Cowboys & Angels

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  “I just might. I’m usually a little bored in the winter. I’ve considered building an indoor riding arena, which would help, but I couldn’t do that until next summer. If I drove up here a couple of times a week and practiced with Elle, I might get the hang of it.”

  “You might.” Trey cursed himself all over again. He could have done the same exact thing and taken his time wooing Elle.

  “You could ride up with me.”

  “That won’t work. Not now.”

  “Hellfire, cowboy. You must have really put your foot in it.”

  “Yeah, I did.” Trey glanced over at Elle, who’d acquired a new pupil this morning. Redheaded Cassidy O’Connelli, wobbly on a pair of skis, moved slowly down the slope with Elle skiing just as slowly right beside her. It hurt to watch Elle, who was at her best teaching a beginner to ski, so he looked away. “And I don’t think there’s a damned thing I can do about it now.”

  * * *

  ELLE HOPED THAT Trey’s inability to concentrate on the skiing lesson was from lack of sleep. She didn’t think it was. He knew something had changed with her, and he was no dummy. He could figure out why.

  She also hoped Trey hadn’t been behind Jack’s invitation to the ranch. Asking if Trey had requested that invitation would have opened up a can of worms, so she hadn’t. In any case, Jack was certain to relay her response, which would give Trey further proof that the relationship was about to end.

  If he’d put Jack up to asking, then she was definitely doing the right thing by backing away. She wasn’t going to be pressured by Trey or the Chance family. She’d built a life that suited her, and abandoning it on a whim wasn’t her style.

  The lesson ran long because nobody was ready to quit, so it was late morning before everyone started packing up. Cassidy still wanted more instruction, but Elle thought the girl needed a break between sessions. As they worked out a time to meet that afternoon, Trey approached, his skis balanced on one broad shoulder. She’d bet he could hardly wait to get rid of them. If today was any indication, skiing wasn’t his thing.

  He waited until Cassidy left, but once she did, he wasted no time on pleasantries. “Do you have some free time this afternoon?”

  Judging from his expression, he wasn’t asking because he wanted to race to his room and have sex. “I have a little time. Cassidy wants to come back out around three.”

  “After lunch, then?”

  “Not right after. There’s the send-off for Pam and Emmett. I’m sure you want to be there for that.”

  “Yeah, I do. I’d forgotten about it.”

  That he’d forgotten the send-off was another sign that he was very distracted. She had a bad feeling about why he wanted to see her this afternoon.

  “So after Pam and Emmett leave, are you free?”

  “I should be. Alex and Jeb want another lesson, and we settled on four, if the weather holds. But I’m not booked between the send-off and Cassie’s lesson at three.” She sounded like a CEO juggling appointments, but that couldn’t be helped. Now that the stay was almost over, a few people wanted to cram in more time on skis, and she was thrilled about that.

  He gave her a wry smile. “Glad you can fit me in.”

  “Could this wait until after I’m finished with Jeb and Alex?”

  He hesitated. “Not really. I thought we might take a walk, if that’s okay with you.”

  “Sure. That sounds nice.” Whatever this discussion would be about, she could tell he wanted it over with. A knot formed in her stomach.

  “Great. If you’re going to the send-off, we can meet up there.”

  “I thought I’d go. They won’t care if I’m there, probably, but...yes, I’d like to see them off.”

  “I’ll meet you afterward, then.” He started to leave.

  “Trey?”

  “Yeah?” He turned back to her, and there was a tiny spark in his eyes, as if some unnamed hope had been momentarily ignited.

  “Did you ask Jack to invite me to the ranch for Christmas?” She couldn’t help asking. Before they took that walk, she needed to know.

  The spark died. “Nope. That was all his idea.”

  Although she was relieved to hear it, she hated seeing the light leave his dark gaze. “I appreciate being asked, but I can’t make it. It’s complicated, but I—”

  “I understand, Elle. See you after Pam and Emmett leave.”

