Tempting Gifts

by Elena Aitken

  But Lisa started to walk again, this time slower, as she made her way to the Lodge. She couldn’t shake the feeling that it had been something Jen said to him that had changed things. And if it was about her reputation, there might not be anything she could do to change his mind. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t try.

  The main hall of the Lodge bustled with people coming and going, headed to activities and some even relaxed in the chairs by the fireplace with a small fire in it, probably mostly for ambience than anything else. Usually November was a slow season for Castle Mountain Lodge, but the new customer service director, Ryan Morrison, had made a few changes when he came in and by the look of things, they’d all been positive ones.

  Ryan stood at the front desk, so Lisa made a point to go say hi. He’d replaced Carmen Kincaid, who’d been the longtime customer service manager at the Lodge. Carmen had been loved by everyone and was seriously missed ever since she’d decided to move to the new Springs resort her boyfriend Dylan Harrison had started a few hours away. Because of the big shoes he had to fill, Ryan was still trying to carve out his place among the Lodge staff.

  “Hey,” Lisa said as she walked up. “Working on some new and exciting plans, I assume?”

  Ryan put down his pen and smiled. His face lit up and the dimple in his left cheek was more pronounced. Lisa knew a lot of the single women were interested in him, and she probably would have been, too, if she hadn’t have sworn off men. But that was before Jason. She was so busy daydreaming about Jason, and the way his eyes crinkled in the corners when he smiled, that she missed what Ryan said.

  “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

  Ryan laughed. “I was just telling you about the idea I had for a masquerade ball for Valentine’s Day. But if it doesn’t hold your attention, maybe it’s not a good idea.” He blushed a little, but his eyes challenged her.

  “No.” Lisa waved her hands. “I’m sure it’s a great idea. I’m just a little preoccupied is all. I have a few things on my mind.”

  “Yeah, I heard about what happened up at Settler’s Cabin yesterday.” He leaned up against the counter and Lisa didn’t miss the fact that he was definitely flirting with her. She took a step back and crossed her arms over her chest, hopefully giving him the subtle signals that she wasn’t interested. “That was some quick thinking up there with that kid. Good job. Morgan said you were absolutely fantastic.”

  “I don’t know about fantastic.” She smiled as she thought about Kayden. “I just did what anyone would have done. And it’s not like it was a life-or-death situation.”

  “It could have been.”

  She shrugged. “Probably not. Besides, Kayden’s a great kid and he made it a lot of fun to spend the night up there.” And his uncle too, she thought but didn’t say.

  “His uncle joined you, too, didn’t he?” Ryan asked as if he read her mind. “I was thinking of presenting them with a special family stay at the Lodge because of what happened. Maybe even at their big party that they have tomorrow night. What do you think? You could present it.”

  Lisa could feel her face heat up. Of course she wanted to go to the party, but not as an employee. She wanted to go with Jason. As his date. “I don’t know…they don’t really seem like—”

  “Isn’t that him there?”

  Lisa spun around to see Jason as he walked into the reception area from one of the back doors that opened out onto the courtyard. He looked so casual and at ease in his faded jeans and buttoned-up plaid shirt. He looked like he fit perfectly in the mountain life. And hers.

  She felt Ryan come up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. “It’s usually good customer appreciation to do things like that. You don’t think they’d like it?”

  Right then, Jason looked up and his eyes locked with hers. Reflexively, she smiled. Just seeing him did that to her; she was like a little girl with a crush. But Jason didn’t smile; in fact, his face turned down into a scowl and he quickly turned around, ready to walk back out the door.

  Lisa’s stomach fell. Whatever it was that was going on, she hadn’t imagined it. He definitely wasn’t the same man she’d left the night before. But she’d be dammed if she would sit by and let the strongest connection she’d ever felt with a man slip away without a fight.

  “You know what, Ryan?” She slipped away from his touch. “I think I should go talk to him and get a feel for the situation. I’ll let you know if I think they’d be open to it.”

