Page 10 of Christmas with the Elkin Billionaires

He put out a hand to steady her. “Did you remember an errand you have to get to?” His teasing smile made her want to melt into the floor. “Because your car should be okay, but if you liked mine better—”

“No, no.” She caught her breath, taking a step back. His teasing wasn’t doing anything to ease her nerves or help her focus. “I came to talk to you about your offer to give Lindsey ski lessons. She can’t. Take lessons from you, that is.” Her nerves were messing with her brain and any chance at coherent thought.

Chase pushed a hand through his hair. “Oh, didn’t you know?” A hint of sarcasm laced his voice. “I was a professional skier. I’m probably overqualified to teach her, so you don’t have to worry that I don’t have the skills.”

“I alsohave the skills. Iaman instructor.” It sounded a little defensive, which was not how she’d meant to sound. An old fear beat behind her rib cage, somewhere near her heart. “I could teach her anything she needs to know about skiing, but she won’t be learning. She can’t.”

“She can’t? Why not?” He looked genuinely confused.

“Because she has a neural weakness in her right leg.” Tana felt the same ache in her throat that she had five years before when the issue had first been diagnosed. An over-interventionist neuro-orthopedic doctor had insisted that Lindsey wear an uncomfortable brace, and her little girl had cried every time she had to force her to wear it. “Her doctors have never been able to find an explanation for it, but what it means for Lindsey is that her right leg will always be weaker than her left leg. If she pushes herself too far, it’s hard to bear weight on it the next day. Skiing would be too risky.”

Chase blew out a breath. “Well, first off, I didn’t even notice a weakness.” He straightened his back and met her eyes. “I can understand why you’d be nervous. I really do. I just have a different perspective on what it means for Lindsey.”

Tana’s mouth went dry.I know my daughter better than you.She cleared her throat and pressed on, determined to at least hear him out. “I’d love to hear it if you have the time.”

“I’ve got my own injury.” Chase shrugged, gesturing to his left leg. “The one thing I hated most after it happened was all the people who wanted to tell me what I can or can’t do. I had more than enough people telling me I’d never win a competition again, and not enough people trying to encourage me to move forward. They acted like winning was all that mattered. It seems to me that all Lindsey hears is what she can’t do.”

Guilty. “How would you know that?”

“Because of how excited she is to take ski lessons and yet, she’s never skied. She’s living at a world-class ski resort, and her mom hits the slopes every day. And she’s only allowed to watch. Tough thing to accept for a kid without an opportunity to try and see for herself.”

“That’s not what I’m doing. Skiing is my work—”

“Really? So, that smile I see on your face when you’re out there with your students is fake?” He rubbed the side of his head making his hair stand up like he had bedhead and Tana fisted her hands to keep from reaching up to straighten it out. “From my perspective, she and I have some of the same issues. I think the lessons would be good for her. Let her spread her wings a little bit and at least try to see what she can handle. You can’t keep her in a cocoon all her life, never letting her experience the thrill of victory, no matter how small.”

Chase was right—she’d limited Lindsey’s activities all her life in hopes of keeping her safe. “It’s the agony of defeat I’m worried about. I don’t want anything to happen to her. If she pushes too hard and her leg gives out on the slopes, she could get hurt. I’d never forgive myself.”

“But you want her to be independent, right?” There was no sting behind Chase’s words. “One day, she’ll have to leave home and try new things and fend for herself. The ski lessons might help her with that. In fact, theywillhelp her with that. It’s my personal guarantee.”

She’d come here to say no—to turn down the offer and disconnect from Chase. But now, Tana found herself battling the urge to lean against him, wanting to press her forehead to his chest and breathe.

“—few runs.” She’d been caught up thinking about what she wanted to do with Chase, that she’d missed what he said.

“What?”

“What about a trial run?” The corner of Chase’s mouth turned up in a smile. “You let her take a few lessons with me, and if it doesn’t work out, we can stop. I’ll keep a close eye on her and watch for any issues, I promise. But if itdoeswork out, then she’s learning from the very best. Aside from you, obviously. You’re great with the kids.”

“Nice try. I must say, you’re very convincing,” Tana said, as she mulled over his words. She was seriously considering taking him up on the offer.

“Hey, I meant what I said. But I do think it’s easier for someone to take lessons from a person they don’t know. That’s just my experience.” Chase looked down at his watch, then back up at Tana. “How about we meet up on Sunday, or whatever your next day off is. You can stick around and watch to make sure Lindsey’s doing okay. Deal?” Chase stuck out his hand.

To her utter astonishment, she took his hand and shook it. “Deal.” Her own reservations clamored for attention, but for once, she wanted to give Lindsey a chance to do something she’d always wanted to do.Ski.“Thank you.” Tana squared her shoulders and brushed past Chase, heading for the door. “I’ve got to get back for my next lesson. But I’ll see you tomorrow.We’llsee you tomorrow.”

“Let me get the door for you.” Chase reached around her for the handle, bringing their bodies close together. “And I want you to know that I meant what I said. If you come to the conclusion that it’s too dangerous for Lindsey, or she starts having problems, you can stop the lessons any time.”

Chase was so close that Tana couldn’t help but tip her face up toward him. God, he smelled good. Like cedar and expensive cologne. She could appreciate the blue of his eyes streaked with silver. Eyes that were currently fastened on her lips. A shiver of pleasure moved through her.

His gaze drifted back to hers. Tana forgot how to breathe, the hunger in his eyes the only thing that existed at that moment. She took a tiny step forward, and all the sound reasoning not to do what she was thinking, disappeared.

Chase leaned in, closing the distance between them. “I want to kiss you. Do you trust me?”

She was so close, but at the last moment, she panicked. “I don’t know,” she whispered and took a big step back. “I’d need to think about that, too.” Tana whirled away and fled, leaving him standing there. She didn’t dare turn around, or her resolve to leave might vanish.

8

TANA

The lost and found at Elk Lodge was a fantastic place for Tana to score the much-needed ski jacket for Lindsey on such short notice. Company policy allowed employees to sort through the after-sixty-day box before the items were donated to a local charity, and she intended to take advantage of the rule.

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