Chapter Two #2
“I don’t think at this point ignoring her is going to work,” Connor said. “The underwear was bad enough, but complaints like this could cost you your job. And you don’t know what she’ll try next.”
He took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “I guess you’re right. What do I need to do next?”
“Let’s start with Human Resources and see what they advise. In the meantime, stay away from Sharee, and remember—we’ve got your back.”
“I will.” Sure, he knew he could count on his friends. But he hated having to be afraid of anyone—especially a teenage girl. He was a grown man. He ought to be able to handle a harmless crush on his own.
But Connor didn’t seem to think Sharee was harmless, and Brian’s gut was giving him the same message.
WHEN CHLOE DIDN’T hear anything more from the ski resort or Brian for a couple of days, she began to relax. What had happened in Virginia had probably shaken up Sharee more than the teen would admit, and she was behaving herself now, not wanting a repeat of that fiasco.
By Friday afternoon, Chloe felt like celebrating, and stopped after work to pick up Chinese food from her favorite restaurant. Maybe she could talk Sharee into a girls’ night in, bingeing Stranger Things.
She was waiting for her order when a man stepped in—tall, blond, wearing a bright red jacket with a white cross. Brian turned toward her, and recognition lighted his brown eyes. “Hey there,” he said. “I’ve kind of been hoping I’d run into you again.”
“Oh.” She eyed him warily. “Why is that?”
“I haven’t seen Sharee around in a few days.”
“I talked to her and told her to leave you alone. I’m glad to hear she listened to me.”
“Thanks,” he said. “I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but…”
“I know. Fortunately, Sharee isn’t easily wounded.”
“Chloe, your order is ready.”
“That’s me.” She turned to retrieve the bag from the server. When she faced the door again, Brian was still watching her, a troubled look in his eyes.
“Is there something else?” she asked.
He glanced around. “I don’t want to keep you from your dinner, but could we talk? Just for a few minutes.”
She glanced around and spotted a padded bench, half hidden by a row of potted palms. “Over here.” She scooted onto the bench, her paper bag of rice and Happy Family between them. When he didn’t say anything, she prompted him, “What’s happened?”
“Your name is Chloe?” he asked. “Chloe what?”
“Anderson.”
“So same as Sharee?” He shook his head. “Sorry. You don’t look alike, so I wondered.”
“We’re half-sisters. Same father, different mothers.” She checked the tag on his jacket. “And you’re Brian Weeks?”
“Yeah.” He shifted on the seat, as if uncomfortable. “Why does Sharee live with you?” he asked.
“She was having trouble in the school she was at in Virginia. Our parents thought a fresh start somewhere else would be a smart idea, so she came to live with me for a while.”
He didn’t ask what kind of trouble and she was grateful. She wasn’t practiced at lying, but she didn’t want to go into the whole ugly story, either. “That was kind of you,” he said.
“It’s been good having her here. Getting to know her as more of an adult, instead of the little kid she was when I left home. And I’ve asked her to come to work for me, for a few hours a week. It will give her something else to focus on.”
“What kind of work do you do?” he asked.
“I own a salon and spa—Moon Glow.”
“Your own business? I’m impressed.”
“It’s not that impressive, but it’s enough.”
Silence. At this rate, she could be here all night. “What else happened with Sharee?” she asked again.
He blew out a breath. “The day after you and I talked in the patrol office, Sharee came up to me and gave me something wrapped in tissue paper. She said it was a gift, and skied away before I could give it back. Then I got a rescue call and couldn’t look for her.
By the time I got back to the office and opened it, she was long gone. ”
The hairs on the back of Chloe’s neck stood up. She didn’t like the sound of this. “What was in the package?” she asked.
“I opened it in front of two of my fellow patrollers,” he said. “Just so you know.”
“You wanted witnesses.”
“Well, yeah. I didn’t want to be accused of doing anything to a teenage girl. Which I wouldn’t. Never.”
“What was in the package?” she asked again.
“A pair of women’s underwear.” His face was bright red now, and he wouldn’t meet her gaze. “Silky ones. With writing on the front. You know, stitching. It said ‘For You.’”
Chloe wished she was more shocked by this revelation, but considering what her parents had shared about Sharee’s stalking of Cameron Douglas, she wasn’t. She sighed. “That was so out of line. I’m sorry.”
“The patrol captain, Connor Donaldson, has the underwear in the ski patrol office,” he said. “I’d really appreciate it if you’d stop by soon and pick it up.”
“Sure. And I promise I’ll talk to Sharee again.”
“That’s not all,” he said. “A few days later, someone called in a couple of anonymous complaints about me. They used fake names—Jane Smith and Gertrude Cavendish. No one with those names has purchased a ski pass at the resort. They accused me of being rude to one of our guests, and of not picking up after my dog on the slopes—two things I would never do.”
“And you think this was Sharee?”
“What do you think?” he asked. “You know her better than I do.”
Did she? Sharee was ten years younger than her. Chloe had left home at eighteen and hadn’t spent much time with her sister since then. But she knew Sharee was smart and determined—and she could be ruthless. “Maybe she would do something like that,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
“I don’t want to get her into trouble,” Brian said. “She’s a nice kid. I just…stuff like this could cost me my job.”
“I told her if she acted up again, I’d take her ski pass,” Chloe said. “Maybe it’s time.”
“If you don’t, my boss is going to ask the resort to revoke the pass.”
She touched his arm. “Let me try to take care of it myself first,” she said. “It will be easier on everyone that way.”
He stood. “I’m glad I got the chance to talk with you. And thanks for being so understanding.”
He left before she could come up with a suitable reply, but afterward, she thought of all she might have said.
Thanks for your patience. Or I see why Sharee was so attracted to you.
Definitely better if the last was left unsaid.
Brian Weeks was exactly the kind of man she’d go for, if she had room in her life for a relationship.
But under the circumstances, better for her and her sister if they both kept their distance.