Читать книгу A Father For Bella - Jill Weatherholt - Страница 14

Chapter Two

Joshua closed the door fast, but it didn’t release the guilt that gripped him. The ticking wall clock in the office space caused his thoughts to race. She lived on the property? He didn’t recall seeing a house.

Discovering that Faith had lived at the inn after her parents were killed was bad enough, but being a landlord wasn’t part of his plan. How could he evict a young mother and her child? There were so many other things that needed his attention prior to the auction, but this was a huge, unexpected curveball.

He strolled toward the clock and took it off the wall. Carefully, he removed the batteries and remounted it. He’d never liked the sound of time passing him by.

As he admired the Bob Timberlake painting hanging adjacent to the stacked-stone fireplace, his cell phone chirped. Without looking at the screen, he pulled it from his back pocket. “Hello, Joshua Carlson speaking.”

“Josh, hey, it’s Steve-o.” Steve Hayes, his best friend from Georgetown University.

His voice brought a smile to Joshua’s face. “Steve-o, it’s great to hear from you—it’s been a while.”

“It’s my fault, man. I’ve been working in London for the past four months. I had to set up a new network system for one of our customers. The hours have been brutal.”

“No problem. I know you tech guys work around the clock.”

A brief silence hung in the air.

“I just heard about your mom, Josh. I’m really sorry. I wish I’d known. I would have flown back for the funeral.”

First the cancer diagnosis and within six months, she was with the Lord. It was hard to believe a month had passed since he’d kissed her cheek and held her hand for the last time. “Don’t worry about it. I should have called you, but it was a small service. You know how my father is, always trying to keep family business hush-hush.”

“How’s he doing? Despite his ways, I know he loved your mom.”

“Yes, he did. I think it’s been tough for him, but we haven’t talked since the funeral...we hardly spoke then. He’s still angry at me for quitting my job at his firm.” He didn’t want to dump the gory details on his friend, but the truth was that his father had disowned his only son. “I did hear from Melissa.”

“So, she’s still handling your legal affairs?”

“Yeah, she said my dad’s attorney told her that my dad’s getting rid of anything that reminds him of my mother.”

“That must be tough on him.”

“He’s even selling the businesses. The hotels and inns they’d owned together are either for sale or going up for auction.” He paused. He could trust Steve to keep his plan under wraps. “That’s why I’m in Whispering Slopes.”

“Whispering Slopes—the ski resort in the Shenandoah Valley? The Black Bear Inn, wasn’t that your mother’s favorite place?”

He smiled. Steve had always been a good listener. “Yes, it was. My father’s putting it up for auction and I plan to make an offer. I’ve got a healthy nest egg saved, as well as my trust account. Hopefully it will cover the cost. There’s no way I’ll let strangers take over the inn. It meant too much to my mother.” He paused as the ache of losing her bubbled to the surface. “It’s all I have left of her.”

“I understand. Do you think he’s too angry at you for leaving his firm to gift the place to you?”

Joshua slid into the leather club chair next to the fireplace. “Angry isn’t the word for it.” Despite Steve being his best friend, it was tough to admit his own father thought he was a loser. He glanced out the window. The outdoor spotlight exposed a gathering of seven white-tailed deer on the grounds below.

The silence lingered for a couple of seconds. Joshua hadn’t meant to make his friend uncomfortable “It’s all good. I’m going to buy this inn and the surrounding property. My plan is to redevelop it and make it a five-star resort.” Although Faith and her daughter would present a bigger problem than he anticipated, he wasn’t backing down—he couldn’t. “It’s going to be the best resort on the East Coast.”

“I have no doubt it will. But one thing, how will you keep your father from finding out about your plan?”

Joshua straightened his shoulders. “His lawyers will handle everything since he’s out of the country right now. Besides, Melissa will place the bid on my behalf. I’ll be behind the scenes, so she’ll handle everything. Dad will never know who bought it until long after the deal is sealed. By then, there won’t be anything he can do.” At least he hoped there wouldn’t be.

Steve chuckled. “It sounds like you’ve got a good plan.” He paused for a moment. “I’m surprised Melissa is still working as your attorney. After all the years she pined over you, you married Jessica, her best friend. I figured she’d moved on.”

Joshua had never tried to lead Melissa on. They’d known each other since high school and only dated briefly during their junior year. She was a little too high-strung for his taste. Plus, God wasn’t first in her life. “Well, she knows her stuff when it comes to the law.”

