Harte's Peak Page 6

  6

  Ryan waited.

  The door clicked as Vera unlocked it.

  Without speaking, he opened it and pulled her out of the car and into his arms.

  She buried her face in his shoulder without complaint. She felt too thin in his arms and he worried he’d crush her. Her hair felt like spun silk in his rough hands as he stroked it gently and rubbed her back.

  “Who did this to you?” He wanted to know. He’d hurt the guy. Well, now that he was a Christian he couldn’t hurt him, but he could scare him off. As far as he knew, there wasn’t anything in the Bible about that.

  Vera hiccupped and tried to catch her breath, which almost tore his heart from his chest. “What do you mean?”

  “It’s that jerk, Kevin, isn’t it? Just tell me what he did, Vera, and I’ll take care of it.” He tried to breathe through his anger. He didn’t want to scare her.

  Vera pulled away and put her hands over her face. “He didn’t do anything.”

  “I find that hard to believe. What does he want?” Time to admit the truth. He’d like to know the reason Kevin hung around a slow poke town like theirs. It couldn’t be the weather, because by the looks of that Rolls Royce, it had never seen any snow or sleet before.

  She avoided his eyes. “He wants to buy the café. That’s what he wants. And since that would make me miserable, it’s kind of an added bonus.”

  “Why would a Wall Street type like him want to buy your cafe?” It sounded like the ex wanted to help, as he’d told Ryan. Obviously, Vera didn’t want his help, and he couldn’t blame her. That cafe was her life blood, her passion

  “To take it away from me.”

  “But you don’t have to sell it to him. Last time I checked it’s a free country.”

  “I don’t have to, and I won’t. But I need the money. I’m behind on my mortgage payments since they doubled three months ago. I can’t keep up anymore.”

  “That’s why you’re entering the tournament.” Finally she’d admitted the truth to him. Now he could talk to her freely about the foundation.

  “Now you know. Happy?”

  “I wish you’d told me first. I can help.” Without a second thought, he put his hands on her shoulders.

  “No, Ryan. I don’t want help from the foundation. I didn’t want to tell you why I needed this money because I knew you would bring that up. Use the foundation’s help for someone else. I can find a way out of this even if the ski tournament doesn’t work out. And you and I both know I’m a long shot.”

  The defeat in her voice shook him. “Are you thinking of dropping out now?”

  “Of course not.” Vera shook her head.

  No, that would make sense. “Then what?”

  “I’ll do my best, and if I don’t win, maybe I’ll have to let the bank take it back.”

  “I assume you tried to sell it?”

  “And what I could get for it in today’s market won’t cover what I owe.”

  “You’ll lose everything you put into it.”

  “All that remodeling. I should have listened to my mother, the miser, not my sister, the interior designer.”

  “This is crazy, Vera. Why won’t you accept help from the foundation?” Hands still on her shoulders, he resisted the urge to shake some sense into her.

  “Save it for the people who need it. Maybe the people who show up for church every Sunday. After all, they’ve earned it.”

  Ryan tensed and took a step back. “It’s not about earning it. We want to help the community.”

  “You want to tell people about Jesus. Well, save it. Jesus and I are fine; it’s His people that I’m not particularly fond of.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” His jaw felt tight enough to break a molar.

  “You can’t brush on a new coat of paint and tell me that you’ve changed.”

  “But I have.” His eyes narrowed. “This isn’t a fresh, new coat of paint. It’s a remodeling job from the inside out.”

  “Enough with the home improvement metaphors.” She rolled her eyes.

  “You started it.” He shrugged.

  “You can’t change who you are.” She stared at him.

  “Maybe not, but with Christ you can become the best version.”

  “Fine, so you’re a better version of the playboy who used to ask me out once a week. The one who asked my best friend out, too.”

  Ouch. The look on her face told Ryan that she’d resented being one of many. He looked at the ground. “You could say that, but I’m not a playboy, anymore. I haven’t dated anyone since I became a Christian.”

  “Not enough nice Christian girls out there? Was Maggie the last good one?”

  “I’m sure they’re plenty. I’m not looking for anyone. I have to work on myself first.”

  “You’re serious?” She narrowed her eyes.

  “Like a heart attack. And this foundation is our chance to put our faith into action. We don’t just want to talk about helping people. We’re actually trying to do something for the community.”

  “Good for you. What do you want, a medal?”

  “I want you to stop being so stubborn and at least consider how the foundation could help. You don’t even know how it works. You haven’t taken the time to find out.”

  “I don’t want to be a charity case.” She raised her chin.

  “But—”

  “I’m not talking about it anymore.” She folded her arms and looked at the ground.

  Darn this stubborn woman. She drove him crazy. The answer was right in front of her eyes, and she couldn’t see it.

  “At least think about it.” He could be stubborn, too.

  Sooner or later Vera would come around to his way of thinking. He had to be patient, continue the workouts, and wait her out.

  As for Kevin, the man obviously wanted to take away something precious to Vera. If he wanted to help he’d pay off the amount she owed and allow her to catch up. But apparently, he had his own agenda. That much was clear.

  Ryan decided to keep an eye on the jerk and make sure he didn’t hurt Vera.

