His steps grew quicker. Damn, he still cared about her. This was bigger than when they’d grown up together—back when Kara was 100 percent tomboy and he’d protected her from the school bully. The emotions brewing inside him now had an adult edge.
He lingered at the glass doors, staring out into the stormy night. He couldn’t tear his gaze from Kara’s petite figure as she braved fierce winds while crossing the snowy parking lot. Her appearance had changed, from jeans and snug T-shirts that nestled against her soft curves, to casual business attire. A short haircut replaced her ponytail. Everything combined to give her a mature, polished persona. He certainly wasn’t the only one who’d changed.
Was she worried about her trip home? Or was she doing the same as him and reliving the past? He still had time to stop her. He pushed the door open. The bitter wind stung his face as he followed her footsteps. She would demand once more to know the sordid details behind his seven-year absence. His pace slowed. Could he bring himself to explain that dreadful night?
He stopped. No. No way. If he knew the words to make everything right between them, he’d have said them years ago. As the cold cut through his coat and over his exposed skin, he realized he’d played out all the scenarios in his mind thousands of times. Each ended with her looking at him with repulsion. No way could he put either of them through that experience.
Jason rubbed the back of his neck, trying to ease the stiff muscles. His return to the Summit was going to be just as rough and bumpy as he’d imagined, but he’d get through it. He turned and limped back to the lobby. Only one day on his feet, with the cold seeping into his bones, and already the wound in his thigh throbbed.
He exhaled a weary sigh. The last time he’d worked at the resort, Kara had been his priority. Now, with no significant other in his life, he could sink his dreams into restoring this place without all the emotional entanglements of a relationship and raging teenage hormones. His experience in the military had forced him to grow up. He now realized what was important and why.
He shoved his fingers through his hair, hating the selfish boy he’d once been. This time he’d prove himself worthy of the trust others placed in him. He wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of his past.
Muffled footsteps drew his attention. He glanced over his shoulder to find his childhood friend Robert Heinze approaching him. He looked every bit the professional in his navy suit, and definitely fit the part of a distinguished attorney.
“Jason, what are you still doing here?”
“While I was walking the grounds, I came across some maintenance men working on a problem with the towrope for the bunny hill.”
“And from the grease stains on your jacket and jeans, I’m assuming you couldn’t just let the staff handle it on their own.”
Jason shook his head. “I’m not good at standing around watching when I could pitch in and lend a hand.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to play Mr. Fix-it after tomorrow. By the way, I heard the roads are getting bad. If you don’t leave now, you might find yourself riding out the storm right here.”
“Before I go, I want to thank you for finalizing this sale with my father. Without you going back and forth between us, I don’t think an agreement would have ever been reached.”
Robert flashed a small smile. “I think you give me too much credit. You were the mastermind behind this whole venture. I hope it turns out the way you planned.”
“It will.” He’d returned a couple of days ago, and until the deal had become official, he’d intentionally kept a low profile. “By the way, I just ran into Kara Jameson.”
He didn’t know why he’d mentioned it. Maybe he just wanted someone to talk some sense into him. After all, before Robert had moved away to be an attorney in downtown Pittsburgh, he’d grown up right here with Kara and Jason.
“Did you tell her you bought this place?”
He nodded.
Robert shrugged on his coat. “How’d it go?”
“The news took her by surprise.”
“Seems like an understandable reaction. You’ve been gone for years.” His old friend paused and looked intently at him. “What else is bothering you? Did she quit on the spot?”
“Not exactly.”
“Then why do you look like you just chugged a carton of sour milk?”
“Kara lit into me about ignoring my father. He must have fed her some kind of lies to gain her sympathy.” Jason didn’t bother to hide the loathing he felt.
Robert let out a low whistle. “Boy, you didn’t exaggerate about the rift between you two.”
If anything, he’d understated the distance between himself and his father. Every muscle in Jason’s body grew rigid at the thought of their insurmountable differences. He refused to dwell on something that could never be fixed.
With the help of a couple of investors, he’d at last gained ownership of his heritage—the resort his grandfather had founded. His gaze moved around the lobby, taking in its splendor.
“I’ve thought of nothing else for the past year but of making this place mine, of restoring the Greene Summit back to its former glory, like when my grandfather was alive. I’ll make him proud. No matter what it takes.”
Robert patted him on the shoulder. “Then you might want to start by being honest with Kara. I’ve talked with her and she’s bright. When your father’s health started to decline, he leaned on her to keep this place running. By now, she must know where each and every skeleton is buried. You’re going to need her.”
“I know. I’ll tell her everything Monday.” Well, not everything—just the parts pertaining to the Greene Summit.
Robert’s brow furrowed and he began patting his pockets. “I must have left my phone in the office. I’ll run back and grab it.”
“Okay. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Get some sleep. We’ve got work to do.”
Jason turned to the lobby doors and gazed out at the parking lot. He rubbed his thigh, trying to ease the persistent throbbing. He had a business to rebuild and no time to slow down.
