4. Archer
4
ARCHER
I glance up as Madison enters the restaurant. In a fresh blouse and slacks, she looks much more put together. I can't help but chuckle as she nervously walks past the few guests staying at Heartwood to the table I reserved for us.
"Well, look at you all dried off. Think you'll ever invest in some proper mountain clothes?" I tease with a smirk.
Madison rolls her eyes, but a smile plays on her lips. "Very funny. Maybe you can take me shopping later and help me choose something more appropriate. I need flannel and denim, right?" She slides into the chair across from me.
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued by that idea. "Careful what you offer, darlin'. I might just take you up on that."
A pretty blush colors her cheeks as Rena approaches to take our drink order. Once she leaves, I lean forward, resting my arms on the table.
"So, I wanted to give you a bit of history on this place before you decide what to do with it. It's over a century old, you know. Your grandma Eleanor used to tell me all kinds of stories about the early days."
Madison tilts her head, curious. "Really? I had no idea. What did she tell you?"
As I recount some of the tales of the first guests and the resort's heyday, I watch Madison's face, seeing the way her brown eyes sparkle with interest. She's even lovelier when she smiles. I could get used to putting that expression on her face.
"Wow, Grandma never mentioned any of that to me," Madison says when I finish. Her smile fades. "I suppose there's a lot I never got a chance to hear from her. I should have visited more often, made the time..."
I reach over to cover her hand. "Hey, don't beat yourself up. Your grandma could've made the trip to see you, too. Sounds like you were both married to your work."
That surprises a laugh out of her. "You're right. We were quite the pair of workaholics." She meets my gaze, her hand warm under mine. "I'm glad she had you, though. She spoke so highly of you in her last letter to me. Called you the grandson she never had."
Emotion clogs my throat for a second. "She was an incredible lady. I'll miss her." I squeeze Madison's fingers. "But a part of her lives on here, in this resort. And in you."
Madison blinks rapidly. "Thank you, Archer. I needed to hear that."
Madison coughs and pulls her hand back, breaking our quiet moment of connection as she focuses intently on the renovation plans spread out on the table between us. "I've been thinking more about the updates I want to make to the resort. If my cabin is anything to go by, the resort desperately needs new plumbing and electrics, and I'd like to add modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and WiFi throughout the property. We could also do with some other modern conveniences, like coffee machines and…”
I resist the urge to yank the papers away from her, my body tensing. "Hold on now. Those cabins have had the same fixtures for decades. They're part of the resort's rustic charm. You start ripping them out and replacing everything, and you'll lose the soul of this place."
Frustration flashes across Madison's face, her brows drawing together. "I appreciate that you love the history here, Archer, but this resort needs to turn a profit if it's going to survive. People expect certain comforts these days. I almost think we need to rip everything down and start again."
As I open my mouth to argue, Madison's phone starts buzzing insistently on the table. She glances at the screen and mutters a curse under her breath. With a jabbing motion, she declines the call and tosses the phone down.
"Who was that?" I ask, curiosity overriding my annoyance.
"Someone who doesn't know how to take no for an answer," she says shortly. Her expression turns resolute as she meets my gaze head-on. "But that's not important. What is important is finding a way to bring this resort into the twenty-first century without sacrificing its charm. There has to be a compromise here."
I can't help but admire her determination, even as I bristle at the idea of changing too much. I want to preserve the memories of this place, the ones Eleanor built over the years. But I have to admit, Madison has a point. The resort has been struggling to cover its costs for years.
Rubbing a hand over my beard, I blow out a slow breath. "Alright, let's talk compromise. But I'm warning you now: I won't let you strip away the heart of this place. It means too much to me."
Madison's eyes soften, her lips curving into a small smile. "I know it does, Archer. And that means something to me, too. So let's figure this out together."
As we bend our heads over the plans once more, I start to see the resort through Madison's eyes—the potential for modern amenities blended seamlessly with the rustic charm that I love so much. My finger traces a line on the blueprint. "What if we keep the original structure of the cabins but update the interiors? New plumbing, electricals, and a fresh coat of paint. Guests will feel like they're stepping back in time, but with all the creature comforts they're used to."
Madison's face lights up, her smile stealing my breath for a moment. "That's perfect, Archer! And we can do the same in the main lodge. Preserve the historic facade but modernize the rooms and common areas."
She reaches across the table to squeeze my hand, her touch sending a jolt of electricity up my arm. I know I shouldn't be feeling this way about my boss, but damn if I can control the racing of my heart.
We spend the next hour refining our plans, excitement building as we picture the resort's future. When we finally sit back, satisfied with our progress, Madison raises her glass of wine in a toast. "To compromise and to a bright future for the resort."
I clink my glass against hers, the smile on my face mirroring her own. "To the future."
As we sip our drinks, the air between us shifts, growing charged with a tension I can't ignore. Madison sets down her glass, her eyes finding mine, and I'm drawn in by the depth of emotion I see there.
Before I can second-guess myself, I lean across the table and capture her plump lips with my own. The kiss starts soft and tentative but quickly ignites into something more. Madison's hand slides into my hair, pulling me closer, and I lose myself in the taste of her, the feel of her.
It's the single most incredible kiss of my life, and I know in that moment that I'm in trouble. I'm falling for my boss, hard and fast, and there's no going back.
When we finally break apart, both breathing heavily, I rest my forehead against hers. "Madison, I..."
She places a finger against my lips, silencing me. "Shh. Don't overthink it, Archer."
I nod, but I know that’s easier said than done.