Snowbound (7 page)

Should she go? She was all warm and sleepy from her bath, but it did sound nice and she didn’t want to disappoint Sandra. Her stomach growled. She laughed and figured that was the answer she needed. Jumping up, she rushed to get ready as quickly as she could. Being late to anything really annoyed her, so she would just have to make do with a quick blow dry of her hair and bare minimum make-up. Since she remembered that Glaciers was a fancy restaurant she dug about in her suitcase for something that would be appropriate. Cassidy had never been good about hanging clothes up in hotels, so she had learned to pack as many wrinkle-resistant items as possible. She shook out her black micro-fibre pants and matching top, and marveled at how wonderful this fabric really was—not a wrinkle to be found. She dressed quickly and, deciding she needed some color, added a moss green blazer. With about five minutes to spare to get to the restaurant, she stuffed her hotel key card in one pocket, along with some lip gloss. She put a credit card in the other, just in case, and ran out the door.

* * *

Daniel arrived at Glaciers just before eight o’clock and looked around. He didn’t see too many others here, but he figured it was still early.

“Good evening, Mr. Daniel, sir. It’s good to see you again.”

“George! You’re still here, I see. It’s a good thing too. How would this place survive without you?” Daniel reached out and shook the maitre d’s hand. George had been the head maitre d’ at Glaciers for so long that it would be more of a surprise not to see him. However, Daniel knew that, as formal as George was, he would be sure to appreciate that Daniel thought he was irreplaceable.

“Thank you sir. Your table is right this way.” George led the way to a table in the far corner of the restaurant. Daniel noticed the table was in a secluded area of the restaurant, right next to the windows.

“Oh, but this is a small table George. I’m sure I’m to meet Sandra and a few others here for some kind of a get-together.”

“Yes, sir. This is the table Mrs. Johnson reserved.”

“Okay. Thanks, George.” Daniel sat down in a seat adjacent to the window. He looked out and saw that the lower runs were lit. Peering out the window from this angle gave the lights and snow a magical look.

“Oh, I’m sure they’ll be along. It’s going to be a wonderful dinner you’ll see.” Sandra smiled. “Yes, I think it’s going to be lovely.” She wandered away still muttering to herself.

He watched her go, thinking she seemed preoccupied. Still, it was strange that he was the only one here. This table looked like it might hold four people, if they were lucky. Shrugging, he figured it was no big deal, what did he know about dinner parties anyway. As long as there was food he’d be a happy man.

It had been an interesting week so far and he felt like he was finally moving on. Originally it had been hard to be up here without Natasha, but he knew it was important he not avoid things any more. He liked working around the resort—it was very different from his regular job as a home inspector. As always, the best part was meeting different people.
Especially pretty girls with silver grey eyes and crazy, curly hair.

“Right this way, miss. Here we are.”

Daniel came out of his reverie and watched George leading someone to the table. As George stopped and stepped aside, Daniel grinned.
Yeah, you definitely gotta love those big eyes and that corkscrew hair.

Chapter
Seven

Cassidy stepped around George, expecting to see a group of people, and was taken aback to only see Daniel grinning up at her. As Daniel stood, the maitre d’ pulled out a chair opposite to where Daniel had sat.

“Thank you, George.” Cassidy looked around as she sat down. “Where are the others?”

“Mrs. Johnson was here earlier,” George replied vaguely. “Someone will be along soon to take care of you.” He bowed slightly, turned and left, almost appearing to vanish into the shadows of the dimly lit restaurant.

“You look great, Cassidy.”

She smiled shyly at Daniel, who had sat back down in his seat, across from her. “Thank you. You clean up nice, too.” When he’d stood up she noticed he’d worn a pair of black dress pants, a light blue collared shirt with no tie and a sports jacket over that. The blue shirt really made the colour of his eyes more noticeable, even in the dim lighting. “Well, you know, I don’t do it often so...” He tugged at his collar and unbuttoned the top button on his shirt. “I never feel like I can breathe with these things on. I hate stuff around my neck; hence no tie.” He leaned forward across the table. “Shh, don’t tell. Sandra lets me get away with it, but we’re supposed to wear one here.”

“I won’t tell.” She smiled. “Daniel, I wanted to...well, I wanted to say sorry, for the way I acted earlier. I know you were just trying to help me and I’d done the wrong thing which put us both at risk.”

“No, Cassidy, I’m sorry. I went off on a tangent and overreacted. It just reminded me of stuff and...Anyway the point is you’re safe.”

“I know, but you were right, I should have been paying attention. And—” Cassidy broke off as she noticed a waiter standing at the table.

Cassidy looked around the restaurant and then back at Daniel. “It’s very empty in here tonight. Where is everyone? Also, if Sandra was here earlier, why isn’t she here now?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know. I was told there was some kind of dinner gathering, but there’s no one else here. I have a feeling that Sandra just pulled one over on us.”

“Really? Like what?” She tilted her head. “I can’t imagine that. She’s so sweet.”

Daniel’s eyes twinkled in the candlelight and he smiled widely. “Yes, she’s sweet, but she also fancy’s herself as a bit of a cupid.”

“Cupid?” She suddenly realized what he was implying and she felt the heat of a blush work its way across her face. Good thing it was hard to see in the restaurant. “Surely not. I mean...why?”

“Well, I’m not sure whether to be insulted by that comment or not.”

“No, no. I just meant that...” She suddenly didn’t have a clue what she meant and she saw that he was holding back laughter. “Sorry.”

“Listen, no worries. Honestly, I think that Sandra is aware that we had an argument out there today and she’s trying to make amends. She knows you’ve had a hard week.”

