10. Kane
Chapter ten
Kane
S pinning around to get my bearings, I can’t help but notice the three-hundred-sixty-degree view of the mountains in my new hometown.
Back in Utah, which has its own fair share of beautiful peaks, the only mountains were to the east. Here, they’re everywhere you look.
It’s familiar yet not, which sort of makes me giddy.
When I got the call about a job building a bike resort, I wavered about whether to accept.
Not that I was intimidated by the job or the move, I just wasn’t sure anywhere else could compare to Utah.
And that was a problem, seeing as how my life there was running on autopilot. Certain aspects of it, anyway.
While I loved my job, my boss, and the mountain itself, I had no life outside that tiny little bubble.
That’s partly because I allowed myself to retreat into workaholic mode after my breakup, and partly because I’d always been so passionate about what I did that I didn’t do a great job of making friends, and that was before I used my breakup as an excuse to work more.
Staying there wouldn’t have been miserable, but it would’ve been a crutch.
So, I decided to challenge myself with a new beginning, and if this view is any indication, my fresh start is going to be epic !
It's not hard to see why Katah Vista works as a ski resort.
The rolling hills that spill into the base area are framed by towering peaks, which undoubtedly offer a great selection of green, blue and black runs in the winter.
In the late summer, wildflowers dot the landscape with pops of red, yellow, and purple rising up the slope of the hill to break up the lush green grass.
I make a note to preserve as much of that natural growth as possible when defining the routes for the bike trails.
Aside from the odd hiker winding their way up the mountain, there’s not much activity here.
That’s a stark contrast from what I’m used to.
In Utah, the chairs start spinning at nine, and bikers are lined up for close to thirty yards as they wait their turn to load their bikes and ride to the top.
There’s a sort of restless tension that ripples through the line as everyone watches the clock, absently bouncing on the balls of their feet or rolling their bike back and forth with nervous excitement.
When the mountain opens, the first riders come down the hill with high-fives and fist pumps and whoops of joy as people roll to the back of the line to do it again.
It's strange to see a place capable of that same atmosphere being so quiet, and while I’m committed to building the best park I can, if the goal is to increase summertime revenues, I’ll be able to do that without even trying.
I’m halfway to the administrative offices, daydreaming about what this place could look like next summer, when I spot a guy in a suit making his way toward me.
I know without a doubt this is Carter, my new boss, because who besides the owner would wear a suit in a place like this?
Good thing I’m not a suit guy or I’d find him seriously distracting.
Dark hair, square jaw, broad shoulders—who knew a man could make them look this good?
“Kane.” He extends his hand with a warm smile. “I’m so glad you could make it on such short notice. Did you get settled in okay? ”
I nod as his hand closes around mine. “Yes, thank you. And thanks for giving me a room at the resort until I find a place of my own.”
“It’s no trouble. We’re just excited to have you here. Jackson said you were instrumental in building the bike park in Utah, and I know it’s one of the best in the country. We’d love to put something of that caliber here.”
Shielding my eyes, I look up at the mountain. “You’ve certainly got the terrain for it. Have you given any thought to the plans I sent over?” Before accepting the position, I had Carter send over some aerial maps of the terrain, and I roughed out a few options for consideration.
“I have. I think it makes sense to do this in phases. Develop one section of the mountain and get it dialed in before moving to the next section. That way we’re pulling in revenue even as we build out the rest of the park.”
Straight to the point. I like it. “That was my thought, too,” I agree, “and we can post signage advertising the future plans, so people make it a point to come back and try out the new terrain.”
“Exactly.” Carter’s mouth spreads into a wide grin.
“I’d like to get on the mountain and check it out in person before we finalize anything, but I’m thinking we could start with some green runs because that mostly just involves moving dirt, not building any features.
And personally, I find green runs a great option for all skill sets.
Even if you’re capable of something more difficult, it’s still fun to glide down a flowy trail.
” I can’t stop the giddy smile that spreads across my face as I think of my favorite green trail back home. I mean, back in Utah.
Carter laughs and shakes his head, apparently amused by my enthusiasm. “I’ll take your word for it, but if that’s the kind of face people make riding bikes, then I guess I have to try it. ”
I snap my jaw back in place—hopefully before he noticed that it fell open. “You’re going all in on a bike park and you don’t even ride?” This I was not expecting.
“It makes sense for business.” His tone seems to say “duh.” “And most of my friends here are enthusiasts so it’s a project they’ll help support.”
“Fair enough, although I’ll hold you to trying it when it’s finished.” He’s gonna be so awed by the time I’m done.
“Deal.” Carter extends his hand again. “What can I do to help you get started?”
“Did you get the list of personnel and equipment requirements? Does that look okay?” Although some parts of the trail will have to be dug by hand to avoid disturbing the trees, other sections can be dug with a skid steer loader.
“I did, and my manager has been assembling everything on it.”
“Manager?” My brows lift in surprise. I’m not opposed to having one, although I thought I’d be the one to hire him or her.
“Yes, Blake. He’s a lifelong resident so he’s well networked within the community.
He’s pulled together a team with decades of experience in trail management from the local parks and recreation department.
They’re all eager to get started. Just tell Blake what you need, and he’ll take care of it.
” Carter lifts his eyes over my shoulder. “Here he is now.”
Spinning in the direction of Carter’s gaze, I turn to find the guy I picked up in the bar a few weeks back striding toward me, and a mixture of panic and excitement takes over my body.
The rhythm of my heart turns erratic, my palms grow sweaty, and it feels like someone has vacuumed the air from my lungs, all at once, leaving me unable to do anything beyond staying frozen in place.
Blake… Here ?
