Tana stopped and looked back up the hill. The other four kids in the group were cautiously making their way down through the snow. Plenty of proper pizza stances. It had been, all in all, a good lesson.
She waited for them in the middle of the hill where she could also keep an eye on Sadie. Man, she’d lucked out. Taking the ski instructor gig at Elk Lodge had put her right where she needed to be to make a better life for her daughter. And she didn’t mind the work—another bonus. She liked the kids and most of their parents, the pay was decent, and the hours were good.
But Tana wanted more. And this winter, she just might get it.
The Elk Lodge was hiring a new ski program director, and Tana had put her name in for consideration. The new position was on her mind as she turned and went down the hill with the last of the group. Speculating on what might happen wouldn’t do her any good, but she just couldn’t help it. The program director’s job would be a perfect fit for her. And she would be so great for it. With the full-time salary and benefits, she’d finally be on the right track.
She came to a gentle stop with the kids on their skis chattering happily around her. “Great job, everybody. Remember—make big turns, side to side, and make a pizza. Those two things will get you down the hill when you’re out on the slopes with your parents, okay? What should you remember?”
“Side to side and make a pizza!” The kids shouted the phrases in a burst of glee.
Grinning, she watched them scatter in different directions. Their parents stood in various places by the entrances, most of them waving enthusiastically as their children approached. The job definitely had more highs than lows.
Tana pushed forward with her poles and moved smoothly toward the lodge. She’d make sure all the kids met up with their parents or nannies and then take her break. With another lesson coming up in an hour, there was just enough time to get a cup of cocoa in the cafeteria and take her boots off for a few minutes. As much as she loved teaching ski lessons, it was a bit taxing on her body. Another silver lining—she’d be in great shape when she got the program director’s position. When, not if. That was the attitude she needed for this application.
A flash of color out of the corner of her eye brought her up short as she watched a man approach. He crunched through the snow on winter boots, the sound reminding her of Lindsey chomping on cornflakes with an open mouth.
“I’m Ace,” he called out when he got closer. “If you have a second, I could give you a couple of pointers for your lessons.”
Uh, no. Tana did not have a second to listen to advice on how to do her job from some random scruffy man with sandy curls peeking out from underneath a fitted beanie. Especially one named Ace. Stunned, it took her a bit to figure out a reply without being rude.
“Kids like that girl who headed out in front of you. It’s better to take her down for a few solo runs before class if you can fit it in. Kids with that kind of courage can get away from you. Don’t want that. And I’d practice a few more turns with the rest of the group up top, while you still have time left on the slope. A few of them didn’t look too confident when they got down to the bottom. Build their trust in themselves first.”
Apparently she’d taken too long in her denial. Tana’s couldn’t believe how ridiculous his speech had become. She lifted her goggles over her head, then pushed back her hood with her free hand, staring at him. Glaring at him.
“I wasn’t asking, mister. If you don’t mind, I need to ensure all of my students are back with their families.” Her answer served double duty. Putting him in his place and getting rid of him. She was not a fan of this man, whoever he was.
His mouth dropped open, and she couldn’t help but notice the full perfection of his lips. That, with oddly compelling green eyes, ignited her curiosity. It felt like sitting a foot from the fire in the lodge. The heat only increased with the awkwardness. The man looked vaguely shocked like no one ever dared talk back. Who did he think he was anyway?
One of the parents stepped up between them, giving a shy little wave, the mom’s cheeks pink. Her little boy, Gus, stood close beside her.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt your conversation.” Her smile got bigger, her expression not matching the words. She looked almost giddy. “But my son was wondering if we could get a selfie.”
Ace’s face broke into a thousand-watt smile, and something clicked into place. Something awful.
“Sure thing.” He signaled for Gus and his mom to stand closer and Gus held out his phone to Tana. “Would you mind taking the photo for us?”
She took the phone and moved back. Seriously? Taking photos with him?
“Right around here, Mr. Elkin,” Gus’s mother gushed. She couldn’t stop smiling. Gus beamed up at Ace like the sun rose and fell on the man.
Hot shame flooded her face. Oh, my god. The man was champion world skier Chase Elkin. One of the Elkin family, as in owners of the lodge. And she’d been snippy with him. The earth seemed to drop away under her feet. Tana wanted to sink into the snow and disappear.
Chase, however, seemed completely at ease. He didn’t appear at all upset that an employee had just been incredibly rude to him in front of the guests.
Putting an arm around Gus, he smiled patiently while the boy’s mother took several pictures. Chase even offered to pose for a photo of the three of them and doing funny poses.
Wind, blow me away now.
“Thank you so much,” the mom said, giving Gus a gentle push toward the lodge. “We’ve got to go.”
Tana forced a smile to her face. “See you next week, Gus!” Her voice sounded too bright and too false, even to her own ears. And she still had to swim through the increasing awkwardness of the moment.
When she turned back to Chase, he was standing there with his arms crossed, checking her out from head to toe. Tana wasn’t a big fan of blushing, and the cold would only make her cheeks pinker, but she couldn’t stop it from happening. Get out ahead of this.
She let out a deep breath, the moisture forming a wispy cloud in the cool air.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Elkin, for... using that tone with you. I shouldn’t have said what I did. That wasn’t right.” Tana was aiming for apologetic, even if deep inside, she didn’t think he deserved it.
“Why? Because my family owns the lodge?” His grin had settled into something more sultry. “I don’t know if I’d turn down my own advice, but I’m sure you had your reasons.”
“I thought you were a random mansplaining guest,” she blurted. “I had another guy earlier do a similar thing, only he was a lot pushier about it. It gave me a bit of a short fuse.” Her nerves sparked with cold and dread. “I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way.”
“Sorry about the disgruntled guest.” Chase put one gloved hand into the pocket of his winter jacket. “Want me to have him removed from the premises?”
“No, of course not. I was only trying to explain—” Why I was so short with a man who’s basically my boss. “Why I didn’t accept your constructive criticism the way I should have.”
“I didn’t mean for it to come off as criticism.” Chase’s wide smile lit something inside of her. It made her think of adventure and laughing until her stomach hurt and the rush of pushing off the top of a black diamond hill. His eyes held sadness—no surprise, considering what had happened to him. “Call it expert, friendly advice. I wanted to get to know the ski instructors better and decided to watch how everyone operates. Is this your first teaching gig?”