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“Yes. I would’ve made it clear that you make no decisions regarding injuries without my approval.”
“So this is a territorial thing?”
Baylie’s hands went to her hips. “That has nothing to do with it.”
“Then what’s the problem? I saw the girl being hit and went to help. It wasn’t more than I am qualified to handle by the American Medical Association.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t, but at this resort I make those calls. If an injured person isn’t cared for in the proper way there could be problems.”
“I understand. My apologies,” he said in a flat tone.
Did he think she was overreacting? “The resort can be liable. Now you should understand why I was so concerned about you going through an orientation.”
“Again, I agree.” This time he sounded as if he meant it.
She’d give him the benefit of the doubt. “You’re going to need to fill out a report as you were the one who brought Cassie in. I’ll log it in the book.”
Kyle moaned. “You mean even at a ski resort there’s still paperwork?”
“’Fraid so.” Baylie took perverse pleasure in him getting what he deserved for being so high-handed. She stepped over to a desk and turned on the computer. “Better now than later. You won’t like doing it at closing time.”
“If you insist.”
“I do.” Baylie logged onto the computer and pulled up the page he needed. She stood, letting him have the chair.
Even in heavy ski boots there was a grace, an athleticism in his movements, where others moved like bad renditions of an ostrich. It was as if he was at ease. His square jaw was already showing a midmorning shadow. Some men grew beards against the cold, but it would be a shame to cover up that strong chin or surround his expressive mouth with hair.
What had got into her? She wasn’t some snow bunny out for an après-ski fling. In fact, she couldn’t face another relationship. Losing Ben had been far too hard. She wasn’t ready to be involved with another man—not that this one was offering. The memory of Ben was still too sharp. Hurt too much. she wouldn’t give her heart again so easily.
She and Ben had been in the same company. He had been the captain, she the medic. They had known they could be in big trouble for fraternizing, but neither had seemed to let that matter. The patrol had been routine as they had been in a friendly section of Iraq. But the words “routine” and “friendly” had different meanings for her now. It had happened so fast. An IED had hit them. She had been thrown out of the vehicle, the hot burn from shrapnel in her side, and Ben had been dying beside her. She bit her lip to keep a moan of agony from escaping.
“Done,” Kyle said, rolling back in the chair after clicking a key with a flourish. “I hate paperwork.” The wheel of his chair hit the leg of the empty steel surgery stand and it went down with a bang and clash.
Baylie jumped, screamed and went into the brace position. Her heart shifted into overdrive and sweat beaded along her upper lip.
Kyle chuckled in embarrassment and quickly stood. He moved toward the fallen stand but jerked to a stop when he saw her. “Baylie, what’s wrong?” His eyes scanned the area. “Are you hurt?”
She straightened but didn’t meet his eyes. Brushing past him, she righted the table.
The loud shushing of static on both their radios brought an ocean of relief when it asked, “Baylie, is someone assigned to watch the slope while I get a bite to eat?”
Mustering control over her voice she’d never imagined she possessed, Baylie pushed the button and replied, “I’m on my way.” She clipped the radio on her hip. Still avoiding Kyle’s gaze, she said, “We’d better get back to work.”
She glanced at him and found him still studying her. Baylie hauled on her jacket as quickly as possible. If she hurried maybe he wouldn’t ask any more questions. Tugging on her knit cap, she pushed open the door to the outside. Kyle was right behind her.
As if he knew not to question what had just happened, he asked instead, “So what kind of medical training do you have to have to run the courtesy patrol?”
“I’m an emergency medical technician.”
“Really? That’s all?”
Was that a snarl of contempt in his voice?
“Yes, really.”
“I would’ve expected the leadership position to require at least a doctor’s degree at a resort this large.”
Maybe it should, but management had hired her, and she had received positive feedback for her efforts so far. Her hand stopped in midair as she reached for her skis. Through narrowed eyes she pierced him with a look that she hoped screamed that he’d gone to the bottom of the garbage can in her estimation. “I also have advanced training in mountain rescue. I assure you, I’m more than qualified.”
