Taming His Montana Heart(13)
Shaw’s slow nod made her wonder if she’d just impressed him. “You’ve got it. Also, they’d like to schedule the three day event for early February.”
“Sure,” Rey muttered. “Why not? Nothing to it.”
It was already December third, and the resort was focused on plans for a big Christmas celebration. “I’m surprised they didn’t approach you earlier,” she said. “That’s really cutting things tight.”
“I pressed them about that.” He faced her with his broad shoulders between her and the world that had been calling to her. Made everything except him unimportant. “They had a couple of scouts come here shortly after snowmobile season started. In fact—” He nodded at her. “They mentioned you more than once. They were impressed with the operation, but it took a while for the board to meet and vote to draft a contract.”
“I probably rented machines to them but don’t remember anyone asking more than the usual questions.” She couldn’t help but hope Shaw was crediting her with at least some of the organization’s interest in Lake Serene.
Maybe she shouldn’t be thinking that way since she wasn’t the one with the deep pockets but she’d done everything she could to give snowmobile enthusiasts the best experience possible. Her sometimes eighteen hour days attested to that. It wasn’t as if she had anything else to do with her time.
“I understand they assessed a lot of things. They’ve had us high on their list all year. As a result they didn’t contract with any of the resorts they’ve dealt with in recent years and that has put them in a bind. They want to nail down a location this week.”
Rey chuckled. “Then we’re in the driver’s seat. If we—sorry, if you and your uncle decide you want them, you can charge as much as you want.”
“The organization is a nonprofit. These are working class people.”
“Maybe, maybe not,” she said. “I’ve dealt with some sled dog team owners. Race dogs are expensive to feed, house, and train.”
“Point taken.” Shaw sent more snow after what he’d already thrown to the ground. “Haley, there’s something I need to clarify before I get back in contact with them. It involves you.”
Shaw wanted them to work together on something? At least he needed her input. Saying she’d do whatever he wanted should be a simple matter so why was it taking her so long to agree? Maybe because being around him was complicated in ways she didn’t understand.
“Oh,” she belatedly said, followed by giving herself a mental kick. The darned man had scrambled her thinking. She wouldn’t let it happen again.
“Let’s finish up here,” he said. “Then we’ll talk about it.”
Together. In close proximity. Maybe without Rey there?
*
Haley had never worn a watch and her smartphone was in her office. She guessed they’d been on the roof for over an hour. Now only a thin layer of snow remained. Shaw pointed out, unnecessarily, that what they’d accomplished this afternoon would have to be repeated after every storm until the roof and its underpinnings could be replaced. He didn’t want her doing any more snow removal on her own so told Rey to select at least one of his men to assume responsibility for the chore.
“Give me a little time to think about who I’ll pick,” Rey said. “Everyone’s pretty busy.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t have pared down the crew as much as we did. This isn’t the first time I’ve second guessed the decision.”
“I’m the one who made that suggestion,” Rey said. “There’s a lot of outdoor work that can’t be done this time of year.”
The conversation concerned her so why wasn’t she playing closer attention? Her aching muscles and confusion about Shaw’s impact on her was partially responsible, but another reason lay in the wilderness, the unspoiled perfection all around. It didn’t matter that she’d had time to get used to the view from up here. Today her world awed her as never before.
An evergreen-blanketed hill was between where they were and Lake Serene. When she was on the ground, she couldn’t see the frozen body of water but now she had no trouble. Fog lay over the lake like a blanket.
That wasn’t all. Massive Mount Lynx stood behind the water, the great white peak disappearing into the nearly black clouds. When she’d first arrived, the steep sides and jagged spires had intimidated her. No way would she attempt to climb that imposing mass of stone. Then layers of snow had softened its contours. Come closer, it seemed to be calling. Take chances. Experience. Live.
“It’s impressive all right.” Rey pushed the tip of his shovel into what was left of the snow. “The longer I’m here the more I appreciate this area.”
Shaw took up the same stance Rey had with his forearms resting on the top of the fiberglass handle as if there was nothing else he wanted to do. He too studied the mountain while she occasionally glanced at him. He’d taken on a new definition, a quieting of the non-stop energy she’d noted before. He wasn’t completely at peace with himself or his world but he’d come closer. She wanted to mention what she’d discovered about him but guessed the public persona would return if she brought up his pensiveness. It was better to simply accept what he’d unconsciously revealed.