by Lori Ryan
“Maybe it has and you’re both just too stubborn to see it.”
Her father laughed. “Highly doubtful. Sally Sumner hates me with a purple passion. Always has.”
“Sometimes people hide their love behind anger,” Elle said.
“Is that what Emmett did?”
“I think so, but he had a right. I did some not-so-nice things.” She didn’t really want to recount the details to her dad.
“You didn’t tell Emmett about the cancer, did you? The night you saw him in New York?”
Elle’s mouth dropped open. “How did you know about that?”
“They don’t call your brother the Mouth of the South for nothing.”
Tanner. Elle wanted to be angry with her brother, but thinking about what her dad was saying overshadowed everything. Fate had brought Elle and Emmett together in New York, and now they were both back in Canyon Creek. Perhaps it was true love after all.
“Take it from me, sweetheart,” her father spoke softly, with such a forlorn look on his face it made her heart ache. “I know all too well that one single decision can change the entire course of your life. It was wrong of me to make that decision for you. It should have been yours, and Emmett’s. And it should have been your mother’s.”
Elle heard the tremor in her father’s voice and it broke her heart. How long had he carried this guilt? “Oh, Dad,” she said, reaching out to hug him.
He drew her into his arms. “I didn’t want to let you go either back then. God, I didn’t. It was so hard to put you on that plane.” He shook his head against her shoulder. “But you needed to find yourself, you needed to live your dream. I let you go, only to almost lose you in the end,” he choked out, his voice hoarse with emotion as he hugged her tighter.
Elle clutched him to her like he might be torn away, tears streaming down her face. “It’s okay, Dad. I’m okay, I promise.”
He nodded and kissed her head. It was her father’s way. He would break down in small ways that never lasted for long. He had become a master at hiding his emotions.
Elle sat up in his lap. “Did you love Mom? Even though you felt you had to marry her?”
“Oh, God,” he said, rolling his eyes. “I adored your mother. And she loved me, too. We had a great life together. But I know she always wondered what her life would have been like if things had been different.” Her father brushed away a stray hair on her forehead. He’d had to be mother and father her entire life and he’d done it so beautifully that sometimes Elle forget he’d been in mourning, too. “I never wanted you to have that regret, Elle.”
“I know, Dad.” She softly kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For loving me enough to let me go.”
Chapter Eighteen
Emmett looked around the resort’s lounge and grinned. Tonight was going to be good. Karaoke had never held much appeal for him, but getting a chance to see his brothers on stage, wailing, had him more excited than he’d been since…well, since his night with Elle. He shook his head to rid himself of the memories. He was sitting in front of her father, for Christ’s sake.
He and his family sat with Elle and her father at a small table in the resort’s lounge. Karaoke night was one of the ideas they’d come up with for drawing in customers. Organizing and implementing the event had been easy enough given the resort’s restaurant and bar area.
Adding Karaoke night wasn’t going to save their lodge or make the payments on their loan by itself, but it was a start. Combined with the other marketing projects they had in the works, this event would at least increase revenue and tourism somewhat. They had to try everything to save his mother’s dream and keep her from financial ruin. The lodge and their piece of the Canyon Creek Mountain was the Sumner legacy. Moving back and helping their mother was what their father would have expected, from all of them. Emmett knew in time, all his brothers would return to help. He just didn’t know if they would stay.
Emmett glanced around. The lounge had about twenty tables and he’d estimate half were full at the moment. It was still early yet. He leaned into Elle. “Is this a good turnout for a Wednesday night for you guys?”
She nodded her head. “A little bit better than most.” She rattled off some numbers that told him this was not anything they should be too proud of as far as boosting sales, but it was a step in the right direction.
It also told him she knew her job. She paid attention to more than just heads in beds, as they said in the hotel industry. She knew data points for the lounge and restaurant aspect of their business as well. Not that he hadn’t expected that. Elle was sharp, but still. She had been pressed into this job by her family. He knew her dreams lay elsewhere.
