An aunt whos about to be nine hundred miles from her niece. Elisabeth and Steven wanted to get married before his upcoming promotion took him to California. Moving to neutral ground together, as a family, would give them the perfect fresh start. Hed suggested that after he got settled into his new job, they could take Kaylee to Disneyland.
Elisabeth debated whether mention of Disney would perk up the little girl, but decided to keep that as an ace in her sleeve. Are you all done with the cookies Chef made you? A surprising bond had formed between Kaylee and the lodges award-winning Chef Bates. Just that morning hed delivered a small box of jelly-frosted spice cookies.
Kaylee nodded solemnly. Can I go play?
Yes, but Im here if you want to talk. About anything, she encouraged. Even monkeys.
Her goddaughter silently slid from her chair and darted for freedomonly to retrace her steps and grab one last cookie before disappearing around the corner. Elisabeth didnt have the heart to call her back and remind her to take a napkin. After moving from Denver to Cielo Peak earlier in the year and finally beginning to adapt, poor Kaylee was about to be shifted again. Shed earned the right to scatter a few crumbs through Elisabeths loft apartment.
Cookies and monkeysI can do this. Shed made a promise to Michelle. Whatever it took, Elisabeth would raise a happy, well-adjusted daughter. But she was indescribably grateful that she would be married soon and wouldnt have to do it alone.
Chapter Two
While tourists usually congregated in the surrounding resort bars, Cielo Peak locals favored Peaks Pints. Especially on Tuesday nights, when pitchers of beer were only a dollar. Elisabeth scanned the crowded tavern for a free table. At least she had plenty of illumination for her search. The usual neon signs were supplemented by Christmas lights strewn all around the interior.
Her attention snagged on the cheerfully crooked Christmas tree next to the jukebox. Between extra hours during the lodges busy holiday season and her weekend trip to New Mexico, she hadnt put up a tree yet. Would decorating one be fun for Kaylee, or would it simply remind the girl that she was facing her first Christmas without her mother?
Hey! Lina elbowed her in the side. Were here to celebrate, not stand in the doorway all night.
Im looking for a place to sit. Its packed. You see anything, Nic?
Boutique owner Nicole Lewis had the best vantage point. While the Donnelly twins barely topped five foot three, Nicole was almost six feet tall. With her natural grace and high cheekbones, she looked more like someone who modeled clothes on a runway than someone who sold them.
Back corner, follow me. Wasting no time, Nicole strode in that direction.
They all hurried, hoping to secure the spot before anyone else took it, but they hadnt gone far when a man rose from his chair to hug Lina. Lifelong experience had taught Elisabeth that her twin would probably pause to say hi to a half dozen more people along the way. Elisabeth continued on without her.
Shrugging out of her coat, she slid into the booth across from Nicole. Although her friend had only moved here four years ago, Elisabeth often felt as if theyd known each other their whole lives. I know I said this over the phone already, but thats not the same as face-to-face. Thank you for agreeing to be my maid of honor. The wedding plans are moving fast, and I really appreciate the help.
Im flattered you asked me. But surprised you didnt pick Lina.
Well, shell be a bridesmaid, of course. I know I can count on you. You have good attention to detail. Lina... Elisabeth chose her words carefully. ...favors spontaneity.
Says the woman who shocked us all with her engagement, Nicole teased.
I admit the timing might seem sudden, but with Steven relocating to California in six weeks, taking this step now is logical.
I think youve said logical ten times since you called me about the engagement. Nicole propped her chin on her fist. Know what I havent heard you say? Romantic. Passionate.
Elisabeth grimaced. Ive had my share of passion.
You mean Justin Cade? Even Nicole, the most loyal of friends, sounded a bit breathless when she mentioned Mr. Tall, Dark and Temporary. Where Justin was concerned, women easily lost their breath. And their good sense. And often their clothes.
Right. That guy.
I never expected you to get over him so soon. Not to poke at emotional wounds, but you seemed destroyed when the two of you broke up over the summer.
I dont like to dwell on that. The memory of herself as fragile and weepy embarrassed her. She was a strong, intelligent woman, someone who was supposed to be a role model for Kaylee. Its been plenty of time to get over a guyeven one who thinks hes Gods gift to women.
