Liam shrugged. “I know what you look like when you’re thinking about work, and that’s not it.”
“She’s running The Frozen Divide 100,” Jack said. “For the third year in a row. That’s relevant to us.”
“Sure it is.”
“I need to make a good showing at that race. You said so yourself. We’re going to hype it up, right?”
“Yep, true. But I heard you before she got up and skedaddled away.”
“Heard me what?”
“The way you got all tongue-tied and started blathering.”
“Blathering? What are you even talking about?” He started walking, and Liam kept pace. “She was rude.”
“Seems she would’ve been grateful you saved her life.”
“Well, she did thank me.”
“I bet that cost her, considering your previous conversation.” Liam was quiet for a few steps before adding, “She’s very attractive.”
Jack said nothing.
“I’m just noting— ”
“I heard you.”
They reached the truck. Jack unlocked it and got in. He started the engine and let it run.
The Frozen Divide 100. The Elkridge Running Club. A woman who looked at him like saving her life was going to cost him.
Somehow, he suspected it might.
Chapter 3
Steph
The high school gym buzzed with excitement, voices echoing off the walls. Folding tables lined the perimeter, piled with boots and soft gear, while circular ski racks stood in the center of the room.
Steph scanned the crowd for a table advertising a local ski hill and smiled when she spotted the freestanding blue canopy withWild Bill Hilletched in white letters. She made her way to the table, saying hello to people she knew along the way.
She reached the display, standing back to allow the conversation in process to continue. After a few minutes, the couple at the table moved on.
“Hey, Steph,” the young man behind the table said.
“Hey, Toby. Looks like it’s been busy.” She gestured around the room.
“Yeah. There was a line at opening. Lots of excitement this year.” Toby pointed to a folder on the table. “I’ve already sold seven season passes.”
“Great, that’s great!”
“We’ve had people ask about the outdoor leadership program too.” He tapped another folder for a program Toby was part of at the college. “It was a good idea to add that info.”
From behind her, someone asked, “You teach that program, right?”
Steph turned to the newcomer, and her smile quickly faded.
Jack Swisher stood a few feet back, hands in his jacket pockets, an easy grin tugging at his mouth. His hair fell across his forehead, falling just enough to brush his eyes. For a split second, she had the ridiculous urge to smooth it back.