  And he recalled Vera’s declaration. “Jesus and I are fine.” She’d never talked about her faith. There had to have been something in her past that changed her mind about God’s people.

  Although he’d seen his share of Sunday hypocrites, most of the members in attendance at his church were the real thing. If Vera got to know them as he had, she would give them a chance.

  He’d been toying with an idea in the back of his mind since Vera launched this crazy plan to enter the tournament. And even though the idea still made him break out in a cold sweat, he’d work through the panic. He would have to for Vera’s sake.

  His faith would have to be strong enough to get him through the memories of the accident. He’d prayed about it, and after today, the answer seemed clear.

  More than anyone, Vera had a desperate need to win, and now, he had an even better idea of how to help her.

  

  Vera drove home after assuring Ryan that the public would be safe with her behind the wheel. The sob fest had actually been cathartic, as though her tears had a healing quality in them. Next time, she’d have to make sure to cry in private.

  Still, the memory of Ryan’s arms around her warmed her heart. He didn’t look like a man who hugged as well as he did. She sighed at the memory of how tenderly he’d held her and how safe she’d felt in his embrace.

  He smelled like a man–leather, soap, and after shave. Do not go there, Vera. Especially not now, not with this new Ryan. He didn’t run in the other direction of a hysterical woman, so either this was some type of new game he played, or perhaps he did qualify for sainthood.

  Now that he realized Kevin was her ex, he didn’t seem to judge her for that mistake. Perhaps it was because he had a past full of his own mistakes. She was curious as to why he wouldn’t talk about the accident. He kept that part of himself a mystery. She wanted to know, but she had too much respect for him to go b
ehind his back and ask Kyle or Jack.

  Ryan would tell her eventually. Or she’d wear him down.

  One thing she would never believe was that a man was good simply because he graced the entrance of a church. No, Kevin had proved that loud and clear. He’d been a leader at the church when they’d lived in Texas after getting married. He’d fooled her and everyone else. A business leader in the community, too.

  He’d fooled Mom, too.

  Looking back, maybe she should have told her mother the truth. Told her that Kevin had cheated. Not once or twice, but repeatedly.

  In the end Kevin had taken something she didn’t think anyone could: her faith. He’d done that when he’d convinced the members of the congregation that she’d been the one to violate the marriage vows, not him. And they’d believed him. It might have been what they expected from a former fashion model. The memory of that abandonment as they took Kevin’s side in their divorce still pained her. And it was the reason she hadn’t been to church except on holidays, when there didn’t seem to be much choice.

  But Ryan was different. He was beginning to remind her that not all men were the same. Since that day long ago when she’d seen the new deputy stop traffic so that a little boy could catch his dog, Ryan Colton had caught her attention.

  Even then, something inside her cold heart had stirred. A man who loved animals couldn’t be all bad. But Ryan had proved himself to be a playboy shortly after that, asking both her and Maggie out in the same week.

  Maybe he had changed. They’d been alone together in her home, and he hadn’t even tried to kiss her. And now, today, at her most vulnerable, he only provided the comfort of a warm and dry shoulder.

  Ryan would never understand, though, why she couldn’t take money from the foundation. That would require an explanation beyond what she was capable of giving to him. And it would require a forgiveness she doubted anyone could give. Not even Ryan.

  

  Two days later Vera waited outside of the lodge after checking in. She pinned her lift ticket to her pink and black ski jacket. The tournament entrants were given free lift tickets, a specially marked stub that read “Contestant.”

  Ryan greeted her as he arrived and went inside. When he returned, he was wearing a “contestant” ticket stub.

  “What’s that?” She pointed at the stub on his brown jacket. “Are they letting everyone have one of those today?”

  “Nope.” Ryan pulled on his gloves.

  He didn’t volunteer any information, and she tried to contain her curiosity.

  “I entered the open just in time to qualify. Barely made the deadline. Isn’t that something?” He smiled as he tapped the stub on his ski jacket.

  “You’re supposed to be training me. Did you forget our agreement? Now you’re my competition.”

  He hadn’t changed, not deep inside. Now he would pull out all the stops, show off every one of his techniques and demonstrate his superior skill on the trails.

  “Calm down. I’m still training you. Turns out I’m getting my ski legs back by helping you out.”

  “You’re not helping me out. You just pushed me out of the running.”

  Ryan pulled her to the side.

  “Listen, I’ve increased your odds of winning.”

  “Really, Einstein? And how is that?”

  “Because if I qualify and make it to the finals and win, I’ll give you the money. If you qualify and win you get the money. Seems to be an increase in odds there.”

  “But I told you I didn’t want you to do that. I want to do this.”

  “And you are. But so am I. Listen. I can’t stop you from entering, but you can’t stop me either. Are we clear?”

  She stared. Had he improved her chances? Winning might actually be in her sights now. “We’re clear. As long as it’s on record that I didn’t ask you to do this.”

  He laughed. “Is it that hard for you to accept help from a friend?”

  “Yes.” She shrugged.

  But she couldn’t wait to see the look on Kyle’s face when he realized that Ryan had entered. She could tell the two of them had a real competitive streak between them.

