by Stacy Finz
“What do you mean he doesn’t have a table?” Darcy pointed to a large, circular booth that would easily fit the five of them. Out of earshot of the others, she hissed, “Felix is getting back at you for blowing our reservation.”
Darcy marched toward the restaurant owner and pulled him out of sight, into the kitchen. She was so angry at Win she threw nonconfrontational out the window. Her job was to make everything perfect, starting with their meals.
“Come on, Felix. GA gives you a ton of business. Their doughnut orders alone probably keep your lights on. What’s wrong with the large booth?”
Felix stepped back, a little stunned. “You know in the entire time you’ve been coming here to pick up said doughnuts I don’t think you’ve said two words to me.”
“I’m shy.” She folded her arms over her chest.
His brows shot up. “Could’ve fooled me. I’ve got a large group coming in at noon. There won’t be time to turn the table.”
Probably not, since that was only thirty minutes away. “Can’t you figure out a way to make it work? It’s important to Garner Adventure.” She knew the name held weight despite Felix’s cavalier attitude. “We’re sorry we missed our reservation. It was an accident.”
“I held the table for nearly an hour and had to turn business away. You know what this place is like on a Saturday, especially during tourism season. You couldn’t bother to call?”
That should’ve been Win’s job since he’d been the one to change the plan in the first place.
“Win and I got our wires crossed,” she said. “It’s not an excuse and it won’t happen again. You have my promise on that.” Darcy looked at him imploringly. “If we get this account it’ll be good for you, too. Everyone in Glory Junction will get more business.”
“Look around,” he said, gesturing to the dining room. “I don’t need more business.”
“Please, Felix. We have three extremely hungry clients. Don’t make us go somewhere else.”
He puffed out a breath and stood there long enough that Darcy thought his answer was going to be an emphatic “No.” But then he surprised her by grabbing five menus and begrudgingly leading her to the circular booth she’d wanted.
“GA owes me. And the next time you come in here, don’t pull that shy crap with me, you hear?”
“Thank you, Felix.”
Win slid in next to her like it was no big deal that Felix had relented and given them a table.
“What are you getting?” he asked, his lips hovering less than an inch from her ear. “I want pancakes and an omelet, so let’s share.”
She drilled him with a look but the truth was she was hungry enough to eat both meals all by herself but didn’t want to make a pig out of herself in front of everyone. “Fine, but I want the waffle instead of the pancakes.”
“Done!” Under the table he touched her knee. “You did great this morning.”
She turned sideways in her seat to see if he was joking. Great? Not only had she complained the entire way, she’d held up the group with her constant breaks. Even Remy and Sue had more stamina than she did. But she saw no sign of sarcasm in his expression, only animation as he gave an extensive background lesson on the area. His audience sat rapt as he described Glory Junction’s first settlers and told stories of the Gold Rush. Who knew Win was a history buff?
What he wasn’t was a man who could keep to a schedule. By the time they left the Morning Glory they were supposed to be finishing up their tour of GA. That was why they were here in the first place—to sell the company.
But nooooo, Win decided they should go on a bike ride.
No way in hell was she suffering through that. Both her ass and feet rebelled at the same time. She was considering how to bow out tactfully when Win told everyone that she’d planned a picnic at the end of the ride, near the lake. No, she hadn’t. And there was no time to set up something like that now. She glared at him as they pulled the van into GA’s back lot to collect the bikes.
“Are you purposely trying to sabotage me?” she asked when she got him alone. TJ had come out to meet the group and was taking them on a tour of the building.
“What are you talking about? Just go call Rachel at Tart Me Up and have her deliver a spread to TJ’s house. We’ll do it there.”
She knew his home was less than ten minutes from a public bike trail that ran alongside the water.
Teeth clenched, she hissed, “If you haven’t noticed Rachel runs a thriving business. She needs notice to pull off something like this. I had us booked at Old Glory but you screwed that up.”
“Fine, I’ll handle it. You load the bikes.” He started inside.
“Oh, no you don’t.” She raced in front of him. “This bike ride is your idea, you load the bikes.”
