Hearing the front door open, she saw Decker carrying a big vase of flowers.
“You’re up,” he said. “My surprise for you is ruined.”
“Contraire,” she said. “I am surprised. I thought you’d be at work by now.”
He came to the kitchen and set the vase down, leaning toward her and planting a kiss on her lips. “I want to take you with me.”
To work? With him? His cologne distracted her along with his warm breath and brown eyes smoldering into hers.
“I promised you a tour,” he said. “You haven’t had one yet.”
“I’ve seen most of it already.” She admired the array of pretty spring flowers and smelled the lilies.
“Not all of it,” Decker said. “Come with me.”
It was either that or stay here and be lonely. “All right.”
Kendall didn’t want to appear easily swayed, but spending the day with Decker excited her. She just had to remind herself that he was a savvy businessman who wasn’t accustomed to losing. He’d fight hard to win her over and his invitation to go with him to work had to be another attempt to secure her.
He had his driver take them to work and used his cell to tell his assistant that he’d be delayed for at least two hours and to call if anything important came up.
“You ready for a long walk?” he asked her.
“Oh yeah.” She missed hiking in the wilderness. This wasn’t exactly rugged terrain, built up into a fancy resort, but it would do. So would Decker’s undivided attention.
He began with a walk to the original hotel.
“Employees who don’t want to commute live here now,” he said.
She took in the historic architecture that had been meticulously updated and maintained. If she worked here she’d love to live in a place like this.
“Pine Peak has an ample amount of slopes for skiing but we also offer areas for extreme winter sports,” he said.
First he took her by the luxurious cabins tucked away in trees, very private and away from most activities. Next, he had a snowmobile ready for them. Kendall climbed on the back and slipped her arms around him as he began driving.
Near the ski slopes, Decker stopped the snowmobile at the entrance to a track. Getting off, she walked with him to the entrance, seeing bleachers for viewing and a few people riding snow bikes around an obstacle course, as well as a racetrack with banks, turns and jumps. They went to the bleachers and watched for a while. Kendall didn’t care much for races like this but she could see Decker’s enjoyment.
“These were my idea,” he said, “to add extreme sporting events.” Looking over at her and likely seeing that she didn’t share his enthusiasm, he said, “All right, next stop.”
Taking her hand he walked with her to the snowmobile. She climbed on again, liking the feel of her arms around him and being so close. She wondered if he felt the same.
He drove the snowmobile fast along a trail. Around a bend, she spotted another track, this one a steep slope sparkling in the sun. It was a sheet of ice and people were racing down in boatlike structures.
“Are those kayaks?” she asked.
He slowed the snowmobile and stopped at the side of the slope. “They sure are. It’s getting to be a popular sport.”
“Crazy!” She watched one kayak boater lose control and crash into deeper snow on the other side of the slope.
“Do you want to give it a try?” he asked.
“No way!” Was he kidding? After seeing someone crash?
He chuckled and she realized he had been joking. She gave him a swat as he got the snowmobile moving again. Back on the trail, he followed it to a ski lift. Skiers lined up for their day of fun.
He took her to the worker at the chairlift, who immediately recognized him and let them take the next chair. She warmed sitting close beside him, their legs touching. When she glanced at him she saw his pleasure in sharing something he cared so much about, which soon morphed into heated desire.
As his gaze lingered, Decker put his gloved fingers beneath her chin and kissed her deeply. Kendall fell into the warm caress. At last when he drew back, she then fell into the sincere emotion she saw in him. She could not be mistaken. He felt something for her. Why didn’t he admit it?
Suddenly he looked away. “We almost missed it.”
She looked where he did and saw three kite skiers. They held on to their chute-like kites and snowboarded over a gently sloping field of snow. It was beautiful. The skiers were clearly experienced and made a sort of ballet as they glided along.
“You see? There is much more to this lodge than elegant dinners and famous guests,” he said.
“Yes, I see that,” she answered. “I also see how proud you are of this place, and rightfully so.”
“Thank you. Coming from you that means a lot.”
She raised a curious brow. “Why me?”
“Because I don’t want you to think I put The Lodge before you, or anyone that is close to me. This lodge is a very close second, though.”
She smiled, hearing and feeling his honesty. “I understand.” Whether she could live with that was another matter. She decided it was time to test him.
* * *
Decker floated in the clouds, so happy to hear Kendall come in line with his purpose and where she fit into that. They rode the chair without getting off, heading back to the base.
“Decker?”
“Yes?”
“I think I love you,” she said in a low voice.
Unprepared for the abruptness of that announcement, he first wondered why she’d said it. Why now?
She hadn’t said she loved him. She’d said she thought she loved him. That’s the thing about being in love. Nobody ever really knew if they were or not.
“You just like me a lot,” he said lightly.
“No. I really do think I love you.”
He stared at her. “What makes you say that?”
She put her hand on his thigh and caressed. After a few seconds, she looked into his eyes.
