New Lease on Love Page 16

  "I'm sorry 'bout my walk. You got scared, huh?" Katie reached a hand to Nick's head and patted softly.

  "Very scared, Spud."

  "I won't do it again—unless you go with me. Will you, Dad?"

  Nick looked hard into his daughter's eager blue eyes. "You had a pretty good time on your hike, didn't you?"

  Her dimples deepened. "It was neat."

  Nick groaned. The child had a streak of Chelsea in her as broad as the sky.

  "Except for when I didn't know how to get down," she admitted, frowning.

  "You know, there are lots of other places around here to hike. If you promise not to go off by yourself anymore…"

  "I promise."

  "Good. I know where there's a…a neat waterfall. Would you like to see that?"

  She nodded, her eyes wide.

  "We'll go Saturday. Now, you have time for one last slide."

  Katie dragged her sled over to the chair lift where an obliging attendant let her hop another ride. Nick sat back watching her, but remembering the golden afternoon he'd spent with Chelsea at Bash Bish Falls. He missed her. He really missed her.

  The beep of a car horn startled him. He turned. It was Chet Lockwood.

  "Hey, Chet, what's up?" Nick walked toward the car.

  "I was going to ask you the same thing. Did you know the Lawton girl got a job in New York?"

  Nick felt as if he'd been sucker-punched. "Chelsea?"

  Chet nodded indignantly. "She called me this morning to tell me she was leaving."

  Nick reeled from another blow. "She's moving out of the house?"

  "Moving? Why, she's gone. I've never seen anybody pack up and leave so fast. You had no idea, huh?"

  Nick clutched the nape of his neck. "Uh…no. What did she say?"

  "Not much. It's a very good job. A resort in the Adirondacks. She apologized for the rush, but they need her right away. That's about it."

  Nick paced alongside the car. "She's gone?"

  Chet snapped his fingers. "Just like that." He got out of his car and leaned against the fender. "Nick, you look like hell, you know that?"

  Nick stopped his pacing and scanned his green polo shirt and worn jeans. "Thanks."

  "Not the clothes. You. Not sleeping much these nights?"

  Nick shrugged noncommittally.

  "Mind if we talk? We haven't done much of that since you and Grace had your falling out."

  Nick tensed. He hoped Chet wasn't about to urge a reconciliation.

  "What I want to tell you is… well, I think it's okay that you two broke up. I thought you ought to know that."

  Nick cocked his head warily. "I'm glad. I never meant to hurt her. Or you."

  "I realize that. You're a man of integrity, Nick. I think you also ought to know that Grace is doing just fine. She sulked a day, then went right back to being her old self."

  "Really?" This surprised Nick.

  "I always had the feeling you two were forcing your romance. I never sensed any real spark."

  Nick rested against the car beside the older man, chagrined.

  "I think my daughter may be relieved it's over herself. For a while she was flattered you were taking her out, but she knows when something's not right. And I don't think she cares to settle for half measures."

  "And she shouldn't. She deserves the fullest life possible."

  "So do you, Nick."

  Nick glanced away. He knew that longing for Chelsea clouded his eyes.

  "It's about time you eased up on yourself and let it happen."

  "What do you mean?"

  "As I said before, you're a man of integrity, Nick. You judge yourself harder than anyone I know. It's why I enjoy having you as a partner. But give yourself a break. Listen to your heart. It's trying to tell you something."

  "I don't think I understand."

  "I think you do. I have the address of the resort she's moving to."

  Nick felt an ache deep inside him, an ache that filled his heart and his head. "Am I that transparent?"

  Chet laughed quietly. "Like glass. Why not give her a call?"

  Nick chewed on the inside of his cheek. "What would be the point? She's made a decision, got a new job."

  "The point is that you love her. Or haven't you figured that out yet?"

  Nick's lungs filled, wouldn't release, and began to burn. "No! You're wrong." The vehemence of his answer startled them both.

  "What are you afraid of, son?" Chet's broad face softened with compassion.

  "Afraid? I'm not afraid." Even as he was speaking, Nick knew he was mouthing empty words. He'd always been wary of Chelsea. She reminded him of Laura, and Laura had been a mistake.

