8. Dane
EIGHT
Dane
“Dane, are you listening?” My brother Kip scoffed. “I don’t think he’s even listening.”
I sat forward in the desk chair. I was in the office of my hotel suite. “I’m listening. Not my fault that you’re boring the hell out of me.”
Actually, I hadn’t been listening at all. I’d been thinking about Grace O’Neal. Ashford’s sister. Practically all I’d done for the past few days. Certainly hadn’t been doing much that was useful.
“Dane,” my father warned.
“I’m all ears.”
There was a brief pause, and Kip went on. “As I was saying, it sounds like the grand-opening party last weekend went well. But several of our clients had hoped to speak with you there, and they couldn’t find you. I invited the most important people from our network on the assumption that you would do your part. These people are very important to our business.”
Your business , I thought, since Kip’s guests were all bankers and potential investors in other projects. Ones I had nothing to do with. But the Silver Ridge resort was small potatoes in the world of Knightly Global.
“Yes, Kip, I know the meaning of VIP.”
“Like the Penningtons. I’m close to getting their buy-in on the property development in the Bahamas, and I need you to make them feel special. They’re at the ski resort for one more day.”
“Then I’ll be sure Tobin sends them some free spa treatments and comps their dinner tonight.”
“Tobin? Who’s Tobin?”
I gripped the skin between my eyes. “The hotel manager. And you claim I’m not paying attention.”
“The Penningtons can get free shit anywhere. You’re supposed to be offering a personal touch.”
“That sounds like a you problem. If you’d wanted to personally touch them, you should’ve flown out here yourself. I’m not interested.”
Kip made a choking sound.
“Boys, that’s enough,” my father said. “Dane is going to take this seriously and see that our guests have a good time at the resort. Because he knows how much is riding on the success of this pet project of his. Correct?”
My jaw clenched. “Yes. I do.”
“I’ve given you six months, Dane. If I don’t like the results at the end of that period, we sell and then you go where I say.”
“I know.”
Because, at the end of the day, I didn’t really own the resort. Knightly Global did. My father would get to make the final call. And if it wasn’t for the massive cloud of guilt hanging over my head when it came to my mother, I wouldn’t be working for him at all.
“We must present a united front,” my father said. “We’re a family. You both need to act like it.”
I held back my sarcastic comments. My brother tried complaining for a bit longer, but soon we were off the phone. I tossed my device onto the desk, and it skidded so far it fell onto the plush carpet.
Then it started ringing again.
Bending over, I picked up the phone and answered it. “Hey, Margot. Warning you, I’m in a shitty mood. Just got off the phone with Dad and Kip.”
“We’re in the same boat then. I just heard from your father’s assistant.”
I groaned. “What now?”
“He wants to know your plus-one for Kip and Bristol’s wedding.”
“That’s weeks away!”
“Dane, you seem to have no grasp for how formal events are planned. Calligraphic place cards take time.”
“I don’t even know what the word calligraphic means. Nor do I ever want to. But when you talk to Dad’s assistant next, check on the scheduling for Kip’s surgery to remove the stick up his ass. I have to think that would improve the wedding night for his fiancée.”
Margot snickered. “Shush. You’re going to get us both into trouble. Why don’t you think of a memorable toast for the reception instead.”
“Why? I’m not the best man. I was saved from that privilege.” Not like Kip would want me planning his bachelor’s getaway. I’d been able to skip all that crap. Dad hadn’t been happy about it, since he wanted to present the fiction that the Knightlys were a united front . But there were a few things Kip and I did agree on.
“You’re his big brother. Have a toast ready. Your father will expect it, even if nobody else does.”
That was the truth. At least I could rely on Margot to speak it.
Kip had been raised as my brother, though by blood he was my cousin. We were only a few months apart in age. His mother, my mom’s sister, had passed when he was a baby, and his father had never been in the picture. My parents had never made a secret of any of it.
But from the time we’d been kids, Kip had a monster-sized chip on his shoulder. Especially when it came to my father. As if he had to prove he was more worthy of the Knightly name than me.
