Better Together

by Jessie Gussman

  Sophia’s mouth hung open. “Do you do sports?”

  “I don’t even run.”

  “I’m shocked. Wyatt is so athletic.”

  “I’m not athletic.” Putting it so mildly.

  “Nutrition…you cook?”

  “I do. But my degree is more about creating meal plans and helping people eat healthy. Our research that starts this fall is focusing on successfully changing people’s eating habits. We’re collaborating with university psychologists.”

  “I see. I wonder if you would be interested in coming inside. We’re in the process of revamping the meal offerings for the resort. But we don’t have a nutritionist on board. Would you be willing to look at it?”

  Wyatt had just gotten off the lift at the top of the slope. “Let me watch Wyatt go down, then I’ll come in and take a look. Okay?”

  “That’s great.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Wyatt lifted his goggles and squinted. Harper had been standing on the observation deck with Sophia for his first few passes, but they’d disappeared and he’d not seen them for a while.

  “Wonder where your fiancée went?” Steve bumped shoulders with him and looked in the direction of the deck. Most of the guys they’d been snowboarding with had gone to get ready to head into town, which is where the party action was in the area.

  Wyatt ran a hand down the lower part of his face, stalling for time. The fiancée lie had slipped out when he’d been on the phone with his dad. He hadn’t counted on having to tell lie after lie to cover the first falsehood.

  “What was her name again?” Steve asked as they headed in to put their equipment away.

  “Harper.”

  “She looks like a real nice girl, just not your type.”

  Wyatt stopped and stared at his friend. “I have a type?”

  Steve knew as well as anyone that Wyatt had never done the girl thing. From the time he’d turned eighteen, Harper had been on his mind. Before that…well, he’d been a geek, to put it nicely, and not exactly appealing to girls.

  Steve rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean.”

  Wyatt just looked at him.

  Steve broke eye contact. “She doesn’t even know how to ski, man!”

  “There’s more to my life than skiing.” Wyatt turned and started walking again.

  They passed a group walking in the opposite direction. A few people recognized him and he returned their greetings, but didn’t stop.

  Steve waited to speak until they were out of hearing. “It’s no secret that your dad wants you to take this resort over. He’s been telling anyone who’ll listen that you’re coming down for good before spring. Seems to me if this is going to be your life, you’ll want a woman who is at least a little interested in something that has to do with your life’s work. It’s not like this is a nine-to-five job that you leave at the office. She’s going to live it with you.”

  “I know. It’s something we need to work out.” Frustration clogged up his throat, because he wanted it to be real, but he knew Steve was right.

  “You guys seem really comfortable with each other, but it’s almost like you’re afraid to touch her or something.”

  Wyatt thought he’d been doing a pretty good job of pretending to be Harper’s fiancé. “She’s my best friend. Has been for years. Since I moved to the states.”

  Steve ran his gloved finger down the edge of his board. “I mean, it’s pretty obvious that she would never fit in down here.”

  That truth was not pleasant to hear. “We’ll figure it out, man.”

  “What about Kayla?”

  Wyatt shot Steve a quick glance. Why would bring her into the conversation? “Kayla’s my stepsister.”

  “There’s no blood relation.”

  He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. Harper is it for me. Did you miss it? We’re engaged.” He hated pushing the lie, but there was no good reason why Steve would be pushing Kayla.

  Steve lifted his brows.

  Wyatt struggled to put words to his feelings. “We’ve got this great friendship. It’s awesome. I can do anything, say anything, be anything, and she gets me. I mean, whatever we do, we have fun. I could spend—I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”

  “Except?”

  The happiness that bubbled in his chest went flat. “Except, you’re right. I don’t think she’ll like it here, that she’ll fit in. But it’s where I need to be. Taking over the resort for my dad.”

  “Well, Kayla might have a little to say about that.”

  “Huh?”

  They reached the back of the equipment building at the entrance to the lower level where the family and hired help kept their personal supplies. Steve stopped with his hand poised over the keypad lock. “I think Kayla has her mind set that you and she belong together.”