  When he was gone, she stared at the snowy hillside for a long time. She felt like such a louse. If only she’d followed her instincts in the first place and steered clear of this man, they’d both have been spared a lot of pain.

  A few minutes later, as she was headed back to the lodge, Jared called out to her.

  She turned around. “Did I forget to put something away?” In her current frame of mind, that was possible.

  “Nope. Everything’s shipshape. Did you eat breakfast?”

  “Never got around to it.”

  “Me, either. Want to go see if there’s anything left in the kitchen?”

  “Sure.” She might as well. Although she wasn’t particularly hungry, she ought to eat. It could be a long day.

  Jared fell into step beside her. “So, everything okay with you?”

  “Yes.” She glanced at him. “Why?”

  “Just wondered. A while ago you were staring off into space as if there’d been a death in the family. And Trey didn’t smile much this morning.”

  “I’m sure he wasn’t smiling. He wiped out a lot today.”

  “I noticed. But you two are okay, right?”

  “We have some issues, but it’ll be fine.”

  “I’m glad to hear it, because he’s really good for you.”

  Elle blinked. Jared wasn’t in the habit of making personal comments. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Don’t take this wrong, but you keep people at a distance. You’re different with him, though. It’s nice to see.”

  She stared at him. “I do not keep people at a distance.”

  “Yeah, you do, Elle. You’re sweet and friendly and a good teacher. But it’s like there’s an invisible force field around you. Except this weekend, not so much. I figure that’s because of him.”

  Her chest tightened. If that was true, then she’d made a big mess for herself as well as for Trey. But she didn’t want Jared to know how his comments had rocked her back. “You’re scaring me. Since when did you turn into Dr. Phil?”

  That made him laugh. “I know, right? Totally out of character. Blame it on the fact that I watched The Muppet Christmas Carol last night on TV. Now I’m all introspective about the meaning of life.”

  “You’re not comparing me to Scrooge, are you?”

  “No. Nothing like that. Forget I said anything. Sheesh. This is why I don’t get into the touchy-feely stuff.”

  “We’ll pretend it never happened.” As if she could. Now she’d be obsessing over what he’d said, damn it.

  “Good. By the way, they want us to make another teaching video whenever we can work it in. I’m thinking this week would be good. Maybe Wednesday afternoon. The schedule’s kind of loose on Wednesday.”

  “Wednesday would be great.” She welcomed a change of subject, and filling her calendar with activities was a good idea. If Jared was right, and she’d let down her guard and fallen for Trey, even a little bit, then she had some recalibrating to do. Keeping busy would be her salvation.

  * * *

  TREY STOOD WITH Watkins and Mary Lou in the crowd of well-wishers gathered in the front driveway of the resort. A long black limo sat under the portico and a uniformed driver stood by the passenger door, waiting. Everyone had been given a bottle of bubbles as a send-off gesture.

  The bride and groom had not yet arrived, so Trey had time to scan the crowd for Elle. She was
n’t here. She’d said she was coming, though. And after the limo drove away... He swallowed hard when he thought of the discussion ahead of him.

  Mary Lou put a hand on the sleeve of his sheepskin jacket. “Where’s Elle?”

  “Don’t know.”

  “She’s coming, isn’t she?”

  “She said she would.”

  “Trey, look at me.”

  That almost made him smile. Mary Lou had adopted a parental tone with him, and he loved it. He glanced down at her. “Yes, ma’am?”

  “Did you two have a fight?”

  “No.”

  “Well, something’s wrong. I can tell by the—oh, wait. Here she comes.”

  Trey had spotted her, too. She hurried out of the resort entrance door, pulling on her ski jacket as she came. He would love to say that his heart didn’t ache like hell at the sight of her. He couldn’t say that.

  She smiled as she walked over to where he stood with Watkins and Mary Lou. “I’m glad I didn’t miss them. Time got away from me.”

  “You don’t have any bubbles,” Mary Lou said. “They handed them out earlier.”

  “Take mine.” Trey held out his bottle.

