Colton's Rescue Mission

“I do, too,” he admitted, enjoying this feeling of camaraderie that was developing between them. This woman made him feel a lot of things, and he barely knew her. He could only imagine how it would be if they had the luxury of time to get acquainted without complications.

“I’d like to go skiing with you once they reopen the slopes,” he blurted, inwardly wincing as soon as he said it.

Her eyes widened, letting him know he’d been right to question his timing. “I’d like that,” she finally replied. “As long as it doesn’t cause problems between you and your brother.”

Before he could reply, her phone rang. Pulling it out of her jacket pocket, she stared. “It’s Seth. I’m not sure I should answer it.”

Leaving that choice up to her, he simply drank his coffee and said nothing.

She ended up letting the call go to voicemail. A moment later, her phone chirped.

“He’s texting now,” she commented, glancing at her screen. “He wants to know if we can talk. I just don’t know. Part of me feels I’ve said all I had to say. I don’t want to stir things up again.”

Once more, Remy held his tongue. That would be her decision. He couldn’t let himself get involved in whatever was between her and his brother. Even if it really was over, he wouldn’t interfere.

Shaking her head, she shoved the phone back into her pocket. “I’ll deal with him later. And sure, I’d love to ski with you. If you can keep up with me, that is.” A quick flash of a smile. “I’m going to guess that you’re pretty skilled, since you live up here.”

“I’m not too bad,” he admitted. “I’ve skied the black diamonds.”

Black diamonds were for advanced skiers.

“Double or triple?” Which should only be skied by experts.

That made him laugh. “I’ve done a few double diamonds but I’m more of an advanced skier rather than expert. I’m good, but not great, if you know what I mean. I don’t go often enough to have spent a lot of time perfecting my skills.”

Clearly aghast, she stared. “You live in a ski resort but you don’t go often? Why not? Do you have an injury or an illness that you haven’t mentioned?”

“No.” Still chuckling, he shook his head. “I work a lot.”

Even he knew how lame that sounded. “Honestly, though, while I enjoy skiing, I don’t have a passion for it.”

“Then you’ve been doing it wrong,” she instantly replied. “Or going with the wrong people. I’ll show you. Skiing is the closest I’ve ever been to anything resembling heaven.”

He couldn’t help where his mind went at that. Not anywhere he could actually say out loud.

Staring at him, she blushed, as if she knew his thoughts. She opened her mouth and then closed it, looking down at her cider.

“Maybe you can teach me a few tricks,” he said, deciding to let her off the hook. “Skiing, to clarify.”

If anything, her blush deepened. But then, with the dogged determination he was coming to know, she lifted her chin. “Maybe I can,” she replied. “As soon as the slopes reopen, let’s go. For now, can you help me get checked into my room? I’d like to get settled before this snowstorm becomes a blizzard and the roads become impassable.”

Remy nodded. “That’s always a possibility.” Even though the weather forecast had only predicted heavy snow, this area of the Rockies had become known for its mercurial winter weather. “Are you ready?”

She pushed to her feet and carried her cup to the trash can, then returned to put on her jacket, hat and gloves. “Now I am,” she said.

Remy walked with her to her car, then helped her unload and carry some of her belongings, though she insisted on taking her skis. Foot traffic on Main Street had thinned out and the snowfall showed no signs of slowing.

“You might be right about that blizzard,” Remy commented.

She squinted at him through the snow and grinned. “I usually am. I have a thing about weather.”

“You dabble in meteorology?”

“No.” She laughed, joyous again now that they were outside. Snow stuck to her lashes and she blinked it away. “For whatever reason, I can tell when it’s going to rain or snow and for how long. It’s a special talent of mine.”

He stared at her, his expression incredulous.

“You look like you don’t know whether to take me serious or not,” she commented. “It’s okay. A lot of people have told me I’m a little bit weird.”

“Weird?” He shook his head. “Not hardly. I’d say intriguing, more than anything.”

At that her entire body went warm—not an easy feat with the wind gusting and snow swirling. She barely knew this man, but he made her feel things she’d never experienced before.

When they reached The Chateau, Remy asked her to wait in the lobby while he went to speak with the people behind the counter. It didn’t take long. A few minutes later he returned with a key card. “You’re on the top floor,” he said. “We only have four, but the suite has a wonderful view. This way to the elevator.”

Following him, she looked around, awed despite herself by the elegant luxury of the hotel. While in Switzerland, she’d traveled Europe extensively. This hotel reminded her of several places where she’d stayed in France and Germany.

They were alone in the elevator. The piped-in music played Christmas carols, which again made her feel sad.

Pushing away the melancholy threatening to engulf her, she stepped out eagerly when the elevator stopped on their floor. The hallway seemed to extend out forever. Each doorway was framed in ornately carved wood and her feet sank in the plush carpet.

“Here we are,” he told her, using the key card to unlock the door and then holding it open for her.

She stepped into a room larger than her first apartment. A leather couch and recliner had been arranged near a stone fireplace, with a flat-screen television over the mantel. Beyond, she could see a bedroom.

“Check out the view,” Remy said, drawing aside the curtains proudly.

Unzipping her jacket, she went over and stood beside him, gazing out at the snow-covered town spread below. “This is…amazing.” Troubled, she turned to face him. “Are you sure it’s okay that I stay here? It seems like you could get bookings for a room like this and make quite a bit of money.”

He smiled warmly down at her. “We never book this room. It’s reserved for friends and family only.”