New Year's Resolution: Romance!: Say Yes / No More Bad Girls / Just a Fling. Leslie Kelly

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СКАЧАТЬ Ashley muttered. Except Chase didn’t seem as...warm to her as he’d been in the days before. Last night, after she’d shared that second kiss with him, he’d practically bolted from the kitchen. He’d said something about checking on the guests upstairs, and she’d thought she’d understood—hosting was his first priority, after all—but now she just didn’t know.

      “Well, they’d better not,” Fanny said hotly, returning to her food preparation. “Money doesn’t make one person better than another.”

      Ashley didn’t try to hide her smile. Here was the thing about being born and bred in the mountains—especially for people like Fanny and the Walkers, who’d been in the area for generations—they considered themselves the richest in the world for the privilege of having a legacy tied to this amazing landscape. The part-timers, to their mind, held the shorter end of the stick.

      The innate arrogance of the mountain people meant they were never intimidated by the wealth and fame of those they came in contact with—whether as florists, caterers, restaurant workers, cleaning people, whatever. Ashley’s own cousin, Poppy Walker, was engaged to a famous Hollywood movie star and the only thing that awed their family—the women in the family anyway—was his matinee idol good looks.

      Ashley wasn’t sure she’d stay among the peaks and pines forever, but they would forever be part of her.

      By late afternoon, everyone was back in the house. It was buzzing with new energy, because they’d been informed the evening meal would be Middle-earth-inspired. To make it more fun, they were instructed to come in costume. Dozens of pieces hung in the playroom for the guests to choose from.

      Once again, Ashley was impressed with Chase’s mother’s novel ideas for entertainment. The grown men and women seemed as eager as eight-year-olds to dress up.

      Before they retired to their rooms for their transformations, most hung around the bar with drinks in hand. The majority of the time Chase was surrounded by a bevy of people, but when she saw him wander toward the windows, she approached. “How was your day?” she asked him, trying to sound friendly.

      He glanced over. “Fine.”

      She waited, thinking he’d take up the conversational ball. When he didn’t, a wave of humiliated heat washed over her skin. Why had she told him about Stu? When he hadn’t known, Chase had been warm and attentive. He’d made her feel like a desirable woman. They’d shared a couple of amazing kisses, and she’d been sure he felt that same sizzle from them that she did.

      A sizzle that had made her feel alive.

      Now she was only embarrassed.

      “Well, I’ll talk to you later,” she mumbled. Turning to go, she felt his hand on her shoulder.

      “Ashley.”

      She looked back. “Yes?”

      “Are you all right?” His gaze studied her face. “Better?”

      “I am,” she said.

      “Good.” His hand fell away. His expression revealed nothing more.

      On her way up to her room to change, Ashley brought with her a glass of wine. She nursed it along with a spurt of temper. What was with the hot-cold-hot-cold? She might not have a lot of experience with different men, but she knew something was off. Or was this just Chase’s way?

      Jerk, she decided, if that was true. Look what her year of yes had gotten her into so far!

      Gazing at herself in the mirror, in the filmy gown she’d chosen with a braided girdle and matching circlet for her head, it was hard to hold on to her regret, though. The pale blue of the low-cut long chiffon dress complemented her eyes. The skirt was made up of light layers that moved when she walked.

      It was an otherworldly outfit, and she added glittery shadow and dark liner around her eyes to go with it. Several coats of mascara added to the drama. Her mood lifted by the primping and the pleasing reflection of herself, she nearly danced down the stairs to the great hall. There, she found that June was the only other person waiting for the evening to begin.

      The other woman wore a black dress with a calf-length handkerchief hem topped by a quilted vest resembling armor. Her boots were something that a Doc Martens elf might have designed. “Wow,” Ashley said, in admiring tones. “A warrior.”

      June’s grin was cheeky. “Is this fun, or what?”

      “I know I’ll count on you to defend my honor,” Ashley said with a nod to the short sword tucked in the sheath hanging from the belt buckled around June’s waist. Then she looked around. “Where is everyone?”

      “I’m hoping Legolas will show,” June said, leaning near. “But it won’t be Arch. He refused to snag the platinum wig that’s upstairs.”

      “Legolas!” Ashley had to frown. “I’m an Aragorn girl.”

      “Takes all kinds,” June said, smiling. Then she sobered. “Hey, is everything okay? You didn’t join us last night after dinner. Our science fiction story could have used more authors.”

      “I...” She looked down. Her feet were bare except for sparkly nail polish on her toes. Then, instead of making some excuse, she heard herself speak the truth. “When the ski patrol called, I had a bad moment. You see...I’m a widow.” She peeked at June, saw the sympathetic expression overtake the other woman’s face. “My husband died in a ski accident four years ago.”

      “Oh, that’s awful,” June said, and stepped forward to hug Ashley. “It’s a terrible thing. I’m so sorry.”

      “Thank you.” She pushed back from the other woman as the oddest feeling of lightness infused her being. “You’re...you’re only the second person I’ve ever told.”

      June frowned. “What? It’s a secret?”

      “There are no secrets when you live in a small place like this,” Ashley answered. “Everyone that matters has already known from the beginning. The information came to them almost as quickly as it came to me.”

      “Well...” June’s brows drew together. “Should I be sorry that you had to tell me?”

      “No. The opposite, actually.” Ashley looked up. “I don’t know if I can explain this, exactly, but...it feels good to say it. Like its weight is no longer pressing so heavily on my chest. Don’t get me wrong—I loved my husband, and I wish you had known him. He was a great guy.” She sucked in a breath.

      June held out her hand.

      Ashley grasped it. “Stu was a great guy,” she said again, and gladness filled her being as she shared it. A smile broke over her face. “I feel good,” she added with a note of wonderment. Really good.

      “I’m glad,” June said.

      “Me, too.” The sound of footsteps on the stairs had them both looking over.

      Chase and Arch descended, the two big handsome men laughing. Arch had on a long tunic, leggings and boots. A crown sat on his head. “Very regal,” Ashley murmured. “Aragornish,” she said to tease the other woman.

      But СКАЧАТЬ