15. Gemma
Chapter Fifteen
GEMMA
“And, here’s the main room,” Daphne said, gesturing with a hand around the large open space.
I spun in a slow circle. “This is beautiful,” I said.
This was my first time visiting the resort. Although it felt as if we were truly deep in the wilderness, Walker Adventures was only twenty miles or so from Diamond Creek. The resort was a large octagonal shaped building with several stories. This main floor was an expansive open space with windows on all sides except one where it led into what I presumed was a dining area. The windows offered views of a field with flowers blooming under the late-afternoon sunshine, and evergreen trees mingling with cotton wood and birch. Beyond the field, the hill sloped downward, offering a view of the bay in the distance, and of course the mountains.
“It is, isn’t it?” Daphne commented when I looked back toward her. “I feel so spoiled to live here and see this every day.”
I smiled. “I get it. I feel lucky just to be here.”
“We were thinking you could do the yoga class upstairs. Follow me.” Daphne gestured toward the stairs.
Although the main room had an open layout, it offered several areas for relaxing and mingling. There was a sectional in one corner that had a large flatscreen television mounted on the wall, and there was a reading area surrounded with comfortable chairs and low bookshelves defining the space. In another area, a smaller couch and chairs faced a large woodstove.
“There’s a nice room upstairs. I think it’s a good size for you,” Daphne said, crossing over to a spiral staircase in the corner.
I followed her up, and we stepped into a hallway with hardwood flooring and rows of doors, basically like a hotel. Daphne glanced over at me. “These upper floors are almost all guest rooms, but we have a rec room on this level.”
Following her to the end of the hallway, we stepped into a room with windows facing into the forest. The room was empty with the hardwood flooring echoing under our footsteps. “Do you think this is big enough?” she asked.
“There’s room for about ten students. I can’t imagine there would be more than that at a time. How many guests do you all have?”
“Up to thirty at any given time. But I think you’re right. Only about ten would sign up. Plus, half or more of them are men.”
I laughed. “Lots of men do yoga. You’ve sweet talked all the guys here into coming to my classes in town.”
“We were actually thinking maybe you could do a class for guests and one for staff every time you were here. We’ll still come to your classes in town, so you won’t be losing the business. Obviously, we’d be paying you for the classes here.”
“Sounds like a plan to me. On Wednesdays during the week I only have morning and lunch classes because the room isn’t available in the evening. Why don’t I just plan to come out then? If that works for you all.”
“Perfect. When can you start?” Daphne asked, clasping her hands together in front of her chest.
“This coming week if you want. We could start with a staff class and then if enough guests sign up, I’ll do that too. It’s Sunday, so that would be in three days.”
“Awesome. Now, do you want to have dinner with us?”
“As if I would turn down your food,” I replied with a grin. “I’ve only had the scones you made for Cammi and a few things at her grand reopening, but everything was delicious.”
Daphne’s cheeks flushed slightly. “Thank you. Let’s go back downstairs. I’ll show you the kitchen.”
A few minutes later, Daphne was showing me around the kitchen. Although it was an industrial kitchen and clearly designed to serve guests, the space was inviting. There was a large island with stools surrounding it with a view of the stove area, along with a long table by the windows offering a view over the field and mountains.
“Tonight’s staff night,” she explained while she checked on something Cat was doing on the stove.
Cat was Flynn’s younger sister and looked so much like him it was endearing. Although she was a good foot shorter, she had his slate blue eyes and dark blond hair and a more feminine version of his strong features. “How does it look?” Cat asked as she peered into the pan with Daphne.
“Great,” Daphne said encouragingly. “You want to keep it going until the glaze caramelizes. The heat has to be just right.”
“What are you making?” I asked.
Cat looked up, her ponytail swinging with the motion. “Glazed pork with rice and spinach. It’s a new recipe to me.”
Daphne glanced her way. “You’re a better cook than you give yourself credit for. Stop worrying so much. The only way you learn is to try new things.”
“Plus, you have Daphne as your teacher. Rumor has it everything she makes is amazing,” I offered.
“It totally is,” Tucker called as he walked through the archway from the main room into the kitchen.
Like the other guys who flew for Walker Adventures, I’d gotten to know Tucker because Daphne brought him to my yoga classes on occasion. I smiled over at him. “Hey, Tucker, how’s it going?”
His brows hitched up when he saw me. “Oh, the yoga teacher’s here. Are you gonna make me do yoga before dinner?”
I laughed. “No.”
I was relieved for the distraction of more people appearing. Diego had texted me to let me know his sister had arrived sooner than he expected. I was trying not to think about it and told myself it was no big deal to meet his sister because we weren’t even a thing. Not at all. It didn’t seem to matter what I tried to tell myself, anxiety pinged around my body every time I thought about it. I’d take any distraction I could get.
“Be nice,” Daphne called over. “Gemma’s joining us for dinner. She is going to do one staff class a week out here though. You’re expected to be there.”
Tucker slipped his hips onto a stool by the island while Daphne started shredding cheese. “Yes, ma’am,” he said with mock solemnity. “We do whatever Daphne says.” He glanced toward me. “We want her to stay happy and keep making our food.”
Daphne rolled her eyes. Nora entered the kitchen. “Hey, Gemma,” she called over as she disappeared through a doorway at the back of the kitchen. It looked to be a pantry because I could see a glimpse of the shelves lining its walls. She reappeared with a bottle of wine and some glasses.
“Anybody want wine?” She stopped by the counter where Daphne was working.
“I’ll take some,” Daphne said. “I don’t usually turn down wine.”
“You?” Nora’s eyes met mine.
I shook my head. “No, thanks. I’m driving.”
Over the next half hour or so, the kitchen gradually filled with staff as they filtered in from wherever they’d been. I settled on a stool near the end of the counter, enjoying the banter between the group. I didn’t have to see him to know when Diego arrived. The hairs on the back of my neck rose, and heat chased over my skin.
I couldn’t stop myself from glancing over to the archway that led into the kitchen. His dark curls were rumpled, standing out against his burnished skin. My eyes lingered on him as he walked across the room. He was talking to Flynn who was handsome all on his own, but didn’t have the effect on me and my hormones that Diego did. Good thing, seeing as he was absolutely taken by Daphne.
Diego’s arms swung easily at his sides, and I savored the flex of his broad shoulders with the subtle motion. He had on a faded black T-shirt, and I couldn’t help but wonder what his chest looked like underneath it. Gah! I had it bad. When he looked away from Flynn, his gaze landed on mine immediately, as if he sensed I was here. For a split second, it felt as if there was an electrical wire connecting us, sparking in the air all the way across the room.
Dear God. My body needed a warning sign for this man. “Danger, risk of explosion.” Or something along those lines.
Daphne said something to me, and I tore my eyes from his. “What?” I asked reflexively.
“I asked if you wanted one of these.” She held up some kind of bread item she’d just pulled out of the oven.
“Of course. I don’t even know what it is, but I’ll take it.”
Daphne grinned, a sly gleam in her eyes. “Rolls stuffed with brie and prosciutto.” She paused, arching a brow. “Which you might’ve heard when I asked, if you hadn’t been staring so hard at Diego.”
My cheeks got hot when the man in question stopped beside me. “I’ll take one,” he said quickly. After Daphne handed us rolls on two small plates, he glanced to me when she moved on. “This is a nice surprise.”
“Hi,” I managed breathily.
“I should warn you, my sister is about to show up, and she wants to meet you.”