I recalled the memorable Easter egg hunt hosted by one of the exclusive clubs my parents were members of. Kip walked in on me in a storage closet with one of my senior high school classmates. A girl who also happened to be the daughter of the president of the club. Kip tattled on me, and Dad actually told him to mind his own business, while later pulling me aside to lecture me about my recklessness.
Which, okay. Fair.
But Kip didn’t seem to understand that this competition between us was one-sided. I wasn’t vying to take my father’s place at the head of Knightly Global. Kip could have it. I was there to do what my mom had always wanted. What she’d begged me to do, back when she was still sharp enough to debate philosophy with me and out-bluff any of us at the poker table.
I owed it to Mom to keep trying to be a part of this family, no matter how infuriating Kip and my father could be.
“A warning, though,” Margot added. “If you don’t have a plus-one, I believe there are plans to set you up with the maid of honor.”
The bride’s sister, Ainsley Harcourt. And also, coincidentally, the girl I’d been caught in the storage closet with at that long ago Easter egg hunt. Ainsley was great, but it wasn’t happening.
“Please tell me you snuffed that out.”
“I’m trying to plant seeds with your father’s staff to dissuade him. You know how it is. But I don’t think you need me to fight your battles anyway, soldier. You could make my life easier and pick a plus-one of your own.”
“Why do I need a plus-one at all?”
“That’s above my pay grade.”
I didn’t want to think about it right now. “I’d better go. I have dinner plans.”
“A date?” she asked hopefully.
“No, dinner with Ashford and his family.”
“Oh, that sounds lovely. Doesn’t he have a sister?”
“He has a sister.”
“A pretty one?”
I smiled into the phone. “Very pretty.”
“Is she free on the day of Kip’s wedding?”
I barked a laugh. While I would’ve been happy to bring Grace as my date, it was even less likely than Kip removing that stick. “She doesn’t care for me.”
“What did you do?”
“ Me ? You have no faith in me at all.”
“I have faith, Dane Knightly, but I’ve also known you a long time.”
I leaned back in my chair. “Then you know that these days, I’m very strategic and careful about what I do.” With one glaring exception, working for my father, but that wasn’t the issue. “I’ll get back to you on the plus-one.”
I was about to say goodbye, but then I remembered something else, and a fresh wave of guilt hit me. I’d almost forgotten.
“The birthday flowers—” I started.
“All set. I’ll drop by to deliver them myself next Friday.”
“Thank you, Margot.”
It should’ve been me delivering flowers on Mom’s birthday. But now that I’d made it to Silver Ridge, I knew I couldn’t leave yet. No matter how bad a son that made me. “That means a lot. She loves you.”
“I love her too. She’s an incredible woman.”
She was, once , I thought, and then banished that cruel sentiment from my mind.
My mother was still the same woman I’d admired for my entire life. The people who loved her remembered how incredible she was. I remembered.
* * *
Ashford and Emma lived in a huge blue stucco building that doubled as their place of business. He taught martial arts classes, while Emma offered music lessons. I texted that I was outside, and Emma came down to open the door for me. I’d driven the Range Rover this time instead of taking the hotel shuttle. I was carrying precious cargo.
“Whoa, what did you bring? That box is huge.”
“I told Ashford I’d bring the appetizers. Picked this up from the resort’s kitchen on my way out.”
Emma held the door wide for me. “Benefits of owning a hotel, right? My aunt and uncle own one too, in Hartley, except they also do most of the cooking.”
“I’d love to check it out sometime.”
“Definitely. So, are you going to be in Silver Ridge long-term? Or…”
“I’m a New Yorker, born and bred. But I’d like to make this an extended visit. Depending on how things are going back home.”
Emma nodded. “I hope you can stick around Colorado for a while. Ashford’s so thrilled that you’re here.”
It meant a lot to me to hear that. Especially coming from the woman who had changed so much in my friend’s life. Used to be, when I spoke to Ashford, he sounded like he was barely holding together as a single dad. After Emma came into his life, he wasn’t half as grumpy.