  “I don’t know where she got that idea.” He’d never encouraged her. He was sure of it.

  Steve punched the number in. “Well, if you take a minute to think of it, it’d be perfect.”

  “What do you mean?” Wyatt asked. The only thing he could think of was that it would solve any worries Sophia might have about whether the resort was going solely to him.

  “First of all, you two are exactly alike.”

  His mind rebelled. “No way.”

  “Sure. Both love adventure, this whole lifestyle.” He spread his arms around.

  Wyatt shook his head, even though Steve was right.

  “Plus, your dad is married to her mother, and then there’s the little problem of who gets the resort.”

  “I didn’t ask for it. Dad just keeps pushing it on me.” And it hit his heart button, the one that longed to honor his mother’s memory and for his dad to be proud of him.

  “Kayla wants it.” Steve hung his board in its place on the wall and looked over his shoulder at Wyatt.

  “She can have it.” If she’d take it over, it might let him out of his promise and he’d be free to…to what? Be a farmer with Harper. Being with Harper was exciting. Working on the farm the rest of his life…not so much.

  “She wants you, too.”

  “I really don’t think so.”

  “It’s true. And I’d be surprised if she doesn’t say something. It’s not something she’s been keeping a secret.” Steve moseyed over to Wyatt and sat to take his ski boots off.

  “Except from me.” Wyatt hung his board in place. He turned to face Steve, his hands on his hips.

  “You just refuse to see.” Steve tugged his second boot off.

  “I have my eye on someone else. Always have.”

  “And you haven’t been paying attention to what’s right here.” Steve waved a finger under Wyatt’s nose.

  Wyatt batted it away. “Because Kayla isn’t what I want. I don’t even know if this is what I want.” He spread an arm, indicating the resort.

  “But this is who you are.” Steve poked his finger in Wyatt’s chest.

  Wyatt shook his head and walked to the door. “Chile has never been home for me.”

  “It’s as much home as any other you’ve ever had.”

  “Except one.”

  “Huh?” Steve tilted his head.

  Wyatt had enough with the heart-to-heart and with trying to insist that Harper was his fiancée. He should be angry at his friend for pushing back, but since the engagement wasn’t real, he just felt guilt.

  He opened the door to the setting sun. Lights had come on over on the slopes.

  Steve came out and stood beside him, breathing deeply of the crisp, mountain air. He must have realized he’d pushed far enough since he changed the subject. “We still going snowmobiling tonight? Should be good. The moon’s full.”

  That was the best time to go. With the snow pack, it would be almost day. Romantic. Taking Harper alone would be better, but going in a group would be low pressure and still romantic. Hopefully.

  She didn’t need babysitting, but the conversation with Steve had made him uneasy somehow, and he wanted to find her.
Protect her. Kayla could be pretty determined to get what she wanted. If she wanted him. If she did, he wouldn’t put it past her to try to get rid of his “fiancée.”

  “Part of the issue might be a lack of sleep.” Harper arranged avocado slices over the top of the salad bowl. The large, natural wood kitchen was a dream to work in. She stood at the massive, butcher block island while Sophia grated cabbage on the counter.

  “I never thought of that.”

  “Most people don’t. Yes, eating the right food is important, but there are other things that contribute to good health.” Harper squeezed a lemon wedge over the bowl. “Exercise is something people know they should do, but sometimes the proper amount of sleep is overlooked.”

  “Maybe it’s a habit from childhood, or maybe it’s that I’m so busy, but I just don’t like to go to bed.”

  “We often fight it.”

  “Are you having nutrition class in the kitchen?” Wyatt stood in the doorway. His shoulders seemed wider than she remembered. But the grin was the same. The flutters that tickled her stomach were still new. His dark skin was flushed and his brown eyes twinkled.

  Remembering Sophia’s criticism, and aware they had an audience, she started toward him, pealing the gloves off her hands. “Give me a captive audience and you know I’ll exploit the opportunity.”

