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.

“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.”

“Don, you put those conditions on his employment to protect the clients and resort. That’s exactly what he did today. This complaint isn’t the kind of situation you were contemplating when you made the condition.” Nikki didn’t look at Andy, instead keeping her gaze politely fixed on her boss. God, she was glorious then, defending him, her spine erect and proud.

“That may be true, but we also need to know our employees can manage their jobs. So the bigger question is why Andy couldn’t control those kids.” Don sent him a disappointed stare. “Nikki vouched for your prior experience, but perhaps sitting out a season and a half has thrown you off your game.”

“This is the first problem I’ve had with a client in a dozen years. I did everything by the book, but those two were on a mission.” Andy started ticking off the fingers on one hand. “I warned them, then relegated them to lesser terrain until they behaved, then warned them again before pulling them off the slope. The look on their faces when their mom defended them proved that they’ve never suffered a consequence a day in their lives. I did what I thought was right, and I stand by it. To me, that proves I’m a good instructor, not a bad one.”

Don glanced back at Nikki, who nodded her agreement. “Andy’s worked with a lot of teens, and I trust his version of events. If he couldn’t control the Bodners, no one could have. I’m sure of that much.”

Andy held his breath, awaiting Don’s decision.

“We’ll wait until the end of the probation period and reassess then. Assuming we don’t have other issues, I suppose, given the circumstances, we can let this one pass.”

Andy stood and stuck out his hand. “Thanks, Don. I promise. There won’t be any other complaints.”

Don offered a stiff handshake before leaving Nikki’s office.

Andy swiveled toward Nikki, gratitude swelling in his chest like a tidal wave. She’d believed him and defended him to Don for the second time in less than a week. “Thanks for having my back.”

“It’s not about having your back. Contrary to what Billy and others may think, I don’t play favorites.” She ran her hand through her hair. He’d never realized how thick it was until right then. For a millisecond, he thought about what it might feel like in his fists. “It’s about doing what’s right for the program.”

Billy’s rumor had bothered her a lot more than he’d realized. The lady protested a bit much, though, making him wonder if any part of it was true. Did Nik still have a little thing for him like before? That prompted a smile.

“What?” she asked.

“What what?”

“You smiled.”

“Is that against the rules now, too?” He winked and then enjoyed the way her lips twitched in response.

“You’re free for the rest of the afternoon. I’ll call you if we get a last-minute request for an hour-long lesson or something.”

“Are we still on for three thirty . . . meet you at the Challenger Express lift?”

“Of course. You’re going down, Andy. And don’t you dare think of holding back on me.”

“Careful what you wish for.” He left her office with a grin on his face, his thoughts veering into dangerous territory. He wouldn’t mind going down in other ways with Nik, too, especially if she instructed him not to hold back.