“You look like you know what you’re doing,” she teased. “What are you doing on the bunny hill?”
“Yeah, I’m wondering that myself.” He scowled.
“What’s up with you?” She blinked her big blue eyes like she thought he’d be impressed. “You look like you just lost your best friend.”
“It’s nothing.” He held up his phone. “Except that I promised to call my family today.”
Her brow creased. “Oh, are you planning to spend Christmas with them?”
“I’m not sure. But I promised to call them before noon. And you’re right, I’m getting a little tired of the bunny slope. I need to hit a more difficult run—clear my head and stretch my legs.” He forced a smile. “In the meantime, you go ahead and take a couple more runs here. You’re doing well, but it’ll be good practice for you to do it alone. We can meet up at the lodge later.” And before she could protest, he skied off.
As he rode the lift up, he called his mom, and this time she answered. “What is going on?” she demanded. “I thought you’d be here by now, West.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. Something came up.”
“I know. That’s what you keep telling me, but I’d like to know what it is that came up. Why aren’t you here? Are you upset about the house switch?”
“No . . . not exactly.” He gazed up at the mountain.
“What then?”
“Well, there’s this girl.”
“Oh? A girl?” Her voice suddenly softened. “Well, why didn’t you say so sooner?”
“Because I wasn’t sure about it. Everything happened pretty fast. And to tell you the truth, I’m starting to question it. I think she’s giving me the cold shoulder.”
“Well, then she’s a very stupid girl.”
“Oh, Mom.” As he rode the lift, he told her about his scheme of playing caretaker and how Emma seemed so sweet.
“She sounds lovely. I wish I could meet her.”
“She’s a musician too.” He shook his head. How’d he get in so deep—so soon? This wasn’t a bit like him.
“And you’re absolutely sure she doesn’t know who you are, West?”
“I don’t think so. But I’m not so sure about her friend.” He told her about Gillian.
She laughed. “Sounds like you’ve got your hands full. Well, just do what you think is best. If you want to stay there, everyone here will understand. I just want you to be happy, West, and to have a good Christmas.”
He wasn’t sure that was even possible, but instead of admitting that, he thanked her and promised to keep her updated. As they said goodbyes, he got off the chairlift. Standing at the top of the slope, he said a silent prayer. If this thing with Emma was the real deal—and meant to be—he prayed that it would work out.
Flummoxed wasn’t a word she normally used in everyday conversation, but that’s how Emma felt as she explored the charming Breckenridge shops on Main Street. For starters, she still didn’t know what to make of Gillian’s sudden interest in West. That alone was enough to boggle her mind. But then there was Harris. For some reason he was acting completely different today. Very kind and thoughtful. Not just toward her but Grant as well. He smiled as he politely opened doors and didn’t mind waiting when Grant wanted to poke around the shoe store. He was even carrying Grant’s purchases.
Emma was buying gifts too. But she was trying to keep her items small enough to be tucked into carry-on bags for their trip home. She found some lovely handcrafted earrings for Mrs. Landers and Gillian, an Audubon book for Mr. Landers, and attractive handmade pens for Grant and Harris. She also bought a handsome embossed leather journal for West as a thank-you for teaching her to ski. Or, if the climate between them was too much changed, she would simply keep it for herself.
Emma was standing outside, waiting for Harris and Grant to finish looking at the sporting goods shop, when she got a text from Gillian, informing Emma that she was having a great time with West. Then, without sounding overly interested, she inquired about what Emma was doing. Emma texted back about taking Grant shopping—and that Harris had come along too.
So no skiing for you guys today? Gillian texted back. But Emma made it clear that she and Harris would be there before one, suggesting they all meet up for lunch in the lodge. Gillian responded with: Sorry, we already have plans. Emma wanted to ask what kind of plans but was too frustrated. Well, if West and Gillian didn’t want company, fine!
fourteen
For several blissful minutes, West’s mind felt as clear as the slope he was soaring down—with only his latest song creation playing in his head. Nothing like a good run to refresh your spirits and free up your thinking. By the time he reached the bottom, he had a plan. He texted Emma, inviting her to ski with him in the afternoon.