Elle had confided that she planned to talk to her dad about bringing in someone to do her job part-time so she could train them now, while she worked the evenings in the studio. Her intent was to work with students full-time once she had the staff trained at the resort.
Emmett frowned as he thought about her heavy workload. Working full-time while she trained another employee and started up her own dance company in the evening might be too much for Elle. He’d have to watch her.
And watch her he did as she stood and walked toward the front of the lounge, her hips swaying in snug-fitting jeans that molded perfectly to her delectable ass. Her long, toned legs carried her gracefully to the front and Emmett bit back a groan. Yeah, he’d watch her, in more ways than one.
Emmett adjusted himself in his chair and diverted his gaze, studying the lounge. His eyes stilled when he saw his brother, Max, sitting uncommonly quiet, his fingers fumbling with the tabletop like he didn’t know what to do with himself.
“Max,” his mother called, apparently noticing his demeanor herself. “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. It was just a hard day at the barn. Shawn is a tyrant when it comes to work.” He half-chuckled but Emmett wasn’t sure he believed him. His brother looked more antsy than worn out.
“The barn looks amazing,” Maggie said as she patted Max’s leg. “You guys are working so hard. Thank you.”
“Well,” Max drew in a deep breath and released it with an exaggerated sigh, “someone said she wanted to get married in the spring so…”
“Thank you, Max. You and Shawn are the best.” Maggie threw her arms around Max and squeezed him tight. “Oh,” she exclaimed, popping back in her seat, “we should show the Nobles the barn, don’t you think?”
“That’s a great idea,” his mother said. “Emmett, would you ask Warner and Elle, and any other staff who’d like to see? Where is Elle anyway?” she asked, scanning the lounge.
Emmett nodded toward the makeshift stage in the corner of the resort’s lounge. She and a few other employees were working to set up the sound equipment and Karaoke machine.
“She’s beautiful,” Maggie whispered, leaning over and squeezing Emmett’s forearm.
He couldn’t argue.
Elle was decked out in casual attire, dark jeans that hugged her dancer legs. A black top that hung off one shoulder, revealing a red tank top underneath. Her short hair was shaped in a messy style that Emmett thought made her look like she’d just been thoroughly fucked.
Emmett smirked. She had been, just that afternoon. Since they’d first made love three days before at the dance studio, he’d monopolized as much of her time as he could. And every time he got her alone, he’d peeled the clothes from her body and sank deep inside her. He couldn’t get enough of her.
“She is,” Emmett said, his eyes never leaving Elle’s.
“She looks different,” Maggie said.
Emmett didn’t acknowledge Maggie’s observation but she was right. Elle did look different. It wasn’t only because she and Emmett had become physically involved again, Elle was finally living her dream and the happiness shone within her.
For the first time in years, Emmett felt steady too, like she’d straightened his path. He wondered if it was the same thing for
her.
Suddenly he remembered that this connection between them could end any moment. It had before. She’d left him twice before, just when he’d felt them getting closer.
Besides, Emmett had a book to write, three to be exact, all due soon, as his agent liked to remind him with daily emails and phone calls. Elle wasn’t a forever thing, at least that’s what he told himself even if he couldn’t wrap his head around it.
Staying in Canyon Creek hadn’t been a forever thing either. He had a career and a life he had to go back to in California. He swallowed hard. The idea of living without Elle left him feeling empty inside.
Thankfully his writing was coming back in full force. He’d awakened that morning with a new sense of purpose, a solid idea for his next novel forming in his head. Elle inspired him and gave him the courage to try new things.
“Yeah,” Max said, “she does look different.”
Emmett shot his brother a look.
“She looks like she’s been—”
Emmett’s fist slammed against Max’s shoulder with force, silencing him. He’d shared with Max that he and Elle had been intimate, mainly because he needed Max to cover for him at the lodge one morning.
“Fuck,” Max roared, rubbing his shoulder. “That hurt, asshole.”
