Page 3 of Silverstorm

It was now midmorning as he pulled into a marked spot in the large parking lot beside the battered Subaru. From here, he could see the undercover area at ground level, where a group of guests were playing ping-pong.

“Wow, this is…amazing,” Aria said as she stepped out of her car, head tilted up to stare at the lodge.

“Is this your first time out here?” he asked.

She merely nodded, eyes wide as she swiveled her head, trying to take everything in at once. Now that she was standing, he could see her hair almost reached down past her mid-back, and it blew in long strands around her face. His gaze roamed up her figure, taking in black, heeled boots, jeans and a light-green crop top that bared her midriff, showing off her lean hips and a slender waist. A gust of wind that might’ve come straight off the top of Canyon Peak whistled through the parking lot, and she wrapped her thin arms around her middle and shivered.

“I forgot how cold this place gets,” she muttered. He had a sudden urge to offer her his uniform jacket, but she reached into the rear door of her car and emerged with a denim jacket, which she slung over her shoulders.

“How do I look?” she asked.

“What? Ah…”

“I mean, do I look okay? For the interview.”

“Oh, right.” He saw the fine tremor in her hands and suddenly understood that she was nervous. “Yes, you look fine. Naomi isn’t one for fancy dresses or expensive shoes,” he went on to assure her. “She’ll love you,” he gushed and then wished he’d stopped at you look fine. It wasn’t like him to trip over his own tongue. And it wasn’t like him to give out compliments like they were candy. But she clearly needed moral support, and it seemed like the chivalrous thing to do.

“Thanks. I really need this job.” The last few words were muttered through gritted teeth.

“Follow me. I’ll take you to Penny, she’ll know where you should go for the interview,” he said, ignoring the implied desperation in her words.

He led her up the stairs to the first floor, hoping his calf didn’t choose this moment to cramp up. He was back on full duties, but his leg still twinged every now and then. They went in through the large, glass doors, where it was much warmer out of the wind. There was an open-plan reception area and lots of big and small sitting rooms scattered throughout the first floor for guests to gather in. A dozen people milled around the main reception area now, probably guests getting ready to check out. Jude waved at Penny, who was behind the reception desk, talking to an older couple. She beckoned him over, and he threaded his way through the crowd. But when he looked back to make sure Aria was following, he saw her gawping up at the huge vaulted ceiling and the enormous stone fireplace that took center stage. She was staring so hard, she stumbled into a guest and then apologized profusely and hurried after him. It was cute that she found this place so overawing, and he couldn’t help grinning at her.

“Excuse me just a second,” Penny said to the couple, and came around the desk to give Jude a hug. “Great to see you,” she said, kissing his cheek lightly. “I was just saying to Clayton that we hadn’t seen you for a few weeks. How’s the leg coming along?” She let him go and returned to her position behind the counter, nodding at the couple to let them know she’d be with them in a second.

“The leg’s good,” he replied. “I finished rehab a month ago, and I got clearance to be back on full duties.”

“That’s fantastic.” Penny beamed at him, shaking her long, blonde braid over her shoulder. Penny and Clayton had become good friends over the past few months. It was so great to see their love grow, especially after the hell they’d been through. A hell he’d also been a part of, helping to rescue them from a gunfight at an old fishing shack. He’d been wounded in the process, shot in the calf, but he’d do it all again, if he had to. He was serious about his job. Protect and serve weren’t just words to Jude, they were his motto.

“I’m here to see Dean,” he said, settling his face into a slightly serious frown. “He called me to come take a look at…” He didn’t finish his sentence, aware that the older couple were now watching him with great interest.

“Dean’s up in the machinery shed. Something about Cat throwing a hissy fit because she couldn’t get the correct part to fix the old tractor.”

“Right, I’ll go up and find him in a minute.” Jude turned and motioned Aria around to his side. She was still gawking at the grandeur all around.

“And this is Aria. She’s here for an interview.”

Penny’s face brightened. “Ah ha, for the marketing job. Hi, nice to meet you. Naomi is meeting with another applicant right now, but she won’t be long. If you take a seat over there,” Penny pointed to a chair behind the reception, next to the door to Dean’s office, “she’ll be out in a moment.”

“Thank you. Nice to meet you, as well.” Aria gave Penny a wide smile, but clutched her bag to her side and stared around, as if not sure about all these people.

Aria looked a little like a fish out of water, and Jude, wanting to reassure her, took her by the elbow and led her to the chair, leaning down to whisper in her ear, “Just be yourself. Naomi much prefers people who are down to earth and trustworthy. She’s not impressed by airs and graces.” She tucked her long hair behind her ear and he caught a trace of something floral. Shampoo, perhaps. She might be sleeping in her car, but she smelled like she’d at least had a shower this morning. Actually, she smelled wonderful, reminding him of the roses his mother used to grow in her garden. Sweet and pure.

“Thank you,” she whispered back, sitting down gingerly, holding her bag in her lap. Then she looked up into his face, spearing him with those dark-brown eyes and he was suddenly frozen to the spot.

He cleared his throat and straightened up.

“Good luck,” he replied, his voice a little gruffer than he intended. “And don’t forget to replace those tires,” he added, remembering he needed to keep his official face on. It wouldn’t do to let anyone else see how Aria affected him.

“Oh. No, I won’t.” But she said it in such a way that Jude knew she’d forgotten all about the problems with her car already.

Penny cast him an odd glance as he strode past reception, but he ignored her. He was just being nice. Making sure Aria was in the right place and in the right frame of mind for the interview, that was all. He would’ve done the same for any old friend who needed his help. Old acquaintances…whatever the hell she was.

Pushing open the enormous glass door, Jude couldn’t help one last glance over his shoulder. Aria was still sitting alone and stiff in her chair, eyes wide, like a startled rabbit.

Just before the door closed behind him, he saw a woman exit the door to Dean’s office; one of the other interviewees. She was tall, dressed in a power suit and towering high heels, blonde hair pulled back in a neat chignon. The epitome of a classy, professional woman. He saw Aria’s face fall as she watched the other woman stride past, and he had to resist a terrible urge telling him to turn around and go back to her. Jude knew in his heart of hearts that a hard-edged businesswoman wasn’t what Naomi was looking for. But Aria wouldn’t understand that. There was nothing he could do for her now, however. It was up to her to charm Naomi into giving her the job. He crossed his fingers and loped down the stairs.

Most given mornings, Dean would’ve been playing the gregarious host to his guests, who were checking out. He loved to talk. He was good at using his southern charm to captivate his visitors, and they all left feeling as if they were somehow special. Which they were, in Dean’s eyes. He wanted to make sure every single person who visited his ranch had a great time.

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