Page 15 of Mended Fences

Our morning together had been great—easy and fun. The winter air seemed to have breathed some life into her out on the slopes, and she was far less prickly than she’d been in the café.

Not that I minded her prickly side.

I’d take any side of her she’d willingly offer up.

But she shut shit down real fast after I’d asked about herhusband. I’d made a lot of mistakes in my life, but pushing her too hard, too fast may turn out be the biggest one ever.

I’d told her I’d see her around, but would I? In all the years that Tessa’d been back in Sable Point since college, this was the first I’d ever seen Elena.

I was afraid it’d be the last.

If I did have another shot in the future, I wanted to be prepared.

Elena had shown her kind, compassionate side when she didn’t fault me for being a lazy piece of shit without a job. She didn’t know me, though. If she did, she wouldn’t be impressed.

I needed to fix that, and quick.

Despite the fact that every fiber of my being begged me to chase after Elena, I wanted to be worth it when I finally caught her.

Because Iwouldcatch her. She would be mine, and I would be hers. It was inevitable. I knew it down to the marrow of my bones.

When you lived an aimless existence for years, you recognized your purpose when you found it.

I trudged toward the lodge exit. The crisp mountain air hit my face as I pushed through the double doors. A few eager skiers hustled past, their equipment clanking against the pavement. The ski shop sat at the bottom of the bunny slope, its weathered sign swaying in the winter breeze.

Time to adult the fuck up.

The bell above the ski shop door chimed as I yanked it open. The familiar scent of wax and leather wrapped around me, bringing back memories of my first job here during high school. Back when I still had something to prove.

The shop manager, Jeff, looked up from behind the counter, his bushy eyebrows shooting toward his hairline. “Back so soon?”

“Yeah.” I roughed a hand over my stubbled jaw. “Listen, Jeff, I was wondering if you might be willing to give me a shot at the instructor position you’ve got open. I know last time?—”

“You were a kid, Chase.” He waved me off. Jeff had given me an opportunity to run the rentals booth in the ski shop in high school, and I’d fucked it up. Much like every job I’d had since.

“I caught a glimpse of you out there with that woman. And I remember you teaching Charlie to ski. I’m willing to take a chance on you again, but don’t let me down.”

“Yes, sir.” I beamed.

This was easier than I’d expected. I’d come prepared to plead my case, to tell Jeff that I’d met the woman of my dreams and I needed a job so I could be even somewhat worthy of her.

Not that being a ski instructor was all that impressive compared to a Harvard-educated doctor.

But it was a start.

“I appreciate you giving me a chance.”

“Monday morning at ten,” he instructed. “I’ll see you then.”

“See you then. And thanks, Jeff.” I knocked my knuckles twice against the wood countertop before I made my way out of the ski shop and toward my truck.

Things were finally looking up.

Got the job. Now, I had to get the girl.

But first, this called for a little celebration.

The drive into town from the resort took about twenty minutes, but it was a beauty. Rolling hills and fields blanketed in thick white snow for miles. The whole damn area wasbeautiful, and I was lucky my family owned a little slice of this heaven on Earth.