Page 73 of Christmas with the Elkin Billionaires

“I do,” Gabe said, stopping what he was doing for a moment to look up. Too bad the expression on his face didn’t match his words.

Anna went to his side and put a hand on his shoulder, feeling the engagement ring’s weight on her finger. It felt heavy, but it was still fake. It didn’t really mean anything, no matter how wonderful Elin thought she was. “Is everything okay?”

“The booking system is a mess. I don’t know why Jonas didn’t upgrade years ago.” He let out a short breath. “But it’s no problem—you’re the star of the show here. Great job with crowd control. If you keep it up, nobody will even remember this happened.”

You’re the star of the show.Anna stood stock still. He was obviously frustrated. Why?

Jealousy?

Anna knew Gabe didn’t need accolades from his family. Was he jealous of the way Elin had accepted her just now, and for the way she’d found a place for herself when he thought he didn’t have one? How could hestillbe hung up on this? They’d talked about it, and she’d agreed to be the best fiancée he could hope for. That meant impressing his family. That meant stepping in during an emergency like this one.

“I’ll stay out of your way,” she said, trying not to let the pain echo in her voice. She started to move away, but he grabbed her hand in midair and pulled it to his lips, pressing a kiss against her skin.

“I meant it,” Gabe said, his voice low and urgent. “You’re doing a great job.”

Some of her irritation dissolved. This was all becoming more complicated than she’d counted on. Anna leaned down and kissed him on the lips, which earned them a whistle from Chase.

Jonas came over then, and she left to chat with Elin about the storm.

“I knew there were bookings for the weekend, obviously, but I didn’t think they’d all show up early to beat the storm.” Elin shook her head. “I should know better after all these years.”

“It sounded like the storm took a surprise turn—wasn’t it supposed to hit south of us?”

“That’s what I thought.”

This was the kind of conversation that Anna craved—simple and without any hidden meanings. They were just discussing the weather. Was that what other families could count on? She could be totally sure it wouldn’t turn into a commentary on her father’s failings or a diatribe about the men her mother brought home or any of that. Longing hit hard.

If she were really Gabe’s fiancée, she could put up with the high standards and the little tiffs between brothers if it meant being part of this family.

“Almost done, Gabe?” Jonas brushed by, putting a hand on Anna’s arm to step around her. “People will be done eating soon. We can’t keep them waiting.”

“Iamalmost done,” Gabe answered, not looking up from the screen. “But I wouldn’t have had to do this if you used better software. All this could have been avoided.”

“If you were working at the resort, you could have designed software specifically for us.”

“You couldn’t afford me,” Gabe shot back.

Tana appeared at her side. “Let’s leave them to it. Don’t you think?”

Anna was about to say yes.The front desk staff would be able to run reservations in a few minutes. It would be nice to unwind with tea or coffee or any number of things, especially with her new friend. There were lots of options at Elk Lodge.

A voice rang out in the lobby—angry and loud. It was a blustery tone that sent a twist of anxiety through Anna’s gut.

“Uh oh,” Tana said, shaking her head.

Elin closed her eyes, trying to shut the sound out.

“I’ve got it,” Anna said. “I’ll let them know about breakfast. With the snow coming down the way it is, we shouldn’t have to worry about any more arrivals.”

Anna straightened her shoulders and calmed her mind. That spike of anxiety had been nothing but residual adrenaline, she decided. One more set of guests on edge wouldn’t do her in. But as she prepared to step back out into the reception area, the noise got louder. This wasn’t just one angry guy—he’d come with quite a few guests, by the sounds of it.

Waiting wouldn’t make it any better.

Welcome to Elk Lodge,she thought. Hopefully, from there on out, the conversation would be fine.

Three steps and she was back to the reception desk. “Welcome to Elk Lodge,” Anna said, but then all the words she’d planned to say fled from her mind.

She’d prepared herself for an angry man. She’d prepared herself for a moderately large group. But she hadn’t prepared herself for her ex-boyfriend Freddie, his parents, some people she didn’t recognize, and a woman clinging to his arm—his new girlfriend.

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