up together—back when Kara was 100 percent tomboy and he’d protected her from the school bully. The emotions brewing inside him now had an adult edge.
He lingered at the glass doors, staring out into the stormy night. He couldn’t tear his gaze from Kara’s petite figure as she braved fierce winds while crossing the snowy parking lot. Her appearance had changed, from jeans and snug T-shirts that nestled against her soft curves, to casual business attire. A short haircut replaced her ponytail. Everything combined to give her a mature, polished persona. He certainly wasn’t the only one who’d changed.
Was she worried about her trip home? Or was she doing the same as him and reliving the past? He still had time to stop her. He pushed the door open. The bitter wind stung his face as he followed her footsteps. She would demand once more to know the sordid details behind his seven-year absence. His pace slowed. Could he bring himself to explain that dreadful night?
He stopped. No. No way. If he knew the words to make everything right between them, he’d have said them years ago. As the cold cut through his coat and over his exposed skin, he realized he’d played out all the scenarios in his mind thousands of times. Each ended with her looking at him with repulsion. No way could he put either of them through that experience.
Jason rubbed the back of his neck, trying to ease the stiff muscles. His return to the Summit was going to be just as rough and bumpy as he’d imagined, but he’d get through it. He turned and limped back to the lobby. Only one day on his feet, with the cold seeping into his bones, and already the wound in his thigh throbbed.
He exhaled a weary sigh. The last time he’d worked at the resort, Kara had been his priority. Now, with no significant other in his life, he could sink his dreams into restoring this place without all the emotional entanglements of a relationship and raging teenage hormones. His experience in the military had forced him to grow up. He now realized what was important and why.
He shoved his fingers through his hair, hating the selfish boy he’d once been. This time he’d prove himself worthy of the trust others placed in him. He wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of his past.
Muffled footsteps drew his attention. He glanced over his shoulder to find his childhood friend Robert Heinze approaching him. He looked every bit the professional in his navy suit, and definitely fit the part of a distinguished attorney.
“Jason, what are you still doing here?”
“While I was walking the grounds, I came across some maintenance men working on a problem with the towrope for the bunny hill.”
“And from the grease stains on your jacket and jeans, I’m assuming you couldn’t just let the staff handle it on their own.”
Jason shook his head. “I’m not good at standing around watching when I could pitch in and lend a hand.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to play Mr. Fix-it after tomorrow. By the way, I heard the roads are getting bad. If you don’t leave now, you might find yourself riding out the storm right here.”
“Before I go, I want to thank you for finalizing this sale with my father. Without you going back and forth between us, I don’t think an agreement would have ever been reached.”
Robert flashed a small smile. “I think you give me too much credit. You were the mastermind behind this whole venture. I hope it turns out the way you planned.”
“It will.” He’d returned a couple of days ago, and until the deal had become official, he’d intentionally kept a low profile. “By the way, I just ran into Kara Jameson.”
He didn’t know why he’d mentioned it. Maybe he just wanted someone to talk some sense into him. After all, before Robert had moved away to be an attorney in downtown Pittsburgh, he’d grown up right here with Kara and Jason.
“Did you tell her you bought this place?”
He nodded.
Robert shrugged on his coat. “How’d it go?”
“The news took her by surprise.”
“Seems like an understandable reaction. You’ve been gone for years.” His old friend paused and looked intently at him. “What else is bothering you? Did she quit on the spot?”
“Not exactly.”
“Then why do you look like you just chugged a carton of sour milk?”
“Kara lit into me about ignoring my father. He must have fed her some kind of lies to gain her sympathy.” Jason didn’t bother to hide the loathing he felt.
Robert let out a low whistle. “Boy, you didn’t exaggerate about the rift between you two.”
If anything, he’d understated the distance between himself and his father. Every muscle in Jason’s body grew rigid at the thought of their insurmountable differences. He refused to dwell on something that could never be fixed.
With the help of a couple of investors, he’d at last gained ownership of his heritage—the resort his grandfather had founded. His gaze moved around the lobby, taking in its splendor.
“I’ve thought of nothing else for the past year but of making this place mine, of restoring the Greene Summit back to its former glory, like when my grandfather was alive. I’ll make him proud. No matter what it takes.”
Robert patted him on the shoulder. “Then you might want to start by being honest with Kara. I’ve talked with her and she’s bright. When your father’s health started to decline, he leaned on her to keep this place running. By now, she must know where each and every skeleton is buried. You’re going to need her.”
“I know. I’ll tell her everything Monday.” Well, not everything—just the parts pertaining to the Greene Summit.
Robert’s brow furrowed and he began patting his pockets. “I must have left my phone in the office. I’ll run back and grab it.”
“Okay. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Get some sleep. We’ve got work to do.”
Jason turned to the lobby doors and gazed out at the parking lot. He rubbed his thigh, trying to ease the persistent throbbing. He had a business to rebuild and no time to slow down.
The grand reopening in three weeks had to go off without a hitch. All his investors would be on hand to take part in the festivities, and their approval was of the utmost importance, especially if he wanted more capital to undo the years of neglect.
He knew he could never again be the man in Kara’s life. Still, he had to find a way to get her to stay on at the resort. He needed her knowledge to make this a smooth transition.
But when she preferred braving a snowstorm to staying safe here with him, how in the world would they be able to work side by side?
CHAPTER TWO
THE HYPNOTIC SWIRL of flakes made it difficult for Kara to focus on the winding mountain road. The cascade of snow hit the windshield harder and faster with each passing minute. She flicked on the wipers. The built-up ice on the rubber blades made an awful ruckus. Swish. Thunk. Swish. Thunk.
The
