Joyfully His (Sterling Canyon Book 4)

by Jamie Beck

  “What’s a guy gotta do to be moved from group to private instruction?” He crossed his arms.

  “You don’t like managing a group?”

  “I don’t like making shit tips. You know half the folks in group lessons either ‘forget’ or throw chump change at you.”

  “Private-lesson assignments are based on a mix of seniority and client requests, Billy. You’ve only been here two years.”

  His hands went out to his sides. “How am I supposed to meet clients to build those relationships if I’m always stuck in groups?”

  “Upsell. Assess the students in the group lessons who are good candidates for private lessons, and suggest it to them or their parents.” She shrugged, thinking that should be common sense.

  “I hate being a salesman.”

  “Don’t we all, but it’s important for the resort and for your own income.” Truth be told, private lessons were down last year, and part of her responsibilities was to bring those numbers back up.

  “So which group will I be getting today?” He let his arms fall to his sides, resigned.

  “I’m on my way to check out the schedule now. Give me ten minutes.”

  Billy sighed. “Can you assign me to intermediates instead of beginners?”

  “I’ll try.”

  “See ya in ten.”

  “Yup.” She continued to her office and closed the door. A stack of trail reports, lesson reservations, and other paperwork greeted her. Before she tackled it and handed out assignments, she’d call Andy. Her stomach fluttered a bit. This call would make his day—except for all those conditions Don had imposed. That part wouldn’t be so easy.

  She pulled up his contact info and hit “Call.”

  “Hey, Nik. What’s up?” His surprise rang through the line.

  “I thought about what we discussed at Emma’s reception and spoke to Don this morning.”

  Following a slight pause, he replied, “Wow. I didn’t expect that.”

  “Well, I’m short-staffed for the holiday. Since you don’t need the same training new recruits need, I figured I’d give it a shot.”

  “But Don didn’t go for it, did he?” Andy’s voice filled with resignation.

  “It took some persuasion, but he’s agreed to a probationary hire with a couple of conditions.” She stuttered over the word probationary.

  “What kind of conditions?” he asked, no sign of irritation in his tone.

  She recited them, feeling about two inches tall when she brought up the Breathalyzer.

  “I can live with that.” He didn’t hesitate for a second. In fact, his enthusiasm made her whole body smile. “When can I start?”

  “As soon as possible. If you stop by later today, we can complete the paperwork, and I’ll put you in the rotation starting tomorrow.”

  “I’ll talk to Em and see what I can work out. Should I come by your office first or go to Don?”

  “Come to me.” For anything, she thought, and then blushed despite being alone in her office.

  “You got it. Thanks, Nik. You’re the best!”

  “Consider this an early Christmas gift.”

  After she hung up, she thought to herself that she was, in fact, the best. She’d been a reliable friend and sister, a fair boss, and a thoughtful person for her entire life. Too bad when Andy said it, he didn’t feel it in his heart.

  #

  Andy had to keep himself from running up the steps to the ski school, but he couldn’t stop his goofy grin. There was no reason to hide his elated return to what he’d long considered home.

  Learning that Nikki had stuck her neck out for him had restored the long-lost hope that he might, eventually, earn back the community’s trust. He just had to hold his head high and have a little faith.

  It was a little after three, so parents were already gathered in the pits to collect their kids from the all-day classes. He smiled when he saw the six-foot-tall Advent calendar he and another instructor had built four years earlier, with today’s box emptied of its candy. It’d been an ingenious way to motivate the kids to cooperate and follow the ski-school rules. The majority of them had vied for that prize when he’d been an instructor. He snickered at the memory of first-class brownnosers, then wondered which child had earned the candy today.

  “Hey, Andy!” Billy approached with a smile. “What’re you doing here?”

  “Billy B, my man.” Andy threw up a high five. “Nik’s rehired me.”

  “Really?” Billy’s brows raised way, way up his forehead.