After about a minute, she responded. Again, it was short and terse. Am coming to ski later. On one hand, he felt encouraged to think he’d get to see her today. But why was she acting so chilly toward him? Maybe she wasn’t into texting. He’d known a girl once who hated exchanging texts. When he’d told her he didn’t have time for long phone conversations—when he’d simply had no interest—she’d taken offense and, to his relief, the relationship had withered and died. But he didn’t want that to happen with Emma—and would do whatever it took to make sure it didn’t.
In the meantime, he needed a graceful way to disconnect himself from Gillian. To be fair, she’d been trying hard to be Miss Congeniality, and it was possible she didn’t know his real identity. Whatever the case, he needed to peel her away. There she was right now, skiing straight toward him with a bright, cheery smile.
“You should’ve seen me,” she said happily. “I did three runs without a single stumble. And I can actually turn without using the pizza position, or snowplow, or whatever you call it. I dug in my heels the way you said to and presto—I turned. It was amazing!”
“That’s great. Glad to hear it.” He nodded politely.
“So I think I’m ready for a harder run.”
“You sure about that?”
She frowned. “Meaning you don’t think I’m ready, West?”
He shrugged. “I guess we can find out.” He nodded toward the lift. “Follow me.” As he got into the line, waiting for her to join him, he decided that he would use this ride to let her know that he planned to ski with Emma during the afternoon—and that this was the end of Gillian’s free ski lesson. But after they got seated on the chair, Gillian initiated the conversation.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” she began in a serious tone.
“Oh?” He glanced at her. Was she about to confess she knew his true identity?
“It’s about Emma.” She looked down.
“Uh-huh?” He waited.
“Well, I didn’t want to say anything, West, but it’s only fair that you know. Emma is pretty much into Harris.”
“Is that so?” He frowned in disbelief.
“Oh, yeah, you should’ve seen them on the flight to Denver. That’s when the romance first took off.”
“Well, you could’ve fooled me. Emma didn’t seem the least bit interested in Harris.”
“But you saw them dancing together last night,” Gillian pointed out. “And how they snuck off together.”
“You said Harris had a charley horse.”
“Well, that’s what they said. But it was obviously more than that.”
“Obviously? Emma gave me the impression she wanted to avoid Harris.”
“That’s because she’s been playing hard to get. You know, in order to secure his attention. It’s something we both do at times. I thought she was going to use my brother, since he’s always pursuing her anyway. But for some reason she chose you instead. I hate to say it, but I’m pretty sure she used you to make Harris jealous.”
“Is that right?” He still felt doubtful. “Used me?”
Gillian nodded. “Apparently it’s working too.”
“What makes you say that?”
Gillian held up
her phone. “I texted her a bit ago. She and Harris are Christmas shopping together right now. Sounds like they’re having a pretty great time too.”
“Oh.” West frowned. “She texted me that she was coming here to ski this afternoon.”
“I know. But that’s after they have lunch together. They probably found some romantic little spot in town. After that, they’ll come here to ski together.”
“Oh.” He slowly nodded, trying to take this in and still not fully believing it.
“Anyway, I didn’t want to make you feel bad.” She placed a gloved hand on his arm. “But it seems only fair that you know.”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “It’s almost time to get off. Hope you’re ready for this run, Gillian. It’ll be a challenge. Take it easy.” It wasn’t that he wanted Gillian to fall and get hurt, but he did feel aggravated with her. If she fell on her face, he didn’t expect to be overly sympathetic. It probably wasn’t fair to blame her for Emma being with Harris right now, but something about this whole business was suspicious.
