Читать книгу Blissfully Yours - Diann Walker - Страница 9

“Candace, I didn’t know you would be here,” I say as I stumble inside the Windsor Mountain B&B and Ski Resort with two suitcases.

“Here, let me help you.” She holds the door, then once I’m inside, she lifts a suitcase from my grasp and puts it on the floor. “I had to finalize the joint venture paperwork with Mitch.”

I drop my suitcase to the floor, brush the snow from my coat, then grab the slight bill on my black-and-red checkered hat and pull it off, along with my black gloves. “I can’t believe I’m here,” I say and turn to give her our customary hug. “Sorry, I’m all wet with snow.” I brush the white flakes from my cap.

“After living here a while, you’ll get used to it. Snow is a fact of life in Bliss Village,” Candace says with a laugh.

Hearing that makes my stomach flip. “I have to admit I’m excited.” I won’t mention the part about not liking cold weather.

“You’re going to love it here, Gwen. I have a feeling it will work out.”

I have to wonder why she’s so into this. Trying to help out a friend, I guess. That’s the way things are between Candace, Lauren and me—we look out for each other.

“Hey, I like your hair cut that way, Gwen,” she says.

I touch my brown hair, momentarily forgetting that I had it cut to shoulder length with some light layering. “Thanks.”

I look around the room with pleasure and take a moment to catch my breath. I smell cinnamon from a nearby flickering candle. I’m thinking this could be a good sign.

“You like it?”

“It’s incredible,” I say, staring at the massive wooden beams, the stone fireplace, the rustic furnishings, spiral staircase, the wooden tables and chairs huddled on one side where, no doubt, breakfast is served. I think the room could use more color, mostly earth tones, but then that’s just me.

Candace’s gaze follows mine. “It is nice. Mitch has done a good job with it.” She turns to me again. “You’re excited—I can see it in your eyes.”

Whether the excitement comes from the new adventure or the possibility of seeing Mitch again, I can’t be sure. I have a suspicion, mind you, but time will tell.

“Come on, I’ll show you to your room.”

I pick up my luggage and follow Candace up the stairway to our left.

“Mitch isn’t here. He had to run some errands,” she says over her shoulder, reading my mind. “Your room is right near the stairway.”

We get to the top of the stairs and walk three steps to our left. Candace places my luggage on the floor and opens the door with a key. She shoves the door open, steps back and lets me go in first.

Inside the room is a spacious bathroom, complete with shower, bath and ceramic tile flooring. A cathedral ceiling gives the bedroom a spacious feel. However, even though the room is very nice and simple, it’s, well—beige has exploded all over the place. A king-size bed with a beige quilt hugs one beige wall, with two small stands on either side. An animal skin of some type hangs above it. Double doors from the opposite wall lead to a balcony patio. A small stone fireplace flanks the right wall. A small chair and stand with the telephone sit near the fireplace.

“Very pretty,” I say, trying to hide my disappointment with the beige attack. My world is not the same without bright reds, yellows, greens and blues.

Candace shrugs. “It’s nothing elaborate, but it is kind of cozy.”

Maybe not elaborate color-wise, but everything looks comfortable. Candace’s idea of elaborate and mine are two different things. We come from different worlds.

“Oh, dear, I almost forgot Guacamole. I have to get him from the car.”

Candace smiles and bites her lip. “You know, I forgot to tell Mitch about Guacamole.”

I stop. “Is that a problem?”

She shrugs. “Too late now.”

She doesn’t seem worried about it, so I figure it must be all right. I run down the stairs and out the door. Opening my car, I grab the handle of Guacamole’s travel cage and decide to come back later for my packed boxes. I’m thankful I’ve wrapped a blanket around the bottom, or he’d be mad at me. Same as me, he hates the cold. I take him inside and up the stairs, where Candace is still waiting in my room.

Her eyebrows lift. “So this is Guacamole in the flesh.”

“Yep,” I say like the proud mama I am. “Haven’t you seen him before?”

“Just pictures.” I notice her face doesn’t look all that pleasant as she watches Guacamole shuffle around in his cage. The good news is his green body stands out in the room, and suddenly I’m thankful he’s not a white poodle.

“I think you’ve found the perfect name.” She laughs. “How long have you had him?”

“Guacamole is two years old. Iguanas can live as long as twenty years.”

“Amazing. That takes true commitment.”

I nod. “If I ever get married, the man will have to love Guacamole, too.” I stick my fingers in Guacamole’s cage and rub his tail. “I have a wooden habitat for him—looks similar to open bookshelves, complete with warming lights. But it’s open in the front so he’s free to roam. I hope that’s all right.”

Candace’s eyebrows lift.

I can’t help but laugh at her expression. “Guacamole is litter-trained, so you don’t need to worry about, um, surprises.”

She relaxes. “What does he eat?” she asks, still looking a little worried.

“Bedposts, wooden chairs. Now, he’s not into pine wood. Mainly walnut, cherry, that kind of thing.”

Candace’s eyes grow large as snowballs.

