I’d gotten to know a lot of our regular guests through ski lessons and the outings that I ran. Many of the guests popped into the gym during their stay. Sometimes they stayed for a fitness class, or just to get their workout in. And, I had regulars from town who attended my weekly classes, which had become more and more popular over the last couple of years. Many guests would love to get a relaxing massage, facial, or to take a spell in the sauna after a workout or a fun day of skiing or hiking. A relaxing experience before heading home ─ back to the grind of their everyday lives.
Additionally, the resort had acquired a lot more female guests ─ thanks to Dax’s ads that targeted them ─ who came just to relax. Some of them didn’t even bother with skiing or fishing or hiking. They came to enjoy the picturesque beauty and peacefulness of the high Colorado Mountains and Blue River valley. I mean, what is more perfect than a relaxing facial or massage after a nature walk or birdwatching outing? Nothing.
Over the last year, I had gotten many suggestions from our regular guests that a spa addition would be appealing to them. Those suggestions had fit in perfectly with my dream to advance my personal fitness career. I wanted to offer private physical training sessions and to gain more local clientele. It would also solve a problem with that particular clientele; that my classes at the resort were too far away for some to travel to on a regular basis, for what we offered. I’d had several people tell me that they would sign up for personal training sessions or even a membership if we had more equipment to choose from.
Bottom line, my gym was just too small. A stand-alone, tiny building with the basic equipment and two changing rooms with only one shower each. It could be so much more than that. With an addition and upgrade, I could offer state of the art equipment and a fully functioning gym with larger changing rooms, showers, a sauna, and maybe even a juice bar. With a devoted spa next door, it would give the locals more of a reason to travel up the mountain. There was not another fully-functioning spa around for miles. And the guests would love it. I just knew it.
All of this had given me an idea. Why not kill two birds with one stone? We could expand the building at the resort, add newer equipment, and I could start up my own business. Harley’s Gym, Personal Training, and Spa. I’d loved the ring to it as soon as it popped into my head.
Of course, I was no Masseuse, so I’d have to hire someone to run the spa part of the business and provide the services. But with me running the gym, fitness programs, and as the Personal Trainer, I knew that my business would be successful. Plus, it would be a win-win for the resort.
That was the basis to my pitch that morning. I hoped that my brothers would see it as I did. If they said no, then I had considered starting up a new business in town. The problem with that was, if I did do that, I’d be taking some business away from the resort. I would also be taking myself away from the resort. Being part owner, that option was not ideal and not what I wanted at all. It would be more beneficial for all of us if I were to stay put; to grow my business as an addition to the resort.
I met my eyes in the mirror again. I can do this. The easy part was over ─ establishing the plan and preparing the proposal. Now for the hard part ─ to get my brothers to listen. And even harder yet ─ to get them to agree with me.
I finished getting ready for the weekly Monday morning breakfast meeting. Every Monday, it was custom for my entire family to meet for breakfast in The River Room. The River Room was the resort’s restaurant, main lounge, and event room. We had a five-star chef on board who had won himself and the restaurant many awards over the years.
I wanted to look good for my presentation that morning. Not that it mattered to my brothers who would probably not even notice. But it was important to me, so I dressed to fit the part.
I dressed in a silk black dress shirt but left the top button undone. No need for a tie at breakfast. I slid into a dark blue, stiff pair of jeans and then my black leather boots.
Taking one last look in the dresser mirror, I appreciated the man who looked back at me. My short and spiky dark hair and well-manicured beard were all trimmed and styled perfectly, as usual. Bright blue, confident eyes beamed back at me.
I stood up tall to my full six-one and admired the look of my muscles bulging against the black leather as I slipped into my jacket. I ran my fingers through my thick hair one last time, roughing it up a bit before I grabbed my proposal from the dresser and ran downstairs, out of my cabin to my SUV.
Over the past week, with Dax’s help, I’d run some numbers to help support my cause, and we’d put together a formal proposal. After expenses, the addition could be making a profit within a year. Maybe even sooner. I was excited to report the numbers to my family.
