Chapter 6 #2
He might have been lying, but he’d wanted to make sure Mairi thought he’d moved on; that she wouldn’t get it into her head to come looking for him again.
She’d called and visited the hospital after the accident, but he hadn’t wanted to see her.
He’d had to cut her loose – she didn’t deserve to be tied to a lame duck, especially one with so many problems. He could only imagine what might happen if the men his father owed money to discovered that his son was married to a bestselling author.
He’d never forgive himself if she got caught in something that was entirely his fault.
After her parents died and Mike had cheated on her, Mairi deserved untarnished joy, and he couldn’t offer her that.
Which meant it definitely wouldn’t do either of them any good if his wife found out he hadn’t so much as looked at another woman in eleven months. Talk about mixed messages.
‘You really must pop by again tonight,’ Bonnie continued. ‘I’ll make sure to keep some of the special aside. I know you’re a steak man. I’m guessing rare?’ She flashed him another sunny smile and winked when he shrugged awkwardly.
‘Uh, grand,’ he said gruffly, trying to play the part, even though his spine felt like it was being filleted from his torso.
He tried to focus on Bonnie instead. The chef was gorgeous with a capital G – long-limbed, with curly red hair that she’d put up in a ponytail ready for their lesson today.
She wore blue salopettes which hugged her slim frame, and was almost a foot taller than Mairi, closer to Jed’s height.
He should have found her attractive – she was beautiful and good company – but he couldn’t seem to make himself feel anything.
‘Right, well, thanks,’ he said, clapping his hands, feeling his cheeks go up in twin flames when he darted a look in Mairi’s direction and saw she was now studying them, her cheeks pale.
He couldn’t tell if she’d heard their conversation, but hopefully the wind had masked their words.
‘Shall we get this lesson started?’ he asked.
Mairi cleared her throat, and when Jed turned to look at her, he thought he could see a hint of tears in her eyes. His body went cold.
‘Great!’ Bonnie sang, oblivious.
Jed shook off the desire to come clean and pointed to a grey shelter where the lodge stored their skis, poles and helmets ready for lessons.
It was piled up with equipment, enough for all levels of skier.
‘We need to start by choosing the right gear and making sure it fits properly,’ he told them.
‘Making sure you’re correctly equipped is the best way to keep yourself safe. ’
Unless you were hurling yourself over a drop that was so steep you couldn’t even see where you were landing. In that case even industrial strength bubble wrap wouldn’t save you. He swallowed, nudging the thought away.
‘Have you worn skis before?’ He turned to Bonnie.
He knew Mairi’s last encounter with a pair had landed her in Accident he wasn’t looking to add to the bonfire he’d made of his life.
He didn’t want to do this for the rest of his life, but he didn’t want to do himself out of a job either.
Especially since his father relied on his monthly payments.
‘You need to step into them,’ he coaxed Mairi, aware Bonnie was probably watching. He knelt, trying not to wince when the movement made his knee joint twinge, and looked up. ‘Here,’ he repeated, indicating the correct spot when Mairi didn’t move. ‘Then I’ll clip your boots into the skis.’
Mairi didn’t speak, but she did as she was told. Then she stood frozen in place as he retraced his steps to the equipment so he could select a couple of short poles. When he returned, he showed her how to hold them. ‘Are you okay?’ he asked when she almost crushed the handles.
‘Never better.’ Her mouth barely moved.
‘Because you can ease up a little.’ He pointed to her hands, wondering if underneath the gloves her knuckles were white.
‘I’m good,’ she croaked without looking at him.
‘Okay.’ Jed sighed. This was going to be a long lesson. ‘Then let me get you a helmet.’ He winced. ‘Which I should have done first.’ The fact that he hadn’t insisted that she put it on before sliding on the skis showed just how off balance he was. ‘Don’t move,’ he ordered, waving at her.
It took him a few seconds to select the right size and when he looked up, Bonnie was grinning at him. ‘I won’t be long,’ he said, retracing his steps.
Mairi was still standing in the same position and from the look of the snow beneath her skis, she hadn’t moved an inch.
‘Tip your chin up please.’ He carefully placed the helmet over her head, and felt something in his stomach turn over when she stared through the open visor, her green eyes dark and intense.
His insides ignited as memories filled his mind – her soft skin, the way she’d felt tangled in his limbs, that unmistakable flowery scent.
‘Um, I guess you’re ready,’ he said huskily as his body eased closer. He tried not to meet her eyes again as he tightened the strap under her chin. ‘Comfortable?’ he asked as his heart hammered.
‘Not the exact word I’d use,’ she croaked.
‘So…’ His throat felt dry and he swallowed.
‘It’s okay,’ she said gently as he reached out to adjust the helmet again, loosening it a little.
Jed jerked his chin and reluctantly turned to Bonnie who was watching them. ‘It’s your turn now.’
She grinned as he moved closer. ‘I’m all yours.’
Dammit. Jed felt his cheeks burn and had started to reconsider grabbing his skis and running when something – or someone – started to buzz.
‘Seriously!’ Bonnie cursed, tugging off her gloves so she could draw a mobile from her pocket.
She winced as she read the screen. ‘It’s a message from the hotel.
Our food delivery’s arrived early – apparently, the driver wanted to get off the mountain before the blizzard arrived.
’ She narrowed her eyes. ‘They need me to help unload. I’m not going to be able to stay for the lesson.
’ She sucked in a breath, before turning her face up to meet Jed’s.
He kept his expression blank, as relief flooded through him.
‘Shame,’ he lied. Although having her here would have ensured he kept his hands off Mairi. Now there was nothing to stop their chemistry from running riot.
‘We can raincheck.’ Bonnie shrugged and smiled again. ‘Perhaps I can make it up to you later?’ She pressed a hand to his chest.
‘I don’t—’ Jed began, forcing himself not to break contact. It would be better if Mairi believed he was seeing Bonnie – even if the idea of hurting her made him want to punch himself.
‘Sorry.’ Bonnie leaned sideways so she could wave at Mairi, who Jed guessed was watching because he could feel heat burning between his shoulder blades.
‘Maybe I’ll see you on the slopes another time?
’ Bonnie shouted before turning back to Jed and lowering her voice.
‘And hopefully it won’t be long until I see you again too,’ she whispered before spinning on her heels and heading away.
Jed watched Bonnie for a few moments, trying to gather his thoughts before he turned. Mairi was still standing in the same place. He couldn’t see her eyes from here, but he could tell from the angle of her mouth that she wasn’t happy.
‘Give me a moment,’ he said, clipping on his skis and grabbing his poles and helmet, before sliding up to join her. ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ he repeated. ‘Because I’m not convinced it’s a good idea.’
Mairi’s mouth pinched. ‘If you agree to sign the divorce papers, then I’ll get out of your hair,’ she said.
Jed felt a sharp pinch in his chest. ‘Balance and posture it is.’