“Yes, of course, many times. We’re partners, remember?”
He brushed a hand through his hair. “Of course you have... Um...”
Why was he acting so weird? It was almost as if he was nervous.
“I think we covered this already. It’s an absolute blast,” she added, trying to move the conversation along.
“I figured I’d take my board and go with him to check it out. And I wanted to see if you—”
Uh-oh. She could see where this was going. She interrupted, “No, thank you, Tate. I appreciate the offer, but that won’t be necessary.”
He looked confused. “What’s not necessary?”
“JB Heli-Ski is a separate entity from Snowy Sky. We haven’t requested your input or recommendations where it’s concerned. Your consulting fee doesn’t cover anything related to it.”
A surprised laugh burst from his lips as he said, “Oh, I know that. I was just... Okay.” He added a nod.
She smiled, glad that he was taking this so well. “Good, because I realize you’re just doing the job you were hired to do here and I respect that. I am cooperating and assisting in every way I can. But I’m going to be honest with you. I didn’t hire you. The board of directors voted on it because Park Lowell insisted...” She trailed off with a shake of her head. He didn’t need to hear how she felt about Park.
“But that doesn’t matter. You’re here and I’m fine with that. Let’s just stick to your original mission at Snowy Sky, though, okay? And leave JB as it is?”
He nodded. “Sure, okay. But I was actually going to...”
His eyes seemed to search her face and she felt a fresh wave of attraction. There was a vulnerability beneath his tough exterior that she found incredibly appealing.
She said, “You were going to...? I’m sorry to hurry you along, but I do need to get to my meeting.”
“Sure thing. I’ll let you get going.” He grinned. “You’re a tough one—you know that?”
She was relieved that he didn’t seem offended. It wasn’t personal. He genuinely seemed like a good guy and under different circumstances she could see herself really liking him. She did like him, actually, and she could imagine... But these were not those different circumstances and it was pointless to spend time “imagining” anything at all.
“Thank you, I think. Because although I’m not sure what you’re referring to specifically, I certainly don’t mind being called tough.” She smiled and added a wink before hurrying back into the dining room.
* * *
TATE WATCHED HER walk away, his head spinning from that parting look. She’d graced him with that gorgeous smile, which was bad enough, but when she’d winked he’d felt this sensation somewhere deep in his chest.
He’d never met anyone like her. He didn’t think he’d ever met anyone who was so full of life. At first he’d had his doubts, wondered what kind of person jumped off a ski lift into the snow because it was fun. Then there was the sledding incident. She could have injured herself then, too. But her only concern had been whether he was okay. That, and her torn pants. Which she’d also handled with a perfect mix of humor and grace.
And watching her with those preschoolers had done something to him. He wanted to spend some time with her, wanted to talk to her about Lucas. He’d like to introduce her to Lucas.
Lucas.
It was probably for the best, he told himself, that she had shut him down without her even realizing he was about to ask her out.
Heli-skiing had seemed like a good bet for a first date. Regret surfaced even as he reminded himself that he didn’t have time to get involved with someone. His focus needed to be on Lucas and creating the best home and family environment that he possibly could, which included his plans for Snowy Sky. Something told him that spending time with Hannah would definitely lead to involvement.
Cricket walked up to join him. “How did that go?”
Tate shrugged. “Condensed version?”
“Sure.”
“She didn’t get it that I was trying to ask her out and then I very smoothly told her she was, uh...tough.”
“Swept her right off her feet, huh?”
“Something like that.” Tate chuckled wryly and shook his head in defeat.
“What did she say?”
“She thought I was trying to offer my consulting services to JB Heli-Ski. And then she very nicely told me to mind my own business.”
“That’s our Hannah.” Cricket laughed for a few long seconds. He wrapped an arm around Tate’s shoulder. “You know what? I like you, Addison. And because of that I’m going to let you in on a fact that is well-known here in Rankins. Save you some trouble, or at the very least some precious time figuring it out on your own.”
“By all means.”
“These James girls are tough, and Hannah in particular is incredibly tough and competent and brave. It’s something you might not want to forget.”
Tate liked that sentiment—a woman who was strong and courageous and confident in herself, although in light of what he would be bringing to the board in a few days, he wondered if those traits should also make him nervous.
BOARD MEETINGS WERE usually held in the conference room at the Faraway Inn and this one was no exception. Hannah’s sister Shay, who owned the inn, always saw to it that the necessary equipment was carefully and meticulously arranged; monitors, cameras and audio so even members participating long-distance were able to converse. The result was a modern, professional, yet comfortable atmosphere and usually she enjoyed the gatherings.
But not today, because now Hannah stared at Tate and listened to his comments and suggestions—and to his recommendations to completely and thoroughly unravel her ski resort.
He wanted to change everything.
He proposed turning nearly all of the runs under chairlift two—her prime intermediate ski runs—into snowboard terrain.
“I feel strongly that the construction of a half-pipe right here—” he stopped to point and she felt it like a jab in the chest “—would be the perfect location. Eventually the addition of a second half-pipe here...”
Was he joking? Two half-pipes? One would cost a lot—way more than they could afford at this point. Not to mention the continual maintenance. She looked down at the estimates he’d passed out before he started speaking. Two would be excessive to the nth degree.
“A snowboard-cross course or some slope-style components would also help to draw competitive boarders.” He met her eyes for a few seconds before adding, “And skiers. Snowy Sky could hold competitions and I guarantee you would get some professionals coming here to train. I’ve already talked to...”
Rattling off names she guessed were supposed to impress them all, he went on to add credence to his economic points with more numbers and statistics. Then he mentioned that while the lodge’s overall theme was “quaint and charming,” the design should be “upgraded” and the layout “altered” for a more modern feel, and it should also include high-end penthouse suites.
According to Tate, even the restaurant should serve different food.
She glanced around the room, and at the faces peering back from the monitors, and was struck with the feeling that she was the only one who hadn’t been hypnotized by this magician. The one possible exception was her friend Edith Milner whose