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“Got to keep me hanging on, wondering what you’re gonna do,” she fake-reprimands.
“And you get an engagement ring from me,” Luca continues.
He prises open the black box, a sparkling sapphire and diamond engagement ring wedged in the cream interior.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathes, her eyes bright and covetous.
“You like it?”
“It matches your eyes; I love it.”
“Vain prick,” Reuben jokes, smirking.
Looking fucking pleased as punch, Luca slides the stunning ring on her left hand. Diamonds glitter so violently under the dimmed lights that it’s almost obscene.
“When did you buy it?” Winter asks, wiggling her fingers and admiring her jewels.
“A couple weeks ago.”
This has been the plan for a while, Winter’s expression one that’s perceptive on hearing the news.
“Thank you,” she says, kissing each of us softly on the cheek. “I can’t wait.”
From his back pocket, Reuben pulls out a pack of cards. “I think this calls for a celebration. Who fancies a card game?”
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
LUCA
Dressed in a black,long-sleeved shift dress, thick tights, and towering ankle boots that have her almost as tall as me, Winter’s gaze drifts to the windows overlooking the mountain. The heavy snowfall captures all of her attention. It’s been like this all day, but it hasn’t deterred the skiers from enjoying the slopes.
I loosen the tie at my neck, feeling the strain of another working week. It might be Friday, but there’s still a shit ton of work to get through. With Winter working in the executive office now, as she has for the past four weeks, it’s like old times at cabin one where our conversations focused on hospitality. These days though, we discuss BHG’s urgent projects, our long-term strategy, and our quick wins.
Winter’s attention is still fixed outside, a dreamy look consuming her features.
“What’s got you so distracted?” I ask.
Her eyes ping to mine, a sad smile forming. “Watching the snow often makes me think of Mom, and then by default, Dad and Clara.”
Rising from my desk, I walk the few steps it takes to get to hers. Plants and succulents are dotted on either side of her desk. Photos of her friends in Vail, and her family, take up what space remains beside her screen and laptop.
When I reach her, I hold out my hands to her. “Come on. Take a minute.”
She lifts her hands, letting me gather them up in mine so that I can lead her to the bank of windows. Positioning Winter so that her back is to my chest, I swallow her up in my arms as we gaze out at the view, though there’s not much of one on account of the whiteout.
“Do you know,” I reveal, trying to distract her, “that I was hoping we’d get snowed in at cabin one?” Her eyes glitter up at me, a little teary, a little intrigued. “It’s true,” I confirm. “During those few days, I had all that I needed. You, my brothers, a comfortable space, some skiing…”
“Don’t forget your laptop.”
I chuckle. “Smartass.”
What she doesn’t know is that my brothers and I have plans for cabin one. We’re going to dismantle it piece by piece before painstakingly rebuilding it on a parcel of land I own in the mountains. We’ll take some creative license where the bedrooms are concerned, making them all ensuite and bigger by losing the fourth, unnecessary bedroom. But from the exterior, it will look the same. It will be our cabin in the woods, with access to the groomed runs via cross-country routes.
It’s my wedding present to her and Brecken, but one we all get to enjoy.
She laughs alongside me before asking, “When did you think: I need to offer this woman a job. She’s super smart. This talented woman is wasted at Stein Hotel.”
My lips hitch. “Day two. Partly because you had some great ideas on how Chateau B could develop its offering, but because I wanted to see you in the tower,” I confess, stroking my palm over her long, loose hair. “I wanted to lock you in there and never let you go.”