  But she wasn't Laura, was she? Chelsea might make her living by unorthodox means, but she wasn't spoiled and reckless. She was the most caring person he'd ever met. And cautious. The only thing she had in common with Laura was that Nick found her exciting. No, it went beyond excitement. That was why he'd had her house lot surveyed and sectioned off from the rest of Pine Ridge. He'd decided to buy it, keep it separate from whatever happened to the ski area. He'd entertained daydreams of sharing the place with her. In unguarded moments he'd even envisioned the place alive with the laughter of children, their children…

  Suddenly all the fight went out of him. He did love Chelsea, didn't he? She was the center of his universe, the fire in his veins. Why had it been so difficult for him to recognize that fact?

  "Taking another chance is tough. Scary," Chet muttered softly, looking off into the hills. "Especially for someone like you who was so badly burned first time around. Laying yourself open to the possibility of being burned again is real tough. You think it's going to happen again. You think all kinds of awful things. That it won't last. That she'll be different from what you expect. You think she might go off and get herself…" Chet ducked his head. "Sorry, it's just that I hate to see you passing up the chance to be happy."

  That was it. When all was said and done, Nick didn't really disapprove of Chelsea's livelihood or her influence on Katie. He was simply scared, scared of loving again.

  But he did love her. He loved her more than his own life. The admission saddened him because it came too late. He loved her, and probably had from the moment he'd met her that blustery day in April, but he'd never had the courage to tell her, even when she'd admitted that she loved him.

  He cringed. Chelsea had had a lot at stake, too, yet she'd gone out on that limb—only to find herself alone. What a jerk he was!

  Chet's soft chuckle drew his attention. "You look about as down in the mouth as I've ever seen anyone. All isn't lost, you know."

  "Could've fooled me."

  "I can't believe you'll go after a business deal hammer and tongs, yet won't lift a finger to go after Chelsea."

  "What am I supposed to do? I've given her nothing but grief. Why would she want to return?"

  "Because she loves you."

  Nick watched Katie slide to a stop at the base of the hill again. "I should go."

  "Well, it's been good talking to you."

  "That it has."

  "Uh, Nick?"

  "Yes."

  "Life isn't a tour of duty, you know."

  Nick rapped his knuckles on the hood of the car and smiled ruefully. "Think you've got me pegged, huh?"

  "I know I do." Chet slipped back into his car and flicked on the ignition. "Go after her, Nick. I'm sure a creative guy like you can find a way."

  Nick smiled and waved Chet off. He hoped so, because he'd just discovered there was something more frightening than loving someone. It was having to live without the person you loved.

  Chelsea turned to view her backside in the full-length bathroom mirror. Her bathing suit still fit well enough, but it had definitely seen better days. Unfortunately, it was too late to do anything about that now. Her friends were meeting down at the pool in fifteen minutes.

  She picked a towel off the rattan shelf and stuffed it into her carryall. Since taking this job a week
ago, she'd made an effort to get to know her coworkers and enjoy all the facilities at her disposal; and of course she was thrilled to be living in so luxurious an apartment.

  Hard as she tried to adjust, though, Chelsea knew the condo would never feel like home, and these people were not friends, just passing acquaintances.

  It was ironic. She was finally making a good living at what she loved; she had a stylish condo, independence and security. Yet how she missed her life back home! The quirky old house, her tenuous charter business and of course her family. She called them frequently, but it wasn't the same as being able to drop by.

  She missed them tremendously, but not half as much as she missed Nick. There wasn't an hour that went by that she didn't think about him or Katie and wish she could be with them again.

  Still, she knew she'd done the right thing. She'd removed herself from the scene, leaving Nick and Grace to work things out without distraction.

  Nick needed the room to sort out priorities. He'd been playing a game with her—and with himself—ever since their first meeting. He found her enticing, he liked giving in to the attraction occasionally and enjoying the electricity, but still he refused to give up whatever Grace provided him. He wanted to have his cake and eat it, too.

  Well, damn him! He couldn't have it both ways! She was glad she'd packed up and left, she attested, swiping a tear from her cheek.