He turned around. “Try not to be so difficult.”
“I don’t understand why you have to change everything. I planned this down to the minute so that we’d look professional … organized.”
He tugged her into a corner and pinned her against the wall. “Did you even take the time to read Remy’s, Sue’s, and Russell’s bios?”
Of course she had. She’d been the one to provide him the damn things. So what was his point? “What about them?”
“These people make high achievers look like slackers. They spend most of their time behind a computer, trying to outdo one another. Their sole goal in life is to be the best. The smartest. The most successful. A tour of GA isn’t going to cut it, Darcy. Folks like Remy, Sue, and Russell need to be challenged to the breaking point. That’s what they thrive on. That’s why I changed things up. It wasn’t to mess with you and your schedule, it was to get the account. Because believe it or not, I know what I’m doing. And I actually have a strategy.” He walked away, leaving her feeling stupid because he was right. Win had read their prospective clients better than she had.
Despite her pride, she had to fall in line and work with him.
After ten minutes of Darcy begging and finally promising to pay twice what Tart Me Up normally charged, Rachel agreed to set up a picnic at TJ’s. Even if it would be way past lunchtime when they finished Win’s bike ride.
After meeting Remy, Sue, and Russell and schmoozing with them while Win loaded the bikes, TJ came to the front desk to find her. “I thought we were doing a rock-climbing demonstration.”
“Win thinks we need to spend more time outdoors, doing activities.” She shrugged. “They seem to enjoy it so Win’s decided to take them on a bike ride.”
“Okay. Whatever makes them happy because if they sign I’m happy.” A not so discreet reminder that they better seal the deal. TJ was a great many things, but subtle wasn’t one of them.
“Gotcha,” she said.
“How do you think it’s going so far?”
“Good.” At least she thought so. They’d survived the hike and seemed to have enjoyed breakfast—or brunch. And who wouldn’t like three nights at the Four Seasons?
“Where are they now?” She felt like she should be with them, networking or whatever you were supposed to do. This was the first time she’d ever had this much contact with clients. Working with Lewis, she’d always been the silent partner, though the word partner was overstating it. And at GA she talked to people on the phone all day but rarely met them in person as they typically met their guides off site.
“Using the bathroom and taking advantage of the locker rooms to clean up. Deb gave them all Garner Adventure cycling jerseys.”
Smart, which reminded her about the swag bags. “I planned to give them the gift baskets Deb made up on the last day.”
“Sounds good.” He gave her wilted appearance a once-over. “You want a jersey?”
Hell, no. The clingy fabric would accentuate her muffin top. “That’s okay.”
“What about some shorts? You’re going to melt in jeans.”
Then her legs would burn. Even with sunblock, her pale skin was no match for a Glory Junction summer. “I’m fine.”
&n
bsp; She limped outside to find the bikes had been fully loaded. Apparently, there was no way she was getting out of this. At least she knew the trail was flat from having ridden it when she’d first moved to Glory Junction with big plans to get fit … and find a man who could make her feel like a woman. Unfortunately, both goals remained on her to-do list and she hadn’t moved any closer to getting them done.
“Ready to move out?” Win had also changed into a bike jersey. No muffin top on him. Not even love handles.
“Let’s do it,” Russell said. He was way too into this.
She’d give Remy credit. He was a little overweight, a lot out of shape, but unlike her, a good sport. Sue, on the other hand, was lean and looked as if she worked out regularly but probably in a gym. The hike had winded her too much for someone who routinely climbed.
Darcy took the wheel and drove to a small lot near the public beach. In no time at all, Win had the bikes unloaded and ready to go. He handed out helmets, waters, and more sunblock.
“How you holding up, hot stuff?” He adjusted her chin strap, lingering a little longer than he should’ve, especially in front of an audience.
“I’ll live.”
He winked. “That’s the old spirt.”
Twenty minutes into the ride and her bottom and legs screamed. How was it that she remembered the trail being flat? There was a restroom up ahead and she used it as an excuse to stop. The others, even Remy, were pedaling at a steady clip so she told them she’d catch up. Ha!
