Chapter Eight
T his view. Mason’s attentiveness. Their three glorious days together in the resort’s luxurious suite reminded her why she’d married him.
Her husband sure knew the way to her heart.
How to spoil her. Isabel nestled against him as he draped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.
The glass-enclosed gondola glided up the Alaskan mountainside.
This sightseeing trip was the last item on Mason’s well-planned itinerary before they headed back to Evergreen. Everything had been perfect.
In the distance, whitecaps dotted the gray Pacific Ocean. From her side of the gondola, she spotted a glacier spilling down a craggy, snowcapped mountain. Countless peaks and valleys bordered the ski resort, and a brilliant blue sky brushed with wispy white clouds stole her breath.
“This has all been incredible, Mason. Thank you.”
Mason’s grin creased his clean-shaven, ruddy cheeks. With a gleam in his eye, he leaned over and brushed his lips against hers. He tasted like coffee and sugar. The appealing spicy fragrance of his aftershave made her body tingle and brought back memories of their previous night together.
He leaned back.
“Wait,” she whispered, her eyes trained on the curve of his full lips. “Don’t stop.”
His hooded gaze and the pad of his thumb drawing lazy circles on the back of her hand clouded her thoughts.
She slid one hand along the sleeve of his puffy jacket, across his broad shoulder, then cupped his jaw in her palm and claimed his mouth again.
“Be careful.” His gruff voice carried a teasing note when they broke apart. “We’re going to fog up these windows. The operator will have something to say when our ride’s over.”
Laughing, she snuggled closer and rested her head against his chest. “We are married, you know.”
“I’m well aware.” Mason affectionately squeezed her knee. “We’re also riding to the top of a mountain overlooking a very busy ski resort in a mostly transparent box, and I don’t know how much longer I can keep my hands to myself.”
“Noted. I’ll behave.”
They rode in comfortable silence. Until her conscience got her attention. She swallowed against the dryness in her mouth. “I’m sorry I was so critical when you surprised me with this trip.”
“No problem. I understand you don’t like surprises, but to be honest, it was the only way to get you out of Evergreen for the weekend.”
“You’re right. It wouldn’t have happened any other way.”
They climbed higher, the view only getting more stunning.
“I haven’t been here in years. Look.” Isabel pointed toward a snowboarder below them, surrounded by yards and yards of untouched white snow, carving a path down a steep valley. “That’s quite a ride.” She sighed. “I wish I still skied. We used to go all the time when I was in high school.”
“Winterhaven is open,” Mason reminded her. “It’s practically in our backyard, and we have all our gear in the garage.”
“I know. It’s just…” She stopped herself before blaming her schedule. Such a pitiful excuse. “I want to make time to do more fun stuff with you, Mason.”
His body stiffened. Silence filled the small enclosure. “Do you mean that?”
She pulled back, studying him. “I wouldn’t have said it otherwise.”
Mason looked away. “We’ve avoided all the hard topics so far this weekend, but since we’re headed home in a couple of hours, maybe now would be a good time to talk about our future.”
Despite the heat in the gondola and the lingering warmth from their kiss, not to mention the exquisite couples’ massage they’d enjoyed after brunch, an ominous chill racked her frame. “What do you mean?”
A muscle in his cheek twitched. “I’ve been invited to a second interview. For that project manager position I told you about. It’s with a well-respected construction business in Juneau.”
“What?” She gasped. “You’re still thinking that you want that job. Even though you’d have to move?”
He removed his hand from her leg and twisted on the bench seat to face her. Irritation flashed in his eyes. “ We would move. Together.”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Isabel, we’ve talked about this. I don’t want to stay in Evergreen forever. The place is suffocating.”
“Suffocating?” Anger spiked. “Wow, that’s quite the thing to say when you’re married to the mayor.”
“It’s because I’m married to the mayor that I feel this way. Between the business, your responsibilities with the town council, and your family commitments—”
She held up her hand. “What do you mean by my family commitments? I thought you liked spending time with my parents.”
Mason palmed the top of his head. “Your parents are great. And I’m really sorry about everything you’ve been through with your grandmother.
I hate that she’s losing her memory and had to move.
I wish I could change it, but at the same time, we have our own lives.
If your parents want to sell the company, now’s the perfect time to make a fresh start.
It’s important that our kids experience more of Alaska than just our tiny town. ”
“You mean the kids we don’t have yet?”