“I’m kidding.” I laugh. Candace’s shoulders relax. “He eats healthier than I do. Staple veggies such as okra, green beans, butternut squash, acorn squash, mustard greens, some fruit occasionally—bananas, berries, peaches, pears, that kind of thing. Pretty much anything in the produce section,” I say with a laugh. “You’re sure your brother won’t mind, right?”

“Oh, yeah, don’t worry about it,” Candace says with a lighthearted tone of voice.

We hear the front door open downstairs.

“I think that’s Mitch.”

My heart blips again. I put Guacamole’s cage near the bed and follow Candace down the stairs. I glance at the banister and wonder for a fleeting second what it would be like to slide down it.

At the sight of Mitch, I struggle to breathe. My teeth stick together as though I’ve got a wad of saltwater taffy in my mouth. His thick, wavy hair is pushed away from his forehead with a bit of gel, and stylish sideburns end where his chiseled jawline begins. There’s not an ounce of fat on his body. The word buff comes to mind. I’m sure he must have been a football star at one time.

He extends his hand. “Hey, Gwen, good to see you again,” he says, flashing a grin.

My teeth are still stuck together, so I merely smile and shake his hand. He looks at me kind of funny, and I realize I’m still grasping his hand. I reluctantly give it back to him. Killjoy.

We step away from the door so he can get through, though I’m very tempted to stay put so he has to move me himself. My teeth start to hurt, and I pry them apart.

Mitch steps into the great room, and we follow him.

“So you got everything taken care of at the bank?” Candace asks.

He nods. “I think we’re almost ready for opening day.” He casts a quick glance my way. “We do have one glitch, though.”

I cast my prettiest smile and wonder what that could possibly have to do with me.

“Granny is coming tomorrow,” he says to Candace.

Their eyes lock. “Granny Windsor?”

Judging by the look on Candace’s face, I’m thinking this can’t be good. Yoo-hoo, anyone want to fill me in here?

“Did she say how long she would be staying?”

“Well, you see, that’s the thing,” Mitch says. “She wanted to come and check out my new place. I told her it would be great to have her here. Then the next thing I knew she decided to be the cook for the B and B. I don’t really know how that happened.”

“That’s Granny for you,” Candace says, shaking her head.

Well, this is embarrassing. I’ve barely moved in, and I’m already laid off—before I cook my first meal. Can’t somebody tell Granny I was here first?

“Mitch, you should have told her you had a cook already.”

Hear, hear, Hunky Boy’s sister wins the prize!

“I know,” he says, running his fingers through his hair. I wish I could do that. “But with Grandpa’s death and all, I think she needs to keep busy.”

“Look, Mitch, your compassionate side sometimes goes against your better judgment. We all have struggles we need to work through. Granny will be all right.”

I suddenly realize I’m eavesdropping on a family matter.

Candace turns to me. “Grandpa died about four months ago, and we’re trying to help Granny through it. But don’t let her fool you, she’s a strong one. We have to watch her. She’s usually up to something.”

“She is ornery, but still I want to do what I can to help her.” Mitch looks at me. “That is, I want to help Granny, but I don’t mean to put you out, either. I was thinking you could run Cool Beanz, the coffeehouse, for us. Provide specialty coffees, Danish rolls, sandwiches and soft drinks, that kind of thing. We won’t be serving real meals, other than breakfast, until the business grows and I can add a restaurant.”

I’m feeling better. At least I still have a job. “Sure, I’d be glad to do that.” I’m hoping this doesn’t mean a decrease in pay. I’m already way under my teaching wage. And this is starting to feel like a game of limbo.

“I’ll still pay you the same. You’ll keep plenty busy. I have someone else lined up to help you, too.” He gives me a reassuring smile, and I notice how even and white his teeth are. His lips are perfect, too. Not collagen-large or paper-thin. I’ve never liked men with thin lips. Just freaks me out to think about it.

“Where is Cool Beanz located?” I ask. I don’t remember seeing a building like that before I came into the B and B.

Mitch plops down on the sofa. “Oh, it’s at the top of the slope.”

His words slash through my happy moment. I fall onto the sofa across from him. Great. The top of the mountain is encircled in a cloud. The thought of being up that high makes me gasp for breath.

“You all right?”

A Darth Vader sound has entered the room, and I suddenly realize it’s coming from me. I attempt to swallow my fears and simply nod.

He studies me a minute. The look on his face makes my heart skip. “I saw your skis in the car. I figure with a nice set like that, you’ll enjoy the trip down that slope.” He gives me a sort of studly look as though he had something to do with the mountain being so high.

Mountain. I’ll be working on top of a mountain. I’m trying to swallow here but I can’t. Just won’t happen. I’m wondering if this might be a good time to mention that whole vertigo thing. Or maybe my fear of heights. Better still, perhaps he would like to know that I don’t ski. Actually, “never skied” would be the more appropriate response here.

He stretches his arm across the back of the sofa and smiles as though life couldn’t get any better. “Candace, aside from the deal with Granny, things are perfect. I’ve never been so excited about anything in my life.”