  Before Ryan could say anything else, Lisa moved away from him and toward Jason, who had already left out the door. She broke into a slow jog. She wasn’t going to let him get away so easily.

  ~ * ~

  Jason exhaled hard and forced his breathing to slow down. It had taken all night to convince himself that Lisa wasn’t interested in Conrad, and that his cousin’s flirting had no effect on her. But maybe it wasn’t his cousin he needed to be concerned with. Maybe it was Lisa. He knew it wasn’t fair of him, but when he walked into the Lodge and saw that man with her—the laugh on her face, the smile in her eyes—he couldn’t help it. His fists had reflexively clenched, itched to strike out. It was best if he just left. And quickly.

  His entire body had yearned to go to her, pull her into his chest and claim her mouth with his own. But his mind, and the memory of being hurt before, stopped him. He hated it. But seeing her with Conrad and having her accept his invitation to the Porter Party was more than he could handle. The fact that she could do that to him after the time they’d shared together, it was too much.

  No. He wouldn’t do it again. Even if it meant walking away from the best thing he’d found since…well, ever.

  “Jason!”

  Lisa’s voice rang out, and he stopped, frozen in mid-step.

  “Jason.” She was ever so slightly out of breath, and he could feel the small puffs of air on the back of his neck when she came up behind him. But still he couldn’t make himself turn around. He knew he was being childish, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. Her arm clamped down on his and she turned him. “Jason.”

  Finally, he looked at her. She was hurt. He could see it in her eyes. Well, good. The feeling rose up in him before he could tamp it down again. He didn’t mean it—he didn’t want her to be hurt or upset—but dammit, he couldn’t help it.

  “What’s going on?”

  The flare in her eyes made her even more attractive, but still he held firm. Determined to guard his heart.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

  Her face fell and she dropped her arm. “Why are you being like this? I don’t understand. I thought we—”

  “Maybe you thought wrong.” He regretted the words the instant they were out of his mouth. Whatever it was she thought about them, it wasn’t wrong. He knew that much for a fact but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. “Or maybe I was wrong.”

  Lisa took a step back as if she’d been struck. Jason caught himself seconds before he reached out for her. It hurt, and it sucked, but he needed to do it.

  She opened her mouth but closed it again before she spoke. Finally, she spun on her heel and ran off. Instead of heading for the main lodge, she ran down the path that would take her toward the playground and small pond he’d found earlier in the courtyard. Every fiber in his body wanted to chase after her, pull her in his arms and kiss her until the hurt look he’d seen on her face, the one he’d caused, was gone for good. He never wanted her to be sad, or hurt, especially if it was because of him.

  “Dammit.” Jason kicked a rock.

  “What?”

  Jason spun around. “How do you do that?” Jen stood behind him, having come from where, he wasn’t sure. He did a quick scan for Kayden, who was nowhere to be seen. “Where’s Kayden?”

  “I didn’t do anything.” Jen put her hand on her hip. “And Kayden is with Emily, which you should be thankful for because he does not need to hear his uncle using that language.”

  Jason shook his head but wouldn’t meet his sister’s ey
es.

  “What’s going on, brother?”

  “Nothing.”

  “That nothing wouldn’t have anything to do with Lisa I just saw running away from here, would it?”

  “It has nothing to do with you, Jen,” Jason growled, and kicked another rock. “Stay out of it.”

  She laughed and Jason spun to stare at her. “Oh, I think it’s plenty of my business when my twin brother finally falls for someone again and then for some stupid reason decides to sabotage what could be a very good thing just because he’s scared.”

  Anger flared up inside him. And something else: realization. “I’m not scared.”

  “Then what is it?”

  He couldn’t answer that question. He looked down again, unwilling to look in his sister’s eyes, and lie to her. Because he was scared. Scared of getting hurt again and for some reason that fear became crippling. He knew he was being a jerk with Lisa. He knew that even if she was talking to Conrad, and even if she was smiling while doing so, she wasn’t Nikki. She wasn’t going to hurt him like Nikki had. His brain knew that. He just had to convince his heart of it.

