“This is something else.”
His comment brought her focus off of the ridiculous effect he had on her body. Marley’s pondering about why Garrett was here danced in the edges of her thoughts. “Growing up here, sometimes I forget how amazing it is.”
Garrett nodded slowly, took another swallow of coffee, and then changed the subject abruptly. “How do you like working at the lodge?”
Delia went with the shift in conversation. “I like it. A lot. I pretty much grew up there when your grandparents ran it and my mom worked there.” She paused, wondering how much to share and then internally shrugged. She didn’t have anything to hide. Her life was basically an open book in Diamond Creek. “Honestly, I didn’t expect to end up doing exactly what my mom did, but it’s what I needed. I’m a single mom. The only thing that matters is making sure Nick has a stable life. I figure it’s a bonus I actually like my job. Diamond Creek’s a great place to raise kids and I love it. The plus side is your brother’s a pretty good boss.”
Garrett arched a brow at that and grinned. “Gage’s a great guy. It sounds like the job’s working out for you, which is good because I think he’d freak out if you weren’t there. When he told us he was planning to come up here and open Last Frontier Lodge, I thought he was damn crazy. He’s pulled it off though and with lots of thanks to you and your dad. At least that’s what he says.”
Delia couldn’t help the warmth that filled her. Garrett’s eyes held hers. The mood shifted, the air around them becoming heavy. Her breath became short again, her low belly clenched.
Garrett leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. She lost herself in the blue blur of his eyes. His sensual mouth hooked up on one side. Uncertainty flickered in his gaze. He cleared his throat. “Look, about the other morning…”
She cut in. “No need to apologize. I’m sure you didn’t mean…”
Garrett angled his head and shook it sharply. “Oh, I meant.”
“You… What?”
He smiled ruefully. “I meant to kiss you. I’d like to kiss you again, in fact.”
Delia’s belly somersaulted, and her pulse went wild. Her mouth fell open. Flushing madly, she snapped it shut and bit her lip. “I, um, I guess I’m not sure what to say.”
Garrett’s gaze was pensive. “I’m not sure what I meant to say here. I just didn’t want you to think it wasn’t something I wanted.” He took a gulp of coffee and pushed his chair back. “I told Gage I’d get back up there and help out with whatever he and your dad have going on today.” He stood, his blue eyes boring into her. “I’ll see you later, right?”
Delia nodded, still trying to absorb the last few moments. “I’ll be in the kitchen for the rest of the day. Stop by for some cider when you guys get back in. It’s windy out today, so stay warm.”
He nodded quickly, his half-smile making her belly tighten and heat flood through her veins. With a quick lift of his coffee, he turned and left.
Chapter 3
“Hand me that wrench, would you?” Garrett asked Gage, holding his hand out from behind the heater.
He felt the cool metal land in his palm and quickly adjusted the fittings on the heater. He was pressed against the wall in the ski hut. He shimmied his way out from behind the heater and set the wrench on the floor. “That should do it.” He swiped his elbow across his forehead, brushing his hair out of the way. “How did I end up being the one to do all the work?”
Gage glanced up and shrugged. “You forgot to tell me you learned how to install heaters. Don and I can get by, but you took care of it in half the time. Still can’t figure out how you learned that in between all your court hearings.”
Garrett leaned his head against the wall. “One of my buddies from law school grew up doing this kind of thing. I used to help out on weekends when he had extra work.”
Gage adjusted the bindings on a pair of skis and