Joyfully His(Sterling Canyon Book 4)(6)
“Come on. Everyone knows you two have always been ‘close.’” Billy scoffed, as if the alternative reality he proposed was a fact.
If only that were true, Nikki thought for one wistful second, until her brain kicked in. This kind of rumor was exactly what she had to avoid as a woman in charge of a lot of testosterone. Maybe she did harbor a little crush on the guy, but she’d never favored Andy when it came to assignments. It wouldn’t do well for people to believe that, either.
“You’ve lost your mind,” Andy said at the exact same time she said, “I’ve never had a thing with any staff member.”
Not that there was a prohibition, per se, the ridiculous, hopeful voice in her head reminded.
Hopeful voice? No, impulsive, foolish, pathetic . . . mixing business and pleasure would be a mistake. Aside from the problems it might cause with the rest of the guys, most relationships fail. It’d be damn awkward to boss around an ex. For Andy, however, she might’ve been a wee bit willing to make an exception.
Billy shook his head, still disbelieving. “Whatever.”
He skulked away, leaving her alone with Andy.
“Nik, I hope you don’t think I ever started any rumors.” He looked so serious—so stunned by the idea of them as more than friends—it hurt.
“Me neither. Can you imagine anything more ridiculous?” There, now they were on a level playing field. At least, as far as Andy knew, they were. “Billy’s pissy because he wants the private lessons. Ignore him.”
His gaze drifted downward. “Okay, boss. Guess I’d better get out there before more gossip spreads. I know how hard it is to get out from under that.”
Something about the note of defeat in his voice piqued her fury. “To hell with them. I’ll see you at three thirty for a run through the glades. And, Andy, I’m going to kick your butt out there.”
A twinkle reignited in his green eyes. “We’ll see about that.”
#
It should’ve been a perfect day. Abundant powder, a bluebird sky, two strong skiers to teach, and the promise of a great cash tip. He should’ve known it was all too good to be true. By one o’clock, the Bodner boys had sapped every ounce of Andy’s holiday cheer.
He called after Eric Bodner, but he couldn’t catch him in time to stop him from flying over the blind ledge. Dammit! All morning he’d been giving both boys warnings about staying in control. The only reason there hadn’t been a major incident yet was that they were skilled and had twisted their way out of a few near misses.
Andy skied over the ledge himself—in control and without catching air—relieved that no guests had been injured by the kid’s stunt. He gunned to the spot where Eric had taken a break, spraying snow on him when he came to a stop. Eric’s brother, Ted, drew near, laughing.
The siblings were all smiles when Andy yelled, “We’re done!”
Eric didn’t look fazed. “We have two more hours.”
“Not anymore. I’ve warned you both a bunch of times to respect the rules of the mountain and to quit the dangerous stunts. You flew over that ledge without knowing who or what was beneath it. If it had been rock, you’d be hurt. If it had been another skier, you could’ve landed on them and caused serious injury or worse. This isn’t a game, Eric. People die every year from ski accidents.” He sounded suspiciously like his sister in that moment. But even in the height of his own ski hubris, he’d never put another skier at risk.
“Our parents paid for the whole day,” Ted whined.
“Too bad you ignored me all morning.” He didn’t recall them being so difficult, but the last time he’d taught them, they’d probably been eleven or twelve. Now they were teen boys, jacked up on puberty and attitude. “If ski patrol had caught you, you’d be thrown off the mountain for longer than one afternoon. So quit whining, and let’s get back to the lodge. I’ll let your parents know to come get you.”
Ted turned on Eric. “Great going.”
“Hey, Ted, you’ve been as bad as your brother. Now let’s get down without another incident, or I’ll recommend you be kept off the slopes again tomorrow, too.” Andy gave his best glare, although he’d never been much of a hard-ass. His sister had always laughed in his face whenever he’d scowled.
Andy followed behind them, each step bringing him closer to a proverbial guillotine. No client complaints, Don had said.
Andy knew that Mrs. Bodner would certainly complain to Nikki and defend her kids. She’d plunked down big bucks for lessons and would blame Andy for that waste.
