Joyfully His(Sterling Canyon Book 4)(5)

“Take a seat. I had your HR paperwork right here.” She thumbed through several clipped pages. For some reason, seeing her behind the desk set off a sort of schoolteacher fantasy. He let that little thrill sink in for a minute while he waited. The way in which she nibbled at those full lips caused him to shift in his seat. “Ah, here it is.”

She passed the papers across the desk, wearing a slight grin but not fully meeting his gaze, almost as if she’d been privy to his five-second daydream.

He clasped her hand when they made the exchange and waited until she looked him in the eyes. The twinkle in hers sent a little charge surging through his body, so he kept hold of her velvety hand. “Nik, thank you. I mean it. No one but Emma’s taken a chance on me in a while. I owe you big-time.”

She eased her hand free, her voice softening. “It’s the least I could do.”

An odd response, but he didn’t press for fear of blowing this chance. He’d started working at the resort at sixteen. Opted out of college because he knew he’d never love anything as much as he loved November through April on the mountain. Even menial off-season jobs and living broke hadn’t mattered, because he got to do what he loved . . . until he couldn’t. Now a shot to come back meant more than anything. He wouldn’t let his growing curiosity about her and her faith in him screw this up.

Nikki lapsed back into business as usual. “When you finish filling those out, take them to HR and go see about getting a jacket.”

“Will do.” He glanced around her office and out the open door to the crowded dining hall. “God, I missed this place. Even the weird musty-rubber smell makes me happy.”

She smiled fully at that comment, because obviously only a crazy person would miss that dank odor. When she smiled like that, her facial scar bunched on the apple of her cheek, transforming into something that resembled a lightning bolt. He’d always thought that powerful symbol suited her perfectly, although the way she often turned that cheek away told him it made her self-conscious.

“I’m sure everyone will be glad for your return.” Her gaze dropped for an instant. “Some of us are hitting The Mineshaft in a bit, if you want to join in.”

Happy hour with the crew. He’d spent many, many afternoons that way in the past. Unfortunately, the fallout from the last one he’d attended had forever changed his life . . . and Grey’s. Was her invitation a test? Checking to see if he was the same old Andy from before? He knew he could go to a happy hour now without losing control, but he had no desire to invite more skepticism.

“Thanks, but I think I’ll pass today.” The only real regret he felt about that was that he might’ve enjoyed spending a little time with Nikki. She’d always been easy to talk to, and she threw a mean dart to boot. Sometimes he’d wondered if she’d be as adventuresome in bed as she was on the slopes. Stop. He was here on probation, for God’s sake. He couldn’t afford any missteps. “How about you let me buy you dinner some night this week . . . as a thank-you?”

When she looked uncomfortable at the suggestion, he added, “As friends, I mean.”

There you go. Five minutes in and he’d already made her feel weird.

“Of course, I knew that.” She chuckled, but the twinkle in her eyes dimmed a shade. “Let’s see what the week brings. I might not have free time. Amy wants to paint our living room robin’s egg blue before Christmas Eve.”

“That’ll match your eyes.” The words slipped out. Way to ease the awkwardness, dummy. Even as the silent reproach surfaced, he couldn’t keep from staring at her eyes. They were a bit too narrow and closely set to be called beautiful, but the color—stunning. To break the awkward moment, he closed his eyes and teased her, saying, “Trying to imagine Amy with a roller and paint tray.”

Nope. He had no doubt Nikki would be doing most of the work. When he opened his eyes and noticed Nikki’s cool expression, he offered, “If you two need a hand, just ask. You know I painted houses most summers until . . .” He trailed off, not seeing the need to point out the obvious. He’d been fired him from his commercial painting summer job right after his arrest, which was why Emma had stepped in to hire him as the inn’s handyman.

“Amy would love that, but I think we can manage on our own, thanks.” Her posture stiffened with her mood.