Still that too familiar sick feeling lingered. She’d known what to do when Ben had been hurt, she just hadn’t been able to reach him. No matter how good her training, it hadn’t been enough. She’d let him down—but she intended to honor his memory.
“I’ll make my own judgment.”
Baylie took a step forward, her eyes darkening. “Are you always this rude and self-righteous when you meet people or have you just picked me out as someone special?” She inhaled sharply and let it out in a huff. “You know, I don’t care. I don’t have to prove myself to a pompous MD. I don’t have time for this conversation.” She snatched her skis from the rack. “John’s waiting for you so he can have lunch,” she said, and stalked off.
Of all the arrogant, opinionated men she’d ever met Dr. Kyle Campbell was the worst. And that was saying something. She’d worked with doctors in the army, had been out on patrol with adrenaline junkies in Iraq and she wasn’t impressed. She’d had all she could take of “I’m the man” and “I’m the best” in the military. But this doctor beat them all. Even the cold air didn’t dampen the fire of ire burning through her. When this guy’s two days were up she was going to send him on his way and say good riddance.
She slipped off the lip of a double-diamond trail and made quick, sharp S-turns down the slope. The wind burned her face as she rapidly crossed the trail. Her skis hit an icy spot and she had to concentrate to correct herself. The man had annoyed her enough that she was skiing recklessly. Digging in the edge of her ski, she pulled to a jarring stop on the side of the slope.
Panting miniature clouds of steam, with her heart racing, she looked out over the white run and up to the snow-kissed trees against the sapphire sky. The sun had pushed the gray clouds away. She lifted her face to the warmth and inhaled the crisp air. The mountains of West Virginia never failed to soothe her spirit. That was why she’d returned. To hide, and to survive.
CHAPTER TWO (#u4b05fe7b-4438-5f67-89aa-b539766ee896)
A BITTER TASTE had filled Kyle’s mouth when Baylie had stated proudly she was an EMT. Just when he had been starting to find the woman interesting. Emergency medical techs had their place. In his line of work, Kyle had to work with them. But in his personal experience an EMT with a know-it-all attitude could be dangerous. Like that guy who’d treated him when he’d fallen.
Baylie seemed to be on the same plane. She had to be in control. She had to make the call herself, even when others were equally qualified.
A stab of pain went through him at the memory of his accident. It had been perfect skiing conditions. Great snowfall the night before, clear sky and bright sun. Just a few wispy clouds in the sky. His parents and sister had been in the crowd, which hadn’t happened often. Traveling all over the world meant he’d only seen them a few times a year. Being middle-class, blue-collar workers, his parents hadn’t been able to afford to follow the ski circuit.
The event had taken place in the US, making it easier for them to attend. He’d made arrangements with his sponsors to pay for their lodging. They’d driven an entire day just to get there. He’d been the one the bets had been on to take it all, and he’d wanted them to be there to see it. He hadn’t made a habit of believing his own press, but this time even he’d thought he had a chance.
He’d been almost through the run when he’d moved a fraction of an inch too far with one ski, and then he’d been in the fence. Where the crowd had been screaming, there had suddenly been nothing but quiet. His knee had taken the blunt of the stop. The EMT hadn’t properly secured his foot on the stretcher, even after one of the other techs had suggested he do so. His foot had fallen off the stretcher, and that had been the end of his glory days as a skier.
Those were times best forgotten. It was water under the bridge. His knee was his only worry now.
Kyle’s afternoon passed without incident on the beginner slope. He had to remind a couple of advanced skiers to slow down. He even had to threaten to take one loudmouth snowboarder’s lift ticket before Kyle got the point across that he meant business.
Most of the time he spent watching children who’d finished morning ski-school practice their newfound skills. Each made their way carefully down the slope with their knees forming a wedge to slow down. They came by him chanting, “Make a pizza.” If they wanted to go faster they’d make their skis go parallel to each other like “French fries”.
