Page 13 of Romanced By the Silver Fox

Genie laughs in delight. “I did, indeed. They’re amazing. They definitely kept me from bragging too much about my new skills.”

“They keep me humble all the time,” Violet agrees. “I always say teaching elementary school kids is not for the weak.”

She turns back to me. “I’m sorry to interrupt your time together, but I wanted to thank you. My students don’t often get opportunities to do things like this. It means a lot that you’re sponsoring season passes for them.”

“Truly, it’s my pleasure.” I project a cool façade, but inside I’m squirming. Genie isn’t the only one who has trouble taking a compliment.

“The class is making a giant thank-you card for you. I was planning to send it in the mail, but I would love for someone to come pick it up in person, maybe talk to the kids about careers in an interesting way…?”

“We’ll make that happen,” I promise.

We say our goodbyes and watch Violet return to her class.

“Where were we?” I say. I am suddenly very interested in the menu. It’s just a coincidence that it keeps me from making eye contact with Genie.

“I don’t know where you were,” she says, with an amused lilt in her voice, “but I was enjoying watching you squirm.”

“Ms. Glass chose her moment well. It was pretty clever of her to ask me for a school visit in front of the woman I’m obviously trying to impress.”

“Or she could tell you’re a soft touch who will do anything to help kids.”

I give Genie a dirty look. She laughs in delight.

“Anyway,” I point out, determined not to talk about me anymore, “this is the kind of thing you can make happen if you take the job.”

“I like the way you deflect attention away from your good deeds with the promise of more good deeds.”

“It’s hard to look like a dashing romantic hero when you’re busy being embarrassed,” I complain. Genie rubs her index finger and thumb together, like she’s playing the world’s smallest violin for me.

We share a quick lunch, then get back out on the slopes for another couple of hours. Afterward, I drive us over to a cluster of cabins just outside of Government Camp.

“What are we doing here?”

“We’re checking in.”

“I know I just said this, but what?”

“We’re staying here for the night.”

“What?” Genie looks confused. “What about the hotel in town?”

I shrug. “What about it? We will go back to those rooms tomorrow.”

“What about my clothes?”

“Relax. It’s taken care of. Now wait here, please.” Genie shakes her head at me, but she does as she’s told.

She’s clearly skeptical. I smile to myself. She doesn’t know how efficient Marin can be.

I run into the lobby of the main hotel and trade the keys to my vehicle for the keys to our cabin. The woman at the front desk takes the keys to the SUV and offers to drive us over to our cabin, but I decline. I’m ready to be alone with my fiancée.

“Ex-fiancée,” I say aloud. I need the reminder. We’ve made good progress today, but good progress doesn’t mean she’s mine just yet.

I make my way back to the SUV where Genie waits for me. She sits quietly on the passenger side, resting her eyes. She looks so peaceful. I almost don’t want to disturb her.

“I can feel you staring, Grant.” Her smile stretches from ear to ear. I open the door with an exaggerated flourish.

“Your cabin awaits, my lady,” I announce in a terrible British accent. She laughs at my silliness and lets me help her out of the vehicle.

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