by Elena Aitken
“I’m fine,” she said. “Just waiting for the party to start.” She smiled and Megan could see the beauty she’d been before the cancer had consumed her. “Could you spare a moment? If you’re not too busy, that is.”
“Of course,” she said. Megan had a million things to do, but there was no way she could say no. She pulled over another chair and sat close enough to be able to hear the other woman’s voice. “How can I help you, Mrs. Mitchell?”
“Please, call me Diane,” she said. “You’ve been helping my son?”
“I don’t know about helping,” Megan said. “I was supposed to, but I don’t know if I did such a good job.” Megan faked a smile, trying to make light of a hard situation.
“No,” Diane said. “You’ve been helping him. And I don’t mean with his PR or whatever all that is. I don’t understand fame and all that goes with it. But I do understand my son.”
Megan nodded.
“He’s been lost,” Diane continued. “And I’ve missed him so much.”
Without asking, Megan knew the other woman wasn’t talking about Gage’s lack of visits. She waited for her to continue.
“We talked last night,” Diane said. “It was the first time in a long time we’d done that. It was nice.”
Megan’s smile was genuine this time as she pictured them together. “I’m glad you were able to have that, Mrs. Mitchell. Sorry…Diane,” she added before the other woman could protest. “I know how much you mean to him.”
“And you,” Diane said. Before she could elaborate, she erupted in a chest-rattling cough that shook her body. Megan’s hands fluttered, unsure of what to do, but after a second, the coughing subsided, and Diane continued, “He told me all about you, and the mountain climbing and your talks together. He cares about you.”
Megan’s face heated with a blush. “He told you that?”
“He didn’t have to. I’ve never seen him like that. Not even with Lana,” she added.
Megan shrugged. Clearly, Gage’s mother didn’t know about Lisa. Gage couldn’t possibly care about her too much, Megan thought. He’d made his choice, and it wasn’t her.
Uncomfortable, Megan stood. “I really should be going, Mrs. Mitchell. The party will be starting soon, and there’s still—“
“Megan.” Diane reached out and took Megan’s hand. Surprised, Megan looked down into dark eyes, so much like Gage’s. “Don’t give up on him,” she said, and squeezed Megan’s hand once before releasing her.
After two hours in his personal gym, and a longer shower than was reasonable, there was no more procrastinating. Gage had to get ready for the party. He’d done his best to hide out in the suite since making his statement to the press earlier in the morning. He’d given strict instructions to Lucas that he shouldn’t be interrupted for any reason. Unless Megan called or came. There hadn’t been any interruptions.
He dressed without paying attention to what he was putting on. Lucas must have laid it out for him. Gage went through the motions and when he’d finished, walked out to the living room where he hoped he’d find Megan.
His sister was waiting for him instead. “It’s about time you appeared,” she said.
“I’m not in the mood, Hannah.” He walked to the fridge and grabbed a beer. It would be the only one he’d have all night. He wouldn’t give anyone any more reasons to fire him. Although he was fairly positive that, despite his official statement, the producers would be releasing him from his contract, and at the Tumbleweed party, no less.
With a flick of his wrist, he opened the bottle and took a deep pull. The irony of the timing wasn’t lost on him.
“Hey,” Hannah said. “I’m not trying to give you a hard time.”
“Yeah, right.” He turned to look at her. “Where’s Mom? Is she ready?”
“I took her down to the Lodge already. She said she wanted to sit and watch everyone arrive.”
Gage shrugged and looked away.
“I’m not trying to give you a hard time, you know,” Hannah said. Something was different. She wasn’t angry with him. Her voice was soft, and she reminded him of the old Hannah. The one he hadn’t seen in years. “You said some nice things,” she said. “About Lana, I mean.”
Gage’s shoulders sagged. “I didn’t want the press to go digging for dirt on her. She doesn’t deserve that. What happened—it wasn’t her fault.”
“It wasn’t your fault either.” Hannah stood next to him, her arm on his shoulder. He looked up at her in surprise. “It wasn’t, Gage. I’m sorry.”
He blinked hard. “I didn’t handle it well,” he said. “I didn’t handle any of it well.”
“You did the best you could.”
“That’s a lie, and you know it.”
She smiled wryly. “Okay, you screwed up. Better?”
He nodded and chuckled a little. “Yes. Much.”
“But I’m serious, Gage. You can’t punish yourself forever.”
Her words hit him like a shot. He wasn’t punishing himself. Was he? Gage shook his head and walked across the room. He needed space.
“Gage,” Hannah said behind him. “It’s time for you to move on, too.”
He let her words sink in for a moment before facing her. “Why now, Hannah? Why now, after all this time, are you telling me this?”
Tears glistened in his sister’s eyes. “Because it’s time,” she said simply. “I was so busy being angry with you and blaming you for Lana’s death, I didn’t see what you were going through. I couldn’t see it because I didn’t think you deserved it.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “Do you know how hard it was to watch you on the news, and read about you in the magazines, and see how much fun you were having while my best friend lay dead in the ground? I hated you.”
Gage opened his mouth to protest, but he closed it again when he saw she wasn’t finished.
