Page 33 of Christmas with the Elkin Billionaires

“I want arefund. That’s all. Don’t waste my time or money again. Now, if you can’t help me with it, then I’ll find someone who can.” He stepped close to Tana and jabbed a finger close to her face. “And if you think I’m not going to report you to the management, think again.”

Tana’s mouth dropped open, and for the life of her, she couldn’t get it to close. The client stalked away. He hadn’t been particularly warm at the last lesson, but this?

After he left, she went back into the lodge and tried to calm down. Today’s interview was the final round for the program director position. Jonas Elkin had emailed her the guidelines last week. She’d done a good job preparing her presentation, but now she needed to exude confidence in her abilities and convince Mr. Elkin she was the best person for the job. It would be all about the delivery.

Tana arrived at the meeting room in the office wing of the lodge a couple of minutes early. Long enough to catch her breath, make sure her hair was smoothed out from her ski runs, and walk in with her head held high.

Jonas sat at the back of the room at a long table, writing something down on a notepad.Notes about the other applicants,Tana thought. What if he’d already chosen someone? No, he wouldn’t write that down while she was about to interview. She put a big smile on her face and headed in his direction.

“Morning, Mr. Elkin.” Tana reached to shake his hand, and her presentation folder spilled onto the floor. She hadn’t stapled it and the pages scattered everywhere.

Tana wanted to sink into the carpet—to disappear. But it was too late for that. “Sorry about that.” She shook Jonas’s hand anyway. “Thank you for giving me this opportunity.” Then, because there was nothing else to do except put herself back together, she knelt and gathered up the loose sheets.

“Everything all right, Tana?” She could feel his assessing eyes on her. Jonas, unlike Chase, was all about the family business. He’d take it over someday; she was sure of that. So now was the time to make a great final impression.

Only her papers for the presentation had all fallen out of order and she’d be forced to wing it.

“Yes. How are you?” Oh, Lord. What was shedoing? This wasn’t a casual chat.

“I’m doing very well, thank you.” Jonas’s stern gaze made her feel like a kid in the principal’s office, and when he jotted something down on the legal pad in front of him, her confidence slipped further. “Have a seat. I’m looking forward to hearing why you’re the best candidate for this position and some of your ideas.”

Tana stumbled over the name of the resort, calling it the Elkin Resort. From there, it went straight uphill. Or so she hoped. By the end, when Jonas shook her hand again, she wasn’t sure if she was ready to laugh or cry. She made it back to the thankfully empty break room before she lost control of her emotions and cry it was.

She was exhausted. The night had been too short, the day too hectic, and she was tired. One thing after another, and now she was crying in the break room. Sobbing. It racked her body, shaking her shoulders and making her stomach hurt.

“Tana? What’s wrong?”

She whirled around to find Chase standing in the break room doorway. “Nothing’s wrong,” she said, denying everything. Until she couldn’t. And then she let it all come out. The lack of sleep. The cupcakes. The stop at the grocery store. And the asshole client.

Chase’s eyes flashed angrily. He came into the room and put his hands on her shoulders, rubbing gently. “You don’t have to worry about that. You won’t face any consequences from that jerk. You’ll be okay.”

The soothing tone of his voice set her off. “Juststop.” Tana yanked herself away from his hands. “I’ll be fine. I was fine before you came here, and I’ll be fine once you leave.”

Tana had to prepare herself for the worst, and she had to start now. That was just how things worked out in her life. And she certainly didn’t need him fighting her battles at work or she’d never gain the respect of the other employees.

Surprise flitted across his face. A look that was quickly followed by hurt, and then by an expression that broke her heart. She could tell he was trying to figure out what to say.

Say anything,she thought wildly.Tell me I’m wrong. Call me out on how foolish all of this is.

Chase stepped forward and kissed her, so lightly and gently it brought tears to her eyes. “Give Lindsey a big birthday hug from me, okay?” Chase straightened up and put his hands in his pockets. Then he walked out, leaving her alone in the break room.

Tana pressed both hands to her chest, her face burning. She’d been awful to him, but it had all been too much. Taking one deep breath after another, she held each breath for the count of four and let it out on the count of four. It was an old technique she’d used when Lindsey was a baby. Too bad she hadn’t remembered it before she went off on him. Her reasons might be justified, but not her actions. Chase hadn’t deserved the brunt of her emotional breakdown.

When she had a solid handle on herself—and fresh makeup—there was an apology in order. But for now, the rest of life pressed in. Lessons and her daughter demanded she pull it together. There was no time to wallow in self-pity.

I need help with all of it, Chase, and I wish I knew how to tell you.

19

CHASE

Chase flipped through a catalog of rental equipment, noting items for Jonas. His brother had called him in for a final opinion on that, and why not? He could do a few more things to help before he left.

“Almost done?” Jonas asked.

“Sure am.”

Almost done with this, and almost done with Elk Lodge. Except he wasn’t, not really. Things were still unresolved with Tana.

---