  Jen put her hand on his arm, and he looked at her. “She’s not Nikki.” Jen spoke the words softly, as if not to scare him. “You have to open yourself up again, Jason. It’s okay.”

  With nothing else to say, Jason pulled away from his sister and walked away. He needed to clear his head, and the best way he knew how to do that was with a walk in the woods.

  ~ * ~

  Lisa ran around the corner of the building, desperate to put some space between her and Jason and his totally unexplainable behavior. She’d always known men were difficult, but for just a moment, she’d thought she’d actually found one who was different. She’d let herself believe that maybe there was a chance for her to have a real relationship with a man who saw her as more than just a dumb blond. And the second she’d opened herself up to the idea…

  No. She wasn’t going to dwell on it. She couldn’t.

  As she approached the pond in the center court of the resort, Lisa slowed down and wiped her hands over her face. A woman sat on the edge of the pond, absentmindedly rolling a stroller back and forth next to her.

  Andi.

  She’d forgotten that Morgan said Andi and Colin would be coming to visit to introduce everyone to their new baby. Lisa had never been as close to Andi as Morgan or some of the others, but still she liked the kind, sweet woman quite a bit. Andi and her best friend, Eva, had become a fixture at Castle Mountain Lodge with their event planning company, Party Hearty. They frequently planned large events and parties and even when she was pregnant, Andi could often be found organizing weddings and large parties. Maybe Party Hearty was doing the Porter Party? She had no business thinking of Jason’s big family reunion party. She would definitely not be there, not even to present an award or a gift, or whatever it was that Ryan wanted to give them.

  Regardless, her curiosity won out. Besides, she did want to meet the baby. “Andi?” She interrupted the woman’s peace and quiet before she could stop herself. Andi turned around and her face split into a smile. “Sorry to bother you.”

  “Not at all.” Andi didn’t get up, but she held her arms out for a hug, so Lisa bent and wrapped her arms around her. “It’s nice to see you. Do you have a minute to chat?”

  “Of course.” Lisa had nothing but time now that her plans of talking to Jason had gone up in smoke. She slid down on the rock next to Andi and dangled her feet over the water. “It’s really good to see you again. How have you been since…”

  “You mean since my life totally changed in every possible way?” Andi laughed, but Lisa could see the exhaustion in her eyes. “Don’t get me wrong, I love being a mom, but wow. I don’t think you’re ever prepared for how everything gets tossed upside down.”

  Lisa smiled. She didn’t have any idea. She’d never actually given much thought to marriage or children. Not really. “Can I see…” She trailed off, as she realized she didn’t even know whether Andi had a baby boy or a baby girl. She’d been so wrapped up in her own life that she hadn’t paid any attention.

  Andi didn’t seem to hold it against her. “It’s a girl.” She pulled the cover down off the stroller, and Lisa sat up enough to peek inside. “Her name is Lily.”

  Lisa was mesmerized by the cherubic sleeping face. Her delicate eyelashes fluttered in her sleep; her perfect little Cupid’s bow lips seemed almost squished under her chubby cheeks. “She’s perfect,” Lisa breathed. She could have stared at the baby all day, totally entranced as she was with the precious bundle in front of her. “I…just…wow.”

  Andi laughed and Lisa reluctantly tore her gaze away from the sleeping child to look at her friend again. “Sure, she’s perfect now. Wait until she wakes up and wants to eat. That is a girl who knows exactly what she wants, when she wants it. Colin says she’s just like her mother.”

  Lisa couldn’t help but chuckle at that. The two of them had a perfect relationship. At least everyone else thought so. Colin and Andi had a reputation of being the poster couple for Castle Mountain Lodge. A true romantic love story. Not wanting to wake the baby, she sat down next to Andi again.