Too bad Nikki hadn’t assigned the Bodners to Billy B. Andy would gladly teach an intermediate group instead of two entitled dickheads. Whatever premium tip he might’ve earned today wasn’t worth losing this job, although keeping the mountain safe for others was.
#
The Bodner boys sulked while taking off their equipment. Andy waited and then marched them inside, where Nikki was already waiting, thanks to his text.
“This is disappointing,” she said. She wasn’t looking at Andy when she spoke, but he couldn’t help wonder if he’d let her down, too. He’d never before had trouble keeping students in line.
“We didn’t do anything other skiers don’t do,” Eric insisted.
“Yeah, you did.” Andy folded his arms across his chest.
“That’s BS. People jump and stuff,” Eric continued.
“You can jump as long as you have a spotter below to make sure the landing area is clear. And you can go fast in some areas provided you remain in control. What’s not okay is being a cowboy and thinking the whole slope is yours. And what’s completely unacceptable is ignoring me when I’m charged with teaching you and keeping you safe.” Andy heard his voice rising and thought of how his dad had always scolded him. God, he didn’t like thinking he’d inherited those genes, but he was pissed that this incident might’ve cost him Nikki’s faith in him.
Just then Mrs. Bodner appeared. A poseur, he thought uncharitably as he assessed her expensive skiwear. He knew from watching her ski that she’d be better off putting that money into lessons.
She pulled off her expensive sunglasses and speared Nikki with a haughty look. “What’s going on?”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Bodner, but the boys have broken several mountain-safety rules, so we’re suspending their passes for the day. They’re welcome to return tomorrow.” Nikki kept a calm expression that hovered between a customer service–style smile and the look of a concerned parent.
“What rules?”
“Maintaining control and reasonable speeds on crowded runs, and jumping without clear sight lines,” Andy interjected. “They ignored my instructions and put other skiers at risk.”
She looked him up and down, then turned to her sons. “Boys, take a seat over at a table while I speak with Ms. Steele.”
They turned to go, but not before Eric shot Andy a nasty look identical to his mother’s. Those kids expected their mom to manipulate Nikki as easily as they manipulated their mom. Andy wanted to shoot them a smug look of his own, because he knew Nikki would not be maneuvered by anyone. That didn’t, however, mean that Don wouldn’t fire him. So much for smugness.
“Why don’t we three go into my office?” Nikki gestured toward her door.
“Not him. Just you.” Mrs. Bodner strode ahead of them.
“I’ll go grab myself a snack and come back in ten,” he said.
“Perfect.” Nikki sighed and went to her office.
Andy couldn’t regret doing the right thing, but it still sucked. He hit the cafeteria, ordered chili in a bread bowl with onions and cheddar, and a Gatorade, then found a seat near a window.
He loved this mountain. Didn’t matter that working here put him barely above the poverty line. Being here made it easier to breathe.
The magnificent beauty of the jagged peaks and firs stirred something deep inside. Hiking up ridges, swooshing downhill, and tackling moguls kept him fit and strong. He didn’t care about fancy clothes or furniture as long as he could be here every day. Getting paid to do this was icing, not the cake. But without the job, he’d have a hard time affording a season pass, let alone finding the time to get out here often. He ate the last bit of bread and chili, then cleared his tray and strolled back to Nikki’s office, bracing for bad news.
The Bodners were gone when he arrived. He walked in to Nikki’s office, hands raised in surrender. “I’m sorry, Nik. I know you probably had to endure a world-class dressing-down, but those kids were uncontrollable.”
She tapped her pencil on the desk. “I don’t doubt that, but it doesn’t mean we don’t have a problem.”
“Have a seat, Andy.” Don’s voice traveled from the corner of the office. “Let’s chat.”
Andy’s stomach sank to his toes, having not seen Don when he’d first entered the room. “Sure thing.”
He sat while Don remained standing, staring down at him. “Now, I know you know you’re on probation here. And you know that client complaints were one of the conditions.”
“Yes, sir. I know.” Andy rubbed his hands on his thighs. “The fact I risked this conversation should tell you something about my commitment to keeping the mountain safe.”