Before ending the call, the two friends promised to make an effort to talk more often. Joshua hung up and walked toward the window. It was spitting snow. Jessica never liked the snow. She preferred white sandy beaches and crystal-blue water. His stomach turned as he thought of her. He’d believed he’d known her, especially since they’d dated for three years before they were married. But as soon as she found out he’d quit his job, she’d walked. Right into more money. Five years of marriage and she left me for some rich guy. He mauled his face with his free hand, picturing her on an island in the Caribbean.

He didn’t feel so hungry after all.

* * *

The following morning, after a shower and shave, Joshua donned a black polo shirt and tan slacks before zipping downstairs to the dining room for a quick breakfast. After seeing the snow last night, he couldn’t wait to hit the slopes. He’d had a restless night thinking about Faith’s home on the property. He needed to clear his mind.

He relaxed his shoulders when he stepped inside the dining room and noticed it wasn’t nearly as crowded as last night. He could deal with out-of-town guests, but the locals were more inclined to ask questions.

He strolled through the dining area. Red cedar beams extended along the ceiling. A large stone fireplace in the center of the room emitted an orange glow, providing a warm and cozy focal point. The aroma of sizzling bacon caused his stomach to rumble.

Sliding into the empty table next to the large windows covering the entire back wall, he knew why this had been his mother’s favorite place. The panoramic views of the slopes were incredible. Bringing the outside in was a very nice touch...this was something he’d have to keep in mind during the renovations.

Moments later, a petite woman with hair as white as cotton approached him. With a stubby orange pencil tucked behind her ear, she carried a pot of coffee—just what he needed.

“Well, good morning. Joshua, isn’t it? I’m Mrs. Watson. I’m sorry I missed you at dinner last night.” She wiped her hands down the front of her red-and-white-checked apron and extended her right hand.

After learning Faith lived on the property and thoughts of Jessica, he’d lost his appetite. “I decided to turn in early.”

“Bella told me Faith got you settled into your room.” She flashed a toothy grin. “You certainly impressed our little girl. She went on and on about how you rescued her in the woods as though you were a superhero.”

She sure could talk. Taking advantage of her pause, he stood and shook her hand. “Yes, I’m Joshua. I’m not so sure about the superhero bit, but I’m glad I arrived when I did.”

Mrs. Watson released a heavy sigh. “Amen!”

“I’m anxious to get out on the slopes this morning.”

Mrs. Watson filled his cup to the brim with a piping hot dark-roast blend. “Conditions are excellent this morning. We picked up several inches of snow overnight.”

“I noticed it coming down at a pretty good clip before I went to bed last night.” He glanced toward the lobby and saw Faith dressed in a lemon-lime ski suit.

Mrs. Watson turned and pointed. “Faith’s getting ready to go out with some of the guests, if you’re interested. She organizes all types of outdoor activities for our snow lovers.”

He preferred to ski alone, but since he wasn’t familiar with the slopes, it might be a good idea to go with a group. Plus, it would be a good opportunity to get some valuable information about the resort from Faith. “It sounds like fun. Are you sure she won’t mind another person?” His eyes shifted to the lobby, but she was gone.

“Oh, no, she loves when the guests participate. Why don’t I put in your breakfast order while you go let her know you want to join the group? They’ll be heading out within the hour.”

Joshua smiled. “Perfect.”

“You know, she’s quite the skier. She’s won several big competitions in the state.”

“Really?” He wasn’t too surprised. She had an athletic build, like a runner.

“She’s a great instructor if you’re just learning.”

“I’ve been skiing since I was a boy, so I won’t need lessons.” His stomach grumbled. “Now, about my order—I’ll have a cheese omelet, two slices of toast and some of that delicious-smelling bacon.”

She scribbled on her pad and stuck the pencil behind her ear.

“Faith should be in her office.” She turned and scurried toward the kitchen.

Joshua grabbed his coffee and headed toward the lobby. The young couple he’d seen yesterday when he’d first arrived headed out the front door, each carrying a sled. He liked the idea of the inn offering many outdoor activities for its guests. He’d do the same, but his plans would be on a much grander scale.

Although the door to Faith’s office was open, he gently knocked.

She looked up with a half smile that quickly disappeared.

He gripped his cup with both hands. “I’m sorry to disturb you.”

She rested her pen on the desk and stood. “Don’t be silly—come in.”

He hesitated for a moment before entering her office. Her ski pants swooshed as she crossed the room to meet him halfway. A faint scent of his ex-wife’s favorite cologne tickled his nose. Somehow it smelled different on Faith. Better.

