Page 2 of Snowbody

Melody was a terror. She was pretty, with gorgeous green eyes and a slim body, but her personality ruined it completely. She walked around the lodge like a princess, her nose in the air. I was sure she’d never been on the slopes; Prada did make ski clothes, but actually skiing or snowboarding might have messed up her hair.

I couldn’t stand her. And while I tried to keep my distance, do my own thing without bothering her, she made it hard.

Mark caught sight of me first. He looked up and smiled. “Jacob! Good to see you!”

“Mr. Sutton, hi.” I approached. We shook hands.

Melody immediately took a step closer to me. “Hi, Jacob. Ready for winter? It’s supposed to get cold this year.”

I shifted away from her, laughing. “Yeah, polar vortex and all that. And people still think climate change isn’t real.”

Her smile didn’t fade. “You think we’ll keep warm enough up here? I hope the power doesn’t go out.”

Mark cut in, saving me. “If the power does go out, there are two backup generators. There’s no reason for the heat to be off completely unless somebody just doesn’t do their job.”

He looked at me, smiling good-naturedly.

I laughed. “Don’t worry. I know the rules. Work first, play second.”

Mark nodded. His gaze lingered on me for just a moment.

I knew the other rule, too, but didn’t say it out loud.

Don’t touch the boss’s daughters.

For a few minutes, the three of us stood catching up. Mark had only just arrived today. He visited the other properties his group owned at the start of every season, traveling with most of the other owners, but this one was his home base. He spent the whole season here every year, except for a few little trips to the other properties.

As we talked, Melody continued to try and flirt, and I made every effort to block her attempts. Even without the rule in place, I didn’t want her.

I looked away from her as she made another suggestive comment, turning to Mark. “How’s your other daughter? She’s still in school, right?”

“Just graduated, actually.” Mark smiled proudly. “With her masters’ degree. She’s actually going to be working here this season, creating a new marketing strategy for the resort.”

He reached out and gave me a playful punch on the shoulder.

I grinned, but it wasn’t genuine.

“Remember to smile for the pictures, huh?” Mark laughed at himself, shaking his head. “That’s why I hired you.”

Right.

That’s all I was to him.

A name meant to get people to come out here.

Still, I chuckled. “Cool. Um, when is she supposed to get here?”

“Any minute now.” Melody’s expression was sour. She crossed her arms over her chest, looking at Mark. “Daddy, really, I don’t need—”

Mark held up a hand. “It’ll be good for you and your sister to work together. Don’t argue.”

Behind us, the lodge door opened, letting in a gust of cold air. My back was to the door; Mark and Melody, however, both looked up. Mark smiled. Melody did not.

“There she is!” Mark said proudly. “Maddy, it’s good to see you!”

“Dad!”

I stepped aside as I heard footsteps coming toward us, clearing a path. I turned to watch as Mark’s other daughter joined us.

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