Sleigh Bells in Valentine Valley (17 page)

Tony wasn't quite looking at her, and she wondered if he thought she was still angry with him. She was still upset, but more about the past and her failures than him.

But he might still be angry with her . . .

And then her brothers started trooping in, distracting her. Walt handed the baby to Kate while he and Diana undressed the other two. Jim brought a bottle of wine he wanted his parents to try.

“You need to stock this at Carmina's. My customers love it.”

Dave brought a date and introduced her to Kate as Jessica Fitzjames, a reporter at the
Valentine Gazette
. She was a young woman in her twenties, with long, wavy blond hair and curious, intelligent eyes.

“Nice to meet you, Kate. Haven't I seen you serving at Tony's Tavern?”

“She's really a lawyer,” Dave said. “It's a long story. That's her ex-husband, Tony.”

Tony nodded as he washed and dried off his hands.

“Of course I know Tony,” Jessica said, then she looked between the two of them. “Wow, I've heard of amicable divorces, but I've never met anyone like you two.”

“This is their kid,” Dave said, elbowing Ethan, and Kate noticed in surprise that her brother and her son were about the same height.

“Oh, that makes sense,” Jessica said.

“Did you guys see the Christmas story in the
Gazette
,” Dave began, “the one for kids, and they have to finish it to win prizes? Jessica wrote that.”

Christina smiled at Jessica in surprised astonishment. “That's wonderful, Jessica! I thought that was the most adorable story about a lost reindeer.”

“And we've gotten some incredible endings, at all grade levels. We'll be posting them Christmas Day.”

When they all sat down at the big table, Kate told what she'd learned about the Glenwood Caverns and how they'd been used in the nineteenth century.

“Picnics where they dressed up in their best clothes!” Ethan proclaimed, still chewing a slice of buttered bread. “It sounds so crazy.”

“But we know why they went,” Kate said. “You're above the whole Roaring Fork Valley, with the mountains lining both sides. I almost felt like I could see clear to Aspen.”

Ethan said to his dad, “You got a lot farther with the bookcase.”

“Sorry you missed it,” Tony said. “You'll have more chances to practice.”

Ethan grinned. “Remember when you tried to have me help make my own toy box?”

“You were six, and so convinced you could wield a hammer like I did.”

Kate winced. “Oh, wait—that was the time you broke your toe!”

Everyone laughed as Ethan grew a little red. “Well, yeah, I didn't say I had great aim.”

She remembered Tony's remorse when he had called to tell her what had happened. He took it as badly as if he'd personally caused the accident. He was such a good dad—a good man. And she was determined to help grow his business, whether he thought it was a trust issue or not. She just . . . owed him.

T
hat night, along with her law research, Kate started looking up regulations for holding an event, the special permit required, and how it was mostly about the decibel level of an outdoor concert. She stayed up too late, writing down estimates of what the stage would cost, notes about contacting sound equipment specialists, and what kind of food they might serve outside.

When Tony didn't come over, she told herself it was because of Ethan. Was that just an excuse, though? Now that they'd brought up such a painful part of their marriage, could they forget it had been said? Should they?

But their lovemaking seemed to have turned on a switch inside her, making her restless. She was achy with need in all the places he'd touched, even though she was still upset with herself. They'd vowed not to let the past interfere with the present, but they'd gotten it wrong almost immediately.

Maybe last night had been the final intimate moment she'd have with him.

T
ony had a difficult time falling asleep that night, thinking about sex and Kate and how he'd made a mess of things by bringing up what couldn't be changed. He'd thought for sure she'd stay furious with him, and inwardly he'd grimaced when he'd heard that her parents had invited her to dinner. To his surprise, she'd acted as if nothing had happened, had even snuck a glance or two at him that he hadn't been able to interpret. She hadn't seemed angry, though. They'd spent years acting like friends for their son's benefit; she could probably assume the guise of friendship without even thinking about it anymore.

But it was a little more difficult for him.

He'd almost felt like he'd been back in high school again, when he'd been around her parents all the time, even working for them so that he could sleep with their daughter. He might have been thirty-three now, but it almost felt the same way, a guilty feeling of excitement.

He wasn't sure when he finally fell asleep, but it was surprising to be awakened by a text from his son early on Sunday morning.

Going to mass early. Will is taking us boarding. I'm teaching Mom. Bet he won't mind if U come. U working?

Will was taking Kate snowboarding? Tony felt a surge of annoyance that he hadn't seen this coming. Will was the one who'd said she was too serious, that she should have more fun. So now Will was putting his words into practice.

Damn straight Tony was going. He might be fine with Kate dating whomever she wanted—back in Vail. But if she was going to sleep with him, he didn't want her dating his best friend.

But maybe she didn't plan to sleep with him anymore . . .

He showed up at Kate's just as Will arrived. They both got out of their pickup trucks and glanced at each other.

Will smiled even as his eyebrows lowered. “You coming with us?”

“Ethan invited me,” Tony said cheerfully. “Haven't gone in a while.”

“Great.”

“Should I put my board in your pickup?”

“Sure.” Will moved ahead of him to reach Kate's front door first.