Memories of our night bombard me, heating my cheeks, and I say a silent ‘thank you’ that my new boss is standing behind me so he can’t see the way my eyes bug out.
There have only been two lovers I’ve fantasized about long after our time together, and the man closing in on me is one of them.
Strong yet gentle, frenzied yet savoring…
Blake made me feel desired and treasured, which is why I’ve replayed that night in my mind over and over again.
Now, the object of those dreams is walking toward me?
What are the odds? More importantly, are there rules about sleeping with your subordinate, or can that be overlooked since he wasn’t technically working for me then?
How do I explain this to Carter? Am I obligated to?
I run a hand through my hair just to do something with it, letting it drop to my side when I realize the fact it’s shaking might be less visible down there.
When he’s about ten paces away, Blake’s step falters slightly, realization sinking in, though his face remains expressionless. Still gorgeous, just blank. That’s some trick, I need to learn that.
He offers me a hand as he closes the distance between us. Ooh-does that mean we’re going with strangers then? "Blake," he says, formally clasping my hand as if he isn’t already intimately familiar with it. And other…places. Strangers it is.
“Kane.” It's a lost cause. One would think that having scratched the itch would help keep the sparks floating between us at bay.
One would be wrong. They're just as strong and unruly as they were when he caught me staring at him from across the bar.
The second his hand closes around mine a current of electricity shoots up my arm, down to my stomach and into the danger zone .
“So, you’re the one who helped Jackson build that bike park in Utah? I’m sorry I missed you when I was there. ”
I pull my hand back, so I have a chance of speaking coherently. “That’s me.” Use more words, Kane.
“Impressive.” He nods methodically. “I got a chance to ride it briefly, and I can’t tell you how excited I am about bringing something like that here.”
“I’ll leave you two to go over the plans and map out a schedule.” Carter claps Blake on the back and gives me an encouraging nod before retreating to the administrative office. When he’s out of sight, I turn a wary gaze to the man whose mere presence is making my heart race.
“So.” I clap my hands together and rock back on my heels. “Fancy seeing you here.” Those are the best words you could find? You need help.
Blake laughs, his hazel eyes showing a trace of mischief, which instantly relieves the pressure in my lungs. “KP, I assume? What are the odds, huh?”
“Yeah, short for Kane Price, although it’s mostly just Jackson who calls me that.
And I literally just asked myself that same question.
” I exhale heavily, feeling a thousand percent less self-conscious.
“So, is this cool? It’s probably not too late for me to turn down the offer if this is too weird. ”
He rubs the bridge of his nose and sighs. “I think it kind of is. Besides, I’m assuming this is a pretty good opportunity for you, and I wouldn’t want you to miss it on my account.”
I wring my hands together just to give them something to do. “I do really want this job.”
“And I want to bring a world class bike park to Katah Vista. Seems like a win, win. Right, boss?” Blake gives me a playful wink, and I say a silent prayer, hoping my face isn’t on fire from the wandering direction of my thoughts. I need to check on the fraternization rules .
“It does.” I smile so big my cheeks might crack, but I can’t help it. My dream job and dream guy in one place? That’s gotta be a sign or something. How did I get this lucky?
“Come on.” He jerks his head toward a row of shops adjacent to the administrative building. “Let’s grab a coffee and get started.”
Coffees in hand, we pick a corner booth, and I spread out some of the drawings I made to show Blake my ideas.
Filling him in on the plan to build the park in stages, I point to a section on the rendering.
“Do you think if we’re merely cutting trail instead of building features we can crank these runs out before the season’s over? ”
“Are you hoping to make them ridable this summer?” His eyebrows disappear behind the hair hanging over his forehead as those hazel eyes glint with excitement.
“Not for the general public, but we’ll make sure everyone who helps build it gets a few runs in.”
“A perk for a job well done?” A sly smile spreads across his lips.
“We can call it that.” His boyish enthusiasm is catching. “Although, it’s also a way for us to get feedback so we go into next summer knowing if we need to make any changes.”
“Sounds like a plan. When do we start?”
“I still need to walk the terrain and verify that the routes I have mapped out will work, so… next week?” I bite my lip, wondering how feasible that schedule will be.
“Great. I’ll line up the crew,” he says without any hesitation, lifting another weight off my shoulders in the process.
Unfortunately, the weight regarding our situation is still there, and aside from joking about the odds earlier he doesn’t seem like he’s going to address it.
I had to make the move the first time, guess I’ll have to do it again.
“So, what are you up to this evening?” I swirl my coffee cup in my hand to keep it busy .
“Uh.” He looks everywhere but at me. “I’ll uh, probably grab a bite then head home.”
“Can I tag along?”
Blake ducks his head as he runs a hand over the back of his neck. “Sure. Yeah. We can talk some more about the bike park. Meet me at Murphy’s on Main at seven.” He collects our empty cups and tosses them in the trash, and with a tight-lipped smile and a nod he heads out the door.
Okay, that is not at all the reaction I expected.
The Blake I slept with is sensitive, gentle, and considerate.
The Blake who just left is… stiff . I’m sure having me as his boss is a shock, but he seemed normal during that meeting, so why the hesitation about grabbing a bite?
And why turn it into a work session? Does he not want a repeat of our night together?
Obviously, we both expected that to be a one-time thing, though I got the impression it could be more if he wasn’t just passing through.
Did I misread him? Or worse, does he have someone here and I’m an unwanted complication?
Normally, I wouldn’t overanalyze like this, but Blake made me feel things I want to feel again.
I didn’t realize I missed the connection another person offers until I saw him face-to-face and recalled the sense of belonging I felt when I was with him.
If he isn’t thinking along those same lines, maybe the whole dream guy thing was premature? I guess I’ll find out at dinner.