“The way I feel when we’re together,” she whispered. “I can’t get enough of you. It’s like you take the air I breathe. And...when you leave me it stings.”
“When I go to work?” She had just told him she understood.
“No, when you leave me even though we have plans.”
“This is about Ben?” Why had she started out by saying she loved him?
“No. This is about me being scared, Decker. I love you and you don’t love me. It’s like my live-in boyfriend all over again.”
Ah, so this was about her insecurity. “This is not the same, Kendall. I will never betray you. I will always be here for you and we will always have this intimate companionship.”
She put her head against his shoulder with a contented sigh. “You talk as though we’ll be together for a lifetime.”
“We will be.”
She lifted her head. “Only if I marry you.”
“You will.” He grinned to keep it light.
She didn’t respond, her expression serious as she met his eyes. Wow. She sure was stubborn. She would not marry him unless she was certain it was right for her.
“What do you need from me to agree to this marriage?” he asked.
“An honest proposal.”
Chapter 14
Back at the lodge, Kendall hadn’t decided whether she’d triggered Decker to begin thinking about love. Telling him she loved him had stunned him, which might be a good sign. He’d have a lot to consider now, namely his belief that love didn’t happen to people like him. Maybe he’d reevaluate how he felt and realize what they had together wasn’t ordinary.
“Decker.”
Kendall turned with Decker to see Decker’s cousin Remy Colton coming toward them. She had heard he was The Chateau’s director of public relations.
Tall with wavy light brown hair, he wore an immaculately pressed three-piece suit.
“There you are,” Remy said as he came to a stop.
“Sorry I’m late.” Decker shook Remy’s hand and leaned in for a man hug, which was little more than a couple of pats.
“What did you want to meet about?” Remy asked.
“You’re good at public relations,” Decker answered. “We’re having a public relations crisis here with the Rouge murder. I’d like to discuss ideas on boosting business.”
“I’d be happy to. But if now isn’t a good time we can reschedule. You seem busy today.”
Decker glanced at Kendall with a secretive grin. She had been what had kept him busy.
“No, now is good.”
Remy caught the exchange, Kendall noted, his observant gaze going from Decker to her.
Apparently not noticing, Decker said to her, “Kendall, you might as well join us.”
He turned to the reception desk where a receptionist stood with Remy’s half brother, Seth, who at the moment was giving her a pep talk on how to talk to difficult customers. The young woman was slim, neatly dressed in a short-sleeved black dress. She listened and nodded, but Kendall sensed she didn’t appreciate Seth’s tutelage.
“Can you check to see if the conference room is open up here?” Decker asked.
“Yes.” Seth showed the receptionist, who must be new, how to look up the availability of the room. While she checked, Seth turned to Decker and Remy. “What are you meeting about?” Kendall thought that was an odd question. He was the front desk manager. Was he always this curious?
Decker glanced at her and seemed to see her notice.
“Seth and Remy are half brothers,” Decker said.
“When I was fifteen, he found me living with our mother, who had a problem with drugs.” Seth smiled at Remy, who looked on with reciprocating affection.
“Ah.” That made sense to Kendall. “I see.”
“We are meeting about public relations,” Decker said to Seth. “The Rouge murder has impacted our reservations. I’d like to get his take on strategy, and maybe discuss what he’s done at The Chateau.”
“I have an idea I’d like to share,” Seth said. “Would you mind?”
That explained his curiosity.
“I’m all ears,” Decker said.
Kendall was sure he would be open to any suggestions. If she were someone who planned to stay at a resort like this, she didn’t think a murder—which hadn’t even occurred here—would scare her away. The call girl had only stayed here. Then again, some people might be sensitive to that, especially wealthy people. The hotel was now tainted with the reputation of allowing prostitution on its premises.
“Car washes are always fun,” Seth said.
Kendall watched him lift a hand, a somewhat dainty move.
“You know, with all those girls in swimming suits, laughing and giggling and taking money from all the men?” he added.
Kendall looked at Decker to see if he thought that suggestion was as horrible as she did. He just stared at Seth.
“It’s still March,” Remy said.
“I didn’t mean now, after it warms up,” Seth clarified.
“We need to act now,” Decker said. “We don’t have time to spare. Reservations are down, as I’m sure you’re aware.”
“Yes, sir. That’s why I’m so interested in helping find a solution.”
“Well, keep trying and let me know if you come up with any others.”
Seth beamed. “Thank you. I will.”
“I appreciate your enthusiasm.” With that, Decker walked away with Remy.
Kendall saw Seth still smiling as they left and then she followed Decker.
Decker let Kendall into the room and then closed the conference area door behind them and sat beside Kendall, across from Remy.
“What was he thinking?” Remy asked with a dry chuckle.
“Or not thinking,” Decker said.
“Well, it would draw attention but not the right kind for your clientele,” Kendall added.
“It might promote more call girls,” Decker mused, and they laughed at the dark humor.