  Hoping she wasn’t being out of line, she stepped close to him and, reaching up, wrapped her arms around his neck.

  She leaned in to his ear. “Sophia was questioning our relationship.”

  “I’ve gotten disbelief, too. Thanks for playing along with this for me.” His arms came around her and he pulled her close. She closed her eyes. What if this were real?

  “Looks like you quit bleeding,” Sophia said from right behind them.

  Harper moved back, out of the circle of Wyatt’s arms. Her eyes searched his face, noting the cut that had scabbed over, not able to read whether the embrace had been long enough or too long.

  His hand came up and touched the cut. “Yeah, they usually do.”

  “I was amazed at how good you are,” Harper said.

  One side of his mouth tilted up.

  Sophia dried her hands on a towel. “I think we have some old videos of his competitions somewhere around here.”

  “You never mentioned your snowboarding championship.”

  He shrugged. “When I went to Pennsylvania, it was a whole new life for me and I had to fit in. Plus, it was only one year. The year mom lived in Switzerland, I won a downhill skiing championship.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Sophia said.

  “It was the junior group. We moved around so much, I was a one-hit wonder a couple of places, but we never stayed in one spot long enough for me to develop a reputation.”

  “You were here every year,” Sophia said.

  “True. Dad usually sent mom money or tickets to have us come visit here every year or so.”

  “This was like her home base,” Sophia said.

  “Hers,” Wyatt said firmly.

  “And yours,” Sophia insisted.

  Wyatt looked at Harper. He was affable and didn’t like to argue. “No. Just hers.”

  “Sophia and I made supper for the family.” Harper changed the subject to dispel the awkwardness that had descended on the kitchen.

  Sophia had explained that the lodge provided a large breakfast buffet every morning, but after that, the guests were on their own.

  “Smells great.”

  “We’ve been thinking about adding additional meals for the guests. Harper was helping me with menu ideas.” Sophia moved back across the kitchen and picked up the salad. “Your dad is coming in for dinner at six.”

  “Great. I have ten minutes to steal Harper.”

  Wyatt grabbed her hand and pulled her through the kitchen and hall and down the stairs. Harper strode along behind, allowing him to lead her. He walked like a man with a purpose, and she wondered what important thing he needed to discuss with her. She also couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if their charade was real and they were heading for privacy for a completely different reason. Her cheeks heated.

  He didn’t say anything until he’d shut the bedroom door behind them.

  He turned to face her. “I’m sorry.”

  Confusion clouded her brain. “Why?” She perched on the bed, watching him pace.

  He stopped and threw his hand out. “Because I dragged you the whole way down here, only to leave you not even an hour after we arrived.”

  She grabbed a hold of his arm, stopping him. “Wyatt.” She waited for him to look at her. “I’m okay. I had a good time today.”

  He searched her face. “Really?”

  Her smile felt too big to contain. “Absolutely. I loved watching you snowboard. Except for the blood.” She looked at the cut over his eye. She wanted to touch it. To clean it and patch it, but it was fine and Wyatt wasn’t hers to nurse. “And Sophia was very nice. I mean, she did mention about us, which is why I jumped you when you came in.”

  He lifted a brow. “You didn’t jump me.”

  “Next time.” She stuck her tongue out.

  “Thanks for the warning. I’ll try to catch you.” He scratched his head. “It was actually good. For some reason, people aren’t believing we’re engaged.”

  Her stomach sank. “We’re so different.”

  “We’re not that different.”

  “You’re athletic, and I’m…not.” Her throat tightened.

  “Opposites attract.” He winked at her.

  She grinned. “Are we not affectionate enough?” Sharp tingles shot through her at the thought of being more affectionate with Wyatt.

  “Do you think that’s it?” Wyatt asked. He sounded curious, but not eager. Too bad.

  “Maybe.”

  “I don’t want you to be uncomfortable. You’re here even though you don’t want to be.”