“What can I do for you?”

“Mrs. Watson mentioned you were taking a group out skiing this morning.”

Faith crossed her arms across her chest. “Yes... I am.”

“Do you have room for one more?”

She paused for a moment. A woodpecker drilled on the oak tree outside the window.

“Of course. Will you need equipment?”

He never skied without his own gear. It would be like using someone else’s toothbrush. “No, I brought my stuff. Remember, I did come for some skiing, too.” She didn’t need to know his business motives—at least not now.

“Okay. We’re heading out at ten o’clock. Does that work for you?”

He spied a cuckoo clock on the wall, but it read four o’clock. He pointed toward it. “Looks like you need to wind the clock.”

She turned and shook her head. “It belonged to my grandmother. I can’t stand the sound of a ticking clock.”

His lips parted to share with her their similar dislike, but he decided against it. No sense getting personal. He checked his watch. “That’ll work. I just have to eat breakfast and change clothes.”

“That’s fine. We’ll all meet in the lobby at ten.” She stepped toward her desk, but stopped short and turned. “We’ll ski a black diamond course today. Do you have experience with that level of difficulty?”

Joshua nodded. “Of course I do.”

* * *

Shortly after ten o’clock, Faith squirmed in the chairlift as it climbed the slope. She wasn’t happy she’d ended up sharing a chair with Joshua, but since the others were coupled up, it only made sense.

“So how long have you been skiing?”

She wasn’t in the mood for small talk, not with an eligible bachelor. Was he single? There was no ring on his finger. But with his good looks he probably had women throwing themselves at him. What did she care anyway? “All of my life. When you grow up in Whispering Slopes, they slap skis on your feet as soon as you start to walk.”

He laughed as he scanned the view. “It’s spectacular up here. When I was a kid, I always felt like I was riding to Heaven when I went up on the chairlift.” He paused and looked up toward the sky. “I remember thinking God could hear me better since I was up higher.”

Faith had felt that way once upon a time, but not anymore. Not since God took away the only man she’d ever loved.

The chair stopped with a jerk despite being only halfway to the top.

Great.

This wasn’t how she’d planned on spending her morning. Stuck on the slopes and talking about God. With another abrupt movement, the chair continued its climb. She released a sigh of relief.

Joshua turned and flashed a crooked smile. “Phew. For a minute there, I thought we’d be up here for a while and forced to continue this strained conversation.”

Reaching the top of the mountain, they disembarked and waited for the others. Since everyone was an advanced skier, she’d brought them to the Black Bear’s most difficult slope, the Matterhorn.

With the group gathered in a circle, Faith adjusted her goggles. “The report said the trails are a little icy this morning, so everyone use caution. If you choose to break off from the group, make sure you check in with me when you return to the inn, so everyone is accounted for. Even though you’re all advanced, I think you’ll find the Matterhorn to be quite a challenge. Be safe, but most important, have fun.”

Faith watched as the couples headed down the slope, breaking off as she’d expected.

“You ready?”

She flinched at the sound of his smooth voice and the smell of sweet peppermint. “Ready?”

“Yeah, unless you plan to stand here admiring the view for the rest of the day. What do you say—wanna ski together?” Joshua suggested as he adjusted his goggles.

The sooner she got down to the bottom and away from him, the better. “Sure, let’s go.”

She dug her poles in the ground and pushed. The cold air exploded in her face as she glided down the slope. This was where she was happiest. Swishing down the slopes, she felt as though she was leaving all of the hurt and pain behind. Too bad it always waited for her at the bottom.

Several minutes into the run, she spied Joshua off to her left. He whooshed down the hill with the ease of a professional. Her stomach lurched when she hit an icy spot and almost took a spill. Seconds later, she watched as Joshua’s poles went flying into the air and he was suddenly tumbling down the slope straight toward a cluster of trees. She made a quick turn with her skis. A wave of snow swooshed in the air before she came to a dead stop. She pushed forward in his direction—but it was too late. Joshua had hit the trees and was lying motionless in the snow.

Crouching by his side, she removed her skis and dropped to her knees. “Joshua! Can you hear me?” Her heart pounded through her jacket. She reached into her pocket and grabbed her phone to call for help.

“Black Bear Inn, can I help you?” Thankful Mrs. Watson answered on the first ring, Faith struggled to catch her breath.

“Mrs. Watson—it’s Faith. There’s been an accident up on Matterhorn at marker five. Can you call Doug? He and Jerry will need to bring the stretcher. And please, hurry. Mr. Carlson is unconscious.”