Gillian only fell down a couple of times, and she was a good sport about it, laughing at her clumsiness. “That was fun,” she said at the foot of the slope. “Should we do it again?”
“Go ahead if you want,” he said. “I’m hungry. I didn’t get any breakfast and it’s past noon.”
“You have to let me treat you to lunch. And not just fast food either. I’m taking you to a full meal at the fancy restaurant.” She pointed to the lodge. “It’ll be my thank-you for teaching me to ski.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“I want to, West. The view from there must be beautiful. And I didn’t have breakfast either.” She pulled out her phone and did a quick search. “Here’s their number. I’ll call to see if we need a reservation.”
Before he could stop her, she was making arrangements. Since he was ravenous, he decided to just go along with her. Maybe by the time they finished, Emma and Harris would be out here . . . and maybe he could find out what was really going on. Somehow he knew that Gillian was putting a spin on things. Emma wasn’t the kind of girl to use a guy to get another one. Maybe Gillian would do that. But not Emma.
It was Grant’s idea to eat at the nicest restaurant at the lodge. “That way I can linger after you guys go skiing. It’ll be more comfortable there, and my cast will make a good chick magnet.” Grant chuckled.
But when they got to the rather elegant restaurant, there was an hour-long wait for a table. “I’d rather grab a hot dog downstairs and go skiing.” Emma gazed longingly out the big windows of the restaurant. “The slopes are calling.”
“Hey, look over there.” Harris pointed across the crowded restaurant. “Gillian and West.”
“Let’s go eat with them,” Grant said.
“The table’s too small,” Harris pointed out.
“But they might have room for one more,” Emma told Grant. “Why don’t you go crash their party?”
Grant waved to West and Gillian. “Don’t mind if I do.”
“Tell ’em we’ll catch ’em later.” Harris grabbed Emma by the hand. “We’re burning daylight, darling.” As he tugged her out of the restaurant, she wasn’t sure which was more aggravating—seeing Gil and West together like that or Harris calling her darling. Hopefully, she could forget about all of it out on the slopes.
West was about to go greet Emma and the guys, but Grant was already heading toward them. “Can you guys join us?” West asked him. “We just ordered a few minutes ago.”
“Our table’s not big enough,” Gillian insisted before Grant could reply.
“It seats four, and we can get another chair,” West countered.
“You don’t need another chair.” Grant sat down. “Harris and Emma decided to grab a hot dog and go skiing.”
“Sounds like a good idea to me.” West leaned back in his chair, wishing he could excuse himself to the slopes. “Thanks to the holidays, the restaurant is pretty busy . . . consequently pretty slow today.”
“Works for me.” Grant grinned.
“I’m not sure we can get the waiter back in time to place your order in time to arrive with ours,” Gillian told her brother.
“That’s okay. I’m in no hurry. I plan to linger.”
“At the rate the waiters are moving—we’ll all be lingering.” West held up a finger. “I have an idea, Grant. How about if you take my order. That way you and Gillian can eat together and I’ll get in some more skiing.”
“Without me?” Gillian looked hurt.
“You wouldn’t want to do the runs I plan to do anyway,” he said.
“But Grant can’t have your order, West.” Gillian’s smile looked triumphant. “He doesn’t eat red meat, and you ordered a steak.”
“That’s right.” Grant grimly shook his head. “Gave it up several years ago.”
Seeing he was stuck, West decided to turn his attention to Grant. “I hear Harris and Emma went shopping this morning. What have you been up to?”
“I went shopping too. Actually, it was my idea. I got Emma to drive me because of this.” He held up his cast. “Then Harris came along for kicks.” He grinned. “He was on his best behavior. I expected him to get pushy and bossy and try to hurry us, but he was surprisingly polite.”
“Obviously, that was for Emma’s sake,” Gillian said.
“I don’t think so. I give credit to that hard ski run West took him on yesterday. It seems to have softened old Harris up a bit.” He winked at West. “Nice work, man.”
