Chapter 21 Everett
Everett
“Oh my God, is this necessary?”
“Yes. It’s all part of the job and I know that Ms. Piper Ellis, COO of Langston Hotels never shirks her work.” I wrapped the heavy coat around her. It was one of mine and the brown wool engulfed her.
She huffed. “I don’t, but I also know how to delegate.”
“We’re inspecting the construction site. Together. You’ve been inside all day—”
“Under house arrest. I’ve seen you, Ro, and Caden all watching me like a flock of hawks.”
“It isn’t a flock of hawks.” I opened the employee entrance door and a blast of cold air hit us. “It’s a kettle.”
“A kettle?” She frowned at me as we walked outside. “A kettle of hawks. That sounds terrible. You made that up.”
“Nope.”
“Of course, a mountain man would know.”
“Us mountain men know lots of things, plus we’re good with our hands.”
She looked at me and I saw her cheeks pinken.
“Like for chopping wood, or hunting—”
She pulled a face and elbowed me. “Come on then. If you’re going to torture me by making me go outside, in these hideous boots, and in knee-deep snow, let’s get it done.”
“It’s nowhere near knee deep.” I’d borrowed a pair of hiking boots from Tessa. Piper had complained bitterly about putting them on. In my coat and the borrowed boots, she looked like a little girl playing dress up.
I grinned. I never thought I’d think of Piper as cute, but here we were.
I heard the rumble of the equipment, but before we reached the construction tent, I grabbed the lapels of her coat and yanked her close. I gave her a quick, hard kiss.
Her gaze ran over my face. “You’re trouble, Murray.”
“Nope, I’m a nice guy, remember.” I kept her close as we navigated the icy path.
When we reached the construction zone, we stopped.
“It’s huge,” she said.
The white tent was enormous and arched over the constriction site. We made our way to the door in the side and stepped inside. The roof of the tent was a high peak above us and it was several degrees warmer inside.
“They’re making good progress,” she said.
An excavator was digging the hole for the pool. Workers were stacking gear for pouring the concrete and building the frame for the spa off to one side.
I watched her sharp gaze take it all in. It was her COO face. I liked seeing the wicked intelligence in her eyes.
“It’s going to be great,” she said. “And if they can stay on track, this will be a huge marketing point for next season. Plus, the addition of the spa will really add to the hotel’s offerings.”
“Agreed. In winter, all the sore skiers will be able to soak in the onsen and get a massage. In the summer, people will love the pool.”
She smiled. After she’d finished taking it all in, we stepped back outside. She tipped her head up and her face softened. I realized she was watching the delicate snowflakes fall on her cheeks.
I tugged on her hair. “I thought you hated the snow.”
“I hate when I’m in it, but I have to admit, it can be pretty.” She looked back at the construction tent, and I fought back a laugh, because she had the same enchanted look on her face as she took in the construction site.
She looked happy, despite everything going on that was stressing her out.
“Damn.”
She turned to me. “What?”
“I really want to kiss you, but the construction guys could walk out here and see us, not to mention everyone in the great room.”
She arched her head to look at the windows on the main building, then looked back at me. “Later.”
My gut tightened. “Later.”
We headed back toward the door. I kept a hand on her elbow to keep her steady.
“Has Caden had any luck finding Chance?” she asked.
I blew out a breath. I’d checked in with Caden earlier. “No.”
Her shoulders sagged.
“Not yet. He’ll find him.”
“Chance is good at slinking around, sticking to the shadows.”
I gripped her shoulders. “We’ll find him. I promise.”
As she nodded, the radio on my hip squawked to life. “Everett, you there?”
Dammit. I grabbed it off my belt. “I’m here. Go ahead.”
“We got water leaking through the ceiling in the great room.
Double damn. “Okay. I’ll be there shortly. Send Rob and Dee. I’ll meet them there.”
“You gotcha.”
“Duty calls,” Piper said.
I nodded. “Come on.” I slid an arm around her and led her inside. “Let’s get you out of the snow.”