“But that wasn’t fair, Gage. I’m sorry.” She was openly crying now. His strong, pulled-together sister. “You do deserve this.” She waved her arm, gesturing around her. “And, I’ve gotta say, it’s pretty nice.”
He laughed a little. “Yeah, it’s not too bad.”
In two big steps, he crossed the room and pulled his sister into a long overdue hug.
“You’re going to ruin your make-up,” he said when she wouldn’t quit crying. “You look beautiful, by the way.” He held Hannah out at arm’s length to admire her. “You clean up well.”
She wiped away her tears, and said, “Well, for my brother’s big night, I pulled out all the stops.” She pulled out a compact and dabbed at her face. “Tumbleweed is going to be a smashing success, and my little brother is the star.”
Gage’s smile faltered at the reminder of what the night was all about. There was no point telling Hannah it might all be over before it began. “Well, you look so beautiful, I’d be honored if you’d be my date.” He held out his arm.
Hannah tucked the compact away and snapped her purse shut. “No,” she said with a smile.
“No?”
“No. I think there’s someone else who should be your date.”
Megan’s face flashed through his mind. He didn’t even know if she was still at the Lodge. She’d probably lost her job because of him. The thought made his stomach tighten. She’d been the only woman who’d seen past the celebrity and seen Gage.
Gage swallowed hard, and did his best to smile for his sister. “Well,” he said. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
He held out his hand again, but instead of taking it, Hannah crossed her arms and tilted her head. “Gage Mitchell, are you kidding me right now? You are not going to settle for taking your sister to the prom.”
Despite himself, he laughed. “It’s hardly the prom, Hannah.”
She didn’t laugh.
“I messed up,” he said after a moment, his laughter gone. “It’s over.”
Hannah put her hand on his arm and squeezed. “No, little brother. It’s not.”
Twenty minutes later, Gage esc
orted Hannah into the party. They spotted their mother sitting with Lucas across the room and Gage kept an eye out for Megan, taking a second look at every brunette in the room as he guided his sister through the crowd. Hannah was right; it wasn’t over. Not until Megan looked him in the eyes and told him so herself. And if he had anything to say about it, that wasn’t going to happen.
He kissed his mother on the cheek. “You look beautiful, Mom.”
She beamed up at him. “I’m so glad I could be here, Gage. I’m so proud of you.”
A twinge of guilt knotted in his gut. She wouldn’t be so proud when the producers got a hold of him. But for the moment she was happy, and he’d let her enjoy that.
“Gage, I’m sorry to take you away from your family,” Lucas said. He stood and pulled Gage to the side a little. “The big guys want to speak with you. I’ve held them off all day.” His friend and manager grimaced apologetically.
“It’s okay, Lucas.” He slapped him on the back. “I’ll go talk to them. But can you keep an eye out for Megan? I need to speak to her right away.”
Gage left his family in Lucas’ charge and headed off to face his future. He found the table where they were sitting and Mike Milligan, the executive producer, stood when he walked up.
“Gage.” He held out his hand.
“Mr. Milligan.” Gage shook his hand.
“Please, it’s Mike.”
Gage nodded. “I hear you wanted to speak to me.” He braced himself for what was to come and told himself, not for the first time, that he’d bounce back and get cast in another role. Tumbleweed wasn’t the only show on TV.
“I wanted to be the first to congratulate you on what I know will be a successful run on what is sure to be the best show on television,” Mike said. “I have a good feeling about Tumbleweed. And you. We all do.” The assembled men and women nodded in agreement. Gage looked between all their faces, trying to process what was happening.
“Yes,” Gage said, uncertainly.
“I also wanted to tell you what a fine job you did with your press conference earlier today,” Mike said. “And I’m sorry for the loss of your friend. The media had no right to drag that up for you. I hope you’re handling it okay.”
Gage nodded and swallowed hard. “Yes, thank you.” He stumbled over the words. “It was a surprise, for sure. But…” He lost his train of thought as he spotted Megan speaking to a group of people. She was gorgeous, with her long dark hair hanging down her back, shining in the lights of the room. She turned her head, a smile on her face, and her eyes met his. “Would you excuse me?” Gage said to the group. “There’s something I have to do.”
“Absolutely,” Mike said. “It’s a busy night for you. We just wanted to let you know that we value your role on the show. We’re all looking forward to a successful run.”
Gage nodded, hardly processing what the man said. “Thank you,” he mumbled.
Before anyone could say anything else, he turned and pushed his way through the crowd with single-minded determination, never breaking eye contact with Megan. He wasn’t going to let her get away again.
“Megan.” He stopped in front of her. “You look amazing.”
“Gage—“
He held a finger up to her lips. “Please,” he said softly. “I need you to hear me.”
She surprised him by not objecting. “I’m not a perfect man,” he started. “I’ve made mistakes and I’m going to make more. But you have to believe me when I tell you there was nothing between me and Lisa. There never could be, because she’s not you.” Her eyes softened and he knew she believed him. “I’ve never felt the way I do when I’m with you. And I don’t have all the answers, Megan. I don’t know how we’re going to make this work with your career and mine, but I know we will. Because, when we were up on that mountain, I—“
“Oh, stop talking.” She pushed his finger out of the way and pulled him to her. Their lips came together and for a moment nothing else mattered. He wrapped an arm around her, needing her to be even closer.