There was a couple who should be getting married. My brother and Bristol? Their engagement was more a business arrangement than anything else. They’d announced it out of the blue earlier in the year. I hadn’t even known they were dating.
I would be damned before I’d let my father try to push the same thing onto me and Ainsley.
We started up the stairs. “Maisie can’t stop talking about you,” Emma went on. “Get ready. She already has plans for you when you get upstairs.”
“I can’t wait. Uncle status, here I come.”
“You’ve made a big impression on her. I can say that much.”
At least I was getting things right with Maisie, if not with her aunt Grace.
After our run-in at the fall festival, I was determined to be on good behavior with her. No more propositioning Ashford’s little sister. I did have a habit of going after things I wanted, but I would never risk my friendship with Ashford unless I had serious intentions toward her. And Grace…she’d said it herself. We didn’t know each other. If I hurt her, Ashford wouldn’t forgive me. I wouldn’t forgive myself.
But that didn’t mean I couldn’t be nice to her. That wasn’t a crime, was it?
“Grace and Callum are coming tonight?” I asked, very innocently.
“That’s the plan. Dixie is already here. Ready to bestow her wisdom upon you.”
“Good. I’m ready for it.”
Inside the apartment, Ashford was talking to an older woman with chin-length white hair. “Dane, get over here. Dixie, this is who I’ve been telling you about. Dane Knightly.”
I had to dip my chin to look down. The woman was tiny. “Pleased to meet you, Ms. Haines.”
She squinted up at me. “So you’re the new owner of the resort. Ashford tells me you’re looking to connect with local business owners.”
I slid past her and set the box I was carrying on the kitchen counter. “I want the ski resort to be a thriving part of Silver Ridge. I think we could be doing a lot more for our local community.”
“Because it’s good for your bottom line?” Dixie asked.
I heard the skepticism in her tone, and I understood it. “It’s more than that. It’s the right thing to do.”
“I like that answer.” Dixie pointed at the kitchen table. “Sit with me a while.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I exchanged a smile with Ashford. I felt like I’d just been invited to dine with the godfather. Wouldn’t have been surprised if Dixie said she’d help me, but that I’d be called upon to do a favor for her later.
And of course, I would do it. I wasn’t stupid.
Dixie gave me an insider view of the Silver Ridge business landscape until Maisie came racing into the kitchen with Stella. “Mr. Dane! You’re here! Will you color with me? Emma printed some pictures of New York, and now I’m making my own skyline.”
“Duty calls,” I said to Dixie. “Your advice is invaluable, truly. Can we continue this conversation later?”
“No need to flatter me. Much . I wouldn’t dream of standing in the way of a girl and her art.”
I thanked her again, and Dixie waved me away.
Maisie and I sat on the floor of the living room to color. Stella came to check things out, probably because she could smell the treat I’d brought for her. She scarfed down the biscuit and then settled on her cushion nearby to nap.
Ashford’s younger brother Callum showed up shortly after and joined our coloring party for a few minutes. “I heard you were bringing food tonight,” Callum said. “So I brought drinks.” He held up a paper bag with the neck of a liquor bottle inside. “Interested?”
“Absolutely. I’m in.”
“I’ll pour in the kitchen.”
“Perfect. I’ll be there in a few. Gotta finish coloring the Empire State Building.”
Callum laughed. “Serious work you’re doing there. You’ll need a drink when you’re finished for sure.” He got up and headed into the kitchen.
It was so easy to be around Ashford’s family. Unlike visits with my family, when it was like walking through a minefield where everyone was wearing bespoke clothing. I could relax here. Let down my guard. It felt really fucking good.
But I kept glancing at the door, wondering when Grace would arrive.
“What do you think?” I asked Maisie, pointing at the skyscraper I’d been filling in.
“Hmm.” She touched her chin. “Needs more purple.” She reached over to help me out, because clearly I needed to keep working on my architectural design style. But Ashford’s daughter knew what she liked, and that was a valuable skill.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re running the world someday, little miss,” I said to her.