  “It’s all for your dad’s sake. Maybe once we see how he is at dinner, we’ll have a better idea how much effort we need to put into the ruse.”

  “Yeah.” He rubbed his jaw. “Did you think about the snowmobiling tonight after supper? You want to go?”

  A pang shot through her stomach. She ignored it. “Sure.”

  “Wear a bathing suit under your clothes.”

  She laughed.

  “I’m serious.”

  Her laugh stopped abruptly. “I didn’t bring a bathing suit. This isn’t the beach.”

  “Maybe you can borrow one.”

  The idea made her a little uncomfortable—wearing someone else’s bathing suit, but hey, she was living on the wild side this weekend. “I’ll ask Sophia and Kayla.”

  “Great.”

  “What do I need a bathing suit for?” He had mentioned the warm springs. Her heart gave a little leap. A midnight ride to warm springs sounded romantic. She pushed the thought aside.

  He grinned enigmatically. “You’ll see.”

  She almost asked about the warm springs, but figured she could wait. No point in ruining his surprise.

  “Have you talked to your dad yet?” she asked instead.

  “He said, ‘Hi, son. Come help me with this beginners’ class.’ That’s it.”

  His jaw set and he looked over her head, out the window as he said it. He wouldn’t want her sympathy. Her heart still bled for him.

  “I guess when we’re sitting across the table from him, he’ll have no choice but to talk to you.”

  “And you.” Wyatt grinned, and the friend she knew so well was back. “I just wanted to check with you about the snowmobiling.”

  “That’s fine. I don’t have to drive, right?”

  “I figured you’d ride with me. If you want to drive your own, we have enough.”

  “Nah. You all can do circles around me with this winter sports stuff. I’d end up getting left behind and lost if I were on my own.”

  “That hurts.” He placed a hand over his heart in mock pain.

  “Not on purpose.”<
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  “That’s better.”

  “Some people just can’t handle the truth.” She shrugged in a dangerously flirtatious way.

  “Funny.” He grabbed her hand. “Come on. Time to eat.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Wyatt stepped into the kitchen, holding Harper’s hand. A visit here was certainly easier with Harper beside him.

  His dad looked exactly the same as he always remembered him. Tall with broad shoulders. He’d never had any hair. Dark eyes. Clean shave. Dark skin that showed his half-Latino heritage. He’d been born in America, his dad’s side of the family had owned the resort and he’d spent much of his childhood and all of his adulthood here. He owned it outright now, and had added to the original holdings. His dad was certainly a born businessman.

  His dad finished washing his hands at the sink and turned to dry them.

  “Hey, Dad.”

  “Wyatt. You never did introduce me to that little girl of yours.” His dark eyes travelled to Harper.

  Wyatt put his arm around her shoulders. “This is Harper.”

  “Your fiancée.”

  “Yeah.” Man, he hated that lie.

  “Welcome to Chile, Harper.” His dad held his hand out.

  Harper grasped it. “Thanks, Mr. Fernandez.”

  “Call me David.”

  Harper nodded.

  “Come on and sit down. I heard the kids want to head out snowmobiling this evening.” Sophia placed the salad on the table. “Kayla, Steve, come on,” she called. She pointed to the two chairs on the side of the table. “You two can sit here. Kayla and Steve will sit across from you, and David and I will take the ends.”

  Wyatt held the chair for Harper as Kayla and Steve came in from the hall. Because of his discussion with Steve earlier in the day, Wyatt looked a little longer at Kayla. Her black eyes went immediately to him when she walked in. With her shiny dark hair and skin, she was almost the exact opposite of Harper. In personality, too, when he thought about it, since she was vivacious and almost crazy. Certainly not someone who enjoyed a quiet evening reading a book by the fire, which he would say was Harper’s favorite pastime.

  As the family settled into their chairs and started passing their food, David looked at Harper. “So, considering that Wyatt was practically born with skis on his feet, I find it odd that you were in the beginner class today. How did you two meet?”