When she pulled back, Gage had to hold himself back from kissing her again. He settled for keeping her close with his arms around her.
“I knew when we were up on that mountain and I saw that look in your eyes that nothing with you would be easy,” she said. He opened his mouth to object, and it was her turn to silence him with a finger. “That’s one of the things that I love about you.” He tried not to react to her choice of words. “I believe you about Lisa,” she whispered.
Their lips were so close, he could feel the puff of air when she spoke.
“I love you,” Gage said. “And I’m not going to screw this up.”
“I know,” she said, with a slight smile, “because it’s my job to make sure you don’t.”
THE END
If you enjoyed Secret Gifts, you’ll probably like the next in the series, Goodbye Gifts. You can download it NOW and check out an excerpt, right after a note from the author.
Thank you so much for taking a chance on Secret Gifts. I absolutely believe the mountains are a magical place and they hold a very special place in my heart. The love continues at Castle Mountain Lodge with Goodbye Gifts, the next in the series. Enjoy an excerpt after this note.
If you want to know about my new releases and other special deals, you can sign up for my newsletter list here.
I offer discount prices for my fans, so you’ll want to make sure you’re subscribed, PLUS you’ll get a free copy of the exclusive short story, Fingers Crossed!
If you enjoyed Secret Gifts, please share it with a friend. And if leaving reviews is your thing and you want to make sure others discover Castle Mountain Lodge, I’d really appreciate it if you took a moment to leave a review here.
And if you do, make sure to send an email to [email protected] with a link to the review and we’ll be sure to add you to a list of advanced copy reviewers.
Finally, as well as falling in love at the Lodge, my new spin off series, The Springs is also now available. I know you’ll enjoy these stories that are so much more than just love stories, but also stories of friendship and growth. You can download it now for FREE!
Read Goodbye Gifts, the next book in the Castle Mountain Lodge Series.
Also by Elena Aitken
Castle Mountain Lodge Series (Steamy Versions)
Unexpected Gifts
Hidden Gifts
Mistaken Gifts
Secret Gifts
Goodbye Gifts (Coming Soon)
Tempting Gifts (Coming Soon)
The Springs Series
Summer of Change—FREE
Falling Into Forever
Winter’s Burn
Midnight Springs
Second Glances
She’s Making a List-Holiday Novella
The Escape Collection
Nothing Stays In Vegas
Drawing Free
Sugar Crash
Composing Myself
Betty and Veronica
Halfway to Nowhere
The Escape Collection
Please enjoy an excerpt from the next in the Castle Mountain Lodge Series - Goodbye Gifts
Carmen Kincaid took a deep breath and looked over the main lobby of Castle Mountain Lodge. In her role as customer service manager, it was her job to make sure everything was going smoothly, and after a quick scan, everything seemed to be in order. Guests were enjoying their coffee by the fireplace, others were milling about, getting ready to go on outdoor adventures, and at the front desk…Carmen’s gaze froze on a customer who was leaning over the desk, looking more than a little agitated.
She pasted on the smile she’d perfected over the years, straightened her blouse and headed over to the front desk to see what was going on.
“Quinn,” Carmen said, with a quick smile in the guest’s direction. “Is everything okay here?”
Quinn, her best desk clerk, looked up from where he’d been frantically tapping at the keys and said, “Carmen. I’m sorry, but I can’t s
eem to find Mr. Jansen’s reservation and he—“
“I’m booked for a family suite,” the guest said, his agitation level rising.
“Would it be okay if I took a look?” Carmen smiled at both Mr. Jansen and a relieved-looking Quinn and moved around the desk. After a few quick keystrokes, she looked up from the computer screen, and to the waiting customer. “Mr. Jansen,” she said, sweetly. “I have your reservation right here. It looks as if you booked for a family suite, next weekend.” She tilted her head in sympathy.
The man, whom a moment ago had been insisting she’d personally screwed up their reservation, looked down, the expression on his face changing in an instant. Despite the fact that he’d been rude to her, Carmen felt for him. His wife and two kids behind him looked exhausted, and clearly, it’d been a long drive up the mountain.
“Next weekend?” He ran his hand through his hair, leaving it sticking up at odd angles. “But we’re here now, and the kids…what am I going to do? They’ll be so disappointed.” He glanced back to his family, before turning his focus on Carmen, pleading with his eyes.
“Let me see what I can do.” Carmen gave him a sympathetic smile and turned her attention back to her computer screen. It was a good thing they were into their slow season at Castle Mountain Lodge. Autumn always was a nice reprieve between the busyness of summer and the bustle of the winter ski season. Carmen knew without looking she’d be able to find something for the Jansen family, and after a moment, she proved successful. “I have a room,” she whispered, and quickly added, “It’s not a suite, but it’s the next best thing. It’s a family loft, with two beds up, and a comfortable living space below.”
“I’ll take it.”
“Absolutely.” Carmen took the man’s information, and with a few more keystrokes, she finished the checkin and handed him his welcome packet.
