Page 52 of You, Me, & Après-Ski
True as that all might be, I didn’t necessarily feel good about it.
After a moment, Val said, “I considered setting up my farming co-op headquarters here in town, actually. I have a space in mind.”
That got my attention.
“Show me.”
We stood before a charming three-story home with a sizable yard on the outskirts of Main Street. The covered porch, conical turret, and gingerbread trim afforded it a fairy-tale look.
Val’s eyes roamed over the chipped paint and loose bricks like familiar friends, a whimsical smile on her face. “The big yard would be perfect for setting up a community garden, and I’ve been eyeing the empty lot next door. Maybe by the end of next season, I’d have enough saved to rent both, but business hasn’t been as good lately, and…”
“And?” I prompted.
Picking at a thread in her sleeve, she said, “It’s Juanito. Most of the money I make in the winter, I send to my brothers. Juanito’s medication isn’t covered by Diego’s insurance, even though those meds keep him alive. It’s ridiculous. It’s not Jaunito’s fault Antonella did all kinds of drugs when she was pregnant. And yet he’s the one who is suffering.” When she finished, tears glistened in her eyes and I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around her and make all of her problems go away.
Instead, I pulled her into the shadows beside her beloved house, then cupped her face in both hands. “Let me pay for Juanito’s meds.” The words left my mouth before I realized what I was saying. But as I said them, everything clicked into place. She couldn’t be mine in the way I wanted her to be, but I could take care of her. Of Juanito. If she let me. I’d buy the damn house and lot for her too, the entire fucking planet if she wanted it, but she’d never accept that.
Between my hands, Val froze. “What?” she breathed.
“I know you can provide for your family, but I want to help.” I rubbed small circles on her smooth skin. “You do so much for everyone else. Let me do something for you.”
“I—I can’t, Nolan. It’s too much.”
“It wouldn’t take much for my security guy to find Diego’s address. I’d just send him an anonymous check every month. But I’d rather do it with your blessing.” I was teasing, but when the sale went through and we parted ways, I wanted her to have something good to show for our time together.Or maybe I’m just a selfish asshole looking for some kind of penance to make myself feel better.
While that held a note of truth, I really would do whatever it took to make sure Val and her family were taken care of. Yeah, the guilt was real, but I also genuinely wanted to help.
As Val studied my face, her eyes glowed gold in the bright sunlight. But she shook her head. “It’s very kind of you, but we’re doing fine.”
An overwhelming urge to dip my head and seal my lips to hers swept over me, but I dropped my hands and stepped away, accepting her decision. For now. I knew how hard it was to ask for and accept help from anyone, and with Val’s rigorous work ethic, I wasn’t surprised she was the same. But maybe there was something else I could do for her… I filed the thought away for later. “What’s next on your list for us today?”
“We could stop by the bookstore and say hello to Maggie.”
“Sounds great.”
With a bright smile, Val led the way back toward the hustle and bustle of town, a lightness to her steps that hadn’t been there before. Hale’s Peak wasn’t a big place; end to end was probably a thirty-minute walk. When we rounded the corner by a bakery, we bumped into another couple.
“Nolan?”
Fuck.“Erica.” I regarded the tall brunette woman with cold calculation. “It’s nice to see you again.”I’d rather see you in hell.
Erica held out her hand at an angle that implied I should kiss it, but I gave it a firm shake instead. Her smile was full of razor blades and sharp edges as she tucked her hand into the elbow of the shorter blond man beside her. He was older than me, in his early to mid forties. Robert Wilhelm. A real estate mogul or something. I didn’t care enough to remember.
“It’s been so long! Funny running into you like this.” Erica’s eyes slid over Val like a venomous snake gliding through the weeds. I shifted slightly, shielding Val from her vicious assessment. “This must beCressida.”
Before I had formulated an acceptable lie, my mouth opened to answer. “This is—”
“The bookstore is right down the street, Mr. Keller,” Val said, cutting me off before I said something stupid. “I’ve already had your purchases from today sent up to the house. If you won’t be needing anything else, I’ll go wait at the car until you’re ready to leave.” Val ducked her head and didn’t look at me as she hurried down the street. Her quick thinking had saved my ass, but guilt twisted in my guts. Val wasn’t “the help” to me. I hoped she didn’t see herself that way.
But I shoved the thought aside. Handling the viper in front of me required my full focus. “Staying up at Hale’s Peak?” I asked Erica.
Her smile turned to poisoned honey. “Yes, unfortunately. All the better resorts were fully booked.”Nice burn.“You remember Robert Wilhelm? He’s brokering some business deals in the area, and I thought I’d tag along. We’ll be here a lot this winter.” Draping her arm over Robert, Erica made a show of kissing his cheek.
Robert tugged at his collar, blushing like a goddamn schoolgirl. “Sorry about—sorry,” he finished lamely.
Yeah, I knew what he was fucking sorry for. Sorry that Erica had run off with him when she and I had dated a couple years ago. I used the term “dated” loosely—Erica was one of my regular flings. I had many of those before Cyrus had bullied me into the arranged marriage. Waving off Robert’s apology, I clapped him on the shoulder. “Bygones, and all that. I’d better be going. I have a meeting in an hour.”
“Wassogood catching up with you,” said Erica. “Newly engaged looks good on you. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of you and yourfriend.” The look she gave me was as loaded as a sniper rifle. I matched it with a bland one of my own before turning on my heel to go after Val.
