Chapter 3
Piper
So many phone calls.
Frowning, I tapped a nail on the table, staring at my calendar. I’d had a call with Paris. A call with the Maldives. A call with New York.
My cellphone pinged. Idly, I grabbed it, spinning in my chair.
Then I froze. It was a text from my brother.
Hey, sis. Mom said you’re in Colorado. I’ve been in Vegas, and might come say hi to my favorite sister.
My chest squeezed. One, I was his only sister. Two, a visit usually involved asking me for money.
A light pounding started behind my left eye.
Chance was three years younger than me. He was twenty-eight going on eighteen. He’d tried college, but had only lasted a year. I would have been fine with that, if he’d actually found something he enjoyed and was gainfully supporting himself.
Instead, he was a dreamer. Always going to hit it big without doing a lick of work. Always one amazing deal away from a huge win. I sighed. What Chance was, was a gambling addict. And as such, he lost more than he ever made.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. I’d done everything I could to shield Mom and Gram from the worst of his troubles. Whenever he visited them, I knew it made them sad and unhappy. He mooched off them and asked for money.
I dragged in a deep breath, then texted back.
Hi Chance. I hope you’re well. I’m good and really busy with work.
The rap of knuckles on the door had me looking up. It was Jazz, Tessa’s assistant. She’d poured her generous curves into a plum-colored dress that looked fabulous on her dark skin. Her black curls spilled around her face.
“Hi, Jazz.”
“Sorry, I know you’re busy, but Ro wants you for a quick meeting.”
I nodded. “I’ll be right there.”
I didn’t encourage Chance to visit. I didn’t have time to deal with his dysfunction right now.
The last time I’d seen him, I’d suggested rehab for his gambling—again. He’d gotten mad and thrown things, insisting he didn’t have a problem—again.
I pushed it out of my mind as best I could and headed for Ro’s office.
Unlike the conference room, the owner’s office had an amazing view of the mountain.
Skiers and snowboarders were zooming everywhere.
The gondola was carting crowds of people up the mountainside.
The space was done in dark grays that suited Ro, and the sleek desk sat in front of the perfect backdrop of the large windows.
He’d added a few touches since he’d claimed it.
A print of the stunning The Rocky Mountains, Lander's Peak—the original I knew hung in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A beautiful carved wooden sculpture sat on the credenza by the wall. He’d bought it from a local art gallery.
And there was a framed photo on his desk—it was a shot of him and Tessa beaming for the camera.
I barely paid any attention. Instead, my gaze landed on one of the other people in the room.
Everett.
My lip curled. He sat in one of the visitor chairs in front of Ro’s desk and was wearing another flannel shirt. This one was an attractive one in shades of brown, but it was still not his uniform.
“Ah, there you are, Piper.” Ro leaned back in his black leather desk chair. “Come in. I want to introduce you to Jasper Harden.”
I forced my gaze off Everett to the other man in the room. He was standing by the windows.
“Jasper, this is my COO, Piper Ellis.”
Oh. He did not look like a chef. He was in his late thirties, and looked like he should be stepping into a boxing ring.
He was a few inches shorter than Ro, but much wider in the shoulders.
His white, button-down shirt strained to contain his muscular biceps and chest. How the hell did he get muscles like that working in a kitchen?
His hair was light brown, flirting with dark blond, and he had plenty of stubble on his square jaw. He was scowling.
“A pleasure.”
I blinked. He had a smooth voice with a very nice British accent. Something else that didn’t match his rugged looks. “Welcome to the team, Jasper. I’ve had the delight of eating at Noir. Your food is exceptional.”
He inclined his head. “I know.”
I fought a smile. Clearly, he wasn’t shy about his cooking skills.
“I’ll have Tessa show you to your suite,” Ro said. “Whenever you’re—”
Harden took a step forward. “I’d like to see the kitchen.”
Ro paused. “Certainly.” He walked the chef out of the office.
I saw Everett was looking at me. “Murray.”
“Big city.”
Ro strode back in. “Take a seat, Piper.”
I took the chair beside Everett.
“So, I wanted to talk to you about a last-minute project I’m adding to the renovation list.”
I shifted. Ro hadn’t mentioned anything to me.
“I want to add a swimming pool.”
I blinked. “A pool?”
Ro nodded. “I was talking with Tessa, and the idea’s been brewing for a while.”
“Where are you going to put a pool?” I asked.
“I had a designer do the prelim drawings. I figured I’d do an initial cost estimate before I brought it up. Make sure it was viable before it added more work for us to do.”
Ro was thoughtful like that. Still, a swimming pool wasn’t changing a paint color. It was a big job for an already tight schedule. And I was well aware us meant me.
He pulled out a roll of plans and laid them on the desk.
“The plan is to add it back here.” He pointed. “Behind the hotel. It’s going to be heated and have a glass roof, so it can be used all year round. It’ll connect to the new gym and spa.”
My chest hitched. The renderings were beautiful. The sparkling pool was covered by an arched roof of glass. I already knew guests would love it.
“That’s going to be very popular,” Everett said.
Ro nodded. “Tessa is pretty excited. And Piper, I know you said the area where we’re squeezing in the spa is pretty tight. This way, we can expand the spa area while the pool is being constructed.”
“I smell a bribe,” I said tartly.
Ro smiled. “Yes, because this is going to be more work for you.”
I crossed my legs. My brain was already fast at work trying to fit this into the schedule. “I do have a demanding boss.”
“He pays you well.”
A thought occurred to me. “Why is Everett here?”
“Because the pool requires constant maintenance and care. I want his input on the design of the pool pump and heat system.” Ro glanced between us. “This is now a joint project between the two of you.”
My stomach soured. “What?”
“I want you two to work together on this. Go over the design, talk to the pool contractor that I have on standby.”
“When will construction start?” I felt a fluttery nervous feeling in my chest.
“As soon as we approve the designs. The contractor, Rich, had a job fall through and has a team ready to go.” Ro shrugged a shoulder. “And luckily, I can pay a hefty bonus.”
“Ro, it’s winter.” I pointed to the window. “There’s snow and it’s not above zero out there.”
He smiled. “Rich is based in the mountains and is used to winter work. He’s going to put up construction tenting.”
I blinked. “What?”
“They put a large frame over the construction site and cover it in heavy-duty canvas,” Everett said. “Adds to the costs, but means you can work through any weather. They usually have lights and heating in there too.”
“Rich said if we start now, we can have the pool operational for summer.” Ro leaned forward. “The contractor won’t be on standby forever, so I need you both to make this a priority.”
Great, just great.
“You can add the extra space to the new day spa.” Ro’s lips quirked. “And you must have thoughts about the pool.”
I huffed and crossed my arms. “We both know that pool will be amazing and guests will love it.” I could already see pictures of it all over social media.
“Good. So you and Everett look at the plans.”
Everett cleared his throat. “I guess we’d better get started. Come on, big city. Let’s go take a look at the site.”