  There it was, even from Billy. That look of surprise and judgment Andy could never escape. If only his DUI hadn’t been compounded by the accident, injury, lawyers, and probation, maybe the stigma would’ve died off by now. He forced himself to brush aside the sting, but that was getting harder every day. “Probationary, of course. But I’ve never had problems before, so, with luck, I’ll breeze on through the next couple of weeks.”

  Billy nodded, his attention straying to a pretty woman walking by. “Good luck.”

  Andy sensed a peculiar tension in the guy’s tone. When Billy had first arrived on the scene, he’d looked up to Andy as an experienced, often-requested instructor. Now he had an opportunity to rebuild that rapport, thanks to Nikki trusting him enough to hand him a second chance.

  “Better get to Nik before she thinks I changed my mind.” Andy waved good-bye and wandered back to Nikki’s office. He rapped on the doorframe, causing her to look up from the pile of papers she’d been studying. The messy desk held architecturally impossible-to-believe piles of paper. The slightest breeze would wreak havoc.

  In typical Nikki no-nonsense fashion, she simply gestured to a chair before sifting through those piles in search of his paperwork.

  “Take a seat. I had your HR paperwork right here.” She thumbed through several clipped pages. For some reason, seeing her behind the desk set off a sort of schoolteacher fantasy. He let that little thrill sink in for a minute while he waited. The way in which she nibbled at those full lips caused him to shift in his seat. “Ah, here it is.”

  She passed the papers across the desk, wearing a slight grin but not fully meeting his gaze, almost as if she’d been privy to his five-second daydream.

  He clasped her hand when they made the exchange and waited until she looked him in the eyes. The twinkle in hers sent a little charge surging through his body, so he kept hold of her velvety hand. “Nik, thank you. I mean it. No one but Emma’s taken a chance on me in a while. I owe you big-time.”

  She eased her hand free, her voice softening. “It’s the least I could do.”

  An odd response, but he didn’t press for fear of blowing this chance. He’d started working at the resort at sixteen. Opted out of college because he knew he’d never love anything as much as he loved November through April on the mountain. Even menial off-season jobs and living broke hadn’t mattered, because he got to do what he loved . . . until he couldn’t. Now a shot to come back meant more than anything. He wouldn’t let his growing curiosity about her and her faith in him screw this up.

  Nikki lapsed back into business as usual. “When you finish filling those out, take them to HR and go see about getting a jacket.”

  “Will do.” He glanced around her office and out the open door to the crowded dining hall. “God, I missed this place. Even the weird musty-rubber smell makes me happy.”

  She smiled fully at that comment, because obviously only a crazy person would miss that dank odor. When she smiled like that, her facial scar bunched on the apple of her cheek, transforming into something that resembled a lightning bolt. He’d always thought that powerful symbol suited her perfectly, although the way she often turned that cheek away told him it made her self-conscious.

  “I’m sure everyone will be glad for your return.” Her gaze dropped for an instant. “Some of us are hitting The Mineshaft in a bit, if you want to join in.”

  Happy hour with the crew. He’d spent many, many afternoons that way in the past. Unfortu
nately, the fallout from the last one he’d attended had forever changed his life . . . and Grey’s. Was her invitation a test? Checking to see if he was the same old Andy from before? He knew he could go to a happy hour now without losing control, but he had no desire to invite more skepticism.

  “Thanks, but I think I’ll pass today.” The only real regret he felt about that was that he might’ve enjoyed spending a little time with Nikki. She’d always been easy to talk to, and she threw a mean dart to boot. Sometimes he’d wondered if she’d be as adventuresome in bed as she was on the slopes. Stop. He was here on probation, for God’s sake. He couldn’t afford any missteps. “How about you let me buy you dinner some night this week . . . as a thank-you?”

  When she looked uncomfortable at the suggestion, he added, “As friends, I mean.”

  There you go. Five minutes in and he’d already made her feel weird.

  “Of course, I knew that.” She chuckled, but the twinkle in her eyes dimmed a shade. “Let’s see what the week brings. I might not have free time. Amy wants to paint our living room robin’s egg blue before Christmas Eve.”