Nicole looked unconvinced. Were talking about more than simple recovery after an ex. In less than six months, you healed your heartbreak, fell for someone else and decided to get married.
Steven and I have spent a lot of hours Skyping. You know how upset I was when Michelle died, and he was such an incredible listener. Weve gotten to know each other, discussed our goals for the future. Were not rushing into this blindly. Since most of their relationship had been conducted long-distance, theyd skipped banal courting activities such as sitting through two-hour movies without speaking or dancing at clubs where they couldnt hear each other over the music. Their time had been brief but effectively utilized. It was like the industrial-strength laundry detergent used by the lodges housekeeping staffone didnt need as much because it was so concentrated. Why waste time when we both know what we want?
If youre happy, then Im thrilled for you. Truly. But Ill miss you like crazy.
Elisabeth blinked, feeling a burn in her throat that she hoped didnt make it to her eyes. Me, too. Unlike her life-of-the-party sister who had a seemingly endless stream of casual buddies, Elisabeths friendships were generally limited to one or two people she trusted implicitly. How long would it take her to build new relationships?
They were interrupted by the waitress, who took their order for a pitcher and an appetizer sampler.
If Lina doesnt get here soon, Elisabeth said, Im eating her share of the food. She glanced back in the direction where shed last seen her sister, then stiffened when she saw a familiar foursome of men.
Something wrong? Nicole followed her gaze until she, too, spotted Justin. Oh. Speak of the devil.
In this case, literally. Elisabeth scouted for the waitressthat cold beer couldnt get here soon enough. No matter. Its a small town. Run-ins are inevitable in Cielo Peak.
But not in California.
Whats that sup
Sorry I took so long, Lina burbled, handing her purse and jacket to Nicole to add to the pile next to her. Did I miss anything?
No, Elisabeth said firmly. I was just about to tell Nicole that I cant wait for you both to meet Steven. He gets in Thursday night.
He was spending a long weekend with her family before leaving to have Christmas with his folks. It would probably be the last holiday they each spent with their respective families.
He was spending a long weekend with her family before leaving to have Christmas with his folks. It would probably be the last holiday they each spent with their respective families.
Looking forward to it, Nicole said. She widened her smile to near-manic proportions, no doubt to make up for Linas marked silence.
Elisabeth was getting frustrated by her familys lack of support. She knew this move wasnt quite what they wanted for her, but these were the same people who had hinted she should settle down and have beautiful babies with Justin Cade. Clearly their judgment was flawed. Justin was never going to settle down. Instead of pining for the wickedly charming ski patroller with his piercing aquamarine eyes, Elisabeth had met a successful man with no commitment phobias.
Definite progress, she muttered.
What about progress? Lina asked.
Heat flooded Elisabeths face. She hadnt meant to voice her thoughts, but she seized the moment anyway. Im making progress, she said proudly. My taste in men demonstrates personal growth. Steven is several evolutionary steps above my last boyfriend.
When it looked as if Lina might protest, Nicole interjected, Were behind you one hundred percent. If your heart tells you Stevens The One, then Im sure youre right.
Elisabeth gave her friend a grateful smile even as she secretly rejected the sentiment. Follow her heart? No. Shed merrily tripped down that path before, smacking into an abrupt dead end. This time she was trusting her intellect.
Hadnt her parents and teachers told her for years that her keen mind was her strongest asset? Smart people learned from their mistakes, and thats precisely what Justin had been. A colossal mistake.
* * *
JUSTIN WAS NOT, by nature, maudlin or introspectivehe preferred adjectives like fun and uncomplicated. But this years annual December gloom seemed even worse than in past years. Joining a few of his off duty search-and-rescue colleagues for a pitcher of beer might be just what he needed.
It looked like standing room only tonight. Apparently, a few teenagers had hoped that, in the chaos, they could slip in with fake IDs. Shaking his head, Justin watched as they were escorted to the back room, where the owner would call their parents. Dumb kids. They should have gone one county over where they wouldnt have been recognized, the way hed done at nineteen.
Trey Grainger, the oldest in Justins party, was shaking his head for other reasons. How can anyone stand the volume in here? The noise is shattering my brain cells.
