blunt, but if she didn’t get to the yoga class pretty soon, poor Rita was sure to suffer a nervous breakdown and guests would start complaining. Besides, she needed to put some space between herself and Shane. The scent of leather and woodsy aftershave were playing havoc with her equilibrium and it was all she could do to keep from swaying toward him.
“I came early to see that the new herd of trail horses I sold the resort is living up to expectation.” He arched one dark eyebrow. “Do you have a problem with that?”
Sighing, Melissa shook her head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be so short with you. The yoga class was supposed to start fifteen minutes ago and I really do need to get to the spa.”
“Then I won’t keep you, Ms. Jarrod.” His voice grew a bit louder as they reached the entrance to Tranquility Spa and she knew it was for the benefit of anyone who might be eavesdropping. He gave her a conspiratorial wink as he dipped his head ever so slightly and touched the wide brim of his cowboy hat. “It was nice running into you again. I hope you have a nice Labor Day weekend.”
As she watched Shane turn and stroll down the hall toward the meeting rooms, Melissa sighed. The man looked almost as good from the back as he did from the front. His Western-cut, dark brown suit jacket emphasized the width of his strong shoulders and his blue jeans fit his long, muscular legs to perfection.
His well-toned physique rivaled that of a Greek god and she had intimate knowledge of the power and strength of each and every muscle when he had held her, kissed her, made love to her.
A tiny shiver streaked straight up her spine. She forced herself to ignore the sudden warmth that followed as it spread throughout her body. Opening the door to the spa, she took a deep breath and prepared to teach the yoga class.
Lusting after Shane McDermott was what had landed her in her current predicament. It would definitely be in her best interests to remember that.
“Melissa, did you hear me?” Avery Lancaster asked. Engaged to Melissa’s brother Guy, the petite blonde had become a very close friend in the month since they met.
“Um, sorry,” Melissa murmured as she took a sip of her water. With her mind still reeling from the results of the pregnancy test, she found it hard to concentrate on the conversation.
“I asked if you’ve tried the cucumber sandwiches Guy added?” her friend asked patiently as she pointed to the leather-bound folder Melissa held.
Perusing the new healthy-choices section her brother had added to the Sky Lounge lunch menu since taking over managing the resort’s restaurants, Melissa shook her head. “No, I hadn’t even noticed the new dishes.”
Avery frowned. “Is something wrong?”
“Oh, just the usual stuff that goes along with managing a spa,” Melissa lied, closing the menu and setting it on the table. She hated not being truthful with her friend, but she needed to talk to Shane about the pregnancy before anyone else.
“Still having problems with your assistant manager, little sister?” Guy asked, walking over to join them. He leaned down to kiss Avery, then seated himself beside her.
“Actually, Rita is doing a little better than she was,” Melissa said, thankful to have something to focus on besides her own dilemma. “She did have a moment this morning when I thought her nerves were going to send her into a panic attack, but we got it straightened out.”
“In other words, you took care of it,” Guy said, knowingly.
“Well, yes,” Melissa admitted. “But in all fairness to Rita, there wasn’t anyone else to teach the yoga class this morning.”
“Are you still taking the weekend off like you planned?” Avery asked.
“Blake thinks I should,” Melissa said, shrugging. Guy’s fraternal twin and the new CEO of Jarrod Ridge Resort, her oldest brother had pointed out at the last managers’ meeting that she needed to back off to see if Rita could handle the assistant manager’s position or if she needed to be replaced. “I’ll only be a phone call away, so I don’t suppose it would hurt to be off for a few days.”
“You haven’t taken any time for yourself since you started managing the spa,” Guy pointed out. “We both know if Rita knows you’re available, she’ll call.”
Melissa rubbed at the tension building at her temples. “I can’t just leave her on her own. What if something happens like this morning?”
Guy looked thoughtful for a moment. “If Rita runs into something she can’t handle, she can get hold of me or Blake. I’ll be around most of the weekend, and you know that Blake will be, too.”
“You and Blake both intimidate Rita.” Melissa couldn’t help but laugh. “Besides, what do you know about running a spa or teaching yoga?”
“Me? Intimidate someone?” Guy grinned. “Just because I demand the best from my kitchen staff, it doesn’t mean that I’m a tyrant.” Reaching out, he patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of whatever comes up at the spa. You just relax and enjoy a little down time.”
Never having been encouraged by their father to develop close family ties while they were growing up, Melissa and her four brothers had become a lot closer as adults. She couldn’t help but wonder what it would have been like if they’d had a strong bond when they were children. Maybe growing up in Jarrod Manor wouldn’t have been as lonely for her.
“Thanks, Guy,” Melissa said, smiling. “If you need me …”
Her brother shook his head. “I won’t.” Checking his watch, he rose. “Break’s over. Time to go back to the kitchen and see how things are going.” He kissed Avery’s cheek. “I’ll see you this evening.”
Watching Guy make his way across the crowded restaurant, Avery sighed happily. “Isn’t he just the best-looking man ever?”
“You’re in love,” Melissa said, unable to keep from feeling a bit envious.
Although they’d had a rocky start, Avery and Guy had the kind of loving relationship she had always envisioned for herself. Unfortunately, what she and Shane had together would never go any further than what it was now—a strong physical attraction that would most likely cool considerably once he learned of her pregnancy.
As she and Avery finished lunch, they chatted about the upcoming dinner honoring the Food and Wine Gala investors. By the time they parted in the lobby an hour later, Melissa was more than ready to get back to Willow Lodge. Shane would be coming over soon, and although she had no idea how he would take the news about the baby, they needed to get used to the idea that in about seven months they were going to be parents.
Shane walked out of the meeting room toward the Jarrod Ridge lobby with a single-minded purpose—find Lissa and convince her to spend the three-day weekend with him at his ranch. The resort’s annual Food and Wine Gala had been in full swing for the past couple of weeks, and everything had been extremely busy. The time they’d been able to spend together had been limited, and, now that the event was over, he fully intended to remedy that as soon as possible. He certainly wasn’t looking for anything long-term to develop out of their affair, but he wasn’t yet ready to give up on whatever they had going on between them, either. He had enjoyed spending time with her the past couple of months and looked forward to at least a couple more before they went their separate ways.
“Shane,
