Page 48 of Wild Promises

"I thought I'd clean out my office and use it. It's so much easier to discuss business in the office, don't you think?"

Eli blinked as if he couldn't trust his eyes. "Right."

I slapped the door frame. "I'm going to check the schedule and read my emails before I head out. If you need anything, call me. I'll have my phone on."

"I appreciate you being here more often," Eli managed to say, and just as I was turning to leave, he said, "Don't forget we have the ball this weekend."

I grinned. "I just asked Tori to go as my date. It's going to be great."

"It's serious, then?"

I sobered. "I've always been serious about Tori. I'm not going to do anything to mess things up now that I have my chance with her. But I got to get to work. I'm meeting her for lunch, and I need to talk to a few realtors today."

"You're serious about moving?" Eli asked, his voice incredulous.

"I can't live in an apartment the rest of my life. I want some space, property to roam. I've always wanted to get a dog."

Eli's eyes widened. "You don't want to build on the property here?"

All I could think about was how would I live on the property if I couldn't work here? "That doesn't seem right, but thanks for the offer."

Eli winced. "We never meant to insinuate that you aren't welcome here?—"

"I've always wanted to work here, so what you and Oliver said threw me off a bit. But I'm refocusing on what's important. Let me get to work. Talk to you later."

"Right," Eli said as I walked out of his office and into the hallway.

That went as well as it could have. I showed that I'm working longer hours and I'm committed to the resort. I just needed to stick with the plan. I'd synced my calendar on my phone so I wouldn't miss anything important. I couldn't just focus on lessons and the outdoor activities anymore. I had to grow up and be present for all aspects of the business.

It didn't matter that my soul died a little every minute I was stuck in that tiny office. I still got to work the greatest job of all outside in the snow. It was perfect most of the time. I could get through this. I just needed to be more focused and disciplined. I wasn't known for those qualities, but I was positive there was a disciplined Xander somewhere inside me, just waiting to come out.

Decorations were starting to go up inside the lodge, making me think of Christmas even though it wasn't even Thanksgiving. A woman stood next to a large tree, hanging ornaments.

The teenager with her came up to me. "Mr. Wilde, do you think I could do ski lessons?"

I glanced at my phone. "I have lessons starting at ten. You're welcome to join me."

The woman turned, and her cheeks flushed pink when she noticed the boy talking to me. "Christopher, don't bother Mr. Wilde. He's busy."

"He was just asking about lessons. They start in a few minutes. I heard that you're working at the resort now."

"I decorate spaces for the holidays. That kind of thing."

"That's great." Her mother had worked as a maid until she couldn't anymore. Last I'd heard, she was on disability. But Noelle had been here quite a bit when we were growing up. "This is my brother, Christopher. He has a doctor's appointment this morning. I just thought I'd come in and get some work done before."

"You could take weekend lessons," I offered.

Noelle shook her head. "Oh, no. We couldn't do that."

Noelle always had lessons and gear for free since her mom worked here. My mother used to say that it was a perk of her mother's job. But I wasn't so sure that's why it was offered. I got the impression Noelle didn't have much and wouldn't have been able to afford lessons or the gear on her own. Lift tickets themselves were crazy expensive.

I wondered if money was still tight, and if Noelle was taking care of her siblings because of her mom's health issues.

"Why don't you come by on Saturday, and I'll make sure gear is available for you," I said to him, hoping Noelle wouldn't say no.

Noelle placed her hand on Christopher's arm. "I told you we'd try for it next year."

I knew she wouldn't want charity, but I couldn't help but remind her of my parents' rules. "If you work here, then ski lessons and gear are free. Food is too. That's always been the rule. It's not charity. It's just the way our family does business."

---