Under an Alaskan Sky

by Jennifer Snow

  He frowned, swinging around to look at her. Had she accepted a job from this guy without telling him?

  Clearly, this was as much of a surprise to her. Her jaw nearly reached the floor and the hand holding his went slack.

  “So, what do you think?” Mr. Hartwell asked. “Any chance I could convince you to come work for me?”

  Cassie’s jaw dropped. “Um...I’m sorry?”

  “I’m offering you a job. Not just any job. Head of corporate tours and adventures...or director or whatever official title you’d like.”

  “She’s already owner of SnowTrek Tours,” Tank said, his protective instincts kicking in. Though he knew to stand down. Cass could handle this on her own.

  “Yes, Tank’s right. I’m quite comfortable with my company, but thank you for the offer.” Her voice wavered slightly, though.

  Was she actually considering this?

  “Cassie, look at this place. We will be able to offer tourists and locals so many opportunities on a much bigger scale. Your reputation in Wild River as the best tour guide for experience and safety makes you invaluable. You could name your salary.”

  Cassie’s eyes widened. A tiny flicker of interest appeared in her expression. Hell, who wouldn’t be tempted? The offer was incredibly enticing and when she was already faced with the possibility that her own company might struggle as a result of this store opening, Tank would understand completely if she said yes right now.

  “That’s very generous, but no. My company will be fine,” Cassie said, a lot more strength in her voice this time. “We have our own plans for future growth even in your store’s enormous shadow,” she said as kindly as possible.

  He knew he couldn’t kiss her anymore, but damn he wanted to kiss her.

  Mr. Hartwell shook his head. “You’re ambitious, I’ll give you that. But darlin’, if your company hopes to stay in business with mine offering everything you do and more, be prepared for an uphill battle.”

  Cassie’s confidence appeared to fade a little and Tank took his cue. “Sir, if you’re planning for a long future here in Wild River, it’s best if you understand something right from the beginning—life here is always uphill. And Cassie’s been climbing it a lot longer than you have. If she says her company is not only going to survive, but thrive, despite North Mountain Sports Company, the insane thing would be to count her out.” Turning to see her slightly flushed, appreciative expression, he said, “Seen all you needed to see?”

  “Absolutely,” Cassie said. “Good night, Mr. Hartwell.”

  Miller Hartwell nodded, looking slightly disappointed but not at all deterred. “Have a good evening.”

  They turned to leave, but Cassie stopped. “Just a sec,” she told Tank.

  Going back to the office, she slid the nameplate out of the holder. “You won’t be needing this.”

  “Unfortunately not,” Mr. Hartwell said as they walked away.

  In his truck three minutes later, he turned to her. “Stealing the nameplate thing was epic.” Damn, she was amazing. So many other people in her shoes would have considered selling her business months before or accepting the amazing job offer now...not Cassie. She was strong and ambitious and so sexy with her flushed expression.

  She turned slightly in the seat to face him. “Thank you...for what you said in there,” she said softly.

  He reached across the seat and gently touched her cheek. “It was true. Mr. Hartwell doesn’t have a clue what he’s up against.”

  Her hesitant expression turned to one of determination when her gaze met his and his mouth went dry. “You’re right,” she said. “I never let go of the things that matter to me...not without a fight.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  WATCHING HERSELF SOAR over the pond and crash into the pad on the other side would normally have her laughing, but that morning, the event felt like it happened months ago—a different lifetime. After uploading the video Reed had captured into her app on her computer, Cassie spliced the footage with shots from her GoPro and in minutes, the promotional video was on to her website and YouTube and all of SnowTrek Tours’ social media sites.

  She just hoped it helped.

  Miller Hartwell’s words played repeatedly through her mind. She was determined to fight for her business’s future, but taking on his company was going to be tough. No other bookings had been made while she was on the retreat and the phones weren’t ringing that day either. Her staff were on call, since there was nothing for them to do. But she knew she wouldn’t keep them for long. It wasn’t fair to expect them to stay loyal to her and SnowTrek Tours when she didn’t have steady employment for them.

  She hated the thought of losing her guides to North Mountain Sports Company, but she wouldn’t fault any of them if they were spending their days off interviewing for positions with the other company.

  She glanced at the name card on her desk. Miller Hartwell had totally thought he could poach her from her own company.

  Unbelievable. It would never happen. Never.

  At least the leftover birthday cake was still delicious. She forked a huge chunk into her mouth, hoping the sugary icing and chocolate would help to make her feel better.

  Reaching into her in-tray on her desk, she filed away several folders from the most recent tour groups, entered her payroll into her accounting system...then stared at the recent invoice from the Anchorage Addiction Treatment Center. Her father was back for his third attempt at their program to find sobriety and try to get his life on track. This time he was enrolled in a ninety-day stint. After two failed attempts at the thirty-day program, Cassie was happy that he’d just passed the eighty-day mark. He was really doing great this time.

