Page 75 of Kayleigh

“I wouldneverdo anything like that,” Wilder told Caren, then turned to Hudson. “Surely you don’t think I’d act like that toward a woman.”

Hudson knew he should be attempting to stay neutral, but seeing Wilder’s distress moved him to say, “I don’t.”

“However,” Caren interjected with a sharp look at Hudson. “We need to explore the complaints in order to clear your name.”

Wilder turned his gaze to her. “So you believe me?”

Caren hesitated. “I don’t know you the way Hudson does. I’m going to approach this from the viewpoint that you’re innocent unless the evidence proves otherwise. But at the same time, I’m going to give due consideration to everything the woman shares as evidence.”

Wilder’s shoulders slumped as he nodded, and Hudson hated knowing that he’d hurt the guy by telling him about the allegations. And he was well aware that in hurting Wilder, he’d hurt Kayleigh.

Somehow, he’d gotten to the point where that was the worst thing in the world. His heart ached at the thought of causing pain to Kayleigh and those she loved.

He wasn’t sure how it had happened, but Kayleigh had reached a part of him that he’d thought had died with his mom. From the moment they’d met, her warmth and genuineness had drawn him to her.

In his line of work, there was only a handful of people that he’d say were genuine in their dealings with him. Caren was one of them, Caleb was another. Most people at the locations he visited were wary of his presence as a representative from headquarters and dealt with him accordingly.

And that was all without being aware of his relationship to Alexander. They’d probably treat him even more warily if they knew about that.

Yet Hudson was confident that wouldn’t be the case with Kayleigh. Not that that was something he planned to reveal to her anytime soon.

“Can I still work?” Wilder asked.

Caren nodded. “We would ask that for the time being, you don’t come into the main building. That’s where she’s said the incidents have taken place, so we need you to steer clear of anywhere she might be.”

“That’s fine,” Wilder said with a shrug. “I rarely come into this part of the resort unless someone has requested that I do.”

“You don’t come here for meals or just to hang out with other staff members?” Caren asked.

“No. I bring my lunch from home, and I eat it in the back room of the ski shop. Most of us who work the slopes do that.”

“What might bring you to the front desk?”

Wilder’s brow furrowed. “Nothing really. Anyone I’m meeting for lessons comes to the ski shop. Lately, the only time I’ve even been in this building has been when Hudson asked me to meet him. This is only the second time in months that I’ve been here.”

Caren frowned. “Did anyone ever try to get you to come to the lobby area of the hotel?”

Wilder sat in silence for a moment, then said, “I did get a message a week or so ago from Liz saying that a guest wanted to speak with me.”

“Did you go to talk to them?”

“No. I called her and said that I was booked solid and wouldn’t have time. I told her to get their information, and I’d call them when I had a minute.”

“Do guests want to talk to you like that often?” Caren asked. “Like, does Liz frequently call you to come to the front desk?”

“No. This was the first time for that. Usually, guests ask for my number so they can talk to me directly.”

“It became an issue,” Hudson added. “So the front desk isn’t allowed to give out his number any longer.”

“An issue?” Caren asked.

Wilder looked embarrassed, so Hudson figured he’d explain what he meant. “Wilder is popular here at the ski resort as a ski instructor, especially among the women.”

Caren’s brows rose. “Have you taken advantage of that interest, Wilder?”

He shook his head. “I make it as clear as I possibly can to the women wanting… more than just instruction on the slopes that I am not available for that.”

“Do you have a girlfriend or a significant other?” Caren asked.

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