Page 8 of Wild Promises

Did she want to get married? It was a silly kids' pinky promise, not something to commit my life to. But I couldn't completely dismiss the idea. Especially not when I was sitting in a conference room with my brothers, and they wanted to know what my current goal was for the business. The problem was, I didn't have one.

I shifted in my chair. "I figured we'd keep offering the lessons in the winter and the usual outdoor excursions the rest of the year. You know, hiking, zip-lining.

"The opening day for the cabins is this weekend. What can we offer our new guests that's different and unique?" Eli asked, looking from me to Oliver.

"I'm not sure where I come into this." I was a ski instructor, not the manager or some marketing expert. Those were Eli's and Oliver's jobs while Killian was traveling around the world snowboarding. "You talked about opening a spa."

"We can't have another large expense like that right after building the cabins," Oliver griped, and Eli shot him a disgruntled look.

Eli inclined his head in deference to Oliver. "We want to build a spa, but that might have to wait a year or two. We were thinking of something?—"

"Less expensive," Oliver interjected.

Eli was the guy with the ideas, and Oliver was the money guy who shot him down at every turn. For me, it meant a lot of uncomfortable business meetings. Especially when I didn't have an opinion.

I crossed my arms over my chest, not used to being the center of these business discussions. "What do you need from me?"

Eli's brow furrowed. "You said you wanted to be more involved in the business, and we'd like to hear your ideas."

I did say that, but I wasn't sure I had anything to contribute. "I think we've expanded all we can with the hiking and zip lines in the warmer months.”

"If you want to take on more responsibility, this is your chance," Oliver added.

My stomach twisted because I had no idea what more I could offer. That's why I stayed out of these conversations. Eli had all these amazing ideas, and Oliver was good at the finance aspect. I was the athlete, and around my brothers, I felt dumb. Not that I'd ever admit that to them.

Oliver dropped his head into his hands. He was usually so even-keeled. He never got upset at anything we did unless it was spending the resort’s money. Since he'd met Carolina, he was happier than I'd ever seen him. I liked her too, especially because she was amazing with my nephew, Joey. "I'm a little tired of you giving your ski lessons to the snow bunnies, and generally having a good time, but never taking any ownership of the business."

I swung my gaze to Eli, hoping he'd have my back, but his brow was furrowed, as if this conversation was painful for him. "He's right. You don't take anything seriously."

"I take my job seriously. And I give ski lessons to everyone, not just women." I hated that they called the women that talked to me snow bunnies. I was nice to everyone. I couldn't help that my version of nice was mistaken for flirting.

Eli's expression was grim. "Oliver's right. We need you to step up."

"Or what?" I unfolded my arms and leaned my elbows on the table.

Eli cleared his throat. "Maybe this isn't the right position for you."

I leaned back as if he'd pushed me. "You'll let me go? I'm a Wilde."

"That doesn't give you a free pass. We can find anyone to give ski lessons," Oliver said quietly.

I rose to my feet, frustration surging through me. "The guests take ski lessons because I encourage them to, because I'm a good teacher. You have no idea how much it matters that I'm the one in charge of the outdoor activities."

Oliver gave me a pointed look. "Killian could do it, and you know it."

"The fuck he could. Killian is a good athlete, but he has the personality of the snowboard he rides. He's not a good teacher."I'd seen the way he interacted with people. He was short on words, and if someone misinterpreted him, even the media, he never corrected them. He didn't care what anyone thought of him.

"High-school kids could do the job," Eli added.

"Now I know you're just being jerks for no reason." My jaw tightened to the point I thought I might crack a tooth.

Eli leaned back as if he didn't have a care in the world, and he probably didn't because he'd just moved into a huge house that he'd built with his beautiful fianceé, Scarlett. "We've been talking about this for a while. Mom and Dad tasked us with carrying on the business, and we’d like you to contribute more."

My heart was racing because this place was the only one where I'd ever worked, and I assumed it would continue.

Oliver shook his head. " Mom and Dad are enjoying their retirement. They don't need to know what's going on here."

"I wasn't going to do that. I'm not a child."

---