She was here for good.
It had come to her in a cold moment of realization that no one wanted her. Not her mother, not her stepfather, not even Tyler. She’d been forced on him.
In her dreamier, more optimistic moments, she’d imagined them spending time together, but so far all they’d done was ski on groomed, sa
fe slopes. Jess was bored out of her mind, and he had to be bored, too.
He obviously didn’t think she was good enough to ski anything else, and she couldn’t prove him wrong because he’d virtually grounded her.
He didn’t want her here.
Shivering, she hugged Luna closer, warming herself on soft fur and unlimited doggy affection.
She was a burden, cramping his style, ruining his carefree life.
Maybe if she could prove to him she could ski the way he did, he’d be pleased to have her around. Maybe then, he’d think she was cool.
Maybe then, everything would stop hurting.
Kissing Luna on the head, she slid off the window seat. She dug her scrapbooks out from under the mattress, pushed the photograph of her baby sister inside her favorite, then picked up her pen and wrote Jess O’Neil on the cover in curly writing.
* * *
KAYLA HAD EXPECTED something in keeping with the rustic setting. A place a family could gather after a day of skiing and fun in the snow to exchange stories of daring exploits and slopes conquered. She hadn’t expected elegance, but the Inn at Snow Crystal was definitely elegant. Candles and fresh flowers adorned the center of tables dressed with pristine white tablecloths. A large fire flickered in one corner of the restaurant adding a cozy, intimate feel.
She’d chosen to wear her favorite black dress. It had frequently taken her from a day in the office straight out to a dinner meeting with clients.
And that was what this was, she reminded herself. Dinner with a client. It didn’t matter that their table faced the illuminated ski slopes and was perfect for a romantic, intimate dinner.
“Thanks, Tally.” Jackson took the menu from the waitress. “How are things in the kitchen now?”
“All fine, sir.” Tally’s gaze slid from his, but not before Kayla had seen anxiety.
Jackson saw it, too. “Tally?” His voice was gentle, and Tally cast a desperate look over her shoulder just as a crash came from behind closed doors.
Calm and controlled, Jackson rose to his feet. “It seems I need to visit the kitchen before we eat.”
Before he could take a step across the restaurant the kitchen door opened and a burly man dressed in chef’s whites blundered out.
“That’s it.” He ripped off his chef’s hat and thrust it at Jackson. “I’m done being told what to do by a woman half my age and height. Either she goes or I go, O’Neil. Your decision.”
Tally stood there, frozen with dismay, and Jackson smiled at her. “Thanks, Tally. We’re going to need some time with the menu. We’ll call you when we’re ready.”
The waitress shot him a grateful look and shot off, relieved to be out of the line of fire, while Jackson squared up to the furious chef.
“This is not the time or the place for this conversation.” He spoke in a low voice that couldn’t be overheard by the other diners. “Be in my office at nine tomorrow. We’ll talk then. And now I’d like you to return to the kitchen. We’re full tonight and I can’t be a chef down.”
“You should have thought of that before you hired that French bitch.”
Jackson’s expression didn’t flicker. “You’ll call her Élise, or Chef. And if you want to be on the team at Snow Crystal, you’ll work with her.”
“I won’t work with her. One of us has to leave.”
“If that’s your decision, then of course you must go. I won’t stop you.”
Darren’s face worked in fury. “Wait a minute—you want me to leave?”
“I have no use for people who won’t work as a team.”