  “That’s okay. I’ll—”

  “Take it, Elle.”

  She met his gaze. Something in his voice or in his eyes must have communicated his frustration with this entire situation. She must have decided he was nearing the end of his rope, because she took the bottle. “Thanks. That’s generous of you.”

  A cheer went up, and Trey broke eye contact with Elle. “Here they come.” Then he gasped. “Good Lord, she’s got him in a white linen suit and a Panama hat. I can’t believe it.”

  Mary Lou laughed with delight. “I love it! Look at Pam, all in pastels. They’re ready for the tropics. That’s just the cutest thing ever.”

  “I don’t know,” Watkins said. “Emmett’s never worn anything but jeans and cowboy shirts. He’s not gonna recognize himself in the mirror.”

  “Give him a week,” Mary Lou said. “Don’t forget that you were wearing shorts and gaudy shirts by the second day of our cruise.”

  “Yeah, but Emmett’s not even there yet and he already looks like he owns a sugar plantation.”

  “I think it’s great,” Trey said. “Good for Emmett. Two days ago he was ready to ditch the ceremony and head for Vegas. Now look at him.”

  “He’s doing it for love,” Mary Lou said.

  “And for nooky,” Watkins added.

  “Watkins.” Mary Lou punched his arm, but she laughed all the same.

  “Nothing wrong with having a double motivation.” Trey glanced sideways at Elle. Hard to tell what she was thinking, but she didn’t seem to be enjoying the conversation the way the rest of them were.

  Emmett and Pam stood on the top step giving hugs and handshakes to family members clustered around them. Then they turned toward the limo.

  “Get your bubbles ready,” Mary Lou said. “It’s time.”

  The driver opened the door. Hand-in-hand, Emmett and Pam hurried down the steps in a shower of iridescent bubbles. Once they were tucked inside the limo, everyone followed the car a little ways down the drive, waving and blowing more bubbles.

  Throughout the send-off, Trey kept track of Elle. She’d blown bubbles along with everyone else, but her shouts of good cheer had sounded hollow to him. That might be his mood, though.

  After the limo pulled away from the resort, he glanced down at her. “Ready for that walk?”

  “Sure.” She started to tuck the bottle in her jacket pocket. “Oh, do you want these back?” She took the bottle out again.

  “You can keep it.”

  “All right. Some of the younger skiers might have fun creating bubbles going downhill. Where are we walking?”

  “I’d hoped you’d make a suggestion. You know the area better than I do.” Their careful formality sliced him to ribbons.

  “This way, then.” She started across the driveway.

  He walked beside her in silence. He’d rather not say his piece where they might have an audience. Within about five minutes they’d entered a groomed trail that wound through the trees.

  “This is for cross-country skiing,” Elle said. “We have a few guests who’ve asked for that over the years, so Carl built a small trail for them. Nobody will be on it now.”

  “I wonder if cross-country would suit me better.” His boots crunched on the packed snow, but he didn’t sink in.

  “It might, at that.”

  “I don’t suppose you care much for it, though. Too tame.”

  “It’s okay for a change of pace.” Her steps kept time with his.

  “Maybe I’ll check it out.” He didn’t know why he was discussing this. Procrastination, probably. They were out of sight of the resort. The air was still and cold. Then a breeze sighed through the pines, and ahead of them, a branch showered snow onto the path.

  He stopped and turned to her. “Elle, I pushed you with that request last night, and I realize it set you off. You’ve decided there’s no hope for us, and if that’s the case, I’m ready to cut my losses.” He watched her eyes, hoping against hope that he’d see denial there.

  Instead, she gazed at him with sad resignation. “It’s for the best, Trey. I’m not the one for you. I pray that you find her someday, and that she’s as romantic and loving as you are. You deserve that.”

  So that was it, then. He wished an avalanche would come along and bury him under it. But he wouldn’t want her to be buried under it, too, so he couldn’t really wish that.

  Instead, he had to man up and get through this. Except he wasn’t sure what to do next. Shake hands? Give her a farewell kiss? No, that was out. One kiss and he was liable to do something stupid, like beg her to change her mind.