Faith ended the call and stuffed her cell into her pocket. She reached toward Joshua and carefully removed his goggles, not wanting to move him the slightest bit. “Can you hear me?” His eyes remained closed.

Within minutes, the rumble of the approaching snowmobile echoed up the slope. “Hang on, help is coming.”

She rubbed her wet glove across her forehead. Why had she allowed him to come without seeing his ability as a skier, first? She’d been out with the others in the group and knew they were qualified to ski a challenging run. She held her breath as Doug and Jerry gently lifted Joshua and placed him on the stretcher.

Thirty minutes later, she was pacing the floor at Valley Memorial Hospital. The fluorescent lighting buzzed overhead, triggering her memory. She had to get out of here. And fast. Beads of perspiration surfaced on her forehead. She took a sip of the bitter coffee and grimaced. Everything about this place made her stomach queasy.

“Faith!”

She turned and spotted Mrs. Watson racing down the hall. For a sixty-eight-year-old woman, she was in great shape.

“I got here as fast as I could. How’s Mr. Carlson?”

Amazingly, she wasn’t even out of breath. “He’s with the doctor now. They’re doing a CT scan.” Faith had been relieved once Doug and Jerry got Joshua to the bottom of the slope and the ambulance had been waiting. “He regained consciousness on the way here. Hopefully he’ll be okay.”

Mrs. Watson pulled off her coat and flung it on a nearby chair. “So what happened?”

All the way to the hospital, Faith had recalled the last few minutes on the trail. “I’m not sure. One minute he was skiing like a professional, and then he went down. He must have hit some ice.”

“Well, thank God you were with him. What if he’d been up there by himself?”

Faith had the exact thought. That trail didn’t get as much use as the intermediate and beginner’s slopes. Who knows how long he could have lain up there? She shook off the negative thought.

The two women paced the floor for the next thirty minutes. They both turned at the sound of approaching footsteps.

“Hello, Faith, Mrs. Watson.” The tall, slender red-haired man smiled before slipping his wire-framed glasses on.

“Hello, Dr. Maxwell,” they responded in unison.

He extended his hand to Faith. His grip was firm. “I understand Mr. Carlson is a guest at your inn.”

“That’s correct. He checked in with us yesterday. Is he going to be okay?” It had been four years since she’d been in this hospital. Her knees weakened. The sooner she could get out of here the better.

“He’s regained consciousness and gave us his father’s number, but we weren’t able to reach him. Mr. Carlson said it was okay if we talk with you about his condition, since his father probably wouldn’t call back.”

Faith lifted an eyebrow. Odd. What kind of father wouldn’t return a phone call concerning his injured son?

The doctor skimmed the papers on his clipboard. “He’s very fortunate he didn’t sustain any broken bones. He’s got a mild concussion and will need to be monitored closely for a day or two.”

“Oh, no problem whatsoever, Doctor. Faith and I can take care of him.”

What? Why was Mrs. Watson so quick to volunteer her services? If she wanted to care for him, fine, but there was no way Faith would play nurse. She had enough on her plate. “Uh...can’t he stay here? Things are really hectic right now.” Her world was about to turn upside down if she didn’t figure out a plan to place a bid on the inn. She couldn’t lose it...it was all the security she and Bella had in their life.

Mrs. Watson stepped forward. “Nonsense, Faith. With your medical background, we can handle the inn and Mr. Carlson. After all, it’s the least we can do for a guest who’s planning such a long stay.”

“Exactly what I was thinking. With four years of medical school under your belt, you’re more than qualified,” Dr. Maxwell said. “Besides, he’s contributing to our local economy and it’s important we give special attention to our out-of-town visitors. We want to keep them coming back, don’t we?”

What was happening here? Faith raked her fingers through the back of her thick hair. Yes, she had completed medical school. She’d just begun her residency when her entire world collapsed around her. Medicine was part of her past—and exactly where it would stay.

The overhead intercom filled the hall with static, paging Dr. Maxwell. “I have to get going. I’ll keep Mr. Carlson overnight for observation, but you can pick him up tomorrow afternoon.”

Faith didn’t remember agreeing to this, but what else could she do? She released a heavy breath. She’d been overruled. “We’ll be here.”

She wasn’t doing this on her own. Mrs. Watson seemed anxious to volunteer, so she would be the one to care for him. Faith had no intention of utilizing her medical background—ever. How could she? The memories were too haunting.