  She was his only outside contact and she happily paid the addiction treatment’s invoices. After so many years of not having him in her life, she was hopeful that this might be a step toward bringing him home. Her mother and brother knew that he was getting help and while no one talked about it much, everyone was counting down the days on the calendar, same as she was. She’d been fifteen when he’d left for work and never come home. She’d known her dad had demons he was constantly battling and despite their parents’ best attempts, she and Reed had felt the tension at home. Her father walking away, choosing alcohol over his family, had hit them all hard—Reed most of all. For years her brother hadn’t believed their father had just walked away and he’d never given up searching for him...until the truth couldn’t be denied when her father started seeking help.

  Families could certainly be complicated. That was something she understood better than most people. As much as her situation with Tank frustrated her, she didn’t envy what he must be going through now. Tank liked his life simple, nonmessy, uncomplicated...one of the main reasons he’d avoided a new relationship. But there was no avoiding this. The night before he’d been so supportive of her...she’d wanted to reassure him that things would be okay, but she wasn’t sure what okay looked like.

  Things were definitely going to change, but how?

  The door chimed as Cassie finished paying the invoice online. “Welcome to SnowTrek Tours... Oh, hi.” She ran a hand through her flyaway staticky hair and licked the corner of her lips free of cake as the woman she’d spent the last few days obsessing over walked in.

  “Hi... Cassie, right?” Montana said, hovering near the still open door, as though unsure whether or not to enter. “I didn’t know you worked here...”

  Owned the place, actually.

  Cassie was still too surprised to see her standing there to verbalize a response, so she nodded.

  “I...um... Does this need to be weird?” Montana asked, obviously deciding it was too late to back out of whatever mission she was on. She let the door close behind her and walked toward Cassie’s desk. “Me and you, I mean?”

  “No!” Too much. Dial it back a little. “I mean, no, of course not. Why should it?” T
he woman was just the ex-girlfriend of the man she was in love with. No reason for this to be awkward in the slightest. She tossed the paper plate and plastic fork into the trash can under her desk and sat straighter. “What can I help you with?”

  Please, please don’t tell me to leave Tank and Kaia alone.

  Why else would Tank’s ex-girlfriend be there first thing in the morning?

  Dressed in a body-hugging spring ski jacket and hiking boots, she looked a little less intimidating that day, but her dark hair, slicked back away from her stunning face, and the look of determination in her dark blue eyes—or were they gray?—suggested she was still a force to be reckoned with.

  Was Cassie strong enough to take on Montana and win? Was she even still in the running? Had she ever been?

  Maybe Tank’s resistance to a relationship with her was partly because he’d expected this—Montana’s return someday. Was hoping for it?

  Damn, that made her chest hurt.

  Just focus on why Montana is in your office. One thing at a time.

  Montana sat and took a deep breath. “Actually, I was wondering about a job.”

  She was staying? “A job here in Wild River?”

  “Yes. I guess Theo...sorry, Tank—calling him that is going to be hard to get used to—he didn’t tell you I plan to stay in town for a while?”

  So far, he’d told her absolutely nothing, but she wasn’t ready to reveal that to Montana. “That’s great.”

  “I can tell you don’t really think so, and I get it. I know what it must look like...me leaving, being away so long, but I’m here hoping to have a relationship with Kaia.”

  That made sense. What mother wouldn’t want a relationship with her daughter? It was normal. It was overdue. Cassie refused to judge. Obviously Montana had reasons for staying away. But was she just looking to rebuild a relationship with Kaia, or Tank too? The guy made every female tourist—married and single alike—drool. Montana had already had him. She knew how awesome he was. And if she was back in Wild River looking for family, Tank was family.

  Cassie shifted uncomfortably, an image of Montana and Tank flashing in her mind. Obviously they’d had sex...because there was Kaia. But had it been more than that? Had they been in love? She preferred to believe it had been simply a physical attraction, but even that made her stomach drop.

  Cassie had the friendship with Tank, the close intimacy of depending on each other and the deep trust that he reserved for few people, but she’d never gotten the physical intimacy she’d been craving. She’d been so close... That kiss had had her anticipating so much more. They’d finally crossed over the line and she’d been ready to go all in...

  “Cassie?”

  Shit. How long had she fallen down the rabbit hole of her own despair? “Oh sorry, um, I’m sure Kaia and Tank are happy you’re here.”

  Montana’s laugh sounded slightly nervous. “Well, Kaia doesn’t know yet and happy is not the word I’d use to describe Tank’s reaction to my showing up unannounced.”

  Why did that make Cassie feel just a little better? Knowing they hadn’t picked up where they’d left off or fallen back into bed together was a relief. Though she should give Tank more credit than that—he respected Cassie enough to let her know if he was still in love with his ex and planned to play house before he went ahead and did it.

  Did they have a gas leak in here? She felt dizzy. Hard to breathe.

  “He was pissed, actually,” Montana said when Cass was silent, trying to find air.

  Again, a tad better. Although...pissed wasn’t a mood Tank often displayed, so if Montana had spurred such an intense reaction from him, did that mean something? Man, overthinking was going to be the death of her. “I’m sure he was just...surprised.” Who wouldn’t be? Had Montana pictured the reunion differently?

  Nope...she refused to fall into that rabbit hole.

