Page 106 of The Last Resort
If I don’t put an end to this, he will never leave me alone.
Rachel straightened her spine. Her father might not be able to see her, but she was finally facing down both him and his lies. She drew back her shoulders and spoke in a clear and even voice. “This is the last time I will accept your call, so don’t bother calling again. I’m doing the same as Kellie and moving on with my life. You’ve made your choices, and I’ve made mine. Goodbye.”
She pressed the button to end the call. Picking up the rest of her muffin, she took a bite. Her father had been given every opportunity to show remorse for what he’d done. He’d chosen himself over his loved ones.
When Matthew drew her into his arms, Rachel’s brave facade cracked, and she wept in his embrace.
“It’s alright, Rach. I have you.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
An extraordinary meeting of the
Aspen council planning committee.
“When the Brock family asked the two of you to go live at the site and come up with a compromise plan, we expected a few tweaks, but you have done much more than that, and on behalf of the board, I have to say this proposal is outstanding.”
Rachel and Matthew exchanged smiles. The presentation had gone brilliantly. At the end of it, the townsfolk gathered in the meeting hall had given them a thunderous round of applause. Rachel got a small taste of how it must feel to be a popstar. She’d never be Chloe, but by the looks of it, the people of Aspen were fans.
They had made the presentation together, but she’d quietly let Matthew take the lead. After the humiliation she’d ensured he’d suffered during the last meeting, it was important that the Brocks, the planning committee, and especiallythe people of Aspen, got to see the real Matthew Royal. That they appreciated his work.
Matthew was in one of his corporate suits again today, but he seemed a lot more relaxed than the last time he’d fronted the committee and public in this room. On the table in front of them was the mockup model they had put together at the lodge. It was rough, but they’d decided to bring it with them to show the people what the new resort would look like.
From the reactions of the crowd and the planning committee, the fact that they could see the old building still standing, albeit under plastic wrap, was what truly mattered. The glass dome and mezzanine concept met with overwhelming approval.
The committee voted with a unanimous show of hands. The Brock’s followed suit. The instant Gary Brock’s hand went up, Matthew slipped an arm around Rachel’s waist and dropped a kiss on her cheek.
“A unanimous vote. Congratulations, Rachel. You saved the old lodge,” he murmured.
She turned and planted a kiss on his lips. “No.Wesaved the lodge. Now you have to buy it and build the new resort. I’m so proud of what we’ve done.”
This was a brilliant result. The combined efforts of two forward thinking architects who’d put their hearts and souls into saving a grand old dame of the Colorado mountains.
The committee and Dan’s parents were busy congratulating one another on finally resolving the future of the lodge. Rachel went to step away, and pack up her things, but Matthew wouldn’t let go. “Now that the design part is almost done, I realize I have another new problem. A really big one.”
Rachel’s brows furrowed. What could be his problem?
“I’ll be staying in Aspen to help oversee the project, but I can’t do all the work. I need a bright and clever person to take over as development architect. You wouldn’t happen toknow of any beautiful talented architects who might be looking for work?”
Rachel blinked back tears. “Um, I might. Though it depends on what you’re offering?”
He turned and blew a hot breath in her ear. It sent lust racing to all of Rachel’s lady parts. “A top tier salary package. Fabulous benefits. And a special friendship with someone named Mini Matt.”
She burst out laughing. This was the weirdest job interview she’d ever undertaken. It broke pretty much every rule in the HR book. But it was fun, and so very Matthew. “Hmm. Your architect will need a company car. Maybe something a little bigger than your current SUV—inches do matter.”
His teeth grazed her earlobe. “I’ll give you whatever you want, just stay with me. See what amazing things we can create. I love you, Rachel.”
“I love you too. The job sounds wonderful. In fact, it’s perfect. Perfect because I’m not going anywhere, not without you.”
The smile which lit up his face took her breath away. She caught the mischievous glint in his eyes.I bet he’s planning on conducting more negotiations later, when we’re naked, the wicked man.
People moved around them in the meeting space, but Rachel didn’t take much notice, she was lost in Matthew’s gaze. Saving the old lodge and gaining a job with a major resort corporation were both huge wins for her professional career. But this man, and the promise of a future with him, meant everything.
“I love you, Matthew,” she whispered. It was her truth, undeniable.
As the room slowly emptied, Dan and Kellie made their way over. Rachel beamed as her brother-in-law and Matthew shook hands. “Well done, you two. I expect my folks will bekeen to get things finalized, and the sale contracts out of the way.” Dan pointed to his mother and father who were talking to the committee members. “Knowing the lodge has been saved will take a huge weight off my parents. Thank you.”
He turned to Rachel. “I hope you aren’t planning on rushing out of Aspen too quickly, Rachel. I’m sure there will be other design work available in town.”