She nodded. “I think that’s why I got so upset earlier. When you were mad at me it just reminded me of Rick and all the times he yelled at me about stuff. I decided I wasn’t going to take it anymore. I know you meant well, but I don’t think men should push women around just because they are bigger or stronger.”

“Is that what you think I was doing? Trying to push you around?” Daniel looked concerned.

“I don’t know. Maybe not. You certainly seemed more annoyed than the situation called for. But I know it was my fault.” Cassidy quickly backtracked. She hated arguing. It was all she’d done with Rick—she wasn’t about to do it with Daniel too. He seemed like a good guy.
And he is so cute
. It would be awful to paint him with the same brush as Rick. Still, he’d gone off today without warning. She wondered if it was something she’d done. Rick had certainly ingrained it into her that most things were her fault. She often found herself apologizing for stuff she didn’t even do and second-guessing things she did do.

When she saw Daniel lift his beer to take a drink, she found that her glass of wine had appeared without her even noticing it. She picked it up and took a sip, still thinking about what had happened.

“Cassidy.” She looked up into his eyes. “There is no one at fault. Yes, you skied onto a closed run, but you said you didn’t see the sign and I believe you. Some of the stuff I said out there today had nothing to do with you. It was more me confronting my past. I’m just sorry you were on the receiving end.”

His sincerity became evident. It was in the tone of his voice and the kindness of his eyes. There was even a little crinkle at the corner of each eye when he smiled. Still, she wasn’t used to trusting the words that men said. Too many times, they had let her down. She wanted to say the right thing but, having been told she always said and did the wrong thing, she wasn’t sure what the right thing was. And she didn’t want to spoil the mood. The candlelight, the warmth in his gaze, and the lights twinkling off the ice crystals in the snow, all had her holding her breath to not spoil the magic of the moment.

Letting the breath out, hoping her silence hadn’t been awkward, she finally acknowledged him. “Thanks. I honestly didn’t see the sign.” She laughed. “It would have served me right if I slid down the whole run on my butt.”

Laughing with her, he said, “At least it’s a nice butt.”

He thinks I have a nice butt!

Before she could reply, they were interrupted by the waiter again, this time bringing an assortment of plates. “Mrs. Johnson has arranged for a Chef’s sampler, compliments of her. To begin with, there is an antipasto platter and Caprese salad. Enjoy.”

“Wow, this looks great! I’m starving. It is hard work sliding down a slope on your backside you know.”

* * *

Throughout the many courses that kept arriving at their table, they talked about a wide variety of subjects. Mostly safe subjects like sports, travel, jobs and food. Cassidy found it easy to talk to Daniel and was enjoying his take on everything. She also figured out that she had to be fast if she wanted to try to eat something from a shared plate, because otherwise it was gone. Daniel’s fork would be in there scooping up all the food. At first she’d tried the whole demure female who wasn’t hungry routine. She thought better of it when the food disappeared, but she hadn’t had a bite.

“OK, buster, that’s it!”

Startled, Daniel paused with his fork half way to his mouth and his eyes wide. “Whammpf?” He said through a mouthful of food.

“Don’t act all innocent with me. These are share plates. You know? Share? As in we each get some. Not whoever gets to the food the fastest gets it all.”

He’d finished chewing his food, looked at his plate and then at hers. “Sorry. I didn’t even realize I was doing that. I get really hungry after skiing. Actually I’m hungry most of the time.” He grinned. “I promise I won’t eat one more bite until you’ve had your share.”

“Thanks. I was trying to be all ladylike and dainty, but forget that. I’m hungry too!” She laughed. Reaching over to the platter in the middle she transferred some of the pasta and seafood to her plate. Shortly afterward the waiter brought a dessert platter with crème caramel, chocolate mousse pie, tiramisu and several other wonderful looking treats. Her eyes narrowed as she focussed on the plate, she picked up her dessert fork and poked the back of Daniel’s hand as he was reaching toward the platter. “I’m going to tell you one thing right now. Do
not
come between a woman and her chocolate, or you might get stabbed.” With her other hand she scooped the chocolate mousse pie on to her plate.

“Nice warning there, Cass! Aren’t you supposed to warn someone
before
stabbing them? Not at the same time.” He rubbed the back of his hand.

“That wasn’t a stab, that was the warning poke. Stabbing is more painful. Trust me.” She nodded as she licked her fork clean of the first bite of pie. Feeling very flirty all of a sudden, she dipped her fork in the mousse and watched him while she licked it off. She liked that he’d called her Cass and was now very happy that there was no one else sitting with them. Attracted to him right away, witnessing his true nature the last few days had only confirmed it. Now she felt he was more than just someone to deflect her thoughts from Rick, she really liked him. “I will share, however. I’m not that mean.” She held her fork across the table to let him try some and just as he leaned in she pulled it away. “Psyche. I don’t share chocolate.”

She pulled her hand back, but Daniel was too quick. He lunged for the fork and snatched it away, popping it directly into his mouth. Watching his lips as he licked the chocolate, her heart did a flip. Bantering with this sexy, fun, gentle guy made her realize there were so many other possibilities in life.

“I may be a guy, but I love chocolate, too. Don’t dare me!” He handed her back the fork.

The waiter arrived in the middle of their banter to pour coffee and ask if they wanted anything else. Looking around Cassidy saw that the rest of the room was completely empty. They were the only ones left. She glanced at her watch. It was almost eleven o’clock. She’d been having so much fun she hadn’t even noticed the passage of time.

“No sir. Tonight is a special event.” The waiter smiled and placed a small tray with cream, sugar and coffee spoons onto the table.

“Really? What event is that? There’s no one else here,” Cassidy commented.

The waiter only shrugged, saying, “I just stay until they tell me to go.”