The grand reopening in three weeks had to go off without a hitch. All his investors would be on hand to take part in the festivities, and their approval was of the utmost importance, especially if he wanted more capital to undo the years of neglect.
He knew he could never again be the man in Kara’s life. Still, he had to find a way to get her to stay on at the resort. He needed her knowledge to make this a smooth transition.
But when she preferred braving a snowstorm to staying safe here with him, how in the world would they be able to work side by side?
CHAPTER TWO
THE HYPNOTIC SWIRL of flakes made it difficult for Kara to focus on the winding mountain road. The cascade of snow hit the windshield harder and faster with each passing minute. She flicked on the wipers. The built-up ice on the rubber blades made an awful ruckus. Swish. Thunk. Swish. Thunk.
The knowledge that Jason was now her boss haunted her. She’d thought that, with the resort sold, any lingering ties to him would be severed. How could she have been so wrong?
A bend in the road loomed ahead. Her foot tapped the brake a little too hard and the car lost traction. Her fingers tightened on the steering wheel as she started to skid.
Stay calm. You know how to drive in this weather.
Thoughts of Jason vanished as she turned into the skid. Like a pinball shot into action, the vehicle slid forward. Trees and the guardrail whizzed by in a blur. In an attempt to straighten the car, she spun the wheel in the other direction. Her throat constricted. At last, she came to a stop in what she hoped was the middle of the road.
That was way too close.
The pent-up air whooshed from her burning lungs. She rested her forehead against the steering wheel, trying to calm the frantic thumping of her heart. S
he silently sent up a thankful prayer.
On her way to work that morning, the radio announcer had mentioned the possibility of light snow flurries this evening but never alluded to a foot of snow. And it still continued to fall.
She let off the brake and crept forward, anxious to put as much distance between herself and Jason as possible. Would she ever be able to sweep away the tangled web of attraction, woven tightly with strands of resentment? She sure hoped so, because as long as she lived around here, they were bound to run into each other. After all this time, she’d expected to feel absolutely nothing where he was concerned. So why did she let him get to her?
She exhaled a frustrated groan and glanced down to crank up the heater. When she looked up again, a brief flash caught her attention. Her gaze focused off to the side of the road, where her headlights reflected off a pair of eyes staring back at her. A millisecond later, a deer darted into her path.
A screech of terror tore from Kara’s throat as she tramped the brakes, braced for the inevitable collision. Like a skater on a sheet of ice, the car careened over the slick pavement. At the last second, the deer jumped over the hood, just as the front tires dropped off the pavement.
Kara’s foothold on the brake slipped, sending the car off the road. She pitched forward, but the seat belt jerked her back, slamming her into the door. With a thud, her head careened into the driver’s side window. Pain splintered through her skull. The sound of ripping metal pierced the inky darkness.
At last the car shuddered to a halt. The air bag thumped hard into her chest, sending the breath whooshing from her lungs. She clung to the memory of her daughter’s sweet smile.
* * *
With newly attached chains on the SUV’s tires, Jason drove cautiously down the curvy mountain road. Soon he’d be home, enjoying a piping-hot bowl of leftover stew. His stomach rumbled in anticipation.
He stared out the windshield at the dark, desolate road. When he was a kid, there would have been a string of headlights passing him as anxious skiers flocked to the resort to try out the fresh snow. Tonight, the only evidence of another soul on this road was the faint outline of tire tracks.
Was it possible they belonged to Kara?
The thought of making peace with his childhood sweetheart weighed heavily on his mind. He didn’t blame her for still being angry with him. She had every right to be furious over the way he’d walked out on their engagement. He’d probably act the same way if their roles had been reversed. No, he’d have been worse—much worse.
If only there was a way to make her understand that even though he’d handled it poorly, his leaving had been the only answer. But he had no idea how to convey that to her without going into the details of that fateful night, and that was not something he was willing to do. Not even to save the Summit, his birthright.
The wipers were beginning to lose their battle with the thickening snow. He turned on the vehicle’s fog lamps, hoping they’d give him a better idea where he was on the road.
The tire tracks he’d been following suddenly veered to the right. His stomach muscles tightened. Trying to get a rescue squad out for an accident during this storm would take hours. He’d best go investigate first. He gently applied pressure to the brakes. The tires fought for traction, sliding a few yards before the SUV stopped. He glanced around, not spotting anyone standing next to the road. Not a good sign. They could be injured or worse.
He grabbed a flashlight from the glove compartment and flicked the switch, sending a light beam out the window. He squinted, trying to see through the thickening snow. At last he spotted the tracks. They led off the road into a gulley. Concern sliced through him. Please don’t let it be Kara.
He threw the SUV into Park, switched on the flashers and jumped out. Wet snow tossed about by the biting wind stung his face. If Kara was out here, he’d find her.