“Well, if Harris softened up, it has more to do with Emma than West,” Gillian told her brother. “You know as well as anyone that Harris is over the moon for her. And if you ask me, he’s a pretty good catch for Emma. He’s got money and looks and a great family. Emma would be well set with him.”
“You sound pretty sure of yourself.” West studied her, trying to decide if she was devious, deluded, or delirious . . . maybe all three.
“That’s because I’ve known Emma and Harris for years,” she told him. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Harris pops the question by Christmas. Wouldn’t it be romantic if Emma and Harris got engaged during the holidays?”
“Seriously?” Grant frowned. “You honestly think Emma likes Harris that much?”
“You must be blind if you can’t see it. But you weren’t with us last night. You should’ve seen those two slow dancing. Then they left early. And leaving the rest of us behind just now—to run off to ski together. Seriously, the writing is on the wall, Grant.” She patted his shoulder. “Sorry, bro. But as they say, there are lots more fish in the sea.”
West grimaced at her mixed metaphors, but Grant looked seriously dismayed.
“Yeah . . . you’re probably right.” Grant glumly shook his head. “I should’ve known Emma was way out of my league.”
“Don’t feel bad, Grant. You’re just not her type. I’ve been telling you that for years. But you’ve got a lot to offer—when you find a girl who appreciates you.” She tapped his cast. “And with that, you’ll be sure to attract some sympathetic chicks this afternoon. Just sit by yourself next to the big fireplace with a lonely expression and a hot drink, and they’ll be eating out of your hand.”
“You think so?”
“Sure. It worked for me—and I didn’t even have an injury.”
West felt his phone buzz and realized his mom had probably just left a voice mail. “Excuse me, I need to get back to my family about Christmas plans.” Before Gillian could say another word, he hurried to the lobby, calling his mother.
“How’s it going?” she asked eagerly. “Making progress with the girl? By the way, what’s her name, West? And what does she look like? Is she part of the family who live here—”
“Really? Is that why you called, Mom? To play twenty questions?” Now he regretted calling her back.
“You sound a little grumpy, West. Is everything okay?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pounded you w
ith questions. I suppose I’m curious.”
“Well, I’ll answer one question. The girl’s name is Emma.”
“Emma. That’s pretty.”
“And she is too.”
“Then why do you sound unhappy? What’s going on there?”
He told her about his day so far. “It’s pretty frustrating. I keep getting stuck with the wrong girl. This Gillian chick is Emma’s friend, but those girls are as different as night and day. I just can’t seem to peel Gillian off. Seriously, she’s like flypaper.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“Just because I gave Gillian a little ski lesson, she acts like we’re a couple. And she totally refuses to take a hint.” He explained about Gillian buying him lunch. “So I stupidly ordered the most expensive steak. But now I don’t want to go back in there. Except that I’m pretty hungry.”
“Well, go back and enjoy your steak. But after you’re done, you just politely thank Miss Flypaper then give her the gentle brush-off and go your own way.”
“You make it sound so easy, Mom.”
She laughed. “It is easy. Like the shoe ad. Just do it.”
He peered back into the restaurant to see if their food had been served, but it appeared the waiter was taking Grant’s order now. “I’ll try to.”
“Anyway, West, I’m sure you’ll be glad to hear that your nephews just started to complain about not being at your house for Christmas—they want to go skiing.”
He chuckled. “I figured as much.”
“And it’s too hot for me here. I mostly stay inside. To be honest, I think the charm of a warm desert Christmas is wearing thin on everyone.”
“Even your husband?”
She gave a little groan. “I think Drew is having regrets too, but he keeps acting like it’s all just wonderful.”
“And you’re playing along?” West knew his mom well enough to know she was.
“Well, I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. Between you and me, I wish I were there with you. I’d love to meet your girl. Hey, do you have any pictures on your phone—something you can send me?”
The Christmas Swap Page 9