She took off her helmet and stuck her entire head under the faucet in the sink and pressed a wet paper towel to her face. When she came out of the bathroom she found Win waiting for her.
“Where are the others?”
“Up ahead. You okay?”
No. If she had less pride she would’ve sat on the ground and cried. “My ass is on fire.”
His mouth curved up in a sympathetic smile. “It’s almost over and I think it’s going pretty well, don’t you?”
She did. The group seemed to be enjoying themselves. “As long as I don’t wind up in the emergency room.”
“Come here.” He crooked his finger at her but she wouldn’t budge. “Come on, Darce.” He reached for her, brushed her hair behind her ears, and put the helmet on her head. “We’re almost done. When we get to TJ’s I’ll ride back and bring the van.”
She nodded, feeling like a big baby. Getting on her bike, she made a resolution to work out more, or at all, and tried not to wince from saddle soreness. When they arrived at TJ’s she nearly threw herself off the bike and kissed the ground. Instead, she got a second wind and raced around the house to the backyard to make sure the food had been delivered.
Rachel had outdone herself. A red-checkered cloth covered a round table, set with real dishes, not paper. The plates were blue ceramic with bright red anchors in the middle and had matching cobalt glasses. The centerpiece: a pail of white hydrangeas and a circle of votive candles. Darcy didn’t know if Rachel had brought the tableware or whether it had come from Deb and TJ’s kitchen. Wherever it had come from it was beautiful and so perfect for the lakeside setting.
A long table facing the water sagged with platters of sandwiches, bowls of salads—potato, coleslaw, fruit—baskets of chips, and pitchers of ice tea and lemonade. On a smaller table, Rachel had laid out a dessert spread. Brownies, cookies, and miniature cupcakes with the GA logo. Whoa, when had she had time to do that? As soon as they got back to town, Darcy planned to personally thank her. Rachel had gone above and beyond and as much as she hated to accept it, Win had been right about the picnic. It was impressive while seeming casual and intimate. Better than a restaurant, more creative.
Darcy stretched her sore muscles and took the time to really look around. TJ and Deb’s place was gorgeous. The yard backed right up to the lake with expansive lawns, a dock, and a boathouse. The main house was a rustic three-story with light brown shingles and chocolate brown trim and scads of windows to take advantage of the lake views.
Win had unlocked the front door so Remy, Sue, and Russell could use the bathroom and wash up before lunch. Darcy had every intention of going inside and snooping through the rooms. It just didn’t get much better than this, she thought as she peered out over the water. And better yet, she was off that stupid bike, even if she was walking bowlegged.
Win came outside, scanned the spread as if it was no big deal, poured himself a glass of lemonade, and gulped it down in one drink. Not one word. She supposed she should be used to it after working for Lewis for two years.
Darcy figured it was a good time to go inside, freshen up, and take a tour of the house. She pushed past him and pretended not to hear him when he called after her.
She went around to the front, not sure if the back door was unlocked, and let herself in. Jeez Louise, the place was awesome. Not stuffy like her parents’ mausoleum but not quite as lived-in as Nana’s country cottage. A perfect in between. Touches of comfort everywhere, including colorful toss pillows, kilim rugs, and tons of family pictures.
She took a quick whirl around the kitchen, and peeked around the main floor where she used the powder room. Then she dashed upstairs and poked her head into a couple of bedrooms because she was nosy that way. Back on the main floor, she locked the front door, fearful that Win would forget. Glory Junction was a safe town but there had been a slew of breakins the previous summer. She went in search of the back door to the yard and found it on the bottom level of the house, which had been tricked out with a big-screen TV, pool table, and a big comfy seating area.
The house was as different from Win’s studio apartment as the two brothers were. TJ was methodical while Win was haphazard. TJ bordered on intense while Win was more chill than an easy chair. At least she’d thought he was. Today, he’d proven that he wasn’t as laid-back or as haphazard as everyone thought.
Believe it or not, I know what I’m doing. And I actually have a strategy.
