I quickly finished my walkthrough, my gut churning. It was going to be fine. He’d listen. He was an excellent businessman. But I knew from his one visit that he was also like a contained storm. A handsome, arrogant one.

He was intelligent, but from the two hours I’d spent with him, not to mention his overbearing emails, I got the impression he didn’t see people or care about them. He just saw cogs that he expected to carry out their function. He had his eye on the prize, on the next acquisition.

I’d hoped not to deal with him again.

I figured he’d be involved in the purchase, then hopefully leave us alone. It was a pipe dream, but still, the girl could hope.

I crossed the great room. It was one of my favorite places in the hotel. The huge stone fireplace was striking but welcoming, and large chandeliers glittered overhead. I loved the space. It acted as our casual lounge, where guests could relax, get a casual meal or drink. Out the giant floor-to-ceiling windows, the green-covered mountains beckoned.

My real fear was that Langston was coming here and that he’d tear out everything good. He’d leave the place shiny and soulless, and worse, lay off good people.

I straightened my shoulders. I was the manager. My people depended on me.

Then a thought hit me.

The owner’s office hadn’t been cleaned out. Crap, I’d been storing holiday decorations in there.

I hurried into the office area.

Sierra stepped out of her office. “Tessa, you need to sign these forms⁠—”

“Not now.”

She frowned at me. “What’s wrong?”

“Ambrose Langston is on his way.”

She gasped. “For how long?”

“Let’s hope it’s only for a few hours.”

Allie stepped into the corridor, studying a tablet. She was no doubt assessing what guest rooms still needed cleaning this morning.

“Allie?” I called out.

She turned and cocked a brow.

“I need the owner’s office cleaned out.”

The urgency in my tone made her straighten. “How long have I got?”

“Thirty minutes.”

She nodded. “On it.”

I pressed my hands together. “Thank you.” I spun. “All right, let’s get everything shipshape. I’m sure Mr. Langston won’t be here for very long.”

I just had to survive for a few hours.

6. Ro

Chapter 6

Ro

Even I had to admit the view from up here was amazing.

I sat in the back of the helicopter, looking out at the Rocky Mountains below. Right now, they were green, but as the fall came in, the green would give way. Soon the trees would turn various colors and lose their leaves.

I was headed back to Windward.

For the last day, all I’d thought about was Windward.