Page 39 of Against All Odds

“How are you doing, Heath?” Daniel sat down on an armchair (yep, it looked like a throne) and asked me to take a seat on a matching couch across from him. Between us was a coffee table slash bar with two bottles of expensive whiskey and suitable glasses.

“I’m good, Daniel.” I looked at my watch as if I were busy. I was. I was going to attend the first Saturday Jazz Night at the Wildflower. Sable had managed to make that happen in the short time since she’d taken over the tavern. I was excited about the New Orleans band she’d signed up for opening night despite being more of a blues man.

“Now, I’m not one to beat around the bush,” Daniel continued, trying to look superior to me despite being four inches shorter and many pounds rounder.

“Okay.” I leaned back, draping an arm casually along the edge of the couch to show just how at ease I was with this ridiculous conversation—especially since I knew what was coming.

“Being a Vikar in Aspen is…well, it comes with responsibilities,” he began.

I nodded.

“Now, I know a man has needs, and you’re absolutely allowed to meet those…ah…needs.”

I didn’t bother to hide my amusement.

“But you don’t do it in the open.”

Did he think Sable and I were fucking out on the streets of Aspen?

I shook my head, feigning confusion. “What are you talking about, Daniel?”

He somehow managed to look down his nose at me. Quite a feat, considering I was taller.

“It’s been brought to my attention that you’re seeingthatwoman who used to be married to Jack Cavalieri.”

Daniel was a patriarchal snob, unwilling to acknowledge that Sable had an identity beyond her ex. I wondered what he thought of Alexa who was also divorced.

“I’m dating Sable Nees.” I tilted my head. “Though the word dating sounds so juvenile, don’t you think? At my age, I’m more inclined to say I’m spending time with Sable Nees, the owner of the Wildflower Tavern.”

He sneered. “Like I said, being a Vikar comes with?—”

“Daniel, I’m not a Vikar.” I gave up the pretense of giving a shit about what Daniel had to say and got up. “Who I see is not something you and I can or willeverdiscuss. You’re Juno’s grandfather, and that’s all the relationship we have.”

My former father-in-law wasn’t used to being told off, and I wasn’t used to being treated like an errant teenager at my age. Hell, I hadn’t been treated like this when Iwasa teenager. My parents always respected Wyatt and me.

Cynthia caught me by my Jeep, her hands wringing. If she were wearing pearls, she’d be clutching them.

“Heath, now, I know that you and Alexa have had some issues—but honestly, we felt that was because you were so far from family. Now, we’re all here to support you.”

By family, she obviously meant themselves and not my well-adjusted parents and brother.

I suppressed a sigh. “I’m really grateful that you’re Juno’s grandparents.”

Her smile wavered. “What I’m saying is that you and Alexa should get couples counseling. All marriages have issues and?—”

I’d rather shoot myself than go into couples counseling with Alexa again.

“Cynthia,” I cut her off. “Alexa and I are not a couple; we’re not married, so couples counseling is moot. We’re co-parents to Juno. I’m in Aspen because she insisted, and I wanted to be where my daughter was. After Juno goes to college, I will move somewhere else with Royal hotels.”

It wasn’t common knowledge, but the deal I’d made with Maverick Royal, the CEO and President of the hotel chain I worked for, who was also a friend, was that I’d stay in Aspen, fix up the issues with the resort here and someothers across Colorado until Juno finished high school. After that, I’d move on.

“That woman has a very bad reputation,” Cynthia tried.

“Are you talking about Sable?” I asked unnecessarily.

“Yes,” she hissed.

“That’s because of your daughters, Cynthia. Natasha told me how she and Alexa bullied Sable in high school, started rumors about her, and basically made her life hell and ruined her reputation.”

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