Maybe now is not the best time to tell him.

I look at his strong arm stretched across the sofa and imagine for only a moment what it would be like to snuggle in beside him.

“Hey, nice sweater,” he says, pointing to my multi-colored sweater of reds, yellows and blues.

“Thanks.” The man appreciates color.

“Want some coffee?” Candace asks us both, already making her way toward the kitchen.

“Sounds great,” Mitch says.

“Sure. You need some help?” I ask.

Candace waves me away. “You two get to know each other some more. I’ll take care of the coffee.”

I hear myself gulp, then I turn to Mitch and lift a weak smile.

Despite the snow outside, his hazel eyes warm me clear through. Maybe it’s the fireplace that does it, but maybe not.

“We didn’t get to talk all that much at Lauren and Garrett’s the night we met.”

Oh, I like the way he says, “The night we met.”

“So, tell me more about yourself,” he says with a grin that curls my toes.

Well, let’s see, I’m thirty-two, single, and setting my sights on you, Big Guy. “I’ve been teaching fifth grade since I graduated from college. And as you know, I’ve worked part-time as a cook at the Oasis Restaurant back home.”

“Candace tells me you’re taking a sabbatical to try something new.”

I nod.

“Well, I’m glad you’re here,” he says, eyes sparkling. My heart zips to my throat. “I hope this whole thing works out and you decide to stay on with me.” His gaze shoots straight to my heart.

Did he say “Stay on with me”? Forget that whole “I hope this works out” thing. You name the date, babe, and I’m at the church. I put my left hand in full view in case he wants to check out my ring finger. Mom would be so proud.

Candace steps back into the room. “The coffee is brewing.” She sits on the sofa beside me. “Gwen believes you can do anything you set your mind to, if you want it badly enough.”

Mitch rubs his jaw. “Oh, really?”

I’m feeling a tad less confident than usual because of that whole coffeehouse on the mountain thing, but my bubbly side kicks in. “That’s right. But of course, the key is in wanting it enough.”

He smiles and scoots to the edge of his seat. With elbows on his knees, fingers clasped in front of him, he says, “That’s so true, Gwen.”

“Didn’t I tell you that you would get along, Mitch?” Candace says with a wink.

“That you did,” he says, his gaze never leaving my face. “Then you won’t mind managing Cool Beanz for me?”

Is he kidding? I would climb Mount Everest for him. His smile mesmerizes me, and I almost swallow my tongue. “Oh, uh, no, that will be fine,” I hear myself say. I’ll get some DVDs, search the Internet for diagrams, do whatever it takes to get up and down that mountain, maybe even with skis. How hard can that be?

“Great!” He rubs his hands together eagerly.

“Be right back with the coffee,” Candace says, heading once again to the kitchen.

I really want to tell them both that I don’t ski. I mean, they haven’t even asked me if I ski. I suppose they think everyone skis because they’re from Bliss Village. People here probably give skis at baby showers.

Mitch’s brows furrow. “I hope we continue to get snow late into the season.”

“Doesn’t it last a while in the mountains?” I’m wondering why he’s worrying. It’s not exactly Tumbleweed, Arizona, here.

He brightens. “Yeah, you’re right.” Smile back in place. My toes curl again. I’m beginning to feel like an elf.

Candace brings in the coffee and serves us. We settle in for a nice chat. “Don’t forget about the New Year’s party at Lauren and Garrett’s tonight,” she says.

My eyes lock with Mitch for an instant. I wonder if he’s bringing a date.

“I’ll be there,” Mitch says happily.

“Me, too.” I perk up.

“If I know Lauren, it should be fun,” Candace says before sipping from her cup. “Say, Mitch, since you’re not opening for a few days, are you going to give Gwen time to get to know the area?”

Mitch winks at Candace. “I think we can manage that,” he says.

I’m thinking it would be nice if he took me around town.

“Well, with tomorrow being the start of a new year, everything will be closed. But you could check things out the following day. After that, you can look over our place, get acquainted with the area and Cool Beanz. Anything in particular you want to check out?” he asks.

Another swoosh of adrenaline. Maybe this is an offer. “Oh, I don’t know yet,” I say with a sheepish grin.

“Wish I could take you around, but time won’t allow me. Last-minute details, you know.”

“Sure,” I say, though my heart plunges to my knees. Oh, well, the library might be a good place to start. Surely they have instructional DVDs on how to ski.

“You might want to saunter over to Dream Slopes and check out the competition,” Candace says in her business voice. “Get acclimated with how things are done at a resort when it’s open.”

Mitch sits up again. “Say, that’s a great idea, Candace.” He looks back to me. “Dream Slopes is our closest competition. A ski resort about twenty miles down the road. Bigger than ours, but I’m hoping this place, being a bed-and-breakfast and all, will add a little more charm than the bigger resorts. We’ll try to offer that neighborly touch as opposed to the big hotel chain feel.”

“Great. I’ll check it out,” I say. And maybe I’ll take a skiing lesson while I’m there….