Snowbound with Dr Delectable

The long pause wasn’t a surprise.

“No. Not until later next month.”

“So you’ll stay?’

“Yeah.”

It was the least enthusiastic agreement she’d ever heard.

“Really? Uh, good,” she said before he changed his mind.

“Will I still be handling ski school?”

“Sure.”

The arrogant, irritating and highly attractive man was going to be around for another seven days. Would having him here be more trouble than he was worth?

Kyle walked into the patrol building the next morning with more confidence than he’d felt in the past two days. He searched the area for Baylie. Despite all his efforts, his heart beat a little faster in anticipation. Something about being around her made him feel more alive. Maybe it was just their clash of words and ideals but, whatever it was, it stimulated him.

Not immediately seeing Baylie, he started toward the assignment board. He saw one of the volunteers he recognized from the weekend standing behind the counter.

“Do you know where Baylie is?” Kyle asked.

“Yeah, she had to check on one of the cooks over at the Always Snowing Grill. You’re Dr. Campbell, aren’t you?”

Kyle nodded.

“I’m Mike. I’m doing the slope assignments this morning. You’re on the beginner slope. Thanks for being here. Baylie would be panicking. I can’t believe we’re so shorthanded this year.” He shook his head then went back to studying the board.

Kyle took that as a dismissal and headed toward the outside door. As he pushed on the door, it was jerked open from the other side. With a humph, a small red bullet in the form of Baylie ran into him. His arms automatically wrapped around her to prevent her from falling. Her small hands grabbed his waist. Even in the almost zero-degree weather he wished he didn’t have a shirt on so her fingers could touch his skin.

Heaven help him, he had the hots for the woman and she barely gave him the time of the day. He’d never had any trouble attracting a woman before, especially when he’d been a skiing star. Then girls had flocked to him. As a doctor he’d done all right as well. But not with Baylie.

“Hey, I thought you might be glad to see me but I had no idea you’d run smack into my arms,” he remarked dryly, but followed it with a grin.

She shoved away. Suddenly he wished he hadn’t said anything.

Stepping back, she glared at him before saying, “Thanks for helping out, Kyle.”

“You’re welcome.”

The displeasure left her face. “You have your assignment?”

Okay, she was back to the all-business Baylie. “I do.” He’d like to see Baylie let go a little bit. With all that bottled-up angst, he bet she’d be great fun if she was ever uncapped.