“Rich people have skeletons of that nature in their closets just like anyone else,” Remy said. “Bianca coming to see one of your guests proves that.”
Kendall saw Decker sober. “Exactly why we’re meeting today.”
“Yes.” Remy fell in line in sobriety.
“Seth is a good front desk manager. People like him even though he is a little eccentric,” Decker said.
“He is a good kid,” Remy said proudly. “But he may as well have come up with the idea of a crossword puzzle party.”
Again they chuckled, the mood lightening.
“I’ve actually been thinking about some ideas as well,” Kendall said. “My conservancy work is along the same lines, where I look for ways to preserve the wilderness. More human activities isn’t preservation. You’re looking for ways to preserve the reservations of your elite guests.”
Decker’s eyes heated with intimate appreciation.
“Do tell,” Remy said.
“What about a charity event for an organization like Change for Life. They help victims of human trafficking begin new lives free from their captors. It would show you care about ethics and in particular, sex trafficking.”
Decker didn’t say anything for a while. “Is that related to forced prostitution?”
Yes,” Remy said.”
“We also don’t want to appear too desperate to remove the stigma of a high-class call girl being murdered after visiting one of our guests,” Decker added.
“I’ll get my marketing team right on this,” Remy said. “We’ll make it an exceptionally elegant event.”
“Speaking of elegant events, are you going to Bree’s opening?” Decker asked. Their talented artist cousin ran Wise Gal gallery.
“Yes, I’ll be there, as I’m sure many others in the family will be,”
Decker glanced at Kendall. “Will you accompany me?”
“Sounds lovely. Yes.”
“It will be an official date.”
“Haven’t our other dates been official?” she asked.
“No, because that was when we were doing it for our parents. Now I want us to date for real.”
She smiled, unable to stop herself and knowing she must appear as smitten as she felt.
“I feel like I’m intruding,” Remy deadpanned. “How’s the investigation going? I heard you’ve had some close calls lately.”
He’d steered the talk away from dating. Kendall found that amusing.
“Yes,” Decker answered. “Trey may have ID’d the suspect. Kendall couldn’t be sure it was him.”
“Well, I hope they catch him soon. Scary knowing he’s out there.”
Yes, and planning ways to get to her, no doubt. She looked at Decker. At least she had him to protect her.
He met her look and she fell into another long gaze with him.
“Looks like your wedding plans are going forward,” Remy said. “Arranged marriages do work out sometimes, judging by the two of you.”
“I’m happy to agree,” Decker replied.
Kendall remained silent. She wasn’t ready to commit to that.
“Kendall is still altar shy,” Decker said, “But I’m working on that.”
“So the date is a ploy?” Kendall asked, teasing.
“No, more of a strategy.”
Remy laughed briefly. “You better watch out, Kendall. Once my cousin sets his eyes on something nothing will stop him from winning. He’s very decisive in business.”
In business. Of course. But this was personal.
* * *
Decker stepped into the Wise Gal Gallery on Second Street in Roaring Springs, o
n the edge of an up-to-the-minute part of town. An older two-story warehouse renovated into this stylish art gallery, the Wise Gal had charm all its own. Inside, people mingled and held champagne glasses. A wide, open space with white walls, statues were arranged here and there and paintings hung on the walls.
“Did your cousin do all of these?” Kendall asked.
“Bree sells other art along with her own. Hers are over there in that corner.” He once again admired Kendall in that sleeveless white cocktail dress that flattered her tall, graceful form and flared at the knee. He had on a dark suit and tie.
She finished looking at the assortment of trendy art, some abstract, some landscape. “She’s quite good.”
“She’s always been very artistic.” He put his hand on her lower back as they walked farther into the gallery.
“And this building is so nice.”
“Yes. She lives upstairs.” Decker spotted his parents, and across the room stood Bernard and Marion. He saw how Russ sent occasional disapproving glares their way. He probably didn’t think they belonged at this elegant affair.
Decker recognized a lot of Coltons in attendance. He and Kendall had arrived late by design. Everyone was here.
Phoebe and Skye Colton stood next to each other; Decker could barely tell the identical twins apart. Each thin but curvy with long red hair, their personalities were the main differentiator. Skye’s animated way of communicating gave her away. Phoebe was the quieter of the two.
Trey Colton had stopped to talk with the mayor. He wore his cowboy hat even at this event.
Colton cousin Mason Gilford stood with his wife, Elaine, as they admired a painting. Director of sales for The Colton Empire, it was rumored he held some bitterness over the Coltons’ legacy. Decker had also heard the couple was trying to have a baby. It was difficult to avoid hearing gossip in this town.
At last he found the host. Bree talked with some people he didn’t recognize. In a silky gold-and-black floral dress with a fitted bodice, high waist and a flared, wrap skirt, she looked stunning and artsy.
“There’s Bree.” Decker pointed her out to Kendall.
Bree saw him and smiled with a graceful wave. Saying something to the couple she’d been engaged with, she headed over to them.
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