  “That’ll match your eyes.” The words slipped out. Way to ease the awkwardness, dummy. Even as the silent reproach surfaced, he couldn’t keep from staring at her eyes. They were a bit too narrow and closely set to be called beautiful, but the color—stunning. To break the awkward moment, he closed his eyes and teased her, saying, “Trying to imagine Amy with a roller and paint tray.”

  Nope. He had no doubt Nikki would be doing most of the work. When he opened his eyes and noticed Nikki’s cool expression, he offered, “If you two need a hand, just ask. You know I painted houses most summers until . . .” He trailed off, not seeing the need to point out the obvious. He’d been fired him from his commercial painting summer job right after his arrest, which was why Emma had stepped in to hire him as the inn’s handyman.

  “Amy would love that, but I think we can manage on our own, thanks.” Her posture stiffened with her mood.

  He took her second rejection in stride, reminding himself for the hundredth time that he should be happy enough that Nikki Steele believed in him. She was his boss, and he would be closely monitored for the next couple of weeks. No need to stir up any whiff of inappropriate behavior, although he could think of a few inappropriate things he might like to try with her.

  “Okay, boss.” He collected the papers and stood. “I’ll take these to HR and then grab a jacket. See you bright and early tomorrow.”

  Chapter Four

  Another cannon shot echoed down the canyon, disrupting the otherwise serene early-morning sunrise casting a peach hue over the snowcapped mountains. The heavy snowfall had stopped before dawn, but not before dumping thirteen inches of fresh powder. As in most years, Sterling Canyon would be enjoying a white Christmas next week. As for today, ski patrol had been called in to take care of avalanche-control work and assess the safety of the trails.

  Nikki’s breath fogged in front of her before a brisk wind sprayed snow onto her face. She zipped her jacket up to her neck, then hunched against the freezing assault as she dashed across the parking lot toward the ski school. The flags overhead snapped in the wind, but it was seeing Andy shoveling around the building’s entrance that caught her breath.

  He’d been coming early and staying late the past three days, eager to prove himself worthy of this second chance. Judging from the neatly cleared walkway and entry, he’d been here for a while.

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d guess you were aiming for my job,” she called above the wind.

  “Not a chance.” He held the shovel upright, resting both hands on its handle before he winked. “You know I hate paperwork.”

  Damn, she loved the little grin on his face when he winked. One other endearing thing about Andy was how he didn’t seem to realize how incredibly cute he was. He’d nailed humble and thoughtful years ago.

  “Then I guess I don’t have anything to worry about.” She shivered from another gust of snowy wind. “We should throw some sand down.”

  Andy opened the door and waved her inside. “I’ll take care of it.”

  He set the shovel against the wall by the door and then jogged toward the supply closet. His long legs and tight butt were evident even in those ski pants. That thought made her shake herself and go directly to her office. She’d forgotten how distracted and unproductive she could be around him. Still, she couldn’t lie to herself and pretend she hadn’t been exceptionally eager to come to work since he’d been rehired.

  Twenty minutes later, Andy knocked on her door.

  “Yes?” she asked, making a last-minute check of the reservations and noting cancellations. Time to pass out assignments.

  “Today’s going to be epic. I know most of the new snow will be skied off by late afternoon, but how ’bout we try to get in one or two runs at the end of the day. There might still be some powder shots in the trees.”

  She grinned, reflecting back on the many times they’d done that—sometimes with others, sometimes alone. “You only pick the glades to try to beat me down the mountain.”

  Nikki didn’t suffer false modesty. Andy could outski her amid the trees. He had slightly better reflexes, quicker turns, and more confidence in there. Confidence she’d never fully regained after the accident that caused her scar. It’d happened back before helmets were so popular. She’d caught an edge of her ski and then fallen against a dead branch poking through the snow, which then carved her cheek like a knife.

  Now, no matter how she tried, she always held a little something back when skiing between the trees.

  He crossed his arms, eyes bright and tempting beneath those bangs. “You’re good, Nik, I’ll grant you. But I can take you on open terrain, too. I’ve just been too much of a gentleman to beat you every time.”