  Her thoughts were shattered by the ring of the phone. She hurried from the bathroom, bare toes sinking into thick mauve carpet.

  "Hello?"

  "Chelsea?"

  The world reeled and blurred. "Nick?" Was it really him? For a moment neither of them spoke.

  "Yes," he finally answered. "How are you?"

  She cleared her throat and attempted to sound collected. "Okay. Yourself?"

  "I'm fine."

  Chelsea let her knees follow their natural instinct and buckle. "And how's Katie?" she inquired, sinking into the soft cushions of the couch.

  "Well, actually, she's the reason I'm calling."

  Chelsea didn't like the edge in his voice. "Is anything the matter?"

  "Afraid so."

  "Has she had an accident? Is she sick?"

  "No, nothing like that, but the situation's almost as serious." His words were growing cooler, edgier.

  "What's the matter with her, Nick?"

  "It's her therapy. I'm afraid she's regressing. I'll be damned if I can understand it." He sounded disgusted and tired, perhaps even a little angry.

  Chelsea dropped her forehead to her palm and sighed, a shadow of guilt darkening her expression. "Hasn't Larry taken her up in his balloon?"

  "No." The anger was becoming more pronounced. "He's busy, what with his regular job and other charters. It isn't easy to book time with him."

  "Do you want me to speak to him?"

  "No, don't bother. He isn't really the problem."

  She gulped, another wave of guilt swamping her. "Oh? What is, then?"

  "If you really want to know," he said crisply, "it's you, Chelsea. For some obscure reason, Katie wants no one but you to pilot her flights. She's being a first-rate brat about it, too."

  "Oh, Nick. I hope you're not letting her get away with that. How are you handling it?"

  He snorted contemptuously. "I'm not all that sure I ought to handle it. Naturally, I don't want her to act up, but I can understand why she's doing it. She feels betrayed and abandoned, and in all honesty I can see why."

  "Nick!"

  "Well, you did back out of your agreement, didn't you?"

  "But… but I made provisions."

  "You think a seven-year-old understands provisions?" His voice rasped with undisguised resentment now.

  "Nick, what are you saying?"

  "I'm saying I think you should fulfill your obligations."

  "But how?"

  "Don't you have any free time?"

  Chelsea bristled under his cold sarcasm, her own attitude hardening. "Sure, I have free time. I'll meet you at my field Wednesday evening. Pardon me, your field—if it's still there, that is. For all I know you've already brought in your backhoes and cement mixers and dug it all up."

  "The backhoes and cement mixers are there, but there's still room for your balloon."

  "Good. Then I'll see you Wednesday."

  "Good. And I'll be paying for this charter, too."

  "I wouldn't consider any other terms." She hung up without even saying goodbye.

  Chelsea tried to act blasé in front of Larry and Mimi, as if traveling a hundred and fifty miles to accommodate one little girl was as unimportant to her as sneezing. She told them she'd come home because she missed them and she was just fitting Katie in around the visit. She must have played her part well, she decided, because neither of them questioned her story.

  The mask of cool, calm boredom could stretch just so far, however. Through afternoon chatter, through their early supper. By the time she reached the field, Chelsea's nerves were shot. She kept watching the road, waiting for a blue Volvo to appear. Her mouth got dryer, her palms sweatier.

  "Here they come," Larry finally called out.

  The sedan pulled off the road into the field and came to a stop by Chelsea's Jeep. She closed her eyes and whispered a prayer to get her through this moment.

  Nick got out, looking better than her dreams had ever painted him. He was wearing a blue chambray shirt, sleeves rolled to the elbow, and soft faded jeans whose fit was practically indecent. In the two months she'd known him, he hadn't cut his hair, and now it curled with attractive abandon around his richly tanned face.

  During the past couple of days, Chelsea had somehow convinced herself that she could see Nick and not be affected. How stupid could she be? Nick overwhelmed her. He took her breath away. Now she prayed just to get through the transaction with her dignity intact.

  His gaze locked onto her almost immediately. She froze. After the stillest, most eternal moment she'd ever known, she forced herself to wave. "Hi, Nick."

  He tossed a casual wave back and turned to talk to Larry. Chelsea expelled a long sigh.