Justin was glad for the buzz of boisterous conversation. If there was Christmas music playing, it was obliterated by the decibel level.
Chris Hyatt smirked at Trey. If you dont like the volume, you should have left your hearing aid in the truck with your cane. Problem solved.
Trey was only forty, but Hyatt, all of twenty-three, constantly needled him about his age. Treys habitual response was to sock the rookie in the shoulder. Hard.
Tonight, Nate Washington responded before Trey could. He smacked Hyatt on the side of his blond head. Dont you know to respect your elders, son? His eyes twinkled as he added, How would you like it if some whippersnapper talked to your grandpa the way you do to Grainger?
Hey! Trey objected. Im not anyones grandfather, and you damn well know it.
Justin ignored the familiar banter while he searched for a place to sit. His group caught the gaze of Mr. Merriweather, a man whod injured himself on a ski trail last winter. Nate and Trey had given him on-the-spot medical attention. Mr. Merriweather waved the patrollers over to the U-shaped booth he shared with his wife and another couple.
Mr. Merriweather rose from the booth. We were just leaving. I insist you boys take our seats. He pulled a dollar from his wallet. Have a round on me.
Nate thanked the man and reminded him to always ski with protective gear and well-maintained equipment. All four patrollers sat, with Justin and Trey on the ends. Justin was glancing around for a waitress when his gaze landed unerringly on Elisabeth Donnelly. She was seated with her back to him, but her posture tensed as if she could feel him watching.
He quickly looked away, suddenly wishing hed gone straight home tonight.
Since when are you a wuss? He ran into ex-girlfriends in Cielo Peak on a daily basis. Every encounter was differentwith some women, he was on good enough terms for a friendly hug; with a few, he kept his distance. But the chance sightings never unsettled him.
Thankfully, the three men he was with resumed their harmless bickering. Justin joined in, harassing Washington about how long it had been since his last date. By the time their beer arrived, Justins mood had improved.
Grainger kicked his foot under the table. That leggy brunette at the end of the bar keeps eyeing you. He sounded wistful.
Justin grinned. Im sure you were her first choice until she spotted your wedding ring. From way over there.
The older man made a rude noise.
Justin didnt try to make his glance covert. Instead, he simply turned and found the woman in questiona brunette in an off-the-shoulder sweater and a pair of skinny jeans, spinning her barstool in slow half circles. He smiled at her, and she fluttered her fingers in an encouraging wave.
Chris Hyatt was craning his neck, trying to get a look. Anyone you know?
Nope. Never seen her before, Justin said. Which means shes probably visiting and the polite thing to do would be to ask how shes enjoying her stay. Or maybe shes moved here, in which case I should welcome our newest citizen. Either way, as a lifelong resident of Cielo Peak, it was practically his civic duty to go over there. Yet he remained where he was.
Shes not a redhead.
It was an insane thought. Hed always admired women of many different physical attributes, personalities and professions. He didnt have a type. But his gaze strayed back to the corner where Elisabeth sat. The neon sign on the wall above her cast an otherworldly glow on her coppery hair. He toyed with the idea of taking the bull by the horns and marching to her table, just to prove to himself that he could. If it was true shed gotten engaged, he could buy her table a bottle of whatever passed for champagne here.
He was mulling over the merits of this idea when Hyatt announced in an unsubtle stage whisper, Incoming hottie.
The brunette? Justin swiveled in his seat, then sighed heavily. Lina. What had he done to deserve being accosted by her twice in one week? He stood, putting some distance between him and his buddies, potentially shameless eavesdroppers.
With her hair in loose curls over the shoulder of her knit dress, it was understandable that some men found her attractive. But all Justin felt when he looked at her was mild exasperation and confusion about why people called her the pretty Donnelly.
He kept his voice low. Come to yell at me some more?
She wasnt scowling tonight. Instead, she leaned into him, beaming as though hed invented chocolate. Do you know what Ive realized? In the entire time weve known each other, I dont think youve ever asked me to dance. She put her hand on his arm and batted her lashes.
He was tempted to ask how many of the one-dollar pitchers shed enjoyed. But her gaze was alert and stony, belying the flirtatious tone of her voice.
So how about it? she purred. Dance with me?