He winced. “I want to start a family with you, Isabel. Sooner rather than later. I thought you wanted kids. When we dated—”
A terrible grinding noise interrupted their conversation, and the gondola jerked back and forth.
She gripped the sleeve of his jacket. “What’s going on?”
Mason’s chin lifted as he scanned their surroundings. “We’re making an unexpected stop.”
“But we’re suspended in midair.” Her chest tightened, and her pulse sped as she craned her neck to assess their location. Up ahead, the mountaintop restaurant’s roof glinted in the sun. Below them, skiers in bright colored ski jackets and snow pants zipped down the runs, oblivious to their plight.
Mason threaded his fingers through hers. “It’s going to be okay. We might be stuck here for a few minutes, though.”
“Can’t you call someone?” They needed to get back. She had to prepare for Tuesday’s town council meeting.
“I wish I could, but I didn’t bring my phone.” Mason’s eyes roamed her face. “Did you bring yours?”
She shook her head. “We agreed to leave them in our room.”
“Why don’t we make the most of our time together and keep talking?”
This time, his thumb caressing the back of her hand aggravated her. She tugged free, fisting her hands in her lap. “Because honestly, Mason, I don’t know what else to say. You’re asking me to give up everything I love.”
“Everything? What about me? Don’t you love me? I’m your husband.”
“That’s not fair. You know I love you.”
“Do I, though?”
Hot tears pricked the backs of her eyes. “How can you ask that?”
Mason’s expression hardened. “It doesn’t feel very loving when I’m the last on your list.”
She flinched. “I just spent an entire weekend with you.”
“After Jovi prodded you to agree, and she had to shove you into the car to get you to comply.” His voice grew louder. “Don’t you dare pretend like you were excited about this.”
“I’d just come from a heartbreaking visit with my grandmother, Mason. Less than ten minutes ago, I apologized for my attitude, and you said, ‘No problem.’ When in reality, it seems as though we have a much bigger problem on our hands.”
They sat there, side by side on the bench seat, staring each other down. Tears blurred her vision.
At last, he spoke. “You’re right. We do have a big problem. I want to go. You want to stay.”
“So what are we supposed to do?” she whispered. “Wh-what are you suggesting?”
Mason blew out a long breath and looked away. “I don’t know where we go from here. But I’m going to the second interview.”
She stared at her hands. His declaration squeezed the air from her lungs.
Unbelievable.
Isabel wriggled uncomfortably in her seat, the heat in the enclosed cable car and the strong coffee she had drunk that morning finally taking its toll.
Sighing, she unzipped her jacket, feeling the sweat already starting to collect on her forehead. Oh, she should not have had all that coffee at breakfast. She tugged off her jacket and flung it on the bench beside her.
Mason studied her. “Everything okay?”
“I really need to use the restroom. How much longer do you think it’s going to take for them to fix this?”
Mason softened at the desperation in her voice. “Sweetheart, I don’t know. I’m sure they’re working as quickly as they can. We’re not the only ones who are stranded.”
Isabel nodded, trying to take comfort in the fact that they were not alone in their predicament.
She glanced over at the other gondolas, seeing the couple behind them smiling and enjoying themselves.
She felt a pang of envy for their contentment.
Why couldn’t she be happy for this prolonged date with her husband instead of wishing for it to be over?
“We’ll have to just wait it out,” Mason said finally. “Maybe the maintenance crew will come soon and get us going.” He reached out and took her hand. “We could try talking some more. Do you feel comfortable with that?”
Panic shot right through her. No. “Um, okay. What do you want to talk about?”
“Can you say more about your fear of having children?”
Tears pricked at the backs of her eyes. He always managed to find just the right words to cut right through the armor she used to shield herself. Her breath hitched, and she bit down on her lip. She didn’t want to talk about this. It was too painful. “You know why.”
“Babe.” His compassionate gaze held hers. “Lots of people lose babies. You’re not defective or broken. I’ve done some research, and many people go on to have healthy, uneventful pregnancies.”
His eyebrows scrunched together over his beautiful eyes that always saw more than he let on. “The doctor said there’s no way for us to know why you miscarried. We’re both perfectly healthy.”
“I’m not ready,” she whispered, barely squeezing the words out.
“It’s been five years.” Mason’s voice was tight. “Don’t you think it’s time to at least try again? To give us a chance to have a family?”