Page 46 of The Last Resort
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“You don’t have to do this. No one can force you to go and live at the lodge,” said Kellie.
Rachel who was busy packing her last suitcase gave her a sympathetic look. “Thanks, but yes I do have to go.”
Her sister was trying to be helpful. But the truth was, they both knew there was no other option but for Rachel to go through with what she’d agreed at the council meeting. She was doomed to go and live alongside her former lover at the Green Tree Resort.
A pensive looking Dan appeared in the doorway. “I can talk to my parents and get them to forget about this whole thing. Dad was under pressure from the planning committee. Maybe you and this Matthew Royal guy can just rent a space in town and work on the proposal. I’m sure my folks will understand.”
It didn’t take a genius to figure out that her sister and brother-in-law were torn. Since leaving the planning meeting late the previous night, they had tip-toed around Rachel, a cloud of guilt hanging over the pair of them.
I made a promise to try and save the old lodge, and I’m going to keep it.
Stuffing another pair of jeans into her case, Rachel glanced around the bedroom. It was only then that she realized she’d packed all her belongings. Everything she’d brought with her to Aspen was now going out to the resort.
Her thoughts had moved past emotion—she was resigned to the job ahead. Her mind was working on logistics. Of how she was going to survive living in a derelict ski lodge. The thought of where she could hide Matthew’s body had cropped up once or twice, but she’d filed that away for another day. Right now, she didn’t want to think about him.
Easier said than done.
Dan stepped fully into the room. He was carrying a red bag under his arm. “If the boiler is working, then the heating should be fine, but you might want to take this just in case.” He patted the bag. “It’s a sleeping bag with a rating of minus-forty degrees. We use them for keeping warm in the chopper when we’re on rescue missions.” He placed the bag on the bed, next to Rachel’s suitcase. “If the boiler throws a hissy fit during the night, you’ll at least be able to sleep.”
She’d been so busy thinking about clothes and food, that the sleeping arrangements had slipped her mind. Rachel gave the sleeping bag a quick look. “Thanks, Dan. I’ve never camped out before, so I’m still finding my way. Any other handy tips?”
Her brother-in-law raked his fingers through his sandy blond hair. “Um. Watch out for damaged flooring in the lodge’s upper levels. Oh and don’t go walking in the woods on your own.”
“That sounds like the opening of a bad fairytale. Next, you’ll be telling me the place is haunted,” snorted Rachel.
“There are enough real-world things for you to worry aboutrather than speculating on whether the Green Tree ghost will comea’knockin on your door. But seriously, I mean it when I say take care outside. The weather will soon start to warm up and animals will be coming out of their winter hibernation.”
Hibernation = Bears.
She had no intention of becoming the next Goldilocks and dealing with hungry bears. “Should I get some pepper spray?”
“I wouldn’t bother. Apart from making you more of a spicy treat, I don’t think it does a lot. Avoiding the local wildlife is the smarter thing to do,” added Dan.
Rachel closed up her suitcase and hauled it off the bed. If she stayed here any longer, she might just turn chicken and back out of the deal. “Let’s get this done.”
Until the last few minutes, the only thing she’d been afraid of was spending time alone with Matthew, and what her lovestruck heart might do. Now she had the added worry of bears, testy boilers, and ghosts.
How did I get myself into this mess?
Matthew shoved the last of his things into the back of his Jeep SUV and closed the door. Everything he had in the apartment was coming with him out to the ski lodge. Apparently, the management of the hotel didn’t appreciate hosting their potential competitors as long-term guests and within an hour of his return from the meeting last night, he’d received a note under his door asking him to vacate the apartment.
He couldn’t blame them. If the Royal Resorts Aspen got built, this hotel in the center of town, would definitely feelthe impact. Part of his job would be to lure away as many of their guests as possible.
Climbing into the Jeep, he called Bryce. This might be the last time he could talk freely to his brother and company CEO for the next little while.
“Good afternoon,” his brother said. “How does it feel to have a target on your back? Word of the council meeting is already doing the rounds on the internet.Leisure Linehad a couple of pieces running about you this morning. I still can’t believe the locals pulled your shiny model apart, and only left you a few dollars.”
If you wanted to know all the latest goings on and gossip in the hotel and resorts world, the online blogLeisure Linewas the place to go. Over the years, he’d done his best to avoid having his name mentioned onLeisure Line,but Matthew could appreciate that the theatrical spectacle of having people tearing parts off his design would make great copy.
Matthew slipped his seatbelt on and started the car. “There’s been a definite cooling of friendships overnight. I went and got my regular coffee earlier today and for a moment there I thought they might actually refuse to serve me. I’m going to the grocery store now before I head out. I’ll be keeping my trips back to town to a minimum, so I’ll have to stock up.”
Hopefully the rest of the city hasn’t yet figured out who I am and plastered “shoot on sight” notices everywhere.
Being an outcast was bad enough, but that wasn’t what had kept him awake most of last night. It was Rachel.
And I can’t talk to Bryce about her. He’ll take me off the project if he discovers that she is my secret ex-girlfriend.