  “Yeah... Anyway, the reason I came by...”

  “A job. Right. Have you checked out the community job posting board? It’s outside the post office and it’s updated regularly. Opportunities are scarce around here...but I’m sure there’s something that could hold you over until you found something more suitable.” Though Cassie had no idea what that even meant for Montana. She had zero knowledge about the skills the woman might possess, other than in the context of extreme sports.

  “I was actually hoping to get a job here.”

  Cassie blinked. “Here? At SnowTrek Tours?” Man, she sounded like a moron. Of course that’s what the other woman had meant when she’d walked in and specifically said she was looking for a job.

  “I wasn’t sure if you were hiring, but it doesn’t even have to be a regular full-time position.”

  “My staff are all casual employees.”

  “That’s okay. I can work with that.”

  “Well, we don’t really offer excursions like the ones you are trained for. We cater more to the average adventurer. We get a few extremists but mainly just tourists looking for some wildlife fun—hikes, camping, skiing, that kind of thing...” She hadn’t spent the night googling Montana Banks for nothing. She’d learned the woman was an experienced BASE jumper from Tank, but what Tank had failed to mention was that she was a superstar within the tight-knit, closed group. With over a hundred skydiving jumps to her résumé, she’d completed the shortest free fall jump on record ten years ago, here in Wild River.

  BASE jumping was illegal at almost all national parks and obviously in most US cities, but Wild River had been home to one of three US legal jump sites. Two deaths in recent years had the town shutting down the site on the peak of Canyon Ridge.

  Montana nodded. “Right now that’s all you offer, but what if you had a trained, expert BASE jumper on staff? You could look at offering those other experiences for the more extreme athlete.”

  “Oh, I don’t know if we’d have enough business.” Wild River locals prided themselves on their mountain ruggedness and love of the outdoors, but few of them would be eager to jump off the side of a mountain.

  “I guarantee you would. There are currently one thousand and forty-eight BASE jumpers across the US with very few options for legal jumping. Most travel to other countries for an experience they could get here in Wild River. One they used to get here in Wild River. One email blast and you’d have hundreds here this year.”

  “But the jump site closed down.” Thank God for the easy out. Not having to come up with her own excuses was good right now.

  “We could apply to have a new one opened.”

  We. Wow. This had escalated fast. “I don’t think so...” The woman was in town less than a week and she was already launching a far-reaching plan of attack?

  “Just hear me out...”

  Did she really have any other option? She sat back. “Okay, I’m listening.”

  “The Canyon Ridge site became dangerous because of erosion over time. The jumping platform had eroded to the point where jumpers really had to propel themselves off of the side and ‘fly’ away from the edge to avoid hitting the mountain further below.”

  Cassie winced. Montana seemed unfazed by her depiction of just how dangerous this sport was, as she continued, “And, the site was a challenging one at only a thousand feet. Only extremely skilled jumpers can pull off that short of a free fall.”

  Cassie nodded, knowing there was more.

  “I’ve done my research and I’ve found a better, safer location just west of Chugach Mountain.”

  How had she discovered a new site without even being here?

  “I’d love to show it to you so you can see for yourself.”

  Cassie hesitated. The idea was crazy. But hadn’t she built her business by promising to offer adventures for all levels of athletes...what about the hard-core extremists? She currently offered nothing that appealed to them or reached that market.

  Shut up, voice of r
eason, this is not happening.

  “Unfortunately, I don’t think I could afford the liability insurance.”

  “No need. BASE jumpers have their own and you’d ask for proof before they jumped.”

  Shit. Montana really came prepared.

  “But if a site was legalized again, and that’s a huge ‘if,’ and these athletes could jump on their own, why would they book with me?” What value could her company add to their experience?

  “You’d provide transportation—getting to the site will require ATVs or at least a good day’s hike.”

  So she could also add on hiking tours and fees.

  “And you’ll also provide a safety demo on site, lunch, equipment and gear...”

  There was one problem. “Equipment and gear are expensive.”

  “Most jumpers have their own, but a few backup parachutes and wingsuits on hand would just help legitimize things, that’s all. Most jumpers wouldn’t trust their life on a rental unit that they haven’t personally cared for and inspected anyway. It’s all just about perception.”

  Cassie shook her head. As intriguing as the idea was, she liked her company’s safety rating and reputation. BASE jumping was dangerous and she didn’t want a death or serious injury on her hands.

  Speaking of serious injury...

  “Um, didn’t you get really hurt doing this?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you want to do it again?”

  Montana shifted uncomfortably. “I haven’t jumped in ten years. It used to be the only thing I lived for.” She paused before continuing. “I did three months in jail when I was nineteen...”

  “For jumping off of a building in downtown Denver.” Embarrassed, Cassie shrugged. “I may have googled you.”

  Montana nodded. “That stunt was a dumb mistake. I’m older now and I realize illegal jumping is not the way to go. The truth is, I just need to start getting my life back. One piece at a time and other things might be out of my control, but this is something I can control.”

  Other things like a relationship with Tank and Kaia. “I understand that, I do. But I’m not sure SnowTrek Tours is ready to do something like this.”