beside him. “Having a great time. Thanks again for this trip. Big G is just fantastic and exactly what I envision for Snowy Sky. This will definitely do the trick.”
Tate tore his eyes away from Hannah long enough to address Park. “The trick?”
“Yeah, you know, convincing the board that we’re right and Hannah is wrong. This trip was a stroke of genius on your part.”
Tate almost laughed at how unimportant that now seemed. He’d wanted the alterations to Snowy Sky for Lucas’s sake, for his own sake. Now he realized how naive that plan had been. Snowboarding had given Tate the means to achieve his success, but Hannah was right when she’d said that it didn’t necessarily mean that it was for Lucas. Ironic, his nephew being better at skiing than snowboarding—and he seemed to enjoy it more, too. No, Tate couldn’t teach Lucas much about skiing, but Hannah could. She already had. She’d taught him a lot of other things, too. She’d taught both of them a lot of other things. Important things.
“You know what, Park? My plans have changed.”
His eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
“My recommendation for Snowy Sky has changed. I no longer believe the resort needs to go in the direction I thought it did.”
“Oh, yes, it does.” Park’s voice went up several octaves. “This is important. We have to have the snowboard modifications.”
Tate thought that sounded a bit dramatic. “No, we don’t. Hannah’s numbers still work. And without that added expense, the resort will turn over a profit sooner and then we can revisit the snowboarding option.”
Park was shaking his head. “No, I don’t agree.”
He knew Park felt strongly about this and he could understand his hesitation. After all, Tate had reached this conclusion gradually, whereas he’d just sprung it on Park. Poor guy probably needed time to adjust.
“Okay, that’s fine. I have no problem with respectfully disagreeing at this time. The board has to vote on it anyway. So, we’ll just see how this all plays out.”
“That’s right,” Park said defensively, “we will. And after this trip I’m feeling even more confident, and so are other board members. What has changed your mind? If anything, being here at Big G should reinforce everything you brought to the table.”
“It has and it hasn’t.” He had no intention of filling Park in on his personal reasons—either for wanting the snowboarding additions initially or for now believing they weren’t immediately necessary.
“This is important, Tate. There’s a lot of money riding on this. We need to see this through.”
His strident tone prompted something to churn in Tate’s brain, but he couldn’t quite put a finger on what bothered him.
“Well, sometimes, Park, and usually this is the case for me, the most important things in life are about more than money.”
Park scowled. “What? That’s ridiculous. Why are you getting all philosophical on me all of a sudden? You were one hundred percent for this and now you’re backing out? You can’t do this to me. I’ve got—”
“Remember, Park, it’s only a proposal at this point. We haven’t lost anything. It’s all subject to board approval anyway. Don’t worry, it’ll be fine. It will all come down on me, not you. Especially if you make it clear you’re still voting for the proposal.”
His scowl darkened. “I can’t stand to think about the look on Hannah James’s face if she beats me on this, too.”
Tate thought that sounded a little odd, but just then Hannah began heading away from the venue and he didn’t have time right now to soothe Park’s worry.
“Park, we’ll discuss this later, okay? I know this has come as a bit of a shock to you, but if you think it through yourself you’ll see that putting these plans on hold won’t make a significant difference in the long-term. And, if I’m being completely honest, Hannah’s more conservative approach probably makes better economic sense.”
Tate headed in the opposite direction so Park wouldn’t see that he was following her, which meant he had to circle around the venue, finally catching up with her near the lodge.
“Hannah, hey.”
“Hi,” she answered softly.
Concern coursed through him as he took in the pale tint of her skin and the bluish smudges under her eyes. “Are you okay?”
She gave him a half smile. “Yes. Tired.”
“Where are you going?”
“To get some lunch.”
“Can I come with you?”
“Sure.”
She opted for the small German-style deli housed inside the hotel portion of the lodge. They were seated quickly and they both ordered the “kraut dog and home fries” special as soon as the waitress finished reciting it.
Tate watched her carefully as they settled in with cups of hot chocolate. “Can I ask you something kind of odd?”
“Sure.”
“Why doesn’t Park Lowell like you?”
She sputtered out a laugh over her mug. “I’m glad
I haven’t taken a drink yet. Did you ask him about this?”
“No, I didn’t figure it out until recently. I knew you guys differed on the business plan for the resort, but business is business, so his personal issue with you didn’t really register until last night at the carnival. And I was talking to him again earlier today and... Well, I get it.”
She bobbed her head. “Hmm, that surprises me, seeing as how you guys are friends. I’d have thought he would have made his feelings very clear before now.”
“I wouldn’t say we’re friends, and he hasn’t hid his dislike for you. I just didn’t realize it was quite so personal.”
“Oh? Park would say you’re friends. He has, in fact, many times. He likes to talk about all the famous people he cavorts with.” She rolled her eyes. “Like being famous makes someone better? I don’t get that. Most of the people he talks about I’ve never even heard of, and I think that just annoys him more.” She let out a quiet laugh and he could easily imagine her goading Park with that information.
“I’ve noticed that about him. But you’re going a little too far here.” He pointed a finger at her. “I can promise you there has been no cavorting going on between me and Park.”
She tipped her head back and laughed, and the sound was like music to his ears. Aside from some giggling with Lucas, he hadn’t heard her laugh in days. Was that his fault? he wondered guiltily.
“I embarrassed him.”
“You what?”
“That’s why he doesn’t like me. Well, it’s a big part of why he doesn’t like me. I humiliated him in front of a whole crowd of people at the Cozy Caribou one time shortly after he moved to town.”
“How?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure what it is about me exactly, but people tend not to take me seriously when they should. Just because I’m not all intense about every little thing, they assume I’m much more easygoing and, um—” she stopped to quirk a brow at him “—ambivalent than I really am.”
Tate felt a prickle of his own embarrassment. Guilty as charged. He’d learned his lesson, though. He wasn’t about to make that mistake again where she was concerned.