Tony let him have that minor triumph, then just hung out on the walkway, waiting. Ethan spilled out the door soon enough, carrying his board, going on about the wax he'd applied. Then he saw Tony.

“Hey, Dad, glad you're going. Might need both of you to pick Mom up when she falls.”

“I heard that,” Kate said.

She emerged from the house wearing a teal blue ski jacket and mint-colored ski pants. She looked pretty damned cute, her short blond hair as messy as when he'd had her in bed.

She saw Tony, and though her eyes briefly widened, she smiled. “I didn't know you were coming.”

“Ethan invited me. Hope you don't mind.”

She looked between Will and Tony, bit her lip as she always did when she was amused, and headed for Will's pickup.

More and more Tony was thinking she'd gotten over their argument.

On the half-hour drive to Snowmass Village, Will regaled them all with stories of ranch life in the winter, how that morning he'd had to break the ice on the water troughs. Tony, who sat in the back with Ethan, just listened with contentment. Will was a good-natured blowhard, and Tony'd just let his friend talk Kate to death.

Once they'd rented Kate a snowboard and helmet in the village, Tony and Will stayed in the background and let Ethan teach his mom on the hill. It gave Tony a great feeling of pride to watch how patient his son was, how good he was at boarding. He saw Kate's occasional sad looks when Ethan wasn't looking, and he knew she was still concerned that he couldn't be on a team because of their custody arrangement.

Kate had skied in her youth, and that helped a bit. After an hour, they left the easier green circle runs. Once they made it to Bull Run, it was obvious that Kate was beginning to enjoy herself. She fell quite a bit, but sometimes she had a good, long run, and watching her and Ethan celebrate just made Tony's day.

When Tony and Will were waiting for Kate to finish a short run, Will eyed him through his goggles. “You look pretty happy for a man spending the day with his ex-wife—and one who's forced to ski groomed trails on a powder day.”

“Yeah, I can't help myself. I'm just so impressed with my kid—not that I'm patting myself on the back for being a good parent or anything.”

“Of course not,” Will said with faint sarcasm.

They grinned at each other.

“It's still always crazy to me that you're not that much older than me, and you have a teenage son already.”

“Tell me about it,” Tony said. “I'm the youngest parent at any school event.”

“To me, that makes you pretty damned old. Do you even have any interest in dating, old man?”

Tony chuckled. “We'll see who's old,” he said, then bent and headed downhill, feeling the wind whip past his face as he carved through the soft groom underfoot. He beat Will to the next knoll, where Kate was catching her breath. He slid hard to a stop, spraying her with snow.

“Nice job!” Tony called, seeing her beam at him through his goggles.

Her cheeks were red with the cold, and the goggles couldn't hide the sparkle in her eyes. “Thanks! I think I'm getting the hang of it.”

“Ethan's a pretty good teacher. Speaking of Ethan . . .” Tony looked around.

She pointed farther downhill just as Will caught up with them. “He met up with a girl from his class. See the one in pink and yellow?”

“Is he deserting us already?” Will asked.

“Not yet,” Kate said, “but I may let him go soon.”

They all rode up on the lift together and took another run.

Next time up, they all saw Ethan's friend waving at him. Ethan looked a little redder than he had a moment ago and awkwardly waved.

“You guys go ahead,” Kate said. “I want to take my time. I'll meet you at the Alpine Springs lift. Ethan, go join your friend. Really.”

He waved and took off.

Kate looked at Tony and Will. “Go ahead, I'm tired of holding you all up. Happy trails!”

Tony nodded and headed down the first hill, then rode to the side.

Will stopped beside him. “What's up?”

“I don't like leaving her alone this early in her training. I want to make sure she makes it down all right. You can go on ahead.”

“Naw, that's okay. But I gotta tell you—I'm shocked you're sticking with her. You know the rule: There are no friends on a powder day—let alone ex-wives.”

Tony shrugged good-naturedly. They looked uphill just as Kate came over the roller too fast. She tried to keep her balance over the board, but her arms windmilled as she lost control.

Tony said, “Come on, baby, you got it—you got it—damn.”

Will lifted his goggles and briefly stared at him, but Tony wasn't paying attention.

Flying off trail, Kate headed right into the trees. His gut clenched, and he saw Will lower his goggles, frowning his worry.

“I got her,” Tony said.

He didn't know what was in his voice, but Will's look grew piercing. “So it's like that?” he called as Tony began to take off.

“Yeah, it's like that,” Tony said, then called over his shoulder, “Keep your mouth shut about it, okay?”

Will yelled, “Okay, but I'll pull out my cell, waiting for your call if she needs real help.”

Tony traversed across the hill as fast as he could and followed her path through the powder. Thankfully, the trees were widely spaced, and several skiers had come through in a few places, leaving tracks. He saw Kate's bright coat in a pillow of snow. She was on her back, trying to brace herself upright. Tony felt the weight of relief in a rush of shaky emotion. Thank God she was all right and hadn't fallen headfirst into a tree well. But she couldn't get out of her bindings, leaving her stuck where she'd fallen.

He pulled up next to her. “Kate?”