“Quit crying, baby,” Emmett said.
“Watch your language, Maxwell,” his mother chastised from across the table. She shook her head and returned her gaze to the stage.
Max shot Emmett the finger.
“Jealous?” Emmett said quietly.
“Very,” Max answered, still rubbing his arm.
“Pussy,” Emmett mouthed.
“Yep,” Max said with a smirk, “that’s what I’m missing.”
“Devlin!” Maggie shrieked beside them as she jumped to her feet and ran to the lounge entrance. “You’re here!”
Everyone in the place turned and watched the two women embrace, their bodies swaying back and forth as they hugged like long lost friends.
Devlin Darby was Maggie’s best friend growing up. Devlin’s father had been in the military for most of her young life. She and her family had lived with her grandparents in Canyon Creek while her father was deployed. But in fifth grade, he took a different position, off the front lines, and the family began to travel with him. They moved all over the United States and several overseas posts, as well. Emmett remembered how devastated Maggie had been to lose her best friend.
Maggie tugged Devlin toward the two tables Emmett and his family had pulled together. “Devlin, you remember this motley crew.” She pointed as she introduced Emmett, his mother, Max and Ben. Emmett wasn’t surprised when Devlin’s attention lingered on Max. Most women’s did.
Max stood and shook her hand, his eyes traveling the length of her body. “Here, have my seat,” he said, once his eyes finally found her face. Emmett had to resist rolling his eyes.
“Thank you,” Devlin nodded once, and then returned her attention to Maggie, her interest in him suddenly gone.
Max’s brow creased. Emmett had to stifle a laugh. This chick was obviously not smitten like all his other football groupies.
“So, Devlin,” Emmett’s mother started, “Maggie says you’re a world class photographer now.”
Devlin blushed. “Well, I travel the world, at least,” she said, tucking a long piece of her dark hair behind her ear. “I’m just back from Thailand.”
“Oh, my goodness, that sounds amazing.” His mom’s eyes lit.
“It truly is.” Devlin glanced around the table. “Everyone should visit at least once in their life.”
“No thanks,” Max muttered under his breath, but Emmett wasn’t sure if anyone else heard him. Max picked up the glass of water he’d been nursing and dug for a piece of ice, popping it in his mouth. It hadn’t escaped anyone’s notice that Max wasn’t drinking alcohol lately, but he blew off any questions about it.
Before Emmett could think about Max and the changes that seemed to be taking over his brother lately, Elle’s voice echoed through the lounge.
“Thank you, guys for coming out for our very first Karaoke night here at Canyon Creek Mountain Ski Resort,” she said.
Applause erupted around the space.
“I’d especially like to thank Maggie Lawrence, our partner from the other side of the mountain at The Lodge at Canyon Creek.” She pointed to Maggie in the crowd and smiled. “And thanks to the crew here at the resort who helped me set up this machine. I’m very technologically challenged.”
Everyone laughed.
“Like someone else I know,” Ben said, leaning in to Maggie who’d settled back into the seat next to him.
“Shut up,” she swatted his shoulder but followed up by wrapping her hands around him.
Max grinned at Ben. “She keeps you in line, huh?”
Ben pointed a finger at Max. “Shut it. And, by the way, you owe me for those thirty pay-per-view pornos you ordered on our cable bill,” Ben said. “I knew it was a mistake to give you our log in.”
Warner chose that moment to reappear with a fresh round of drinks and Emmett broke out in uncontrolled laughter at the look on his face. He looked like he’d swallowed a toad. Obviously, he’d overheard Ben’s comment.
“I think we have our first volunteer.” Elle’s voice rang through the lounge.
Emmett sat up straight. “What?”
Max nodded toward the stage with a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Emmett Sumner, everyone,” Elle announced. “Please, everyone, let’s give him some encouragement.” She stepped back from the mic and began clapping and looking at him as though she expected him to waltz right up there without a care. Was she nuts?