The newbies would make it to the lift area and get on the lift to make the circuit again with broad grins on their faces. He envied them. Those had been exciting days when he’d been learning to ski. He’d been told more than once that he was a natural.
Kyle noticed Baylie a number of times as she stood talking to one of the other patrol members. She must have seen him looking at her during one visit because she skied over.
“Everything going okay?” Her words were terse. Apparently she hadn’t recovered from their earlier discussion.
“Things have been calm,” he answered matter-of-factly.
“Good. Slopes close at four-thirty. Please make sure everyone is off the lift and headed in.” She said it evenly but her tone implied she was the boss.
“Sure.” Not liking the tension between them, he offered an olive branch. “Hey, I didn’t intend to offend you earlier.”
“Is that an apology?”
She certainly had no plans to meet him halfway.
A voice over the radio said, “Baylie, you’re needed at the clinic.”
Thankfully he didn’t have to answer her question. He still thought a doctor should be making the larger calls at the resort. In his case, if a sports-med doc had been made available, his skiing career might not have been ruined.
Putting the radio to her mouth, Baylie responded, “Ten-four.” To Kyle she said, “You can keep your jacket overnight. Be at the patrol office at eight a.m. Slope opens at nine.”
Kyle watched as she moved down the slope toward the courtesy-patrol building. There was grace in the subtle shift and sway of her hips as she skimmed across the snow.
He was usually attracted to the tall, willowy blonde types with the “help me” looks, but for some reason Baylie’s compact, agile body appealed to him. The ski pants did nothing to conceal her supple curves. In many ways she was a contradiction. Outside all mountain girl, fresh and natural, while on the inside hard as nails and unyielding. The paradox made him want to know more about her.
What he didn’t completely comprehend was her over-the-top reaction to the table crashing.
All Baylie planned to do was grab a pizza and head to her place to prop her feet up. The pizza parlor/bar was full of the young après-ski crowd looking for a night of fun. She stepped inside and unzipped her jacket. Despite the blast of heat that hit her, she left her jacket on. She’d only be a few minutes. Pushing her way through the throng toward the bar, she spoke to a number of people she knew. This was also the after-hours hangout for most of the courtesy patrol.
Moving around a group, her gaze met Kyle Campbell’s across the room. He sat on a deep cushioned couch next to the roaring fire in the stone fireplace, which had a huge Christmas wreath hanging above it. The place had a festive holiday feel. Beside Kyle sat Tiffani, with a look of hero worship on her face as if she was fascinated by his every word.
When they had been having their heated discussion earlier his blue eyes had turned stormy, as if he was remembering something extremely unpleasant. There seemed to be nothing rational about his negative reaction to her and her qualifications. She didn’t understand his attitude but it didn’t matter. What he thought didn’t matter.
She still held his gaze. Then with a jerk of her head she broke the connection and continued making her way to the bar. she ordered a pizza and stood against the wall out of the way to wait until it was ready. Regardless of the number of times she reminded herself that what was between Tiffani and Kyle was of no interest to her, she couldn’t resist glancing in their direction. Just as she did so, Tiffani threw her head back and laughed as if Kyle had said the funniest thing she’d ever heard. Baylie curled her lip. Well, she had a pretty good idea where their evening would end.
Was that disgust or jealousy? Disgust. Definitely disgust. She wasn’t interested in any man on any level and certainly not in some ego-inflated doctor.
Turning back to the bar, she saw her pizza was ready. She paid and grabbed the box. Again, she did the bend and weave that was required to make it back to the front door. As soon as she pushed through the doors the freezing air cut through the three layers of clothing covering her chest. She placed the pizza box on the closest park-style bench and zipped up her jacket. Behind her, the doors of the bar opened. She glanced back to see Kyle coming out.
Dressed in a dark blue heavy-knit sweater with a black all-weather coat pulled over it, well-worn jeans and snow boots, Kyle looked like he belonged in this setting. He bore the air of someone who frequented the slopes, instead of those weekend warriors who bought all new clothes and showed up to impress.