She turned her head swiftly, then collapsed back on her elbows. “Tony! I feel like an idiot. I'm stuck!”

He braced himself on a tree, leaning over her to grin, even as he lifted his goggles onto his helmet.

“Stop laughing at me!” But she returned his grin.

“I saw the whole thing—it must have been scary when you flew off into the trees.”

“I didn't even have time to think about it, I was so busy trying to stay upright.”

She was covered in patches of snow, including her face. She'd be getting cold pretty soon if he didn't get her out of the deep drift. He reached out a hand and they took each other's wrists. She pulled him over into the powder, and he tumbled beside her.

“How do you like it now?”

She started laughing and he joined in, before coming up on his elbow to remove his glove and wipe the snow off her cold face.

Their smiles died.

“I'm sorry,” Tony said quietly. “I didn't mean to argue yesterday.”

“Me neither,” she whispered.

She looked up at him, her eyes all soft as they lingered on his mouth. He leaned down to kiss her, their cold lips soon warm against each other. He pressed his mouth to each spot where the snow had chilled her face, then came back to her mouth.

“Hmm, you taste like lip balm,” he murmured.

She chuckled. “I don't think there's much more you can do with all these clothes separating us.”

“You'd be surprised.” He'd gone husky saying that, but then he had to sigh. “Okay, let's get you up.”

“And get you up,” she reminded him.

“Now that sounds dirty.”

They laughed again. He helped her get out of her bindings, then popped his back foot out. He stood up and pulled her with him, grumbling that she could have picked a better place to fall.

“Anything hurt? I was so busy kissing you I never thought to ask.”

“No, no, I'm fine. But do you think there's an easy way back onto the trail?”

“Let me go first and you follow in my track. In fact, why don't you walk out and I'll carry your board.”

Slowly he moved through the trees, looking behind to watch her trudge through waist-deep snow. At last they emerged onto a lower section of the run.

Will was waiting for them. When he saw them, he got up from his perch on the slope. “Kate, glad to see you're all right.”

“Me, too.” She took her board from Tony.

“Yeah, she had to swim out of there,” Tony said as she stepped back into her bindings.

Will gave Tony a searching glance, and Tony tried to look impassive, rather than too innocent and obvious. Will rolled his eyes.

Looking downhill, Kate didn't see their exchange. “Ethan doesn't know about this, does he? I don't want my son to know quite how bad I am.”

“No, he's long gone,” Will said. “He's probably at the base of the mountain, still chasing that girl.”

And Will glanced at Tony as if thinking the same thing about him.

Tony shrugged, but he wasn't too worried about Will keeping his secret. Will might be a flirt and the center of every party, but he was a loyal friend.

After an afternoon of more successful runs, Kate wanted to celebrate her accomplishment by taking them all to dinner at Jim's upscale Italian restaurant, Mirabella's. The décor was clean and modern, but with a mountain flair—exposed woodwork and antique light fixtures. Candles sparkled on the crystal wineglasses and shone on Kate's animated face as they talked.

Tony couldn't stop watching her, and he hoped that it seemed natural for the conversation. The ride home was quieter. Ethan and Kate dozed in the back, and Tony sat in the front seat to keep Will company as he drove. When Will insisted on dropping off Kate and Ethan first, Tony said he could walk, but Will oh so graciously insisted on personally driving him home.

“Okay, spill,” Will said as he backed out of Kate's driveway.

“Spill what?”

“You could barely keep your eyes off her. Are you falling in love again?”

“No,” Tony said firmly.

“Then what the hell were you doing for so long in the trees when she fell?”

“None of your business.”

“Seriously, dude? Did you take me up on the idea of ex-sex?”

“In the trees? Like we had that much time.” Tony hesitated to say more, knowing he was a bad liar.

“No shit! You've already done it. Ex-sex. I was kidding with you when I first brought it up—I never thought you had it in you.”

Tony shot him a look. “What does that mean?”

“You're usually pretty straightlaced for a guy who owns a bar, has a tattoo, and rides a Harley.”

“Like you said, it's just sex.”

Will pulled into Tony's driveway, put the pickup into park, then gaped at him. “And she went along with that?”

Tony finally smiled as he shook his head. “Surprisingly, yeah.”

“Damn,” Will said. “No more date invitations from me.”

“Nope, at least not until after she moves back to Vail.”

“And you'd let me date her.”

Though Tony got a strange feeling in his chest, he nodded. “Sure. It's up to her.”

“Huh. Well, good luck keeping it from everyone—including Ethan. It would suck if he thought you were getting back together.”

Tony inwardly winced. “I don't remember you bringing that up when you were urging me to sleep with her.”

Will gave a crooked grin. “That's because I never thought you'd go through with it. How long's it been?”

“Just a couple days. And don't ask any more details. I don't share.”

Will raised both hands. “Okay, okay. I'm done. Take it easy.”

“Thanks for the ride.”

“Thanks for the entertainment.”

M
onday afternoon, Kate arrived early for her shift at Tony's Tavern. She had a leather portfolio full of facts and figures, all neatly printed, for Tony's consideration. He was in his office on the computer when he looked up and saw her. His mouth fell open a little, and she felt a surge of satisfaction.