“Em-mett, Em-mett,” his brothers chanted above the applause.
He glared at Ben and Max, silently shooting them the finger in his mind. Unable to say no to Elle, he pushed out of his chair and stood. He shot her an expression that promised retribution as he stalked through the growing crowd. She was going to pay.
Elle smiled and shrugged one shoulder, clearly not worried about revenge.
Emmett stepped up on the stage, his back to the crowd. “I’ll get you back,” he whispered in her ear. He drew in a deep breath, her scent washing over him. All plans for payback washed away as images of her naked body flooded his brain.
“Promise?” she whispered, kissing his cheek and slinking off the stage.
Shit. How the hell was he supposed to sing with a massive hard on? Suddenly an idea came to him and he smiled broadly, gripping the mic. “Since this is the inaugural song of what we all hope will be a weekly event, I think we should have more than one singer, don’t you guys think?”
The crowd applauded their agreement. He realized there were now a few more tables filled and wondered if this would turn out to be a good draw for the resort and the lodge. They planned to alternate the locations.
“I’d like to invite my brothers, Max and Ben up here to help me.” Emmett watched with satisfaction as their faces washed white, their heads shaking like bobble-head dolls. When Emmett’s mother slapped Max’s head, he was sure Max had spewed a few expletives. A bonus.
Maggie pushed at Ben and his mother joined, yanking Max by the hand.
Elle pushed against Max’s shoulder and he glanced back at her with a snarl. She just laughed.
Emmett noticed Max glance down at Devlin, whose face was awash with laughter.
“Go,” Devlin said.
With no further prodding, Max stood and weaved through the crowd. Nothing to incentivize a man like trying to impress a beautiful woman.
Emmett smirked as a song popped into his head. The lyrics would be perfect for Elle, and get his brothers riled up. He turned to the DJ and whispered the song before turning back.
Ben and Max stalked toward the stage, eyes boring through Emmett. He just shrugged. If he was going down in flames, he might as well take down as many people as possible, especially his brothers.
“I’m going to kill y
ou,” Max growled, stepping onto the stage.
Emmett covered up the mic. “This thing is turned on, dipshit. Watch what you say.”
“Fuck off,” Max mouthed.
Ben seemed less bothered now that he was up on stage. “What are we singing?”
“You’ll see.” Emmett smirked.
“Oh, shit,” Max said, glancing at Ben. “I don’t have a good feeling about this.”
“We’re on a stage about to sing Karaoke, man,” Ben said, “I would hope you don’t have a good feeling. You sing like a hyena in heat.”
“Fuck you,” Max growled, the mic picking up the words.
Everyone except their mother broke into laughter.
“Sorry, Ma,” Max waved at her.
“This one goes out to Elle,” Emmett smiled as he spoke into the microphone.
Ben grabbed the mic and pulled it toward him. “And Maggie.” He smiled like a sap and Emmett understood.
“Ahhh,” the crowd echoed.
“Dude, did you just fuckin’ blow her a kiss?” Max asked, his face wrinkled like he’d sucked on a lemon.
“Mic is on, Max!” Emmett and Ben yelled.
“Whatever.”
Emmett just smiled. “Ready guys?”
“If I say no, can I leave?” Max asked.
Ben covered the mic. “I think Devlin’s checking you out.”
“No shit. Are you serious?” Max stood straighter as he cleared his throat. He pointed between Ben and Emmett. “All right you two, don’t fuck this up.”
As the opening lines to “That’s What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction flashed across the screen, Emmett, Ben and Max made complete asses of themselves, belting out the words like they were actually in a band. They sounded horrible, but Emmett knew the crowd could feel the love, even if it was just lust from Max.
Thankfully, the song came to a close, and the laughter and applause rang through the room.
Elle wound her way through the crowd and stepped on to the stage, stopping in front of him. “Thank you,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“You’re welcome,” he said, brushing his lips against hers. “I meant it.”