“Hi.” His breath was a white mist in the air.
“Hey,” she said as she picked up her pizza box.
“I hope your place isn’t far because that pizza’s going to be frozen if it’s out here long.”
“Then I guess I’d better go.” Baylie walked away.
She moved along the wide brick-filled pedestrian area lined with trendy shops and, above them, condos full of vacationers. Small white lights hung from the eaves and wreaths adorned the doors. This was a miniature Christmas village brought to life. Even the light poles were dressed with wreaths and red bows. She inhaled the crisp air, enjoying the sharp sting in her lungs.
She heard heavy footsteps behind her. Baylie glanced over her shoulder. Kyle was walking a few paces to the side and a few yards behind, his hands shoved into his pockets and his shoulders hunched against the wind. He’d already dumped on her occupation, and was he now stalking her?
She stopped and faced him. “What’re you doing?”
The muted yellow of the streetlamp played across his startled features. His chin lifted in question. “I’m walking over to the dorm. Why? Where did you think I was going?” He stepped closer but not into her personal space. “Stalking you?”
“I, uh, no.”
He looked at her squarely. “Yes, you did,” he said in a teasing tone.
“Maybe I did think you were following me.”
“I was, but just not with the intentions your mind was hatching.”
Baylie was grateful that the light wasn’t any better. Hopefully her guilt didn’t show.
His grin grew. “Since we’re going in the same direction, let me join you. That way you can keep an eye on me.”
How could she say no to that attractive lift of his lips? “I guess that would be safer.” She started walking again, and he fell in step beside her.
“So, do you live in the dorm too? Ooh, that did sound like I’m stalking you.”
She laughed. Something she didn’t do much of these days. “No, I have a small place next door. Since I’m here full-time I get an upgrade, such as it is.”
“I just threw my duffel bag on a bunk and headed out for a burger. Place reminds me of college—dirty socks, snoring and beer cans everywhere.”
She couldn’t help but chuckle again. “Yeah, I know what you mean. An army barracks isn’t much more appealing.”
“You’ve been in the military?” Amazement orbited his words.
“Yeah. That’s where I got my training.”
He didn’t comment, and she was relieved. She didn’t want a repetition of their earlier conversation. They seemed to have reached a temporary stalemate.
They crossed the main paved road that divided the top of the mountain and maneuvered around a pile of snow left by the road crew. The pavement was the line that separated the Alpine village, where all the visitors stayed, from the side of the mountain where the employees lived in considerably less luxury.
No longer in the light of the numerous security lamps, the footing became more difficult along the gravel road. Baylie slowed her pace. It had started to snow.
“What’s there to do up here after the slopes close?”
His deep smooth voice and being alone together in the darkness had a far too intimate a feel. She didn’t do romance. Not now, not ever again. She couldn’t carry any more guilt if she failed another man. “The usual, I guess. Dinner, bars. Some people swim in the indoor pool.”
“You aren’t into the après-ski scene?”
“I’m sure you know the saying that those who ski all day go to bed.”
“They do, do they?”
His words came out slow and rough, putting a double meaning to them that made her think of a big bed, roaring fire and no clothes. What was happening to her? She was letting this stranger get to her. Crazy stuff. They didn’t even like each other. Again she was glad for the darkness. She needed to get to her place right away. “You know what I mean.”
He chuckled. “Yeah. If you ski all day it’s hard to stay up and party all night. You’re too worn out.”
“You and Tiffani looked like you were having a good time.” If Baylie could have taken the words back she would have. It was none of her business with whom he spent his time. Nothing about him was her concern except what he did on the slopes between nine and four-thirty.
“So you did see us.” Kyle’s tone implied the statement had a significant meaning, and he was mulling over what that was.
It was time for her to put a door between them. She’d already said too much. “Well, here’s your stop.” The large, functional three-floor building loomed in front of them. “I’m on down. Good night.”