  “Ha!” She laughed, but it could be true.

  “Hey, boss, you made up the schedule yet?” Billy interrupted them from behind Andy.

  “Yes. You have a group of seven intermediate teens and adults.” She noted his disappointment, but it couldn’t be helped. At least she’d bumped him up from the beginners like he’d asked. There just weren’t enough private lessons booked today to hand him one.

  “How about me?” Andy asked.

  Oh, boy. Billy wouldn’t like this at all. “You have a semiprivate lesson with the Bodner twins.”

  Billy’s jaw dropped. “What about seniority?”

  “The Bodners requested Andy.” She shrugged, as if that would calm Billy. “He’s taught them in years past.”

  Thankfully, Andy kept quiet while Billy gave them both the once-over. Billy looked her dead in the eye. “Maybe they did, or maybe you’re playing favorites.”

  “Dude, that’s out of line.” Andy grimaced.

  “Come on. Everyone knows you two have always been ‘close.’” Billy scoffed, as if the alternative reality he proposed was a fact.

  If only that were true, Nikki thought for one wistful second, until her brain kicked in. This kind of rumor was exactly what she had to avoid as a woman in charge of a lot of testosterone. Maybe she did harbor a little crush on the guy, but she’d never favored Andy when it came to assignments. It wouldn’t do well for people to believe that, either.

  “You’ve lost your mind,” Andy said at the exact same time she said, “I’ve never had a thing with any staff member.”

  Not that there was a prohibition, per se, the ridiculous, hopeful voice in her head reminded.

  Hopeful voice? No, impulsive, foolish, pathetic . . . mixing business and pleasure would be a mistake. Aside from the problems it might cause with the rest of the guys, most relationships fail. It’d be damn awkward to boss around an ex. For Andy, however, she might’ve been a wee bit willing to make an exception.

  Billy shook his head, still disbelieving. “Whatever.”

  He skulked away, leaving her alone with Andy.

  “Nik, I hope you don’t think I ever started any rumors.” He looked so
serious—so stunned by the idea of them as more than friends—it hurt.

  “Me neither. Can you imagine anything more ridiculous?” There, now they were on a level playing field. At least, as far as Andy knew, they were. “Billy’s pissy because he wants the private lessons. Ignore him.”

  His gaze drifted downward. “Okay, boss. Guess I’d better get out there before more gossip spreads. I know how hard it is to get out from under that.”

  Something about the note of defeat in his voice piqued her fury. “To hell with them. I’ll see you at three thirty for a run through the glades. And, Andy, I’m going to kick your butt out there.”

  A twinkle reignited in his green eyes. “We’ll see about that.”

  #

  It should’ve been a perfect day. Abundant powder, a bluebird sky, two strong skiers to teach, and the promise of a great cash tip. He should’ve known it was all too good to be true. By one o’clock, the Bodner boys had sapped every ounce of Andy’s holiday cheer.

  He called after Eric Bodner, but he couldn’t catch him in time to stop him from flying over the blind ledge. Dammit! All morning he’d been giving both boys warnings about staying in control. The only reason there hadn’t been a major incident yet was that they were skilled and had twisted their way out of a few near misses.

  Andy skied over the ledge himself—in control and without catching air—relieved that no guests had been injured by the kid’s stunt. He gunned to the spot where Eric had taken a break, spraying snow on him when he came to a stop. Eric’s brother, Ted, drew near, laughing.

  The siblings were all smiles when Andy yelled, “We’re done!”

  Eric didn’t look fazed. “We have two more hours.”

  “Not anymore. I’ve warned you both a bunch of times to respect the rules of the mountain and to quit the dangerous stunts. You flew over that ledge without knowing who or what was beneath it. If it had been rock, you’d be hurt. If it had been another skier, you could’ve landed on them and caused serious injury or worse. This isn’t a game, Eric. People die every year from ski accidents.” He sounded suspiciously like his sister in that moment. But even in the height of his own ski hubris, he’d never put another skier at risk.