My cabin was the last one on the drive that housed my entire family at the resort. My mother’s house, the big white log house where we all grew up, was first in line. Then four smaller cabins followed, one for each son and their families. I was the only member of the pack who lived alone. Single and enjoying life, as I liked to say to my mom who continuously asked when I was going to settle down.
As I drove past the cabins and down the mountain drive, I enjoyed the early morning view of the landscape. Fog had settled into the valley below as the tall, snow-covered peaks of the surrounding range peeked through, extending into the crystal-clear blue skies above.
It was a beautiful sight to behold, and just another reason why I’d hate to move my business into town. I loved the mountain and that view. As I drove further down the ridge, my SUV became engulfed in the thick fog and I took my eyes from the view on the horizon to carefully navigate the road down to the main resort buildings.
Finally, I pulled into the wide lot and took a spot in front of the massive log building that housed the guest rooms, common area, and the restaurant. Looking around, I noticed that all my brother’s vehicles were already in the lot, so I knew that I was the last to arrive.
Scooping up my papers, I hopped out of the SUV and trotted up the broad wooden steps to the front porch. I entered the common area and waved to Clark when he looked up from his newspaper to see who had come inside. The night time front desk attendant, ‘Ol man Clark, as we called him, had been with us for almost fifteen years.
Clark peered over his black-framed readers and smiled at me. He gave me a brief wave before turning his eyes back to his paper. Smiling, I slipped through the dining room’s doublewide doors.
My family occupied the entire front section of the dining area with several tables pushed together to create one oblong one. The view behind the table, through the large picture windows, was breathtaking. The fog had settled to the river valley below, revealing a silvery, snow-covered mountain ridge in the distance, backed by a brilliant blue sky.
Children’s laughter filled my ears. My gaze turned from the view to see what all the commotion was. The smaller children, my nieces, five-year-old Abby, and three-year-old Raini, ran around the long table, playing a game of tag with Bella, Cole’s German Shepard. Their cousin, one-year-old Dax Junior, clapped his hands and squealed in pleasure at them from his high chair. His copper-colored curls sprang around his chubby cheeks as he bounced in his seat.
Chuckling to myself, I looked around the dining room and was glad that it was empty besides for the staff and us. As well as the commotion that the kids and Bella were making, my family was blatantly talking over one another. That was the norm, however, and most of the regular guests were used to the children and large dog bounding around the dining room during meetings and special occasions. Also, the norm, was my loud, rambunctious family eating meals together and competing for who could talk the loudest.
Smiling, I saw that twelve places were set at the table, plus Dax Junior’s high chair. One for each of us. I took my place next to my brother, Dax, with Brad’s twin sons, Reid and Bryce, on my other side. I waved to my mom, Mary Beth, at the other end of the oblong table, and said my hellos to everyone else.
My mom called the children to their seats as the servers brought out
several trays of breakfast foods and pitchers of OJ and set them in the center of the table. We all helped ourselves by smothering our plates with scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage links, home fries, and toast.
I hadn’t had my morning coffee yet, so I got up to grab one from the self-serve coffee and tea bar beside the main buffet table. I sipped on my coffee and nodded to one of the servers who was lighting the sternos. Soon, other guests would wander into the dining room to either order from the menu or enjoy the morning breakfast buffet. I wanted to get this meeting started before any distractions took place.
I went back to my seat and glanced over at Dax. Our eyes met. He offered a supportive nod and I nodded in return. I ate my breakfast quickly, shoveling my eggs and home fries into my mouth, and patiently waited for my turn to speak.
I listened to Brad talk about the upcoming events on the schedule for the week. Then it was Cole’s turn to talk about repairs and maintenance he had planned. As usual, Brad turned to Dax next and he discussed the current commercial he was working on for the upcoming summer events.
Finally, it was my turn to talk.
* * *
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About the Author
K.C. Crowne is a romance author who wants her readers to enter a magical world of steamy and rugged alpha hunks who make it hard to get sleep at night.
She loves reading and writing steamy romances that feature gorgeous alphas who'd do just about anything to protect their women.
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