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Because she’d had her back to him, Liam had no idea how the simple act of chivalry had rocked her equilibrium. Thank goodness she’d learned to master her facial expressions during her last five years of being a nanny. By the time Liam picked up Maggie’s carrier, set his hand on the front door latch and turned an expectant gaze upon her, she was ready to offer him a polite smile.
Liam closed and locked the door behind them and then offered his arm to h
elp Hadley negotiate the driveway’s steep slope.
“You have Maggie,” she told him, considering how lovely it would be to snuggle against his side during the half-mile walk. “Don’t worry about me.” She might have convinced him if her boots hadn’t picked that second to skid on an icy patch.
“I think I can handle a girl on each arm,” he said, his voice rich with laughter.
Hadley slipped her arm through Liam’s and let him draw her close. The supporting strength of his muscular arm was supposed to steady her, not weaken her knees, but Hadley couldn’t prevent her body from reveling in her escort’s irresistible masculinity.
At the bottom of the driveway, Hadley expected Liam to release her, but he showed no inclination to set her free. Their boots crunched against the snow-covered pavement as they headed toward town. Sunset was still a little ways off, but clouds had moved in to blanket the sky and speed up the shift to evening. With her heart hammering a distracting tattoo against Hadley’s breastbone, she was at a loss for conversation. Liam seemed okay with the silence as he walked beside her.
The restaurant Liam chose was a cute bistro in the heart of Vail Village. “It’s my favorite place to eat when I come here,” he explained, holding open the door and gesturing her inside.
The early hour meant the tables were only a third full. The hostess led them to a cozy corner table beside the windows that ran along the street front and offered a wonderful view of the trees adorned with white lights. Above their heads, small halogen lights hung from a rustic beam ceiling. A double-sided stone fireplace split the large room into two cozy spaces. White table linens, candlelight and crystal goblets etched with the restaurant’s logo added to the romantic ambience.
“I hope the food is half as good as the decor,” Hadley commented, bending over Maggie’s carrier to remove the infant from her warm nest before she overheated.
“I assure you it’s much better. Chef Mongillo is a culinary genius.”
Since becoming Maggie’s nanny, Hadley had grown accustomed to the rugged rancher Liam was at home and forgot that his alter ego was sophisticated and well traveled. And by extension, his preferred choice of female companionship was worldly and stylish. This abrupt return to reality jarred her out of her dreamy mood, and she chastised herself for forgetting her role in Liam’s life.
Taking refuge behind the tall menu, she scanned the delicious selection of entrees and settled on an ahi tuna dish with artichoke, black radish and egg confit potato. The description made her mouth water. Liam suggested the blue crab appetizer and ordered a bottle of sauvignon blanc to accompany it.
She considered the wisdom of drinking while on duty, but deliberated only a few seconds before her first sip. The crisp white burst on her taste buds and her gaze sought Liam. The glint lighting his eyes was a cross between amusement and appreciation. Heat collected in her cheeks and spread downward.
She spoke to distract herself from the longing his scrutiny awakened. “This is delicious.”
“Glad you like it.” His deep voice pierced her chest and spurred her heart to race. “I’m really glad you were willing to come along this weekend.”
This is not a date.
“Are you kidding? You had me at snow.” She tried to sound lighthearted and casual, but ended up coming across breathless and silly. Embarrassed, she glanced away. The view out the window seemed the best place for her attention. What she saw made her catch her breath. “And speaking of snow...”
Enormous white flakes drifted past the window. It was so thick that it was almost impossible to see the storefronts across the cobblestoned street.
“It’s really beautiful. I can see why you come here.”
“I arranged the weather just for you.” As lines went, it wasn’t original, but it made her laugh.
Hadley slanted a wry glance his way. “That was very nice of you.”
“And I’m sure the guys will be happy to have fresh powder to ski.”
When the waiter brought their appetizer, Liam asked about the weather. “How many inches are you expecting?”
“I’ve heard anywhere from eight to twelve inches here. More elsewhere. It’s a pretty huge system moving across the Midwest.”
“That’s not going to be good for people trying to get in or out of here.”
“No. From what I’ve heard, the Denver airport is expecting to cancel most if not all of their flights tomorrow. I don’t know about Eagle County.” Which was where they’d landed a few hours earlier.
“Sounds like we’re going to be snowed in,” Liam said, not appearing particularly concerned.
Hadley didn’t share his nonchalance. “What does that mean for your guests?”
“I’ll have to check in with them tonight. They might be delayed for a couple days or decide to cancel altogether depending on how long the storm persists.”