With his hand shielding his eyes, he marched forward. Piercing pain shot down his thigh as he forced his way through a drift. He gritted his teeth and kept moving. From the edge of the road, he shone the light down at what appeared to be a ten-foot drop. At the bottom was a car with its front end smashed against a tree trunk. Whoever was in it was in need of help.
He’d just started down the embankment when his foot slipped. Hot pain shot through his knee and up his thigh, and his eyes smarted as he choked back a string of curses. Beads of perspiration ran down the sides of his face. But he couldn’t stop now. He had a mission to complete.
His fingers curled around a branch and, using his good leg, he regained his balance and sucked in an unsteady breath. He massaged his knee, hoping he hadn’t just undone the surgeon’s long hours of reconstructive surgery, and weeks of physical therapy. Cautiously Jason flexed the joint. A new wave of agony swept up his body and socked him in the gut. It might hurt like the dickens, but it still worked. That had to be a good sign.
When he reached the two-door coupe, he tapped on a snow-covered window. “I’m here to help. Open up.”
The window inched down, letting the buildup of flurries spill inside. Jason flashed his light into the dark interior. A hand immediately shot up, shielding the occupant’s eyes from the glare.
“Jason?”
“Kara?” He leaned down, trying to see her better. “Are you all right?”
“I don’t know. I think so.” Her breathy voice held an eerie squeak. “There was a deer. Then the car skidded off the road. The door’s stuck and my phone won’t work.”
“Okay, slow down. First thing we’ve got to do is get you out of there.”
She started pushing on the door with her palms. He tried pulling on the handle. Without warning, she slammed her shoulder into the door. A grunt followed, but she pulled back, ready to repeat the process.
“Stop!” He used his drill sergeant voice, hoping to gain her attention. “Sit still.”
“But I smell gas.”
The mention of a gas leak shot a dagger of fear through his chest. Jason surveyed the area with the help of the flashlight, soon spotting the reason the door was stuck. The bottom was jammed against the embankment. The passenger door was pressed against a tree trunk.
“I need out!”
“Wind down your window the whole way.”
“It’s stuck.” Her eyes grew round as her palms pressed against the glass. Her fingertips slipped through the opening and curled over the edge. “Help me.”
The frigid wind continued to throw snow through the opening. With these low temperatures, he needed to get her out—fast. He kicked the ground, hoping to find a rock beneath the white blanket of frozen moisture.
At last, armed with a decent-size rock, he used his drill sergeant voice again. “I’ve got to break the window to get you out. Turn away. And cover your head with your coat.”
She did as he instructed, and soon he was assisting her through the opening. When her foot sank down into the deep snow, she lost her balance and pitched to the side. He caught her, hugging her slight form to him. Her hands clutched at his shoulders, pulling him closer. When her head came to rest on his chest, he breathed in the faint scent of strawberries. The feel of her body next to his and the enchanting smell of her all came together, jumbling his senses.
Unable to resist the temptation, he ran his fingers over her golden locks. “It’s okay,” he murmured. “You’re safe now.”
Her weight shifted fully against him. Warmth filled his chest. After all those long, lonely nights in different towns and countries, Jason felt as if he’d finally found his way home. He never wanted to let her go.
A gust of wind threw wet snow in his face, bringing him back to his senses. He shouldn’t be holding her. It was wrong to enjoy their closeness. He’d sacrificed that liberty years ago. And he was no longer the same man she’d once known.
He held her at arm’s length. “You’re bleeding.”
“I am? I don’t feel a thing.”
He cupped her face in his hands. A crimson streak trailed from her forehead to her cheek. Please don’t let it be serious.
“Are you sure? No headache? No double vision?”
“Nothing.”
Ever so gently he wiped away the blood with his thumb. When he found only a minor cut, he breathed a little easier. “Tell me if you start to feel bad.”
She nodded.
He pulled his phone from his pocket, punched in the numbers for help and held the device to his ear. After a few seconds, he moved, positioning the phone in front of him. “I can’t get a signal. Looks like we’re on our own.”
She shivered, wrapping her arms around her midsection. “How will I get my car out of there?”
He gave her a quick once-over. Aside from the small cut, he didn’t see any other signs of trauma. “The car’s not going anywhere tonight. And if you smelled gas, we aren’t taking any chances. The tow truck people can deal with it tomorrow.”
Her body shook and her teeth chattered. “Now...what...am I going to do?”
He worried about shock settling in. He was certain the accident had been horrific enough, but then to be trapped, even for a brief time, might have been too much for her.
“My SUV’s up on the road. We need to get you warm.”
He ushered her up the short embankment to his vehicle, which still had the engine running. After she climbed in, he reached behind the seat and pulled out a blanket. “This should warm you up.”
He was about to close the door when she said, “Wait. I need my stuff from the car.”
She started to climb back out, but he placed a hand on her shoulder, holding her in place. “I’ll get your stuff. You wait here and turn up the heater.”
“My purse is there...in the backseat...and my cell phone.”
Snowbound with the Soldier Page 2
