Page 54 of 5 Golden Flings

It was gaudy as hell and he felt like an idiot cradling the thing in his hands as he walked across the parking lot.

The one upside to the extra walk was that Noah got to take a minute to appreciate the grandeur of the Resort spread out before him. The stone and glass structure was enormous, but somehow seemed to blend into the nature that surrounded it. Mountain peaks covered in lush evergreens rose behind the sharp roofline. Peeking out from either side, the dark blue water of the lake spread out, smooth as glass. A crisp, cold bite lingered in the air, along with the tantalizing scent of pine.

Without thought, Noah paused for a moment to appreciate the view. His lungs filled with a deep breath that he held for several seconds before finally letting it free. And the tension hehadn’t even realized had settled across his shoulders suddenly eased.

God, he hated being back in this town, but right now, in this moment, it was beautiful.

“Noah,” his grandfather stuck his head out the oversized front door and waved him to hurry.

Shaking his head, Noah picked up the pace to a near jog. “I’m coming,” he grumbled even as he snagged the door and pulled it all the way open.

The lobby was decorated in rustic, homey Christmas cheer. Trees with cute cut-out wooden ornaments seemed to fill each nook and cranny. Lights and balls and garland hung everywhere. But the decorations weren’t what stole his breath.

Noah watched as his grandmother leaned up on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around the one person he never expected to see again.

Autumn Keating.

His heart slammed into his ribs and then squeezed so tight that he almost doubled over in pain. Like being blindsided and sacked.

“What the hell are you doing here?” The words were out of his mouth before he’d even thought them.

Everyone turned to stare at him. His grandmother’s eyebrows arrowed down in an unhappy V. “Noah. Manners.”

Autumn looked exactly the same. The impact of her tawny gaze slammed into his gut. He’d been hit by three-hundred-and-fifty-pound linebackers who didn’t pack as much punch.

He should probably apologize, but the words wouldn’t form.

“I’m the Retreat’s event planner.”

Why the hell hadn’t Harry mentioned that?

Eyes still flashing irritation, Harry snagged his arm and pulled him into the tight circle of people. “I’m sure I mentioned that we’ve been working with Autumn.”

No, she most certainly hadn’t. Because if she had, Noah would have worked harder at finding some excuse not to come today.

“Oh,” Harry tapped his arm. “Hand that to Autumn would you?”

He’d completely forgotten about the Christmas cheer gripped tight to his chest like a football. But before he could even shove it towards her, Autumn was already shaking her head. “Mrs. Woodson, you didn’t need to do that.”

“Nonsense, you know I’ve always thought of you as one of my own. I really appreciate everything you’re doing for us. I saw this and immediately thought of you.”

“Just doing my job.”

Harry beamed at Autumn. “You’re going above and beyond for us and don’t pretend you’re not. You wouldn’t want to break my heart days before our big celebration by refusing, would you?”

A bemused expression crossed Autumn’s face. Her tawny eyes connected with his over the curling red and green ribbon, beseeching him for help. All he could offer her was a shrug.

Harry always got her way.

Autumn reached for the box, her fingers brushing softly against his. A sharp jolt of something rocked straight up his arms, so swift and unexpected that he almost dropped the thing.

“Careful, Noah, that’s fragile,” Harry chastised.

Just what he needed, some nosy guest cashing in and reporting to ESPN that famous quarterback Noah Woodson fumbled more than game winning touchdowns. He broke mysterious Christmas presents, too.

Grinding his teeth, Noah offered a tight smile and pushed the package harder into Autumn’s waiting hands. She grasped the box, taking a couple steps back as she hugged it to her.

“Open it. Open it.” Harry waved her hands, clearly excited about whatever gift she’d gotten.

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