  “It seems like you have everything, Andi. Really.” Lisa could hear the wistful note of longing in her voice as she spoke. She never would have guessed that she’d be wanting the happily ever after that Andi and Colin had. But something had shifted, and suddenly it was something she wanted more than anything else. “You’re pretty lucky,” she added.

  “I am,” Andi agreed, and Lisa appreciated the fact that she didn’t sugarcoat it, or try to downplay things for her benefit. “But what about you, Lisa? How are things with you?”

  “They’re great.” It was Lisa’s pat answer, but it sounded dull on her lips. Things weren’t great, but she didn’t think Andi would see through her lie. “I love it at the Lodge. And working with the kids? It’s great.”

  “Great.” Andi repeated her word and it sounded just as disingenuous coming out of her mouth, but she didn’t push it.

  They sat in silence for a moment before finally Lisa asked, “Did you ever think you’d find love the way you did, Andi?”

  The other woman turned to her. A smile tugged at her lips. “Not for a moment. But that’s the thing about love, Lisa. You don’t have to be looking for it. It finds you. And sometimes, like with Colin and me, it happens in the most unlikely way. You just have to be open to it.”

  Lisa thought about that for a moment. “Open to it,” she repeated.

  “Honestly, that’s the key right there. Just look at all the couples who’ve come out of Castle Mountain Lodge. Colin and me, Eva and Jeff, Morgan and Bo, Carmen and Dylan…”

  “Megan and Gage,” Lisa finished for her, thinking of the movie star she’d tried to force herself on. She hadn’t been able to make love happen for her then, but she knew now it hadn’t been her time.

  “I didn’t know them,” Andi said. “But yes, them too. All of those couples had one thing in common.”

  “Besides the Lodge?”

  Andi’s smile was genuine. “Yes, besides the Lodge. They were all open to the opportunity. None of us ever expected to leave Castle Mountain in love, but when the situation came up—”

  “You were open. It sounds so cliché.”

  Andi nodded and laughed. “It’s cliché for a reason.”

  “But how did you know Colin was the one?” The conversation was resonating, but there were still so many questions Lisa had. So much that still had to be explained. “How did you know he was the one worth being open for?”

  Even as Lisa asked the question, she knew what Andi’s answer would be. She knew the answer because it was the same answer she had for herself when she thought of Jason. And when Andi smiled and opened her mouth, she only reaffirmed Lisa’s thoughts.

  “You just know.”

  ~ * ~

  The two women sat and chatted for a while longer before Lily stirred. Andi stood and rocked the stroller
back and forth, and settled her for a moment.

  “This will only last for a few minutes,” she said. “When she gets hungry, that’s all she can think of.”

  “No problem. I should get going anyway.” Lisa pulled herself up and brushed off the bottom of her shorts. “But it was good to see you, Andi. Thanks for the talk.”

  Andi pulled her in for a quick hug and squeezed. “Anytime. And remember, whatever or whomever it is you’re questioning, cliché or not, stay open.”

  Shocked that she’d seen right through her, Lisa yanked backward and saw the sparkle in her friend’s eye. She knew. Lisa nodded. “I will.”

  “And hey.” Andi started to roll the stroller away, but before she went too far, she turned back. “Ryan said you were going to present an award or something at the Porter Party tomorrow? Party Hearty is doing the event. I thought I might turn it into a bit of a business trip while I was here.”

  She’d been right. A party at the Lodge that size, any size really, was a Party Hearty event. “Ryan was wrong…I’m not…I can’t—”

  The baby’s cry split the air. “Well, that’s my cue.” Andi laughed, but Lisa could see the harried look in her eyes. “I’ll see you later, Lisa.”

  After Andi left, Lisa actually felt a little better. She sat for a few minutes longer and dangled her feet over the edge of the pool before she finally decided to get up and go back to her apartment. Maybe she could change and go for a small hike? She wasn’t going to waste her day off thinking about Jason and things she couldn’t change.