He took her second rejection in stride, reminding himself for the hundredth time that he should be happy enough that Nikki Steele believed in him. She was his boss, and he would be closely monitored for the next couple of weeks. No need to stir up any whiff of inappropriate behavior, although he could think of a few inappropriate things he might like to try with her.

“Okay, boss.” He collected the papers and stood. “I’ll take these to HR and then grab a jacket. See you bright and early tomorrow.”





Chapter Four


Another cannon shot echoed down the canyon, disrupting the otherwise serene early-morning sunrise casting a peach hue over the snowcapped mountains. The heavy snowfall had stopped before dawn, but not before dumping thirteen inches of fresh powder. As in most years, Sterling Canyon would be enjoying a white Christmas next week. As for today, ski patrol had been called in to take care of avalanche-control work and assess the safety of the trails.

Nikki’s breath fogged in front of her before a brisk wind sprayed snow onto her face. She zipped her jacket up to her neck, then hunched against the freezing assault as she dashed across the parking lot toward the ski school. The flags overhead snapped in the wind, but it was seeing Andy shoveling around the building’s entrance that caught her breath.

He’d been coming early and staying late the past three days, eager to prove himself worthy of this second chance. Judging from the neatly cleared walkway and entry, he’d been here for a while.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d guess you were aiming for my job,” she called above the wind.

“Not a chance.” He held the shovel upright, resting both hands on its handle before he winked. “You know I hate paperwork.”

Damn, she loved the little grin on his face when he winked. One other endearing thing about Andy was how he didn’t seem to realize how incredibly cute he was. He’d nailed humble and thoughtful years ago.

“Then I guess I don’t have anything to worry about.” She shivered from another gust of snowy wind. “We should throw some sand down.”

Andy opened the door and waved her inside. “I’ll take care of it.”

He set the shovel against the wall by the door and then jogged toward the supply closet. His long legs and tight butt were evident even in those ski pants. That thought made her shake herself and go directly to her office. She’d forgotten how distracted and unproductive she could be around him. Still, she couldn’t lie to herself and pretend she hadn’t been exceptionally eager to come to work since he’d been rehired.

Twenty minutes later, Andy knocked on her door.

“Yes?” she asked, making a last-minute check of the reservations and noting cancellations. Time to pass out assignments.

“Today’s going to be epic. I know most of the new snow will be skied off by late afternoon, but how ’bout we try to get in one or two runs at the end of the day. There might still be some powder shots in the trees.”

She grinned, reflecting back on the many times they’d done that—sometimes with others, sometimes alone. “You only pick the glades to try to beat me down the mountain.”

Nikki didn’t suffer false modesty. Andy could outski her amid the trees. He had slightly better reflexes, quicker turns, and more confidence in there. Confidence she’d never fully regained after the accident that caused her scar. It’d happened back before helmets were so popular. She’d caught an edge of her ski and then fallen against a dead branch poking through the snow, which then carved her cheek like a knife.

Now, no matter how she tried, she always held a little something back when skiing between the trees.

He crossed his arms, eyes bright and tempting beneath those bangs. “You’re good, Nik, I’ll grant you. But I can take you on open terrain, too. I’ve just been too much of a gentleman to beat you every time.”

“Ha!” She laughed, but it could be true.

“Hey, boss, you made up the schedule yet?” Billy interrupted them from behind Andy.

“Yes. You have a group of seven intermediate teens and adults.” She noted his disappointment, but it couldn’t be helped. At least she’d bumped him up from the beginners like he’d asked. There just weren’t enough private lessons booked today to hand him one.

“How about me?” Andy asked.

Oh, boy. Billy wouldn’t like this at all. “You have a semiprivate lesson with the Bodner twins.”

Billy’s jaw dropped. “What about seniority?”

“The Bodners requested Andy.” She shrugged, as if that would calm Billy. “He’s taught them in years past.”

Thankfully, Andy kept quiet while Billy gave them both the once-over. Billy looked her dead in the eye. “Maybe they did, or maybe you’re playing favorites.”

“Dude, that’s out of line.” Andy grimaced.