  She looked away and cleared her throat. “Maybe we should walk back.”

  “Uh, yeah. You go ahead. You have that lesson with Cassidy. I’ll stay out a little longer.”

  She glanced up, her blue eyes moist. “You’re sure?”

  “Elle, I won’t get lost.”

  “Okay, then. Goodbye, Trey.” She looked as if she might touch him, but then she didn’t. “Goodbye.” She walked away from him, her pace faster this time, her feet making a noise like a popcorn machine.

  He stared after her, his whole body aching. Then he turned and walked in the other direction, because that was easier than standing still. He’d promised her he wouldn’t get lost. But he’d never felt so lost in his life.

  17

  ELLE MANAGED TO avoid Trey for the rest of the time the Last Chance folks were at the resort. Doing that kept her on edge. She didn’t sleep well, either, knowing he was there. She woke up in the middle of the night, certain he’d knocked on her door, but no one was outside when she looked.

  She told herself that once Trey had left, she’d be able to relax. Instead, she got the flu, or what felt like the flu. She didn’t run a fever or get sick to her stomach, but she ached all over. A soak in the hot tub didn’t help. A massage didn’t help. Getting drunk with Amy didn’t help.

  As the two of them sat in Amy’s room working on their second bottle of wine, Amy listened to Elle describe her peculiar symptoms. “Is there a chance you’re in love with the guy?” she asked. “Could that be what ails you?”

  Elle’s head jerked up. “Hell, no!”

  “Don’t look so horrified. That would explain why you feel so rotten. You’re in love with him. It’s possible.”

  “No, it’s not possible. Not after four days.”

  “So you don’t believe he’s in love with you, either?”

  She shook her head violently. Too violently. She had to put her hand over her eyes and take a deep breath. “Whoa. Dizzy.”

  “Not to mentio
n that you overreacted to the question. I think maybe—”

  “Nope, nope.” Elle held up her hand like a traffic cop. “Trey is not in love with me. He’s in love with the angel who came to his rescue. He’s a romantic dreamer who fell in love with an idea, not a flesh-and-blood woman.”

  “Hmm.”

  “What?”

  “I watched him at the reception. I watched both of you. If he wasn’t a man in love, he gave a damned good impression of it. You seemed to be into him, too.”

  “Amy, you were seeing what you wanted to see.”

  “That is so not the case. First of all, I wish he hadn’t been so stuck on you, because I would have dated him in a heartbeat. Second, I was fascinated by the change in you. You can deny it all you want, but you acted way happier when he was around. More open, somehow.”

  Elle frowned. That sounded too much like Jared’s comment. “So I’ve been closed in the past?”

  “That sounds bad. I didn’t mean that in a critical way.”

  “Jared said I don’t let people get close to me.”

  Amy’s gaze was filled with compassion. “That’s sort of true. Part of it is that you’re only here for six months. I just start getting to know you again, and you’re gone. But...I have the feeling that’s on purpose. By going somewhere else for six months, you don’t get too attached to the place or the people.”

  Elle didn’t know what to say about that, especially because Amy might have scored a bull’s-eye. “It’s...it’s what I’m used to.”

  “I know, hon. When you grow up like that, always on the move, it becomes a habit. But if you’ve fallen for this guy, and I think you have, then maybe it’s time to break that habit.”

  “That scares me to death.”

  “I’ll bet.”

  Elle held out her glass. “More wine, please. I’m not ready to examine this concept sober. Not yet, anyway.”

  Amy poured wine for both of them. Then she picked up her glass. “Here’s to facing down fears.”

  “Maybe.” Elle raised her glass. “To quote Scarlett, I’ll think about that tomorrow.”

  But she didn’t. The next day she rejected the idea that she was jetting between continents because she was afraid to let herself become attached to people and places. What nonsense. Unfortunately, her mysterious aches and pains refused to go away. She took aspirin and pretended she was fine.