Page 36 of Forbidden Love

“What’s this thing you’re doing with the Fletchers?” Dad asked.

I took a deep breath before relaying the information. “We’re partnering to provide dugouts for the local teams.”

“Teams have dugouts,” Xander insisted.

“Not all the girls’ teams. I’m visiting fields this week to see what they have and if adding them is feasible. One field had a yellow tarp and a wire fence. It won’t provide enough coverage. Although it’s more than we ever had.”

My parents and brothers rarely made it to my games. They were always too busy with the ski resort. Even in the off-season, we got hikers and other tourists on the mountain.

“Is that what you really want to be doing with your life?” Dad asked, scraping the last of the rice off his plate and sitting back in his chair to consider me.

“I didn’t say it was what I wanted to do with my life forever, just what I’m working on now.” I frowned. “Why? What’s wrong with it?”

Dad frowned. “Now, don’t go putting words in my mouth. I didn’t say anything was wrong with it.”

“I’ve always wanted to ensure that girls’ teams had the equipment they needed.” It wasn’t something I’d discussed with my parents before, so they might have been surprised.

“Maybe you should talk to your old softball friends. See if they’d be willing to help,” Mom said.

“That’s a great idea. I was thinking about contacting them too. Natalie and Alice are in serious relationships, so they don’t go out much.” There was just the occasional coffee or shopping trip. They were more likely to invite me to dinner, and there was always a chance that Tyler would be there.

“It will be good to catch up with them,” Mom said.

“I think so too.” I was grateful for the change in conversation because I had no idea what my long-term plans were.

“You think you’ll want to make fundraising a full-time gig?” Xander asked, pushing aside his empty plate.

I had a feeling he’d be scrounging for something to eat later. It wasn’t enough food for him. “No idea. The one for the ski equipment was just to see if it would be successful.”

Dad rested his elbows on the table as he considered me. “You raised a lot of money. It was a great event. I’d like to continue it at the lodge. Make it an annual thing.”

“Oh?” I asked, wondering if they’d run it when I was gone. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. I’d been proud that it was my event.

“Your father and I have talked about the need for an event coordinator at the lodge. Eli is busy with the lodge, and we can’t put anything else on his plate.”

My heart raced because that was similar to the service I’d provided at my last job. “Oh?”

“Whomever we’d hire would plan weddings, fundraisers, and other fun events for kids.”

“I always thought it would be neat to offer an art class for kids. The parents could go skiing while the kids did something fun.” It was no secret that kids didn’t last as long on the hills, especially the younger ones. But why was I offering suggestions when they hadn’t offered the position to me?

“The fundraiser really got me thinking. It was good for business and our reputation. Plus, we like giving back to the community that supports us. We often hold weddings and other parties. They bring in outside planners, but why not hold that in-house?” Dad said.

“I used to handle events at the hotel I worked at.”

Dad held up a hand. “We’re not ready to hire anyone. It’s just something we’re considering.”

“I’m not sure what I want to do yet.” But if there was ever a position I was qualified for, this was it.

Keep the business in the family. I’d heard that a billion times growing up, and now he’d created a position that suited me, I wasn’t sure I wanted it, but at the same time, he hadn’t offered it to me. And what about my desire to travel, meet new people, and experience the world? If I took a position at the lodge, that would be it. I wouldn’t be able to back out without letting everyone down, and I couldn’t do that.

Xander threw a thumb in my direction. “It sounds like Kylie would be qualified for that position.”

“You’d have to want to stay,” Mom said.

“Let’s see what you do with the dugout project. If you can get that off the ground, we’ll have another discussion. But I’d need to be convinced you were here to stay. I wouldn’t hire you only to have you leave again.”

Anxiety churned in my stomach. Is that how he saw me? As someone he couldn’t count on? He hadn’t asked me to stay. No one had ever offered me a position. There was nothing for me here. Right? Had I misread things over the years?

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