  She continued to stare at him in silence. Vera didn’t know what else to say to this man. He wouldn’t stop surprising her. A man who would hand over twenty-five thousand dollars to her because she needed it more than he did. Was it even possible?

  “Let’s get going.” Carrying his skis, Ryan walked in the direction of the ski lift and she followed.

  Over the next four hours, they went on several runs together and she kept up with Ryan’s speed easily. But she also noticed several things—he had so much more control than she did. He never lost his footing, whereas a couple of times she had.

  One of those times Ryan skied past her, but looked back. He stopped his run to help her.

  “What did I tell you about going so fast without control?”

  “You said not to do it.” His racing past had annoyed her since he supposedly hadn’t skied in years.

  Ryan crouched down to check her bindings and boots. “I’m not sure this is the best fit for you. Sometimes it’s about the equipment. You need a solid foundation.”

  She’d foundation him if he didn’t give up on the subtle hints. His nearness distracted her, and she slapped his hand away from her boot.

  “I can do it.” She tightened the bindings. Finished, she looked up to see him staring at her, an amused smile on his face.

  “Yes, you can. But you can let me help sometimes.”

  Vera bit her lip. “I’m trying.”

  “I know that, darlin’.”

  After a few more words from Ryan extolling the virtues of control, they were off again.

  The wind whipped across her cheeks, and she joined Ryan as side by side they conquered the mountain.

  7

  Ryan sat with Vera at her cafe after a long day on the slopes.

  As expected, Kyle’s eyes had narrowed like slits when he noticed Ryan’s new ski lift tag denoting him as a fellow competitor.

  “Did you see the look on Kyle’s face?” Vera laughed.

  “He looked evil.” Ryan wouldn’t let Kyle know he was not in it for himself. That would take all the fun out of it. He also wasn’t going to share with Vera that he fought panic every time he pushed off, because she might feel guilty. He’d handle the fear with the Lord’s help.

  Ryan was riding high because Vera had finally accepted his help. Even if she rejected the foundation, and he hoped that would change, she’d let down her guard enough to not stop him from helping.

  And now he was enjoying the best coffee in town, on the house.

  “Kyle knows you’re his only real competition.” Vera leaned in across the table from Ryan.

  Ryan wanted to believe that, but it wasn’t true. Kyle had stayed on the circuit. Ryan hadn’t looked back—until Vera needed him.

  “I guess things will be rather tense. He’ll get over it.”

  Vera’s blue eyes shone and the light sound of her voice lifted his spirits. He still hadn’t shaken how her sobs had torn away at places in his heart.

  “Have you ever beaten him before?” Vera took a sip of her coffee.

  “There was this one time in Utah—the Park City Ski Town Shoot Out. To be fair, he did have a bad day, but I came in first.”

  “I bet he never forgot that one.”

  “Of course he excused it by claiming an old knee injury reared its ugly head. Who knows? Maybe it was even true. Usually, I came in a close second. But you never know.”

  “You’re good on those slopes. Really good. What made you quit?”

  “Always wanted to be a cop. Ever since I was a little kid playing cops and robbers.”

  “Ever the robber?”

  “Never or I wouldn’t play.”

  Annie watched them from behind the counter.

  Vera had her working more shifts so she could spend more time training.

  To Annie and everyone else, he and Vera
probably seemed like a couple. Hopefully, his old reputation wouldn’t taint hers.

  “Believe it or not, as a kid I thought I would join the military.” Vera looked past him, her blue eyes misty.

  “You? In the military? You are aware you have to take orders there?”

  She smirked. “I wanted to get away from my mother. But just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, a modeling scout found me when we were traveling in Paris.”

  “That’s when you started modeling?” He’d always wondered about that part of her life. She never talked about it.

  “I was young. You would think that the mother of a seventeen-year-old might want her daughter chaperoned, but not mine.”

  “She let you go off by yourself?” He knew exactly how protective Jack and Maggie were over their teenaged daughter, Lexi. And for good reason, in his opinion.

  “She did.” Vera nodded. “I thought it was great at the time. I was finally out from under her control. Sure, I missed my sister, but I didn’t miss my mother. She has a way of serving up extra bitterness with morning tea. But in Europe, I was on my own. I had my tea with sugar, hold the bitter.”

  “But it wasn’t a good thing in the long run.”

  “Not at all. That was how I met him.” Vera gazed down, as though she was recalling something shameful.

  “Who?”

  “Kevin. If I’d had a chaperone, it might have been harder to cut through my defenses. But—”

  “You were only seventeen?” His back stiffened. What kind of creep went after a teenager?

  “I was nineteen, by then. Traveled around the world and thought I knew something. Thought I was sophisticated. Worldly. Ha.” Vera gazed outside to the light snowfall of late January. “He was older than me by fourteen years. Very successful and confident. He had money and influence. He took my career to the next level. And then he ran it into the ground, just because he could.”

  “Why?” He spoke softly, afraid she would realize she was opening up to him.

  “To control me, I guess. So I retired from modeling, came home, and tried to be good wife and business partner. We went to church together. We built our real estate business. And he worked to cut everyone else out of my life.”