  Katie bounded over. Funny, but Chelsea couldn't see any evidence of the child's regressing. If anything, her leg seemed stronger. Chelsea gave her a huge hug. "Hi, kiddo. Oooh, I've missed you." She had trouble keeping the tightness out of her voice. "And how did you do at therapy this week?"

  "Good." Katie reached down into a pocket of her lavender sweatpants. "See, I got a ticket."

  "Okay, then I owe you a ride."

  "Are we almost ready?"

  "We are ready already. Anytime you are, Spud."

  Katie grinned. "Hey, that's what my Dad calls me." She looked back toward her father who was bent in quiet conversation with Larry and Mimi.

  Chelsea fought down the hurt. Evidently he had no desire to speak to her at all. She didn't know why she should feel offended. Angry was what she should be. She'd come a hundred and fifty miles because he'd accused her of being irresponsible.

  "I have to get my sweatshirt, Chelsea. I'll be right back."

  "Sure enough." Chelsea turned and hoisted herself over the side of the basket. A moment later she heard the dull thump of someone landing behind her. She looked around, expecting to see Katie. When her gaze collided with Nick's, she gave out a small, alarmed cry.

  "What are you doing here? You planning to join the flight?" She never got an answer. Nick was too busy untethering the balloon. Before she realized what he was doing, he tossed the cable to Larry and the basket began to lift.

  "Oh, my Lord… Wait." Her eyes widened. "Wait, Larry. Katie's gone to the car for her sweatshirt."

  Larry, however, seemed to have gone deaf. Faster than lightning, he and his wife moved away. They wouldn't even look at her.

  "What's going on here?" Chelsea begged as the basket rose. She swiveled around to face Nick, panic in her eyes. "What's going on?" He seemed perfectly calm, hanging on to a guy wire with one hand.

  Chelsea lunged for the cable connected to
the deflation panel, only to have Nick's hand clamp around her wrist. She reached with her other hand, but was just as easily thwarted. No matter how many attempts she made, it was obvious she'd never get by Nick. Her shoulders sagged with defeat, and he let her go.

  "You planned this! All of you!" she cried hoarsely as the balloon floated over the heads of her scheming relatives. "I've been tricked." When she glanced over the rail, Nick latched on to her arms again and pulled her to him.

  "Let go! I'm not going to jump. How do you think you'd get down?" She broke free, even though the momentary contact with that solid chest had caused a soaring in her soul.

  For a moment Chelsea thought she might cry. She was confused and hurt. It seemed everyone she knew had turned against her.

  Larry's voice, fuzzy with static, leapt from the radio. "Hey, sis. How're things upstairs?"

  In her anger, she considered not answering but finally reached for the receiver. "Fine, big brother. We've got a nice northeasterly breeze. Low humidity, good buoyancy…"

  She suspected he picked up the frost in her reply. "Chelse, hey, don't be mad," he implored.

  "I'll be whatever I want, thank you. Talk to you later." She snapped off their connection and slumped down onto one of the corner benches. As if in a daze she looked across and saw Nick confidently firing up the burner.

  "What do you think you're doing?"

  He winked. "Practicing. Since you went away, I've been taking lessons."

  Chelsea's mouth dropped open.

  As the balloon wafted higher into the sky, Nick looked down at her, that smoldering look she loved so much burning in his eyes. An unbidden excitement rippled along Chelsea's spine. She was being kidnapped, by golly, shanghaied by a dark, sexy sky pirate. For one irrational moment she wanted to laugh out of pure glee, but she caught herself sharply. This wasn't in the least bit funny.

  "Okay, Nick, let's cut the nonsense," she demanded. "What's going on?"

  "I thought this would be the easiest way for us to talk. No interruptions, no place to run."

  "And what about Katie. That story about her regressing…"

  "I'm sorry, but I didn't think you'd come home just because I asked."

  "All right." She sighed resignedly. "What do you want to talk about?"

  "First of all, I'd like you to know that Chet Lockwood and I have discussed at great length the feasibility of having a hot-air balloon business running out of Pine Ridge. We both agree it'd be a terrific four-season attraction, and we'd like you to be the person heading up that business."