She nodded sagely. “I know.”
The door to the apartment opened. “Maisie, I brought some new crafts for you.” Grace appeared holding a paper grocery bag in her arms, and stopped in her tracks when she saw me.
My smile was involuntary. I got up and took the bag from her hands. “We meet again.”
“I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“It’s like you’re not happy to see me.”
Grace looked over at Maisie, who was still busy coloring on the floor. “Seems I can’t get away from you,” Grace muttered.
“And why would you want to get away from the handsome Mr. Knightly?” Dixie asked, walking toward us from the kitchen. The lady had impressive hearing.
Grace’s cheeks pinked. “You’d think Dane would stay away from me . Since I scalded him with hot coffee the first time we met.”
“She loves bringing that up. Like she’s warning me it might happen again. It’s a good thing I have thick skin.”
Dixie patted my shoulder. “Hot beverages aside, you’d hardly need protection from Grace. Everybody in Silver Ridge knows she’s a doll. Sweetest, most selfless woman in town.” Dixie winked. “Aside from yours truly.”
I laughed, and I saw Grace holding back a smile.
“Sounds like Ms. O’Neal can do no wrong,” I said.
“I say, we all need to do a little wrong sometimes. Life is a bore otherwise.” Dixie tapped my bicep. “I suspect you’re a man who knows what I mean. See if you can talk Grace into joining in.”
“Oh believe me, I’ve tried.”
Grace’s eyes bugged behind Dixie’s back, and she made a slashing motion over her throat. But Dixie assumed I was kidding. She was laughing along with me. “He’s a wily one, Grace.”
Maisie looked up from her coloring. “Dixie, what’s wily mean?”
“It means smart enough to be dangerous, and dangerous enough to be a heck of a lot of fun.”
Grace muttered something like, “ Exactly my problem .”
“Am I wily?” Maisie asked.
“You certainly are. Ready for some snacks? There’s quite the spread in the kitchen.” Dixie coaxed Maisie toward the promise of food, and I hung back a moment with Grace, pausing to set her bag of craft supplies on the coffee table.
“How’s your week been?” I asked. “Haven’t seen you since the festival.”
Grace spun to face me. “Don’t act so innocent,” she whispered. “You have to quit dropping hints about…the other night. Dixie thinks it’s a joke, but someone else will catch on. I think Emma already suspects something.”
I stuck my hands in my pockets. “I’m not going to tell anyone. Besides, nothing happened, right? There’s nothing to tell.”
“Exactly. Nothing.”
“You don’t need to worry about me causing problems for you. I’m harmless.”
“I don’t believe that for a second.”
A grin tugged at my lips. “Are you hungry?” I gestured toward the kitchen.
She crossed her arms over her stomach. “Kind of.”
“Then you should eat.”
Grace sighed. “Wait. I wanted to say thanks for being so great with Maisie. Looks like you were coloring with her just now. And the snow globe was really sweet.”
“She’s a wonderful kid.”
“She really is.”
We found the others gathered around the kitchen table, where they’d set out the appetizers. Emma gave Grace a quick hug, and Ashford handed her a plate. “Wondered when you’d get here, Gracie,” Ashford said. “Dane brought like ten kinds of cheese. You’re going to be in heaven. Look at all this.”
“Oh, do you like cheese, Grace?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral.
Her jaw dropped for a moment before she shut it, staring at the platter.
I’d ordered the restaurant’s fanciest cheeseboard, then made a few requests of my own. There were local and imported cheeses, nuts, stewed and dried fruits, house-made crackers, thinly sliced prosciutto. Plus three different kinds of olives and the tiny pickles she’d mentioned the other night at the party.
“This looks amazing,” she said. “Thank you.”
“Pleasure’s all mine.”
When she glanced at me, I gave her my most boyish grin.
I didn’t intend to pursue Ashford’s sister. But I still wanted Grace to like me, and I had no shame about trying to make that happen.