Outside, she found the group sitting at Rachel’s prettily set table, eating. Win was telling a story that had everyone laughing and as usual was the center of attention.
“I saved you a chair,” he said, and patted the seat next to his.
“Thanks.” She looked down at the heaping plate of food and the tall glass of ice tea he’d fetched for her. Yep, Win Garner was just full of surprises.
Chapter Nine
Win rode back to the trailhead to get the van. Without the others in tow, it took half the time as the ride to TJ’s. Even though the trek was quick, he enjoyed the solitude. It wasn’t easy being on 24/7 but that’s what people expected from him. Win Garner, the charming one. Instead of being the brightest or the most heroic, he was the brother who made people laugh or smile. It was a role he’d learned to play as a little boy who’d been dubbed “slow.”
Laugh with him, instead of at him.
The other thing he’d learned was to do everything else fast. Riding a bike, throwing a ball, skiing down a mountain, getting a woman into bed. Skills that had earned him a strange amount of admiration, despite his learning disability. After lots of educational specialists and therapists he could read now. But once you’ve been labeled “the life of the party” it was difficult to lose the tag. He should know, not that he was complaining. It was better than being a wet blanket, like a certain blond sprite.
Granted, he’d blown up her detailed schedule but there was a method to his madness. To get the account, GA had to stand out from its competitors. He’d been in the adventure business a long time—his whole life if you counted coming to the office as a little tyke with his parents—and everyone made their pitch Darcy’s way. A basic orientation that highlighted the area and its attractions with a really good spiel of why the … fill in the blank … company would best serve the client’s needs. Effective but definitely not a slam dunk, especially because it was the cookie-cutter approach. Safe but not ballsy.
His method was the same as Nike’s. “Just Do It.” If they spent the weekend actually team buildi
ng, instead of talking about it, Garner Adventure would have the edge. Of course, there was the risk that everyone would have a miserable experience and go home mad at each other. Then Win would wind up with egg on his face. But he was willing to chance it. And so far, it was going pretty well, he thought. The only one who appeared to be having a bad time was Darcy.
But when this was all over and GA had the FlashTag account, Darcy would get her promotion. Win would make sure of it.
By the time he returned to TJ’s with the van, Darcy had cleaned up from lunch. The woman was efficient. And cute, even if she wanted to cut off his balls right now. Sometimes he wondered what it would’ve been like if he’d slept with her. A few times this last week he’d even considered asking her if sex was still on the table but at the last minute had stopped himself.
He loaded up the bikes while the others dipped their feet in the lake. If he’d been thinking ahead, he would’ve asked TJ for use of his boat to take everyone out on the water.
“What now?” he asked Darcy as they piled back in the van.
She threw up her hands. “Who knows, the schedule’s so screwed up.”
“You’re adorable when you’re mad, you know that, right?” He said it in her ear so no one else would hear.
She held up three fingers. “Read between the lines.”
“I think TJ’s bad attitude is rubbing off on you.” He had taken the driver’s seat to give Darcy a break from shuttle duties and started the engine. “I’ll take them back to the hotel so they can have a little downtime before we do the cave tour. We can end the night at Old Glory.”
“A cave tour was never on the itinerary,” she huffed. The others were too busy carrying on a conversation in the back to hear.
“It is now.” He nosed the van toward the road to the Four Seasons.
The next day was better between them because this time he stuck to her timetable. For the most part, anyway.
At nine they picked up their crew at the hotel, stopped at the Morning Glory for breakfast, and made the thirty-minute drive to Nugget. Compared to Glory Junction, Nugget looked a little worn around the edges. Not shabby exactly but devoid of the frills that came with a ski-resort town. Instead of wealthy tourists, Nugget catered to the area’s cattle ranchers and the Union Pacific Railroad. No fancy shops, no sidewalk cafés, no more than one hotel, which Win admitted was impressive. An old Victorian, dripping with gingerbread, that took up roughly a quarter of the town’s commercial square and looked pretty as a postcard with its inviting front porch and pleasing color scheme. According to TJ, some big San Francisco hotelier and his sister had purchased the mansion and brought it back from the dead.
